How Long Can You Wear Fake Eyelashes?
Fake eyelashes were once reserved for theatrical performers and special galas, but today they are available to anyone at any time.
As a society, we have normalised wearing fake lashes to the point that you can even wear them while running errands.
We love the false eyelash trend because it lets everyone look awake and doe-eyed. Let’s face it: long eyelashes can elevate your look without looking overdone.
They’re a beautiful way to make yourself look more put-together, more youthful, and more flirty.
That being said, fake eyelashes come with some questions – can you sleep with counterfeit lashes on? Will they damage your natural lashes? And, the most common question:
How long can you wear fake eyelashes?
The answer depends on the type of lashes and the application method. Some can be worn for a day, while others can last weeks. If you wear them too many times, the lashes will begin to deteriorate.
We want to demystify these questions for you, so keep reading for a complete guide on different types of false lashes and how long they can be worn.
Types of False Lashes And Their Longevity
The main difference among fake lashes lies in their application process.
Some lashes are glued to your eyelid, others are magnetically attached, while some can only be added by a professional at a salon.
Depending on the application, the wear time may vary.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular lash types and how long you can wear them.
Glue-On False Lashes
By far the most popular and most widely available type of fake lashes is glue-on lashes.
These lashes are attached to your upper eyelid with a special glue directly above your natural lash line, allowing them to blend in with your lashes to create a fuller, longer look.
Glue-on lashes can be made out of different materials: synthetic fibres, natural human hair, or animal hair, like mink or horse.
Some of them come as a full strip of lashes, while others come in clusters or even as individual hairs.
What they all have in common is that you are supposed to use a special glue that enables them to stick to your eyelids. These lashes can usually be worn for 12-24 hours.
This makes them an excellent choice for significant events like weddings, proms, and birthdays.
But they may not be ideal for everyday wear, since you’d have to reapply them every morning, which can be a hassle.
The reason they only last 12-24 hours is that the glue eventually loses its adhesive power, the edges start to lift off, and they come off.
Magnetic Lashes
Magnetic fake lashes don’t use any glue. They take advantage of the power of magnets to adhere to your eyelid.
Each strip of magnetic lashes has tiny magnets at its base.
They stick to your lids by sandwiching your actual eyelashes between two strips of magnetic lashes and snapping them into place.
Some magnetic lashes have a different mechanism: they come with a special magnetic eyeliner that you have to apply to your eyelid, then snap the magnetic lash strip onto it.
Both types of magnetic lashes can be worn for about 12 hours, although the magnetic eyeliner option may not last as long because the eyeliner fades and loses its strength after a few hours.
As with glue-on lashes, magnetic lashes are ideal for single-day wear.
However, they are much easier to reapply than glue-on eyelashes, making them more convenient to wear every day.
Salon Eyelash Extensions
Lash extensions that you can get at a salon last much longer than glue-on and magnetic false lashes.
Salon lash extensions are individual false lashes that a professional meticulously applies to your natural lashes.
Instead of adhering to the skin on your eyelid, they are applied directly to each eyelash hair using permanent glue.
As you can imagine, the process is quite tedious and can take a couple of hours (and a couple of hundred dollars). But the results are well worth it.
Since the extensions are attached with permanent glue, they can be worn for weeks.
In most cases, up to 6 or 8 weeks, eventually shedding as part of your natural eyelash growth cycle.
These lashes are ideal for those who like to wear fake lashes every day without the hassle of applying them each morning.
Can You Sleep With Fake Eyelashes?
Whether or not you can keep your fake lashes overnight depends on the type of lashes you’re using.
Since salon lash extensions are attached to each lash hair with permanent glue, they are designed to be worn overnight for several weeks.
However, the glue-on and magnetic fake lashes are designed to be removed before bed. Still, some people wear them overnight.
They can last all night, though tossing and turning in your sleep can make them come off. But if you’re a calm sleeper, you should be fine.
That being said, we don’t recommend wearing them overnight. The adhesive glue can collect germs and bacteria, and the longer you wear it, the more likely you are to develop an eye infection.
Magnetic lashes don’t gather bacteria as easily, but frankly, they are not just comfortable to sleep with.
Ideally, we’d recommend taking false lashes off before bed (other than salon lash extensions, of course) and re-applying in the morning if you want them to last several days.
Do Fake Eyelashes Ruin Your Real Lashes?
Fake eyelashes themselves don’t ruin your real lashes.
It’s the applying, removing, and re-applying process that can hurt your real lashes, in some cases.
Ideally, fake lashes sit just above your lash line so they’re not supposed to interfere with your real lashes. But in reality, that’s not always the case.
Sometimes the glue can drip onto your natural eyelashes, get stuck, and pull them out.
Other times, you might accidentally pull on your real lashes while trying to remove your magnetic strips.
So even though fake lashes don’t technically ruin your real lashes, it’s the activities surrounding them that might cause damage.
Can You Weaken Fake Lashes Every Day?
There is nothing inherently wrong with wearing fake lashes every day, but over time, you might notice that your natural lashes aren’t loving it.
The adhesive from fake lashes can stick to your natural lashes and cause them to be pulled out when you remove your falsies.
Over time, your lashes may begin to look more sparse.
You can also irritate your eyelids by always having something attached to them.
As we mentioned earlier, this can result in bacteria build-up and cause eye infections.
While it’s possible to wear fake lashes every day, we would not recommend it.
You should at least aim to take some breaks to let your eyelids breathe.
If you plan to wear false lashes every day, consider getting semi-permanent extensions, which are much easier on the lids.
If extensions are not in the cards for you, magnetic lashes are less damaging than glue-on lashes as long as you take care during removal and avoid pulling on your natural hairs.
How Long Do Fake Eyelashes Last?
Fake eyelashes can be reused multiple times if they are correctly cleaned and stored in a safe container.
Depending on their material, some can last longer than others.
For example, synthetic lashes are usually suitable for 4-5 uses before they begin to degrade and come apart.
Lashes made out of human or animal hair last longer—up to 20 wears, as long as they are handled with care.
To make your false lashes last longer, make sure to follow these steps:
- If they are glue-on lashes, make sure to remove any glue residue after each wear, using tweezers and an oil-based makeup remover.
- Clean the false lashes of any mascara, dirt, and makeup that may have ended up on them during wear. This can be done with micellar water or alcohol on a cotton pad.
- Store fake lashes in the container they came in to retain their shape and protect them from damage.
Following these steps will help your false lashes last longer and look their best for as long as possible.
As you can see, the amount of time you can wear fake eyelashes depends on several factors, including the material, adhesive type, and how carefully you apply and remove them.
A few rules of thumb we like to follow are:
- Temporary fake lashes should be worn for the day and taken off at night. This includes magnetic and glue-on lashes.
- Salon lash extensions can be worn for weeks and allowed to shed naturally.
- Temporary fake lashes can be reapplied multiple times, as long as they are cleaned after each use and stored correctly.
- Damage to natural lashes is possible, but can be avoided with careful application and gentle removal.
And remember, it’s okay to veer away from these recommendations once in a while.
It is not the end of the world if you wear your glue-on lashes for two days straight one time.
Your eyelids will not fall off if you go to bed with them on. Just be mindful of how your eyes feel, and you’ll be fine!
