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We love the look of fake lashes, but applying them? Not so much. There’s something beautifully uncomplicated about a perfectly placed set of falsies, softly framing the eyes and adding that special pop to your face. But it’s funny how the most difficult of tasks can appear so darn effortless (if you do it right). But apply false lashes incorrectly and not only will your whole look be a bit off, but you might also find yourself in a tiny bit (or a lot) of discomfort.
So, determined to figure out how to put on false ashes the right way, we got expert makeup artists to spill their best lash application tips. Read on to learn how to apply false eyelashes like a pro, plus 9 tips to keep your falsies looking fresh!
1. Prep Your Natural Lashes
Have you ever asked yourself, “mascara before or after lashes?” We have an answer for you. After completing your eyeshadow and eyeliner application of choice, curl your lashes and apply mascara. Try the Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Eyelash Curler and Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Mascara.
2. Apply Glue to the Eyelash
Don’t be intimidated by putting on eyelashes with glue for the first time. Using a tweezer, hold the lashes and dab on a thin line of glue to the lash band with a cotton swab. The glue is generally included if you buy a full kit. Some are designed with an adhesive strip instead of glue, so make sure to read the instructions so you know what you’re working with. If your kit doesn’t include glue, you can find it in the make-up section of any store or online. If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid glues with parabens, formaldehyde, latex, or cyanoacrylates, as these can cause irritation.
Here’s a tip to live by: “Never squeeze the glue from the tube directly onto the lash base," celeb makeup artist Ricky Wilson cautions. "I put a drop of glue on the middle of a Q-tip and drag the lash through it. This adds just the right amount.”
A note on color: dark glue will blend into your eyeliner better. Ricky prefers black glue since it blends right into the lashes. But worry not: the standard white stuff will dry clear, so you'll be fine. Duo Eyelash Adhesive comes in black and clear.
3. Wait for the Glue to Dry Slightly
This is a game-changer: Let the glue dry for about 30 seconds. It'll make the fake lashes less likely to slide around when you apply. “It's important to wave the lash around for a bit after adding the glue,” says Ricky. “This lets the formula dry enough to become tacky, preventing you from getting glue all over the place.”
4. Adhere the Strip to Your Lash Line and Press It Into Place
Using the tweezers again, apply lashes in place right where your eyeliner is and press them into the lash line. House of Lashes x Sephora Collection Multidimensional Prism Lashes are full and long.You don’t have to hold them in place too long to make the connection, just 10 seconds and you’re good to go.
5. Apply Black Eyeliner to Hide the Lash Strip
Extra eyeliner and another coat of mascara with tie it all together, filling in any little gaps. Note: While adding a touch of mascara to the fake lashes will help blend them with your real lashes, it will also limit the use of the pair to one or two times. (It’s not safe to keep reusing mascara-ed up falsies more than twice because bacteria can build up — gross!)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner would work well for this.
Applying Fake Lashes: 10 Bonus Do's and Don'ts
Ok, give yourself a pat on the back — learning how to apply lashes isn’t the easiest beauty task. And now that you've got the basics of how to put on fake eyelashes down, here are 9 extra makeup artist-approved dos and don'ts!
It’s easy to do some research on the best false lashes and simply go with whatever everyone else says they love. But when it comes to applying false lashes, one size doesn't fit all. It would be AMAZING if every single pair of lashes was perfectly customized for you. But unfortunately, that's usually not the case, and you’re gonna have to bust out the scissors. “Start by measuring the lash,” says Ricky. Lay it down above your real lashes (without glue!) and then open your eye. This will give you an idea of how the lash will sit on your unique eye shape and how much to snip away. Trimming makes them more comfortable to wear and prevents them from popping up.”
To properly trim your fake lashes, grab a pair of scissors and tweezers. The best scissors to use are a curved pair that are made for grooming eyebrows and eyelashes. After measuring your eyelashes as directed above, use the tweezers to grab the point where your eyelash strip extends past the outer corner of your eye. An easy way to mark this—hey, it’s easy to slip or lose track of your trimming point—tighten the tweezers so it leaves and indentation on the lashes. Use this mark as your guide for trimming the lashes, just make sure to follow the natural shape of your eye to keep things consistent.
Who says you have to use the whole strip? Nobody! In fact, makeup artist and YouTuber Bailey Sarian suggests cutting the lash in half and applying it to just the outer corners of your eye. “It creates a cool cat-eye effect,” she explains. We love pairing this with some winged liner!
“We usually buy lashes depending on length and volume. But, something else to look out for is a thin band. This is so important when it comes to wear," Ricky explains. “The thicker the band, the easier it lifts up! I tend to use the invisible band lashes whenever possible. If I'm working with a thicker band, I use extra lash glue to make sure it doesn’t budge.”
Shaping the band of your lash strip is key. “I like to remove the lashes from their packaging and wrap them around the handle of a medium eyeshadow brush,” says Ricky. (The glue that holds them in their tray will help them stick to the brush!) "This helps to reshape the lash so it will hug the curve of your eyelids, making it easier to apply.”
Adding eyelashes should be one of the last steps in your eye makeup routine. “I always do lashes after shadow and eyeliner,” says Ricky. “If you do them first, you might end up with eyeshadow fallout on top of them. Sometimes, I add a little liquid liner to conceal the lash and finish the makeup.”
“Individual lashes tend to look more natural. Strips are so much fun and can really glam up the eye, so I tend to use them when creating a smoky or graphic liner look,” Ricky explains.
Another trick to make the false eyelashes blend seamlessly with your own is to curl them after application, even if you already curled them before you applied them.
This one sounds like common sense, but there's an easy hack to keeping glue away from your waterline. “Always keep your eyes open when applying,” says Bailey. She suggests holding a hand mirror below your eyes, which will make it easier to see your lash line while looking straight ahead.
We love this pro-tip for how to put on fake eyelashes: If you're struggling with where to place your lashes, Ricky suggests tracing black pencil along the lash line. This will act as an exact guide for where you should place your lashes.
If your pair of false lashes is overwhelming your eyes, feel free to trim the eyelash strip to a shorter length before you apply it. You can also trim individual lashes within the strip to different lengths for a more natural look false eyelash strip. (Just don't try this after you've applied the eyelashes, as you'll end up trimming your natural lashes, too!)
Related:
- This New Beauty Tool Is So Good, It's Going to Replace Your Mascara
- The False Eyelash Cleaning Hack You Never Knew You Needed
- Designer Tien Pham Unveils LED Lashes at Maker Faire Bay Area
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