6 tips and tricks for goof-proof false lashes!

Applying false eyelashes is definitely an acquired skill… and it can be a tad overwhelming until you master the technique. So until you get your PhD in fake lashes, here are some tips that certainly helped me.

• Use just a TINY bit of glue along the spine of the lashes. Wait a few seconds (around 5 or so) and let the glue become tacky. Then apply them onto your eyelid. Letting the glue dry a bit helps prevent glue overflow, and gets the lashes to adhere more quickly.



• Dark glue. I picked the Duo Eyelash Adhesive in “dark-tone” available at most drugstores. It’s inexpensive, waterproof, dries quickly and doesn’t cause any irritation to my eyelids. Even though the standard white lash glue is supposed to dry clear, it still ends up looking milky on my lids. Especially if I’m wearing deeper eyeliner or shadow. The dark tone glue blends with the spine of the falsies and works great under or over eyeliner.
• Choose your length – Fake lashes come in a variety of lash lengths and designs, but also various strip lengths. The strip, or spine, of a lash can be a full strip, partial or short “segment” length, or individual lash groups. For beginners I recommend the short segments. They are much easier to place close to your lash line and get them straight. Start with just one small strip on your outer lash corner- it’ll add fullness and length! Or use the individual lashes to fill in certain areas of your natural lashes for dramatic length and fullness. The full strips are the most common, but can be very unwieldy for newbies. They bend, crease, move off your natural lash line; and are difficult to get glued down evenly.
• Depending on what kind of lash strip you choose, it’s usually easier to apply them with a pair of tweezers or a lash “clamp”. The “clamp” is just a little plastic V that’s flexible. You clamp the lashes in the V, apply a bit of glue (per the tips above), let it become sticky, and then hold the point of the V and apply the lashes as close as possible to your lash line. I got my “clamp” applicator packed in my box of Ardell Eye Lashes from Sally Beauty. If you are using short segments or individual lashes, I suggest using a pair of tweezers to hold the lashes while you apply the glue, let it “set” and then use the tweezers to apply them to your lid.



• For extra strength wear- apply a coat of mascara to bind your natural and fake lashes together. This is a great trick for windy or rainy days!
• Removing the glue residue and cleaning: To remove your lashes, grab a corner and gently peel them off. If they are stuck, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and lots of water; then try removing the lashes again. After each wear, be sure to remove all the glue residue from your lashes and your eyelid by using an eye makeup remover (or mix your own using items from your kitchen pantry). If you applied mascara to your fake lashes, remember to use the makeup remover on them as well.

The best thing about fake lashes is their price. Even the durable and high-quality Ardell lashes are only $3.49 at Sally Beauty (and your local drugstore), or check out the e.l.f. Natural Lash Kit or e.l.f. cosmetics’ Individual Lash Kit (both are only a $1). All three of these kits include a tube of glue and a storage tray.

I hope these tips will help clear some of the air of mystery from wearing false lashes. Do you have any secret tips or tricks to share?