The 12 Best False Eyelashes of All Time Cost $30 or Less, and Make for the Perfect Cheap Beauty Gift
Move over, mascara: These fuss-free lashes are all your giftee needs for a fuller, longer look.
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False eyelashes level up our look like no other beauty product, yet many of us opt out of using them for one major reason: they're a total pain to put on, making them seem like the worst beauty gift. Well ... at least they used to be.
Thankfully, we've moved far beyond the olden days of sewing them onto our lids (please don't do that) and have more eyelash-enhancing options than ever to create a fuller look with our lashes. Modern false eyelashes are made with non-irritating materials — synthetic fibers, mink, or human hair — and come in various lengths to help your giftee achieve specific results.
There are hundreds of styles to gift, ranging from a subtle oomph with KISS My Lash But Better, All Mine to full-on va-va-volume with Lilly Lashes 3D Mink in Mykonos. False eyelashes, such as Doja Cat's favorite $8 falsies, can be applied with old-fashioned lash glue, while others, like Glamnetic Virgo Magnetic Lashes, are trendy magnetized versions for seamless application. Regardless of which pair you gift loved ones, there's a set of false eyelashes out there for everyone to enjoy for days, weeks, and even months to come. And given their cheap price tags, you can afford to gift plenty to loved ones and yourself.
The Best False Eyelashes
How Safe are False Eyelashes?
There’s no doubt that false eyelashes look incredible, but are they actually safe to use? According to Dr. Elizabeth Chiang, M.D., Ph.D., an ophthalmologist and oculoplastic specialist, they’re generally safe, assuring “they cannot affect your eyesight if applied correctly.”
So, how exactly do you apply fake eyelashes safely? Makeup artist and founder of Embellish Beauty, Marcia Williams says you can safely use fake eyelashes with glue by following these two pro tips with every application:
- Test the adhesive on the back of your hand in case of any skin irritations and reactions.
- Silk false eyelashes are helpful for sensitive skin.
What to Consider
False eyelashes will enhance your beauty look in just a few minutes and can last between up to 40 wears — but according to Williams, the biggest key to finding the best lash that fits you is understanding your eye shape. The Philadelphia-based entrepreneur says you should keep these shape guidelines in mind while you shop:
- Round and almond-shaped eyes can handle fuller-bodied false eyelashes.
- Mono eye shape, hooded, and small eyes should consider shorter false eyelashes or fake eyelashes that are slightly longer in the center to create an illusion of depth.
How to Apply False Eyelashes
Here, Williams shares a few of her favorite tips for quick and easy false eyelash application.
- Measure the lashes before wearing them for a custom fit.
- Use small lash scissors to snip a tiny amount of outer lash hairs at a time.
- Allow the lash adhesive to dry down before applying.
- The shorter part of each faux lash strip goes closest to the inner corner of your natural lashes.
- Use the back of a spoon to press the lashes up once applied.
How We Chose
Since there are just so many fake fringes to choose from, we recruited a few of our very own editors, along with our beauty-fanatic colleagues from our sister Hearst publications to chat all about their favorite falsies, too. Here are our favorite fringes that made the cut.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
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