The Simple Guide to False Lashes

ByCordelia

The Simple Guide to False Lashes

If you hate mascaras, then you must try false lashes. I’ve created the simple guide to false lashes to share with you. I’m slowly getting better with falsies and here are some of my favorite brands, tips and tricks. False lashes (aka falsies) come in many shapes and sizes. Long, short, full, demi, glittery, rainbow and individual lashes are all available. You can find some that will work for you. If you have hooded eyes like I do, false lashes are a great way to help open up your eyes. Make sure you check out my hooded eye makeup tips.

The Simple Guide to False Lashes

LASHES

Sugarpill False Lashes
I LOVE my Sugarpill lashes. The prettiest ones to me are Toxic, Stormy, Sinnocent, angel Baby, Porcelain and Precious. However, Sugarpill does not disappoint! If you see a pair you like, snatch them up!

Ardell False Lashes
Ardell makes a great variety of false lashes and I recently discovered that they sell them in packs of 4 to 6 sets on Amazon. The Spiky Lashes are my current favorites and before that I loved the demi wispies.

Makeup Geek False Lashes
Makeup Geek is a great place to get Sugarpill, Red Cherry, and Ardell lashes, as well as Duo lash glue. MUG gives great customer service and ships internationally.

Urban Decay Urban Lashes
Urban Decay has several different lashes available, from demis to full. See them here.

Nyx False Lashes
Nyx makes a wide variety of lashes and you can find them at Ulta or online at Nyx’s website.

ADHESIVES

Fantabulash Lash Tape
I’m allergic to lash glue (developed the allergy a few years ago), so this is the only way for me to wear falsies. I really need to buy another set of tape sometime soon.

Duo Eyelash Adhesive
This is a waterproof false-lash adhesive. If you are not allergic, I would recommend this glue.

Nyx Latex Free Eye Lash Glue
Nyx came out with this lash glue and I haven’t yet had a chance to try it. I’m definitely intrigued. I’ve seen mixed reviews on how well it works.

FALSE LASHES TIPS

  • Make sure you size your lash strips to your eye.
  • Trim your lash strip from the outside if you need to trim to fit your eye shape. I trim every pair of mine to make them fit, and sometimes I need to trim more. Most of the time you will need to trim.
  • Wrap the lashes around your finger to get the lash band to be more flexible and able to better contour to your eye shape. You’re basically making a C around your finger with the lashes.
  • Check the size and shape of your trimmed lash strip to your eyes without any adhesive by resting the lashes on your real lashes.
  • Curl your real lashes before you apply the false ones.
  • Use Nyx Green Tea blotting paper on your lids before you apply false lashes if you have oily lids. (I just started using blotting paper in my makeup routine)
  • If you’re using glue instead of lash tape, make sure your glue is tacky before you apply the lashes to your lash line. Wait 45 seconds for the glue to get tacky.
  • You can place a mirror below you, so that you’re looking down into the mirror to make it easier to see what you’re doing. I use this LED mirror, since I can position it below my face.
  • Apply the false lashes as close to your real lash line as possible, not on the lid. I also pinch my real lashes and false lashes together.
  • I gently use my lash curler to make sure my real lashes are blended in with the false ones. Here’s my new cageless curler that I’m in love with.
  • If you need to, use a light coat of mascara to help your real lashes blend with the false ones.
  • Always apply liner after you apply your false lashes, never before. I prefer a black gel like NARS Eye Paint in Black Valley. Use the liner (or a matte black shadow like Sugarpill Bulletproof or Makeup Geek Corrupt to fill in any gaps between your lashes and falsies.
  • If treated gently, lashes are reusable 3 to 5 times.
  • False lashes are not waterproof. It’s not a good idea to get them wet. Skip the hot tub.

TO REMOVE LASHES

  • Take a q-tip and use Paula’s Choice Gentle Touch Makeup Remover along the false lash strip. You don’t want to use an oil-based remover if you plan on reusing the lashes.
  • Gently lift from the center of the lashes.
  • Use another q-tip soaked in makeup remover to remove the glue or eyelash tape.
  • After your lashes are off, then you can take off the rest of your makeup.
Wearing Ardell Spikey Lashes with Fantabulash Lash Tape
Wearing Ardell Spikey Lashes with Fantabulash Lash Tape

If you’re intimidated by lashes, start with demi lashes (half lashes) or individual lashes. The best tip that I’ve ever learned about false lashes was from my friend Melissa. She cuts her lashes in half and then applies them one half at a time. Other people recommend cutting them into thirds. You definitely want to choose thin lash strips (or invisible ones if possible) over thicker ones. The thicker the strips are, the heavier they will be on the lid. Use black gel liner after you apply the lashes to help them seamlessly blend.

What are your tips for false lashes? Do you wear them daily or do you just indulge for special events?

Cordelia Frost is the creative force behind Phyrra, a treasure trove for cruelty-free indie and goth makeup enthusiasts. She's the author of the game-changing 'Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual' a must-read for hooded eyes makeup.

Cordelia's world is a kaleidoscope of alternative beauty, gothic fashion, and life-enhancing tips, making every visit to Phyrra a journey into a more colorful and inspired self.

64 Comments

  1. Great tips. Thank you for your recommendations. Thank you for joining us on #purebloglove. We look forward to you joining us every week on Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee

  2. I love the look of false lashes. They make such a beautiful addition to make up. I tried it last year but I glued my lids together. After a second attempt they were on loosely and I felt like they would fall into my dinner. Sooo, gave up on the whole idea after my big fail. Maybe with your tips I can try again. Thank you! 🙂

  4. Oh my! Great tips. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you so much for being a part of our party. We really appreciate you! I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls

  5. These are some great tips. I find for me that its hit or miss, so I just keep trying. My best help was to learn to let the glue dry enough so it’s tacky, they just go on easier for me like that.

  6. Wow, they look so cute on you! This is a great post and I’ll definitely refer back to it the next time I try falsies!! Great to see you at Found & Foraged. 🙂 xo, Laura

  7. Thanks for the tips Phyra! I dont usually wear them but I think I got a few game changing tips recently that changed the way ti feel about them – 1. The new DUO lash wand type adhesive that can be applied with a fine brush ( avoidsthe mess) 2. Put the lash on your eyelash and then the lashes – this was SOOOOOO helpful to me – it totally avoids the lash sliding around etc whichused to happen when I applied glue to the lash first and 3. wait more than 30 seconds for the glue to dry before you press down on the lashes. I have to say though..Younique 3d mascara hit it out of the ballpark with their formula and I honestly dont even feel the need for falsies now!

  9. Some excellent tips. Here I thought I didn’t need any tips on this (I’m a seasoned pro at this 😛 ) but there’s some greats in here! Like using oil absorbing sheets! Thanks! Oh and I read on The Beauty Department about actually putting the glue along your lashline, and then affixing the lashes. That sounds like a good tip too! I LOVE Ardell lashes and DUO lash glue! Have you seen the new color lashes from Ardell? They have lightly tinted lashes that enhance your eye color. I have the wine colored ones for blue eyes, and they are amazing!! 😀

    2. The Beauty Department had a great tip for ladies who have a really hard time. To actually put the glue along your lash line first. And then apply the lashes. So doing it opposite. I haven’t tried it, but it certainly sounds do-able! 🙂

  19. I love the lashes you are wearing here. Thanks for the removal tips too. I never know the proper way to get them off without just ripping them off.

    1. Thank you Justina! Yeah it’s definitely one of those things you want to rip off at the end of the night but it’s better to use makeup remover.

  21. This is so helpful you have no idea. I finally, finally got a pair of false lashes on and they looked halfway decent. I am having trouble getting them close to the lash line but it was the best I’ve ever gotten so far! I was happy even though it looked like shark teeth with 2 rows, but I could only tell in a 10X mirror, in a normal mirror they looked okay. Mine came some kind of lash holder for application of both glue and to the lids, but it didn’t help me one bit. Finally after tossing the tool aside and by just using my fingers, I was able to get good enough placement. They look so easy too….. I will try all your tips. Thanks for such a timely post.

    1. Yeah I haven’t been able to use tweezers or the thing that looks like a chip clip to apply lashes. I have to apply with my fingers.

    2. I can’t use tweezers either. Lashes simply don’t ‘fit’ on my eyes. Too round I guess? I have to stick both ends down, and hold them there until I’m 100% sure the glue is dry. And even then they come off if I don’t use my new trick -> I have found that the only thing that works for me, is actually affixing them to my eyelashes directly. As close as I can to my eyelid skin. Otherwise they just come up at the inner edge anyways and look dumb.

  26. This is really helpful to those of us that are lash challenged! 🙂 Maybe I’ll give it a try!

  31. What a great guide. I love false lashes but am horrible with applying them so this is a huge help for me.

  32. I put that lash curler that you linked to on my Amazon wishlist. I think it may be time for a new one. (I’ve had my present lash curler since the nineties. No joke, 😛 ) You, girl are bad for my wallet. Bad.

    1. I bought that lash curler awhile ago when I realized that my lash curler might be contributing to my lash issues with mascara.

  34. Absolutely stunning! Will have to give false lashes another shot, because man the result is so worth it!

  35. We wear Ardell for dance and love them. It took me a long time to learn how to put them on my teen. Many eyes glued shut. LOL

  36. Wonderful tips, Phyrra! I am going to try wrapping the lashes around my finger first, and also I never thought to try putting the mirror below. I’ll try it! Thank you

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