Every time we hear someone say they’ve never tried false lashes, we get a little giddy inside. We remember the first time we took a pair of falsies for a drive, and our lives were forever changed. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but not nearly as dramatic as your eyes will look once you dive into the world of false lashes. If you’re a false eyelash beginner, consider us your new lash bestie. Not only does Doe Lashes carry the most cloud-like comfortable lashes available made from the softest Korean silk, we also take eyelash education very seriously. That means we’re current on all the latest eyelash trends and know the ins and outs of how to style, apply, and remove lashes like a professional. And because we’re besties, you can count on us to always share all the latest trends with you!
The first thing you need to know about false lashes is that they’re for everybody. Even if you have a lash type that is long, thick, or both, false lashes can create a style that is dramatic, bold, and noticeable. You may want to wear false lashes for a special event, or for photographs, or you may want to begin wearing them daily. There’s no right or wrong way to wear false lashes, and there are no rules for when and where they can be worn. We like to think of wearing false lashes as a wardrobe accessory upon which we are constantly building, especially in comparison to eyelash extensions that really limit a makeup artist's creativity with a makeup look, like going for a natural look versus doing glam with more voluminous lashes.
The second thing you need to know about false lashes is that you absolutely can “do” them. With a little patience and maybe one or two tries you can successfully wear false lashes. It isn’t nearly as difficult as you may think, or as difficult as it maybe was years ago when you tried as a teenager to stick them on with too much adhesive or possibly not enough. So, if you’re ready to get on the false lash train, we’re ready to give you ten no-fail tips to get started.
Ten No-Fail Tips for False Lash Beginners
Before you even buy your first pair of false lashes, let’s have a discussion about what you want, where you can buy them, what special concerns you may have, whether or not they are safe, and the like. Here’s your step-by-step guide--your crash course in False Lashes 101; essentially, these are the crib notes.
- Don’t go budget. If there’s one thing we can’t say enough it’s don’t buy a cheaply made pair of fake lashes. This doesn’t mean you need to spend hundreds ona few pairs of mink lashes. It just means you need a quality pair of lashes that will last. A high-quality pair of false lashes will be reusable for up to 15 times. Lashes that you find in the dollar section at the local drugstore aren’t going to last that long, and you often will get what you pay for.
Additionally, cheaply crafted eyelash strips can come with glue that isn’t hypoallergenic and can cause allergic reactions or irritation in some users. For a glue that you aren’t even sure will work, that’s a huge risk to take. The lash band itself can often cause irritation depending on the material. It’s best to find a quality pair of lashes in your price range. Doe tip: All Doe Lashes are handmade from Korean silk with a comfortable cotton band and cost less than $13.00 per pair. That’s less than $1.00 per wear, which is an incredible bargain for some of the best false eyelashes around!
- Be prepared to customize your lashes. When you get a new pair of lashes, you’ll need to trim them up so they fit your eye shape perfectly. Most lashes come a bit too long. You’ll want to remove your lashes from the package and gently stick them to your lid to get an idea of how much you’ll need trim from the outer corners and inner corners. Trim a small amount off the end of the lash set. Trim less than you think you need to trim, remembering you can always trim more off, but you can’t put it back on if you trim too much.
- Prep your eyelid. Contrary to what seems right, you always want to apply your eyeshadow and eye makeup as well as your other face makeup prior to applying your lashes. Your lashes should be the last thing you apply, except for your eyeliner. Pro tip: Make sure you avoid all oil-based eye products. Using an oil-based product can interfere with your false eyelash adhesive. Oil can dissolve the glue that adheres your lash band to your natural lash line, making it completely ineffective. Oil and lash adhesive do not mix. That’s why it’s important you switch to shadows, primers, and liners that do not contain any oil when using false lashes.
- Apply your lashes. Now we get it--we could (and have) written an entire tutorial about applying and removing your false lashes. But the thing to remember is that it isn’t rocket science, and a little glue goes a long way; so does patience. Be patient with yourself, use a small amount of glue (we’re talking a thin line of adhesive on the lash band), and carefully lay the lash band onto your eyelid, as close to your natural lash line as possible. If you’re afraid you can’t get the job done with your fingers, we have an amazing tweezer-style applicator tool to help. In fact, even professional false lash pros swear by the ease of the application tool.
- Wear your lashes comfortably. You don’t need the curler or the mascara. We promise. If you put makeup like mascara on your lashes, they won’t last as long, and can potentially be damaged from the product. Additionally, you’ll have to clean your lashes more frequently.
Your lashes should feel comfortable when you wear them--in fact, if you have a great quality set of lashes, you likely won’t feel them or notice them once they’ve been on your lids for a few minutes. If they’re disrupting your line of vision or feel heavy or askew, you likely need a different pair or need to reapply them. If you’ve purchased a good quality pair, they probably just need to be reapplied.
- Remove them properly. Removing your strip lashes like a pro involves more than just ripping them off end to end while you’re in the car or at home in bed. You should start by gently tugging on the lashes as close to the band as possible in the center of the lash strip. As you feel the lashes begin to detach, you can begin detaching them from the corners, always pulling outward and never across.
- Cleaning. If you want to ensure your lashes last for up to 15 wears, there’s just a little housekeeping to do. When you remove your lashes, you should immediately remove the leftover adhesive attached to the lash band. You can do this by gently rolling your thumb and forefinger over the lash band and pulling the adhesive off.
If your lashes become heavily soiled from makeup or if they simply need to be spruced up, you can soak them in warm soapy water, which should dissolve anything that is clinging to the lashes or lash band and leave them perfectly clean.
- Store them properly. The right place to store your lash sets is not on the bathroom counter near the sink or the bottom of your purse. The best place to store those lashes is in the original packaging in which they came. When it’s time to store your lashes, simply stick them back onto the half-moon packaging and insert them back into the original box or case so they are completely protected from water, spills, and other exterior potential hazards.
- Avoid waterproof anything. You don’t want any kind of waterproof product near your lashes. Getting waterproof makeup on your lashes can cause damage to the lash band or fibers, because the formula of a waterproof product requires a special remover that isn’t goodfor false lashes.
- Change it up! The beauty of false lashes is your ability to change up your style whenever you want. You can build an entire collection of lashes to suit your every mood and need—something subtle for work, a bit more dramatic for the evening, and so on. With the ability to apply, remove, and reapply, you can change the way your lashes look as often as you want; there is zero commitment…not that you have commitment issues!
Wearing false lashes is a great way to enhance and draw attention to your eyes, change your look from day to night or night to day, and gain the confidence you never had before. Applying, removing, and reapplying them is very simple to do, and you can master it with just a little practice. You don’t have to be a professional to get a great, professional-looking application if you follow a few simple tips and tricks. A great set of lashes will be made from quality materials and will be easy to customize. They will also feel amazing when they are worn. Wearing false eyelashes can quickly become your new addiction.
Sources:
Falsies 101: Facts that Would Make You Want to Wear False Eyelashes - Alyaka
The Problem With Wearing Fake Eyelashes - Showbiz Cheatsheet