We’ve all accidentally just forgotten to take our fake eyelashes off before crashing in bed. But can you sleep with fake eyelashes on, and is it safe to do so?
It’s a bad idea to fall asleep with fake eyelashes on. Falsies will have an adhesive that means they can stick to your eyelids, and sleeping with this on risks infection and irritation. You’re also more likely to damage them when you sleep.
Can Fake Eyelashes Damage Your Natural Lashes?
Fake eyelashes will inevitably cause some degree of damage to your natural lashes, no matter how careful you are.
That’s why it’s so important to remember a few key rules if you regularly wear false eyelashes.
One of the most critical ones is to not fall asleep with fake eyelashes on.
This is because sleeping with falsies on can cause irritation.
All of the dirt, debris, and residue that your fake eyelashes have caught will build up, and this might cause itchiness or sensitivities.
If you rub or tug at your eyelashes as a result, you’ll likely end up pulling at your natural lashes. You may therefore cause some to fall out.
Your natural eyelashes have a growth cycle, and this can take anywhere up to three months.
That means that, if you do pull out your natural eyelashes, you might end up waiting a while for them to grow back in!
In the worst instance, if you consistently tug at your lashes, you might cause traction alopecia.
It’s therefore essential that you properly care for your natural lashes, and one of the best ways to do so is to avoid sleeping in your falsies.
Can You Sleep With Fake Eyelashes On?
Although you can sleep with fake eyelashes on, it’s not the best idea to do so. If you accidentally fall asleep whilst wearing them, that’s okay, but it shouldn’t become a regular occurrence. You’d ideally be removing your fake eyelashes before you go to sleep.
If you consistently fall asleep with your fake eyelashes on, then you need to ensure that you’re using an adhesive that is free from nasty chemicals like formaldehyde.
This will help to reduce your risk of eye infection, but it’s still not foolproof.
If you do regularly fall asleep wearing your fake eyelashes and you like to sleep on your side, then you’re really risking damage to your natural lashes.
Sleeping on your side means that there’s more likely to be friction between the surface of the pillow and your face.
Pulling and tugging can lead to strain on your natural lashes and your hair follicles. This will result in premature shedding of your natural lashes.
It might be an idea to start looking at alternatives to fake eyelashes if you find yourself frequently falling asleep whilst wearing them.
Eyelash extensions are a far better option, as there are ways to safely sleep with eyelash extensions.
But you could also investigate eyelash tinting, too.
Can You Sleep With Magnetic Eyelashes?
Just as you shouldn’t sleep with fake eyelashes on, you should always remove your magnetic eyelashes before falling asleep. That way, you’re taking care that they’ll last longer and minimizing the risk of infection.
If you’re falling asleep with fake eyelashes on, you’re very likely forgetting to remove your make-up.
This is best avoided for the health of your eyes and skin. You should aim to remove all make-up and any temporary aesthetic enhancements like fake eyelashes before falling asleep.
What’s more, you won’t wake up looking your freshest if you fall asleep wearing your fake eyelashes.
They’re really best removed.
Is It OK To Take A Nap With False Eyelashes?
Taking a quick nap with false eyelashes on should be okay, but it’s still not ideal. If you do nap whilst wearing your falsies, try sleeping on your back, using a silk pillowcase, or wearing a contoured eye mask.
Before taking a nap with fake eyelashes on, you should investigate what chemicals are in the adhesive.
That way, you can rest assured that you’re not exposing your eyes to serious toxins.
However, as said, it’s still a safer idea to remove your fake eyelashes before sleeping.
How To Best Protect False Eyelashes When Sleeping
If you do insist on sleeping with your false eyelashes on, there are a few ways that you can try to maintain them:
1. Use a hypoallergenic glue and patch test
Before you do anything, you need to do a patch test to ensure that the adhesive that you use doesn’t cause any irritation or sensitivity to your skin or eyelashes.
Looking for formaldehyde-free glue is also the best possible idea.
2. Sleep on silk
Silk or satin pillowcases are great for your skin and your hair, but they’re also ideal for sleeping with fake eyelashes.
Compared to either cotton or linen, they reduce the friction between your lashes and the pillow surface.
This minimizes any tugging or pulling on your lashes.
The result is that your falsies are less likely to tangle or become stuck together, and you’re looking after your natural lashes at the same time.
3. Use a contoured sleep mask
Investing in a contoured or ‘3D’ sleep mask is a great way to preserve your lashes as you sleep.
They leave a space between your mask and the lashes.
This means that your lashes don’t press up against the surface of your mask, and they’re therefore less likely to tangle or become crushed.
At the very least, you should aim for sleep masks with an adjustable strap. This will help you to ensure that the mask isn’t compressed against your face.
4. Sleep on your back
If you choose to sleep with your fake eyelashes on, then it’s a good idea to sleep on your back.
This is known as a supine sleeping position, and it minimizes any tugging, rubbing, or pulling between your lashes and the pillow.
You can always use pillows to support you as you try to sleep in this position. Memory foam pillows are also fantastic at supporting your neck as you sleep on your back.
5. Keep your sheets away from your face
If you go to sleep with fake eyelashes on, you should keep your sheets or blankets away from your face.
Otherwise, they may become damaged as a result of friction. Avoid draping your arm over your face as you sleep, too, so that you don’t flatten your lashes whilst you sleep.
How Do You Remove And Clean Your Fake Eyelashes?
You should aim to remove and clean your fake eyelashes before you sleep. If you don’t, you risk irritation or infection as a result of dirt and debris build-up.
It’s also a good idea to look after your natural eyelashes in the process, too. That way you ensure their overall health.
A good idea is to use a lash growth or conditioning serum and to brush them regularly.
- Take a lint-free cotton ball or pad. Use an oil-based make-up remover or essential oil like coconut or almond oil.
- Gently swipe your make-up remover or essential oil over your lash line. This helps to loosen the lash adhesive. You may need to take up to thirty seconds to do so.
- Take care when peeling the lash off that you don’t poke yourself in the eye or pull at your skin. If you start from the outer corner and move inwards, this will help.
- If there’s any leftover adhesive on your eyelid, use the make-up remover or oil to dissolve it.
- Take a clean spoolie brush or mascara wand and gently brush out your natural lashes. This helps to remove any remaining residue and to ensure that they don’t tangle.
- Use a lash growth serum or conditioner on your natural lashes. This helps to prevent breakage and maintain their structure.
You should also aim to clean your fake eyelashes, so as to prolong their use.
- Remove any excess adhesive. You can use a tweezer to do so, but take care that you’re gentle.
- Next, take a clean spoolie brush covered in micellar water. Gently use this to remove any mascara or other make-up from your falsies.
- If you have alcohol in a spray container, you can lightly mist your fake eyelashes with the alcohol. This will help to kill any bacteria.
- If your falsies have been bent out of shape, you can reshape them whilst they’re wet.
- You then need to dry your fake eyelashes. This is an essential way to avoid the development of bacterial infections in them. Using a lint-free towel or kitchen roll will help. Gently pat them until they’re dry, and store them in an airtight container. If you have the original box that they came in, it’s a good idea to use this to keep them clean.
If you take care of them properly, your fake eyelashes should last anywhere from five to eight wears.
It’s a good idea not to overly coat them in make-up when you do wear them, as this will tend to shorten their lifespan.
It’s also essential to clean them properly, as we recommend above.
Should You Remove Your Eyelashes Every Night?
Yes, you should aim to remove your fake eyelashes every night.
Just as you are (hopefully) removing your make-up before going to bed, you need to take your falsies off so as to reduce the risk of irritation or infection.