Dear Megan,
I see false lashes all over instagram, and I want to try them out. How do I apply them without getting glue in my eyes? What should I look for when buying them?
– Kristen W.
False eyelashes can be very intimidating for those who have never worn them before. And yes, if you don’t know what you’re doing and try to dive in head first, you might get glue in your eyes (trust me, that is not a good situation to be in – been there done that), but I promise: false eyelashes are not as scary as you think. They are simply another tool to add to your beauty arsenal that will add drama to any look you are rocking that day. Of course you know how I feel about falsies–after all of my own drama with them–but I can’t argue with the fact that they look killer.
All personal feelings aside, I still have a lot of experience with buying/wearing/storing falsies, and today I’ll share everything you need to know about buying and applying false eyelashes.
BUYING FALSIES
Like most things in cosmetics, price does not equal quality. Sure you can buy a $45 pair of mink eyelashes if you so choose. Just know that you can also achieve the same look with a $5 synthetic pair from your local beauty supply shop. It’s really just a matter of preference; don’t feel pressured to buy the most expensive brand just because someone on YouTube or Instagram uses them (although I have been eyeing the Huda Beauty lashes..)
You can either purchase a full set, or individual lashes. When purchasing a full set, it is important to pay attention to the thickness and opacity of the lash band. More dramatic lashes will usually have a very thick, dark band in order to hold all of the lashes in place. Lashes like this work better when paired with a dark smokey eye, or thick winged eyeliner. That will make the band much less noticeable. If you are looking for more natural looking lashes, go with a clear band. Not only will they be more comfortable for day-to-day wear, but you also will not need heavy eye makeup to blend in the band. (Source)
It’s important to note that false eyelashes are not one-size-fits-all. Before you apply them you will need to measure them against your eyelid and trim them with brow scissors for the desired fit.
APPLYING FALSIES
Before applying the false eyelashes, lightly coat your natural lashes with mascara. I know it’s common to apply mascara after the false lashes are on, but adding mascara to false lashes will make them look unnatural and will be harder to store and wear again. (Yes, you can reuse them!). If you don’t coat your natural lashes with any mascara first, they might stand out against the falsies–especially if you don’t have black lashes naturally.
Now that you’ve trimmed the lashes to fit the shape of your eye and the mascara is applied, it’s time to pop on those false eyelashes. Take your eyelash glue, and apply a small amount along the length of the band. Gently blow on the glue until it becomes tacky (I normally wait about 15-30 seconds.) Take a pair of tweezers and use them to grab the lashes toward the band, but not at the band. Look down, and try to get the falsies as close to your natural lash line as possible.
After you’ve attached the falsies to your lash line you can either take your finger, or the handle of a makeup brush and press the false lashes inwards and upwards. I don’t push too hard; I just gently wiggle them into place. This will help the falses blend in better with you natural lashes. Once they are applied, you can go back in with eyeliner and fill in any gaps or spaces along with any glue that may not have dried clear. (source) I suggest using a liquid eyeliner for this–it would be next to impossible to do with a gel or pencil liner.
REMOVING AND STORING YOUR FALSIES
When removing your false eyelashes be very careful not to just rip them off, as you can accidentally rip out your natural lashes as well (which is bad for a number of reasons). Instead soak a q-tip in coconut oil or makeup remover (try our recipe here!) and run it along your lash line to break up the adhesive. You can also hold a cotton round soaked in remover against your eye for 30 seconds, if a q-tip is not available. Once the false eyelash begins to come loose, you can gently pull it or slide it off. If you would like to wear the false lashes again, simply pop them back into the plastic container they originally came in.
Alternatively, you can try my favorite trick from college: start showering with the falsies still on. The steam and water from the shower will help those falsies slide right off. No lashes lost. It’s like magic.
TAKEAWAY: ROCK YOUR LASHES YOUR WAY
False eyelashes can be a fun way to add drama to your look. Of course, if you still don’t feel comfortable wearing false lashes–or even if you do–you can always use an eyelash serum like WINKi to nourish and enhance what you already have. Just remember that there are no rules when it comes to makeup, so just do what feels comfortable for you!
*This post was part of our Beauty Q&A series, where our founder Megan answers your beauty questions every Tuesday and Thursday on the blog. Submit your beauty question to [email protected]
