Sleeping Habits That Can Ruin (or Save) Your Eyelash Extensions
- Seamus Moloney
- Aug 12, 2025
- 3 min read
Sweet Dreams or Lash Nightmares? You’ve just left your lash artist’s chair with a fresh set of extensions, ready to flutter your fabulous lashes in style. But, before you hit the pillow, there’s something you should know: your sleeping habits can either save or sabotage those stunning lashes. Think of your lashes like delicate flowers in a garden—they need the right care and environment to thrive. Here’s a closer look at how your sleep can make all the difference.
The Side-Sleeper Struggle: Pillow Wars
If you’re a side sleeper, your lashes are in a battle every night. The friction between your lashes and the pillowcase can cause them to shed prematurely. Imagine pressing a delicate flower into a hard surface; over time, it will wilt. For lashes, this friction can break them or cause them to clump.
The Solution: Consider using a silk or satin pillowcase. These materials create less friction, helping your lashes stay intact while you sleep. Or, if you can, sleep on your back! It may take some getting used to, but your lashes will thank you.
The Lash-Squish: How You Sleep Matters
If you tend to curl up and bury your face into your pillow, you might unknowingly be squashing your lashes. This causes pressure on the extensions, potentially warping their shape and making them look uneven. Think of your lashes as tiny, individual masterpieces; if you smush them, their perfect form will start to crumble.
The Solution: Try using a lash-friendly sleep mask designed to prevent pressure on your lashes. It’s a simple yet effective way to create a safe, lash-friendly zone around your eyes while you rest. These masks can help hold your lashes in place, keeping them neat and fresh.
The No-Touch Rule: Keep Those Hands Away
Sometimes, we can't resist the urge to touch or rub our eyes while we're drifting off. While this may feel comforting, it’s like setting off a mini tornado on your lashes. Rubbing can dislodge extensions, cause irritation, or even lead to infections if your hands aren’t clean.
The Solution: Make it a habit to avoid touching or rubbing your eyes before and during sleep. If you find it hard to break this habit, you can try wearing soft, breathable gloves or using a gentle, eye-safe cream to keep your hands away from your lashes.
The Importance of Lash Maintenance: It’s Like a Haircut
Even if you’re taking the best care of your lashes, they still need regular maintenance. Just like you’d get a trim to keep your hair healthy, your lash extensions need the occasional fill-in to keep them looking full and fresh. Sleeping habits alone won’t save your lashes if they’re over a few weeks old and have become sparse or damaged.
The Solution: Schedule regular touch-ups with your lash artist to ensure your extensions stay in tip-top shape. A fill-in every 2 to 3 weeks will help maintain the volume and shape of your lashes, keeping them looking their best.
Pillowcase Cleanliness: A Lash’s Best Friend
Dirty pillowcases can be a major culprit in ruining your lashes. Oils, dirt, and bacteria from your face can transfer to your pillowcase and ultimately to your extensions. This can weaken the adhesive bond and lead to premature lash loss.
The Solution: Make sure to wash your pillowcase regularly—every 3-4 days is ideal. Keeping it fresh will ensure your lashes stay clean and secure, reducing the chances of them slipping off early.
Final Thoughts: Rest Easy, Lash Lovers
Your lashes deserve a good night’s sleep as much as you do. By making a few small adjustments to your sleeping routine, you can prolong the life of your eyelash extensions and keep them looking fabulous. Whether it’s upgrading to a silk pillowcase, avoiding side-sleeping, or simply being mindful of your lash hygiene, every little effort counts.
With these tips in your sleep arsenal, your lashes will be ready to wake up as refreshed as you are—no beauty sleep required!


