No-nonsense Tips For Nailing Fake Eyelash Application Every Time

We’ve tried the in-salon lash situation. Two hours catching up on zzz later and it’s a beauty miracle to have a feathery, full set that makes us feel like we can forgo our usual smidgen of tinted moisturiser and we could 10/10 leave the house in second-day loungewear. Lashes somehow make you feel dressed.

But if you too can’t bear looking bald when your lashes reach the end of their life cycle and you’ve ended your relationship with your lash technician, you can do it yourself! I know, I know. But it’s not as daunting or fiddly as you think. After sitting through a few tutorials, we realised the difficulty level of applying fake lashes is arguably less than achieving symmetrically winged eyeliner, and we’re here to share all we gleaned. What better time of year to practice than soiree season?

1. Tacky is cute
After curling your lashes, apply a line of glue to the base of the false lash and wait at least 30 seconds for the adhesive to be tacky to touch. This means it’s more likely to stay put first go. 

2. Find a middle ground
As fashion-turned-lash queen Jenna Lyons opines, place your fake eyelashes smack-bang in the middle of your lid for best results. Nice and symmetrical, just like that. While it sounds easy, practice makes perfect. (Bonus points if you can nail the individual kind, in which case, this point is redundant. You’re a pro!)

3. It’s in the tools
Fingertips can work just fine but for a truly precise application, use a lash applicator tool which looks like a mini eyelash curler. Use them to pick up and place one of your now tacky fake eyelashes, and then clamp together. Butterfingers, who?

4. Cover the evidence
“Are your lashes real?” will be the topic of conversation wherever you go. Use a small eyeshadow brush dusted with matte black eyeshadow to conceal any signs of lash glue. Then finally, complete your lash application with a few coats of mascara to bind both your real and new lashes. 

Et voila! It looks like you grew them.