Wearing False Eyelashes
by Kathryn Whittington
Important: Most eyelash glue (and almost always the glue that comes with the eyelashes) contains latex and shouldn’t be worn by people with a latex allergy. Ardell makes a latex-free glue and ‘city chick’ lashes come with a latex-free glue. If you are in any way worried consult your Dr or dermatologist.
Preparation
The most important thing about false eyelashes is preparation. Having the right eyelashes for the job, the right size, the right glue, and having them ready to apply will make wearing false eyelashes much easier.
When to apply eyelashes
Applying eyelashes is messy and once they are on they can get in the way as they tend to be longer and/or thicker than natural lashes. As a result eyelashes should be applied after you’ve applied your eyeshadow and liner, though more liner is often applied to disguise the join and mascara may help to blend the lashes with your natural eyelashes.
What sort of eyelashes should you choose?
It is largely down to your personal taste.
If you are on a large stage away from the audience high impact lashes will be more visible, especially if they have sparkle on them. Eyelashes that get longer towards the outside edge of your eye are good on stage as they don't cast heavy shadows under your eyes. If you are nearer to your audience something more natural looking may be more appropriate. For an unusual look there are lots of lashes available that are made from materials like feathers or are interesting colours.
You can also buy individual lashes which are used to enhance your own lashes and give the most natural look.
You don’t need to spend a huge amount of money on eyelashes for them to work, what’s more important is the adhesive you use (see below).
Glue
Most of the time the glue that comes with eyelashes isn’t very good, it can frequently be a bit on the runny side which stops it being sufficiently sticky. The only glue I have come across, supplied with eyelashes and actually works is the glue that comes with eyelure lashes. This also has a handy applicator and I keep the leftover glue pots once I stop wearing those lashes as they’re a good size to keep in a handbag or make up bag in case of emergencies.
If you intend to wear eyelashes a lot then it is worth investing in some decent eyelash glue. The best is probably DUO which you can get from the MAC counter and costs around £8.
You can get coloured glues. I personally don’t really see much point in coloured glues as normal glue dries clear and so is more versatile. Also, applying lashes will inevitably make whatever glue you have on the lashes ‘squidge’ which is far more noticeable in a coloured glue. If you were to buy black glue for example you would only ever be able to wear it with black lashes and black eyeliner, and you may not always want to.
Trimming lashes
Everybody’s eyes are different sizes but eyelashes are only supplied in one size. As a result, if you are wearing strip lashes it may be necessary to cut the strip of lashes so that they fit your eye better. Strips of eyelashes should sit within the natural location of your lashes so that they don’t interfere with your ability to blink or the action of your tear ducts. Cutting lashes to the right size will help them to stick better and keep them on your eyes longer as well as being more comfortable. You can also trim the length of the lashes themselves if you wish, though this is best done when you’re not wearing them!
To determine whether your strip lashes need trimming hold them, unglued, up to your eye and see where they lie. Take off only one or two lashes at a time with a small pair of scissors until they are the right length.
Is there anything else?
Yes! Before you apply lashes check that they’re clean. If you’ve worn them before there may be traces of glue of make up on the strip. This is easy to pull off with a pair of tweezers (and quite good fun as well!). Old glue will get in the way of new glue and can make the lashes sit wonky, so it should be removed.
Applying the lashes
Once your lashes are ready you can apply them. Below is what works best for me, you may find that you have a method that works better for you though.
1. Holding the lashes with your tweezers apply glue to the lashes. You need to make sure there is plenty on each end as this is where they are most vulnerable to unsticking, but don’t put on too much or it will take forever to dry and be messy to apply.
2. Wait. You should wait 30 second between application of glue and application of lashes so that the glue becomes tacky. If you apply them too soon the glue will be too wet and they won’t stick.
3. Place the centre of the lash strip onto the centre of your eyelid as close to your natural lashes as you can get it. Then let go with the tweezers and coax each end down to the lash line with the tweezers until the lashes are in place. You may need to close the eye and hold each end down gently with either a careful finger or the end of a make up brush for a few seconds until they are stuck. Make sure the lashes are stuck to your eyelid and not your own eyelashes, as removing them will be difficult if they are.
If you have exagerated the 'upsweep' of your eye at the outer corner, follow this sweep with the eyelashes, otherwise they will be going in a different direction to your eyeliner and look a bit odd. Very long eyelashes that go down at the outside corner of your eyes can make your eyes look smaller too.
4. Repeat on the other eye, trying to get the lashes in the same place so they are even.
5. If you need to ‘hide the join’ do so with eyeliner after the glue has dried.
6. If you wish you can blend your natural lashes with the false ones by applying mascara gently. My lashes are so short I tend not to need to do this however
And they’re done! You may need to be gentle with your eyes for a few minutes until they’re set. Generally lashes feel a bit weird when the first go on but once they’re dry you stop noticing they’re on.
Removal
Eyelashes are easily removed by taking them at one end and peeling them off. The glue just goes stretchy and gooey once it’s set so they come off quite easily. Traces of glue should be removed from your eyes with make up remover, and from the lashes with tweezers as previously mentioned.
For more information about me visit my website.
Preparation
The most important thing about false eyelashes is preparation. Having the right eyelashes for the job, the right size, the right glue, and having them ready to apply will make wearing false eyelashes much easier.
When to apply eyelashes
Applying eyelashes is messy and once they are on they can get in the way as they tend to be longer and/or thicker than natural lashes. As a result eyelashes should be applied after you’ve applied your eyeshadow and liner, though more liner is often applied to disguise the join and mascara may help to blend the lashes with your natural eyelashes.
What sort of eyelashes should you choose?
It is largely down to your personal taste.
If you are on a large stage away from the audience high impact lashes will be more visible, especially if they have sparkle on them. Eyelashes that get longer towards the outside edge of your eye are good on stage as they don't cast heavy shadows under your eyes. If you are nearer to your audience something more natural looking may be more appropriate. For an unusual look there are lots of lashes available that are made from materials like feathers or are interesting colours.
You can also buy individual lashes which are used to enhance your own lashes and give the most natural look.
You don’t need to spend a huge amount of money on eyelashes for them to work, what’s more important is the adhesive you use (see below).
Glue
Most of the time the glue that comes with eyelashes isn’t very good, it can frequently be a bit on the runny side which stops it being sufficiently sticky. The only glue I have come across, supplied with eyelashes and actually works is the glue that comes with eyelure lashes. This also has a handy applicator and I keep the leftover glue pots once I stop wearing those lashes as they’re a good size to keep in a handbag or make up bag in case of emergencies.
If you intend to wear eyelashes a lot then it is worth investing in some decent eyelash glue. The best is probably DUO which you can get from the MAC counter and costs around £8.
You can get coloured glues. I personally don’t really see much point in coloured glues as normal glue dries clear and so is more versatile. Also, applying lashes will inevitably make whatever glue you have on the lashes ‘squidge’ which is far more noticeable in a coloured glue. If you were to buy black glue for example you would only ever be able to wear it with black lashes and black eyeliner, and you may not always want to.
Trimming lashes
Everybody’s eyes are different sizes but eyelashes are only supplied in one size. As a result, if you are wearing strip lashes it may be necessary to cut the strip of lashes so that they fit your eye better. Strips of eyelashes should sit within the natural location of your lashes so that they don’t interfere with your ability to blink or the action of your tear ducts. Cutting lashes to the right size will help them to stick better and keep them on your eyes longer as well as being more comfortable. You can also trim the length of the lashes themselves if you wish, though this is best done when you’re not wearing them!
To determine whether your strip lashes need trimming hold them, unglued, up to your eye and see where they lie. Take off only one or two lashes at a time with a small pair of scissors until they are the right length.
Is there anything else?
Yes! Before you apply lashes check that they’re clean. If you’ve worn them before there may be traces of glue of make up on the strip. This is easy to pull off with a pair of tweezers (and quite good fun as well!). Old glue will get in the way of new glue and can make the lashes sit wonky, so it should be removed.
Applying the lashes
Once your lashes are ready you can apply them. Below is what works best for me, you may find that you have a method that works better for you though.
1. Holding the lashes with your tweezers apply glue to the lashes. You need to make sure there is plenty on each end as this is where they are most vulnerable to unsticking, but don’t put on too much or it will take forever to dry and be messy to apply.
2. Wait. You should wait 30 second between application of glue and application of lashes so that the glue becomes tacky. If you apply them too soon the glue will be too wet and they won’t stick.
3. Place the centre of the lash strip onto the centre of your eyelid as close to your natural lashes as you can get it. Then let go with the tweezers and coax each end down to the lash line with the tweezers until the lashes are in place. You may need to close the eye and hold each end down gently with either a careful finger or the end of a make up brush for a few seconds until they are stuck. Make sure the lashes are stuck to your eyelid and not your own eyelashes, as removing them will be difficult if they are.
If you have exagerated the 'upsweep' of your eye at the outer corner, follow this sweep with the eyelashes, otherwise they will be going in a different direction to your eyeliner and look a bit odd. Very long eyelashes that go down at the outside corner of your eyes can make your eyes look smaller too.
4. Repeat on the other eye, trying to get the lashes in the same place so they are even.
5. If you need to ‘hide the join’ do so with eyeliner after the glue has dried.
6. If you wish you can blend your natural lashes with the false ones by applying mascara gently. My lashes are so short I tend not to need to do this however
And they’re done! You may need to be gentle with your eyes for a few minutes until they’re set. Generally lashes feel a bit weird when the first go on but once they’re dry you stop noticing they’re on.
Removal
Eyelashes are easily removed by taking them at one end and peeling them off. The glue just goes stretchy and gooey once it’s set so they come off quite easily. Traces of glue should be removed from your eyes with make up remover, and from the lashes with tweezers as previously mentioned.
For more information about me visit my website.
