The best types of products are those that instantly transform a look without being too taxing on time. Well, when it comes to false eyelashes, one out of two isn’t bad. They have the power to take eyes from simple to super glam, but unless someone is channeling the late, great makeup artist Kevin Aucoin, it’s likely not going to be a quick process. And it might not even be successful because eyelash application is known to be a hit and miss game. Until now.
The top dos and don'ts for eyelash app do away with the mess and the stress of it all. That is, as long as you don’t miss a step and you do reach for inner peace. These flourish beauties take patience but oh, those results. They are well worth your zen.
Advertisement
DO determine eye shape
Know what to look for before selecting lashes. Long lashes at the center of a strip are meant for deep-set eyes. Shorter strips with longer lashes at the corner are specific to lift downturned eyes.
Know what to look for before selecting lashes. Long lashes at the center of a strip are meant for deep-set eyes. Shorter strips with longer lashes at the corner are specific to lift downturned eyes.
DON’T be careless with packaging
Remove lashes from box with care. Use a tweezer to gently peel away from the outside corner. (Don’t worry if they tweak a bit there because it’s likely they’ll need to be trimmed.) And do so with you and the lash box facing the mirror to determine which is meant for the right eye and which for the left because they likely are not marked.
Remove lashes from box with care. Use a tweezer to gently peel away from the outside corner. (Don’t worry if they tweak a bit there because it’s likely they’ll need to be trimmed.) And do so with you and the lash box facing the mirror to determine which is meant for the right eye and which for the left because they likely are not marked.
DO measure the lashes
Hold them with a tweezer just above lash line. False lashes should start a few lashes in from inner corner as to not irritate your eye. They should be trimmed a few lashes in from the outer corner so they mesh well and don’t drag the eye down.
Hold them with a tweezer just above lash line. False lashes should start a few lashes in from inner corner as to not irritate your eye. They should be trimmed a few lashes in from the outer corner so they mesh well and don’t drag the eye down.
DON’T trim lashes from inner corner
Always trim from the outer corner using a beauty scissor. And trim from the cord at the bottom of the strip rather than through the top of the lashes to avoid trimming off more lashes then intended. Start with the least amount necessary. It’s easy to cut off more later but there is no adding back.
Always trim from the outer corner using a beauty scissor. And trim from the cord at the bottom of the strip rather than through the top of the lashes to avoid trimming off more lashes then intended. Start with the least amount necessary. It’s easy to cut off more later but there is no adding back.
DO reshape lashes
Wrap lashes around a small to medium brush handle or even a pencil to maintain a curve. Packaging tends to flatten lashes, which can lead to a tougher fit and challenges to keep them from popping up. Taking a few minutes to bring back the curve will mimic the shape of the lid and lead to a more successful process.
Wrap lashes around a small to medium brush handle or even a pencil to maintain a curve. Packaging tends to flatten lashes, which can lead to a tougher fit and challenges to keep them from popping up. Taking a few minutes to bring back the curve will mimic the shape of the lid and lead to a more successful process.
DON’T apply too much glue
Tread lightly with glue application – it only takes a little. Look for black or clear glue to blend in with lashes if possible. Avoid pouring glue from the tube directly on lashes; instead, use applicator or cotton swab to dot along cord at the base of lashes and wait to dry slightly before applying.
Tread lightly with glue application – it only takes a little. Look for black or clear glue to blend in with lashes if possible. Avoid pouring glue from the tube directly on lashes; instead, use applicator or cotton swab to dot along cord at the base of lashes and wait to dry slightly before applying.
DO keep eyes open when applying
Even trickier than applying lashes is keeping glue out of your eyes. Avoid gluing them shut by keeping your eyes open when applying. Use a magnifying mirror or a hand held to see up close.
Even trickier than applying lashes is keeping glue out of your eyes. Avoid gluing them shut by keeping your eyes open when applying. Use a magnifying mirror or a hand held to see up close.
DON’T apply lashes before eyeshadow or eyeliner
Lashes should be secured after most eye makeup. This prevents getting remnants of shadow on lashes or covering up carefully placed liner. Touch up carefully, where necessary.
Lashes should be secured after most eye makeup. This prevents getting remnants of shadow on lashes or covering up carefully placed liner. Touch up carefully, where necessary.
DO apply lashes properly
Use eyeliner to mark where to place lashes with a stripe just along the lash line. Hold lashes at each end and set just along the lash line to blend in with natural lashes. Press in at the center, the outer corner and then the inner corner.
Use eyeliner to mark where to place lashes with a stripe just along the lash line. Hold lashes at each end and set just along the lash line to blend in with natural lashes. Press in at the center, the outer corner and then the inner corner.
DON’T forget to merge natural and fake lashes
Use tweezers or your fingers to push the two sets of lashes together. Then use mascara if you want to blend them further. Just beware that doing so makes those lashes a single or two-time use at the most because the possibility of bacteria buildup on mascara means they need to be trashed.
Use tweezers or your fingers to push the two sets of lashes together. Then use mascara if you want to blend them further. Just beware that doing so makes those lashes a single or two-time use at the most because the possibility of bacteria buildup on mascara means they need to be trashed.
Advertisement
DO touch up
Touch ups are always necessary. Fill in the space between real and fake lashes with an eyeliner pencil for starters. Curl lashes after you’ve applied to give them lift and make them blend. Add individual lashes for extra effect at the center outer corner.
Touch ups are always necessary. Fill in the space between real and fake lashes with an eyeliner pencil for starters. Curl lashes after you’ve applied to give them lift and make them blend. Add individual lashes for extra effect at the center outer corner.