How to Clean Eyelash Extensions

Co-authored by Tymia Yvette

Last Updated: February 26, 2023 References

Eyelash extensions look amazing and make your morning makeup routine much faster. Take care of them so they continue to look good and to extend the time you’ll need between appointments. Cleaning them is easy, but it’s also important to prevent irritation, infections, blepharitis or other issues that can impact your eyes’ health. All you need is a little gentle cleanser, some combing, and a good drying technique.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing Your Extensions

1
Find gentle cleanser. Look for an oil and alcohol-free cleanser. Excess oil especially can break down the adhesive on your extensions. Opt for a foaming face cleanser or gentle face soap. You can even use baby shampoo.^{[1]
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- Be careful with baby shampoo because it can be drying.
- You can dilute a foaming cleanser with a little water to make it gentler.
- Seek out a cleanser that is specifically designed for eyelash extensions.
2
Wash your lashes. Wet your lashes with warm water. Put some cleanser on your fingertips and work it gently into your eyelids and lashes. Use up-and-down movements. Don’t use side-to-side motions or tug your lashes so you don’t lose extensions or damage your natural eyelashes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.^{[2]
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- Be sure to clean your lash line well because this is where bacteria and other dirt can build up most.
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3
Avoid cotton pads or wipes. Don’t use cotton pads or balls to clean your lashes. The fibers can get stuck in them and you’ll need to carefully pick those out. Also skip using cleansing wipes because those can loosen or rip out your extensions.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Drying and Combing

1
Dry your lashes naturally. After washing your lashes, gently pat your face dry with a towel, but avoid your eyes to protect your extensions. Let your lashes air dry instead. To speed up the drying process, you can wrap some toilet paper around your finger and gently blot your lashes.
- If you want to be especially careful of your extensions, just let your lashes sit on the toilet paper for a few seconds so the water can be absorbed.
2
Blow them dry. Set your blow dryer on its coolest setting. Next, blast your lashes for about ten seconds on each eye. Be sure to keep the dryer about arm’s length from your face. Don’t do this too often because you want to maintain the adhesive in your extensions.
3
Comb them out. Close one eye. Using a clean, dry mascara brush, gently roll it over your lashes. Next, fluff out the lashes a bit with the brush. Don’t drag the brush through the base of your lashes.^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Extensions

1
Clean your extensions regularly. Take the time to wash your extensions at least a few times a week if not daily. Remove light debris and dust in between washings with a little warm water and combing. Do this by wetting your lashes with a little warm water and then very gently combing them out.^{[5]
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2
Keep your lashes oil-free. Don’t let moisture-rich products like shampoos, conditioners, glycerin, or heavy creams near your lashes or lash line to protect the integrity of the adhesive. For example, tilt your head back in the shower to keep these products away from your eyes. Also try dabbing a very thin line of 70% isopropyl alcohol on your lash line once a week to wipe away excess oil that can be produced by sweat when you exercise frequently.^{[6]
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3
Don’t rub your eyes. Avoid tugging, rubbing, or pulling at your lashes. This will loosen them and make them look clumpy if you’re not careful. It can also pull out your natural lashes. Get them professionally removed if the extensions itch or are otherwise really bothering you.^{[7]
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4
Use eye makeup carefully. Avoid cream eyeshadows, and use powdered eyeshadow as you normally would, focusing application at the very corners of your eyes. Steer away from liquid eyeliner, which can damage your extensions. Most importantly, never use mascara. It will damage your extensions and leave them looking and feeling crusty.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you get the adhesive off of the lashes?

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Tymia Yvette is a Makeup and Lash Artist and the founder of Tymia Yvette Beauty LLC, a makeup artistry and lash extension company focused on customized beauty services based in Baltimore, Maryland. Trained by MAC Cosmetics, Tymia's work has been featured in the Bravo A-List Awards 2008, the BET Honors Award Show in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the White House Correspondent's Dinner in 2014. She has also provided makeup and lash services for the Betsy Royal Casting Agency and the Baltimore Raven's cheerleading squad from 2010 to 2012. Her clients include Terrence Howard, Torrey Smith, Lester Holt, Adrienne Lofton, and Natasha Hastings. She has been awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Tymia Yvette

Makeup & Lash Artist

Expert Answer

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Hold the lash firmly with two fingers and use your opposite hand to gently peel the adhesive off. Work your way from one end to the other to peel it off entirely.
Question

Should I take the adhesive off of my eyelashes?

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Tymia Yvette is a Makeup and Lash Artist and the founder of Tymia Yvette Beauty LLC, a makeup artistry and lash extension company focused on customized beauty services based in Baltimore, Maryland. Trained by MAC Cosmetics, Tymia's work has been featured in the Bravo A-List Awards 2008, the BET Honors Award Show in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the White House Correspondent's Dinner in 2014. She has also provided makeup and lash services for the Betsy Royal Casting Agency and the Baltimore Raven's cheerleading squad from 2010 to 2012. Her clients include Terrence Howard, Torrey Smith, Lester Holt, Adrienne Lofton, and Natasha Hastings. She has been awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Tymia Yvette

Makeup & Lash Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes. Always take the adhesive off and put the eyelashes back in their original packaging. That will keep them clean and dry so you can reuse them in the future.
Question

How many times can I reuse fake eyelashes?

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Tymia Yvette is a Makeup and Lash Artist and the founder of Tymia Yvette Beauty LLC, a makeup artistry and lash extension company focused on customized beauty services based in Baltimore, Maryland. Trained by MAC Cosmetics, Tymia's work has been featured in the Bravo A-List Awards 2008, the BET Honors Award Show in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the White House Correspondent's Dinner in 2014. She has also provided makeup and lash services for the Betsy Royal Casting Agency and the Baltimore Raven's cheerleading squad from 2010 to 2012. Her clients include Terrence Howard, Torrey Smith, Lester Holt, Adrienne Lofton, and Natasha Hastings. She has been awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Tymia Yvette

Makeup & Lash Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you take them off properly and completely remove the adhesive, you should be able to reuse them at least 2-4 times. It totally depends on how you handle them, though.