How to Clean and Reuse Lashes

I used to buy a new pair of lashes every week. Not because I had a problem—no, it was because I was too lazy to clean them. Then I ruined a gorgeous pair by leaving old glue on them, and the band snapped right before a wedding. That's when I finally taught myself the right way to wash and reuse lashes.

Here's the good news: a well-cared-for pair of strip lashes can last 20 to 30 wears. That's the difference between spending $10 a week and $10 a month—without the ick factor or risking an eye infection.

WHY CLEANING YOUR LASHES MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK

Leftover glue and makeup aren't just disgusting—they shorten the life of your lashes. The old adhesive dries into hard little pebbles that weaken the band. Oil from your skin breaks down the glue faster. And when you reuse a dirty lash, you're pressing all that bacteria into your eye area. Not cute.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Oil-free micellar water (or lash cleanser)
• A small makeup brush or spoolie
• A clean lint-free towel
• The original lash tray (for storage)
• A pair of tweezers (for stubborn glue)

THE 5-STEP CLEANING RITUAL

1. Gently peel the lash off from the outer corner. Never yank the band from the center—it will warp.
2. Remove the old adhesive by gently pulling it off the band with tweezers. Do this while the glue is still dry, not wet.
3. Soak the lashes in a small dish of micellar water for 2-3 minutes. This breaks down debris without soaking the band too much.
4. Brush the lashes with a spoolie or clean mascara wand using one-direction strokes from base to tip. Don't scrub back and forth.
5. Air dry them face-up on a paper towel. Then put them back in the tray to keep their shape.

LASH CARE DO'S AND DON'TS

• Don't use oil-based cleansers. Oil dissolves the glue's structure, causing the fibers to shed.
• Do remove your lashes every single night before sleeping. Sleeping in lashes is the #1 reason they lose their shape.
• Don't soak them for more than 5 minutes. The band can swell.
• Do use a dedicated lash brush to keep the pattern neat.

HOW TO KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO RETIRE THEM

If the band is kinked, the lashes are splayed in different directions, or they no longer lie flush with your lid, it's over. Also, if cleaning them once doesn't get the gunk off, they're not worth your health.

WHAT MAKES A LASH REUSABLE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

A reusable lash has a band that can bend back into shape without snapping, fibers that don't shed easily, and a knotting technique that holds up to repeated washing. That's the real definition of quality—not just how they look on the first wear.

THE MOST REUSABLE LASHES I'VE TESTED

PHANSTA LASHES passed my strictest cleaning test with flying colors. After 15 washes, the band still held its curve and the fibers kept their curl. That's the kind of pair you buy once and keep using until you're bored of them—not until they fall apart.

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