7 Everyday Habits That Could Be Damaging Your Lashes

7 Everyday Habits That Could Be Damaging Your Lashes

We put a lot of effort into making our lashes look longer, fuller and more defined, but some of the things we do every day could be working against us.

The truth is, eyelashes are delicate. They naturally move through a cycle of growing, resting and shedding, and while some lash loss is completely normal, certain habits can make breakage or premature shedding more likely.

The good news? A few small changes to your routine can make a big difference.

Here are seven everyday habits that could be putting unnecessary stress on your lashes.

1. Rubbing Your Eyes

It sounds harmless, especially when you’re tired, itchy or removing makeup, but frequent eye rubbing can put a surprising amount of pressure on your lashes.

Repeated friction can contribute to breakage and may pull out lashes that were still securely in place.

If your eyes feel irritated, try gently pressing or patting around the area rather than rubbing.

And if you regularly wake up rubbing your eyes without thinking about it, this is one habit worth becoming more conscious of.

Lash-friendly tip: Treat your lashes the same way you would delicate hair. Less pulling, less friction and more gentle handling.

2.  Sleeping in Mascara

We've all had those nights when removing makeup feels like one step too many.  But sleeping in mascara isn't ideal for your lashes.

Mascara dries and stiffens the lash hairs, which means they can become less flexible. Add several hours of rubbing against your pillow and you're creating the perfect conditions for unnecessary breakage.

Leaving makeup on overnight can also mean more scrubbing is needed the following morning, which adds even more stress.

Another small change that may help? Switching to a silk pillowcase.

Compared with some traditional cotton pillowcases, silk creates less friction against your skin, hair and lashes as you move during the night. That gentler surface may help reduce unnecessary tugging on your lashes - especially if you're a side or stomach sleeper.

It won't replace good lash care, but it's an easy way to make your overnight routine a little more lash-friendly.

Lash-friendly tip: Remove your mascara before bed and consider a silk pillowcase to help minimise overnight friction.

3. Being Too Aggressive When Removing Eye Makeup

Sometimes the problem isn’t the makeup. It’s the removal.

If your mascara is proving difficult to remove, repeatedly rubbing a cotton pad back and forth across your lashes isn’t the answer.

Instead, saturate your cotton pad or reusable makeup remover with your chosen eye makeup remover, hold it gently over your closed eye for several seconds and allow the formula time to dissolve the product.  Then wipe away softly.

It may take slightly longer, but your lashes will thank you for it.

Remember: Makeup remover should be doing most of the work, not your fingers.

4. Holding Onto Your Mascara for Too Long

That mascara you can’t quite remember buying?

Most mascaras have an open shelf life of 6 months, so it might be time for an upgrade.

Mascara tubes are opened and closed repeatedly, and the applicator comes into contact with your lashes every time you use it. Over time, the formula can also become drier and thicker.

Older, dried-out mascara can be harder to apply smoothly, encouraging you to layer, tug and work the brush through your lashes more aggressively.

Fresh mascara tends to glide through the lashes more easily and helps keep your eye makeup routine more hygienic.

Lash-friendly tip: If the texture, smell or performance of your mascara has noticeably changed, don’t try to make it last another month.

5. Over-Curling Your Lashes

A good lash curler can instantly open up your eyes, but technique matters.

Repeatedly squeezing the curler with excessive pressure or pulling it upwards while the lashes are clamped can put unnecessary tension on the hairs.

One particularly important rule?  Curl first, mascara second.

Mascara can make the lashes stiffer, which means curling after applying it may increase the risk of lashes sticking to the curler or breaking.

Keep the rubber pad on your curler in good condition too. If it becomes damaged, split or worn, replace it.

Lash-friendly tip: Gentle pressure is enough. You don’t need to clamp down as hard as possible to create lift.

6. Scrubbing Off Waterproof Mascara

Waterproof mascara is brilliant when you need makeup that lasts through humidity, rain, workouts or an emotional movie.

Removing it is where things can go wrong.

Because waterproof formulas are designed to stay put, they usually need a makeup remover specifically suited to long-wear or waterproof eye makeup.

Trying to remove waterproof mascara with repeated rubbing can create unnecessary friction along the lash line.

Instead, let your remover sit against the lashes for a few moments before gently sweeping the product away.

The same principle applies no matter how long-wearing your mascara is:  Dissolve first. Wipe second.

7. Pulling at False Lashes or Extensions

It can be incredibly tempting.

You spot one lash extension hanging slightly out of place or notice that the corner of your false lashes has started lifting, and suddenly you’re picking at it.

The problem is that pulling artificial lashes away can sometimes take natural lashes along with them.

False strip lashes should be removed gently by softening the adhesive first, rather than simply pulling the strip from the eyelid.

With professional lash extensions, resist the urge to pick at them as they grow out. If you want them removed, professional removal is the safest approach for protecting the lashes underneath.

Your natural lashes have their own growth cycle, and pulling them out prematurely means waiting for that follicle to move through its cycle before a replacement lash appears.

What Should a Healthy Lash Routine Look Like?

Looking after your lashes doesn’t need to be complicated.  In fact, it’s often about doing less.

• Remove makeup gently.

• Avoid unnecessary pulling and rubbing.

• Keep your eye makeup and tools fresh and clean.

• Use your eyelash curler carefully.

• And give your natural lashes the time they need to grow.

If you’re using a lash serum such as LiLash, consistency matters too.  Apply your serum as directed to clean, dry skin along the upper lash line and make it part of your regular beauty routine.

A lash serum works alongside the natural lash growth cycle, so the aim isn’t an overnight transformation. It’s consistent care over time.

Your Lashes Are More Delicate Than You Think

We tend to focus on what we can add to our lashes - mascara, curl, extensions, treatments and serums.

But protecting the lashes you already have is just as important.

The occasional eye rub or forgotten makeup removal isn’t going to undo your entire lash routine, so there’s no need to panic.

It’s your everyday habits that matter most.

A little less pulling, a little more patience and a gentler approach to your beauty routine can go a long way towards keeping your natural lashes looking their best.

And if you’re already investing time in your LiLash routine, it makes sense to protect those lashes once they arrive.