To maintain your false eyelashes and ensure their longevity, you need to clean them! But how do you do it at home? Here's how.

More and more of us are wearing them, and false eyelashes (or synthetic eyelashes) are an everyday part of many beauty routines. They add panache and give an intense look to those whose natural lashes are a little too short. But do we really have the right reflexes when it comes to caring for them? While many have long considered false eyelashes to be a single-use beauty accessory, brands are increasingly insisting that they can be reused several times without any problem, as long as you know how to look after them. And that's good news, especially when you're paying for them. Whether magnetic, magnetized, water-based or glue-based, false eyelashes all have one golden rule: they must be cleaned!

Find out which false eyelashes to choose, thanks to our practical guide. 

What you need before cleaning false eyelashes

To ensure clean lashes, before cleaning false lashes, you'll need certain items to ensure the process goes smoothly and false lashes stay in good condition. Here's what you'll need:

1. False lashes: Make sure the false lashes you want to clean are in good condition and reusable. False lashes made from quality materials are generally more durable.

2. Cotton buds or tweezers: These tools will help you gently remove excess glue or mascara from false lashes.

3. Gentle make-up remover or facial cleanser: Choose a gentle make-up remover, preferably oil-free, to gently remove eyelash glue, mascara and any make-up residue.

4. Container or bowl: Use a small bowl or container to prepare your cleaning solution and soak your false eyelashes.

5. Warm water: You'll need warm water to mix with makeup remover or cleanser and to rinse false lashes.

6. Clean tray or towel: Use a clean tray or towel to separate and dry false lashes after cleaning.

7. Cotton discs or tissues: Use cotton discs or tissues to gently dab false eyelashes and remove excess moisture.

8. Brosse à cils : Une petite brosse à cils douce peut être utilisée pour brosser délicatement les faux cils après le nettoyage, afin de les remettre en forme.

Steps to follow when cleaning false eyelashes

If you're the kind of person who regularly wears false eyelashes (doe eyes and intense eyes, we love them!) but didn't necessarily know that they too needed regular cleaning, this handy little guide should come in handy.

P.S: If you're looking for good advice on how to wear false eyelashes, we've got you covered too!

Eyelash cleaning: make sure you have the right products

Before you start cleaning your false eyelashes, make sure you have the right products and equipment at hand. For successful cleaning, you'll need a special eye make-up remover, alcohol (90°), make-up remover discs, a cotton bud, a clean brush and tweezers.

First step: getting into the right frame of mind

Now that you've got your equipment ready, before you get down to the business of cleaning false eyelashes, make sure your hands are clean. Any hygienic gesture performed with your hands must be carried out under the right conditions. Don't forget that false eyelashes come into contact with your eyes, the most fragile area of the human body, so it's essential that they are properly cleaned. Wash your hands with a neutral soap to avoid any risk of eye infection.

Step 2: Remove false lashes

Effective cleaning follows the removal of false lashes. Make sure you remove your false lashes gently, without risk of hurting yourself or damaging the adhesive strip! Also check that no traces of glue remain on either your natural lashes or the adhesive strip. If this is the case, wipe the adhesive strip with a cotton swab soaked in 90° alcohol. This should remove any residual glue once and for all, as well as sanitizing the lashes and making them easier to reuse. For the natural lash area, you can use tweezers to remove any residual glue. In the case of magnetic false lashes or magnet lashes, simply take care not to damage the magnet points to facilitate reuse.

Step 3: Clean false lashes

Now that the false lashes have been removed, it's time to start cleaning them properly. Remember, this is a delicate accessory that needs to be treated gently. Pour special eye make-up remover (preferably oil-based) into a small container. Soak the eyelash strip (very briefly), then pass a cotton bud or clean cotton pad over the make-up remover-soaked false eyelashes to allow the product to take effect. This removes make-up residues (such as eyeshadow) from the synthetic strands, as well as any dirt that may have built up over the day. Now that you've done this, you can let the lashes air-dry on a tissue. Once the lashes are dry, brush them with a clean brush to keep them in good shape.

When you've finished cleaning, be sure to store your false eyelashes in their original box, to keep them dry and, of course, for as long as possible.

What are the risks of improperly cleaning false eyelashes?

It's best to avoid experimenting with them. Dirty false eyelashes can lead to eye infections of varying degrees of severity. As the eye area is an extremely fragile zone, if false eyelashes are not properly cleaned, they can be a vector for bad bacteria. Always remain extremely vigilant about the cleanliness of your false eyelashes - your eyes' health depends on it! If you're the type of person who doesn't know what to do, and cleaning your lashes can (very often) go right over your head, opt for more natural methods to lengthen your lashes! For example, use an eyelash growth serum. The effects are visible after just one month (but you can also opt for cures lasting up to six months), and you'll keep your natural lashes looking their best.