how to clean false eyelashes

If you're even worse about cleaning your false eyelashes than you are about washing your makeup brushes, you already know what I'm about to say: It's time to make some changes. Your precious little eyes deserve better than those crusty, clumpy, unrecognizable strips of false lashes rolling around in your makeup bag. I'm not saying you need to go out and buy all new fake lashes just yet—with a proper cleaning, you might just be able to whip those babies back in shape.

So to find out exactly how to clean your lashes the right way, we turned to ophthalmologist Ilyse Haberman, MD, from NYU Langone Health. Below, Haberman explains exactly why cleaning your falsies is so important and breaks the process down into five really easy steps that even your sleepiest self can do after a long night out—promise.

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Can I reuse false lashes?

Not only can you, but you absolutely should if you're spending upwards of 20 bucks on a single pair. But before you reuse your lashes, you've gotta take the time to correctly remove them, clean them, and store them so that you can get the most use of them (without irritating or infecting your eyes).

Do you have to clean false eyelashes?

Let me put it this way: If you don't clean them, you run the risk of pretty gnarly consequences. In short, Dr. Haberman says bacteria can build up on the lashes and cause eye infections, while leftover glue or old makeup debris can also collect on the lashes and cause skin irritation and breakage of the false lashes. So, yeah. You're gonna want to clean them.

How do you remove glued on eyelashes?

The first step to cleaning them the right away is properly removing them. It doesn't matter if you're too tired (or tipsy) at the end of the night; do not aggressively pull the lashes off from the hairs. Not only could you pull out the individual false lashes from the band, but you also risk pulling out your own lash hairs.

Instead, start from the inner corner of your eye and lift the lash band itself with your finger. Once you've lifted it enough to firmly grab the band (again, not the hairs), gently pull the strip away from the lash line and toward the outer corner to remove it. Watch and learn:

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How do you properly clean your lashes?

Dr. Haberman says no matter what kind of lashes you use, you gotta disinfect them between each use. To make it extra easy for ya, here are the four products you need, along with Dr. Haberman's five simple steps for cleaning your lashes:

G2PLUS Disposable Eyelash Mascara Brushes

Phogary Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads

Tweezerman Neon Pink Stainless Steel Mini Slant Tweezer

Wipe them down. A cotton ball works, but to avoid little cotton fuzzies from sticking to the lashes, try reusable cotton pads if you've got 'em. Soak the cotton in oil-free eye makeup remover and rub it gently on the lashes on both sides, then on the adhesive strip until they are clean of any makeup or residue.
Remove the old glue. Once the old glue is softened, you can use tweezers to gently remove it from the lash band.
Disinfect. After the makeup and lash glue has been taken off, soak a new cotton ball or pad in rubbing alcohol and run it over the lashes and adhesive strip to disinfect it.
Let them air-dry. While the lashes are wet, reshape them if you need (more on that below), then allow them to dry completely before storing them. This step is v important for preventing bacteria or mold from growing on the lashes.
Keep them in a cool, dry place. Don't ruin your hard work and toss them into your crusty makeup bag or dusty drawer, k? Keep them stored in a clean lash container, like the one they came in, so they don't collect gunk.

What can I soak my eyelashes in?

Who knew that soaking your lashes could be so controversial?! While some have learned through trial and error that soaking the lashes distorts their shape and curve, others argue that it's the best way to completely revive gross, gunky falsies.

If you like to live life on the edge and want to try to soak yours, pour warm water mixed with a few drops of gentle dish soap, micellar water, or even makeup brush cleaner in a small bowl. If you would rather not soak them, pour a little micellar water on two cotton rounds, and press the lash strip between them and allow them time to sit. Both soaking methods work to soften and loosen dried glue and makeup so that you can easily remove the debris.

How can I restore my bent false eyelashes?

If you decided to soak your lashes and now you're stressed because they've seemingly lost their shape, don't freak—you can reshape them as long as they're still wet and pliable. After you've soaked them, lay the strip along the length of your middle finger so that the curve of the lashes wraps around your finger, then pinch the band between your middle and pointer fingers to securely grasp it. With your other hand, brush through the hairs with a spoolie and encourage the curled shape of the lashes. Once the hairs are combed through, wrap the band around the eye mold in the original box to recreate the curved bend of the lash band.

If you're a visual learner, here's a little demo for ya:

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How long do false lashes last?

Yes, having good quality lashes helps, but this depends mostly on how you take care of them after wearing them. Even cheap lashes can have a decent lifespan if you properly clean them between each use, but in general, Dr. Haberman recommends replacing synthetic lashes every five to eight wears. Time to replace that clumpy pair of yours? Try one of our favorites below and make sure to follow all the above advice so you can get the most use of 'em.

Oh Yours Beauty Paris Faux Mink Lashes

Ardell Multipack Demi Wispies False Lashes

UOMA Beauty Black Magic Carnival Bahia Eyelashes

Tarte Tarteist PRO Cruelty-Free Lashes Center Of Attention

Brooke Shunatona Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.

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