You might know the simple things you can do during the day for longer-lasting lash lift results. But don’t think you’re off the hook when you close your eyes at night. Your sleeping habits also influence how long your lashes stay lifted. You obviously want to flaunt fabulous lashes for as long as possible, so how do you sleep with a lash lift?

After having a lash lift, try to sleep on your back. If you can’t help sleeping on your side or stomach, don’t press your face into your pillow. Also, avoid rubbing your eyes and wearing an eye mask, oily eye products, makeup, and contacts while sleeping. Use a smooth pillowcase and keep your bedding clean.

How much can you do to protect your lashes from your bed? You’re asleep, after all! Plenty. I’ll explain how to create a lash-friendly night-time routine that won’t get in the way of a good night’s sleep.

Let’s find out how you and your lash lift can rise and shine every morning!

Rule #1: Don’t Toss And Turn

Throwing your body around and moving your head from side to side can be rough on your lashes!

Up your chance of a restful night’s sleep by trying these tips:¹

• Help your mind wind down before bedtime with relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, listening to chilled music, or having a warm bubble bath.
• Keep your bedroom quiet and at a comfortable temperature.
• Exercise every day (but not within the 90 minutes before you want to sleep).
• Avoid caffeine in the late afternoon, and skip alcohol before bed.
• Say bye-bye to your phone (and other electronic gadgets) 30 minutes before bedtime.

Rule #2: Sleep on Your Back

The winning sleeping position for protecting lifted lashes is on your back. But you might find switching to your back a little tricky if you’re a side- or tummy-sleeper.

Here’s how to make back-sleeping easier:

• Place a small, roundish pillow under your neck and a flatter pillow under your head.
• Use a memory foam pillow.
• Put a pillow under your knees.
• Sleep with a pillow under your lower back.
• Sleep on a supportive mattress.

Rule #3: Don’t Press Your Face Into Your Pillow

Back-sleeping might not be for you. If you struggle to get this sleeping position right, at least try not to squash your face (and lovely lashes!) into your pillow.

Rule #4: Use a Smooth Pillowcase

If you just can’t get the tossing and turning under control or kick tummy-sleeping, get yourself a silk or satin pillowcase!

These smooth fabrics let your lashes glide against their surface, cutting the chance of a spoilt lash lift.

Plus, silk and satin pillowcases are gentle on your hair and skin, causing less breakage, frizz, and wrinkles than your regular pillowcase.²

Rule #5: Change Your Pillowcase Regularly

You should change your pillowcase every 2 to 7 days to prevent an infection that could threaten your lash lift results and eye health – so buy 2 or more silk or satin pillowcases while you’re at it!

Eww-fact alert: Oil, dead skin cells, sweat, and saliva build up on your pillowcase, attracting germs. Tests found 17,000 times more bacteria colonies on pillowcases that hadn’t been washed for a week than on a toilet seat.³

Rule #6: Don’t Wear an Eye Mask

The reasoning for skipping the eye mask is the same as not pressing your face into your pillow: you don’t want to smoosh your lashes and ruin their lift.

Rule #7: Don’t Apply Oily Eye Products

You might want to maximize your beauty sleep by slathering on rich eye products at bedtime – but be kind to your lash lift by applying only oil-free goodies to your eye area.

Oil-based serums, creams, and masks feel oh-so indulgent, but they can flatten your lash lift too soon.

Rule #8: Wash Off Your Makeup

Sleeping in your makeup is always a beauty sin, but it’s an especially big no-no when you’ve had a lash lift. Not only are your eyes vulnerable to irritation and infection when wearing makeup overnight, but they’re also more likely to feel uncomfortable and itchy. And if they itch, you’ll rub them, potentially messing up your lift.

Learn more about wearing eyeliner with a lash lift here.

Rule #9: Take Out Your Contacts

Something else that can irritate your eyes and make you rub them like mad is leaving them in while you sleep.

Sleeping with your contacts restricts how much oxygen and moisture reaches your eyes, making you up to 8 times more likely to get an eye infection (even if your contacts are marketed as safe for sleeping).⁴

Learn more about wearing contacts with a lash lift.

Rule #10: Keep Your Bedroom Allergen-Free

Other triggers for a lash-lift-flattening eye-rubbing attack are allergens in your environment like pollen, dust, and pet fur.

Drop your chance of itchy, watery eyes by following these tips:⁵

• Close your bedroom windows.
• Shower and wash your face before bed to remove pollen, dust, and dirt from your skin, hair, and lashes.
• Change your bedding at least weekly.

How to Sleep With a Lash Lift – Key Takeaways

It’s easy to pick up habits and routines to protect your lash lift while you sleep. Relax before bed, try to sleep on your back, use a smooth pillowcase, keep your bedding clean, wash your face before bed, don’t wear an eye mask or oily eye products, and avoid things that irritate your eyes. You can do that, right?

…And now for a bonus rule: get enough shut-eye (that’s 7 to 9 hours a night for most adults). You risk red eyes, puffiness, and dark undereye circles when you skimp on sleep. Wouldn’t you rather have your lash lift open up well-rested, clear, sparkling peepers?

– Asako

References 

1. Amanda Barrell – medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, PhD, MSN (2020). How to sleep on your back. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-sleep-on-your-back (Accessed on 2 August 2022)
2. Adrienne Santos-Longhurst – medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP (2021). 8 Reasons You’ll Want to Start Sleeping With a Satin Pillowcase Tonight. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/satin-pillowcases-benefits (Accessed on 2 August 2022) 
3. Medically reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD (2021). Health Hazards When You Don’t Wash Your Sheets. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-dirty-sheets-skin-problems (Accessed on 3 August 2022)
4. Rebecca Joy Stanborough – medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, OD (2019). Why Sleeping in Contacts May Endanger Your Eyes. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/sleeping-with-contacts (Accessed on 2 August 2022)
5. Medically reviewed by Irene Kuo, MD. Why Are My Eyes Itchy? Answers From an Expert. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/why-are-my-eyes-itchy-answers-from-an-expert (Accessed on 2 August 2022)