All flutter, no clutter: how to clean false eyelashes

Key steps

How to clean fake lashes in four easy steps:

1. Wash your hands and gently remove lashes.

2. Use a cotton bud dipped in make-up remover to clean.

3. Finish by wiping with a clean bud.

4. Soak and repeat the process for more stubborn grime.

False lashes are great for framing sparkling eyes, but once they’ve been on your face for a while they can get a little grimy. Instead of throwing them away when they get mucky, you can re-use them… once you know how to clean fake eyelashes, that is! We’re here to help. Once you’ve read this you’ll be cleaning false lashes with ease, ready to give them a good batting a second, third, even fourth time around.

When it comes to knowing how to clean fake eyelashes, pay close attention to the band that connects the fake to the real lashes. That’s a key area, where not only glue builds up, but crusty old make-up too.

What to do before you start cleaning false eyelashes

Before you begin cleaning false lashes there are a few things you need to do:

• Thoroughly wash your hands. The last thing you want is to add to the grime, or worse, get something icky in your eyes.

• Remove your lashes. If you haven’t already, gently pull at the outer corner of your fake lashes and they should come off. Be gentle though: you don’t want your real lashes coming out with the fake ones.

• Clean up your real lashes. Give your real lashes a quick wipe with make-up remover to get rid of excess make-up and glue.

Now let’s move onto the good stuff – how to clean false eyelashes.

How to clean false lashes

Whether they’re caked in party mascara from a night out, or just a little bit of work make-up, cleaning false eyelashes is fairly easy. Re-using is better for the environment, and you’ll save money too, because you won’t have to replace them as often. Double bonus. Here’s how to clean fake lashes with cotton buds and eye make-up remover:

1. Lay down kitchen towels and place your fake lashes on them, ready to be cleaned.

2. Dunk your cotton bud in make-up remover, shaking off the excess.

3. Wipe away the old make-up, glue and grime from your lashes.

4. Take a clean cotton bud, dip it in warm water and give your lashes a final wipe.

5. Leave your lashes to air dry on a fresh piece of kitchen towel. Don’t try to squeeze out the excess cleaning fluid, as you could damage them.

6. If that hasn’t worked, you can try soaking your lashes in a solution of make-up remover and warm water for five minutes. That’s how to clean false eyelashes caked in really stubborn grime.                          

There you have it, a simple way to clean your false lashes so that they’re ready for you to use another day. Whether it’s a little or a lot of grime, you can see how easy it is. And now that you now how to clean false lashes, you’ll be able to re-use them again and again.