False Lashes 101

Hi lovelies! Lately, I've been getting lots of questions as to what mascara I've been using to make my lashes longer. As you can probably tell by the name of this post, my secret isn't any new magical mascara, but rather false lashes. I know for most girls (including me until recently), the world of falsies is quite confusing. However, if you can get past the initial intimidation, false lashes can open up a whole new world of makeup possibilities! So today, I've decided to cover everything you need to know about rocking those false lashes!

The Basics
As with any new skill, the first thing you need to is get the right tools. To use false lashes, this means you'll need a set of falsies, as well as a tube of lash glue. I typically just use Ardell lashes, since they are great quality for a really affordable price point. My favorite style for every day use is their Natural Lash Collection in Black 120. If you can afford to splurge a little more, MAC offers some of the best false lashes out there. I use 3 Lash from their collection. The lash style you choose really depends on how natural or dramatic you want your look to be. Just like with any product, it will take a little while to find your favorites.

You'll find that some drugstore falsies come with lash glue already included. However, I strongly recommend that you don't use it. The lash glue that comes in a kit is similar to the brush that comes with drugstore powders and blush- pretty much useless. It doesn't dry clear, so you'll end up with white crusty patches all over your lashline. Plus, it doesn't stick well at all, and you don't want to be that girl with her lashes half off and blowing in the wind. The standard in false lash glue is Duo. It's affordable, dries completely clear, and the kind I use has a handy applicator wand.

I recommend applying false lashes after all other makeup is done, including any eyeliner and mascara you'd like to use. A coat of mascara makes your lashes a more sturdy shelf for the falsies, and applying any powders like eyeshadow or face powder after the lashes will likely leave residue. You can always touch up any smears in eye makeup once you've applied the lashes, but I find that it's not an issue as long as I use a good eye primer.

Application
Once your makeup is done and have your falsies all ready to go, it's time to apply those lashes! I have to give a little disclaimer- applying false lashes can be really frustrating and slow at first. You may have to take them off and start over multiple times before you get them just right. So take a deep breath, make sure you have a few minutes to kill, and follow these steps:

1. Size your lashes. Unless you have very large eyes, you'll need to cut your lash strip to make it the right size for your eye. Peel a lash off the packaging, and place it on your lid so that the strip lines up with the spot where your natural lashes start. Once you've observed how much will need to be cut from the outer corner of your lash strip, take a small pair of (sanitary) scissors and chop it off from the base of the lashes.

2. Spread the glue. Coat the base of the false lash strip in a layer of glue. Then wait about thirty seconds for  the glue to get tacky.

3. Place the strip. I like to just grip the strip with my thumb and index finger to apply, but some women prefer using a tweezer or special lash applicator. Once again, it will take time and practice to determine what works best for you. When setting the lash strip down, start by lining it up with the outer corner of your eye. Once you've found the proper placement, press down to bond the lash glue. Continue pressing down and guiding the lashes into place along your lashline as you work your way to the inner corner.

Tips & Tricks

- The lash glue will not dry instantly after you apply the lash strip. This will give you a bit of time to make any small adjustments.

- To make sure the false lashes meet your natural lashes as closely as possible, press your thumb and index finger into the two layers to smush them together before the glue dries.

- Apply a second coat of mascara to your lashes after applying the falsies to blend the two together more seamlessly.

- When you're ready to take your lashes off, first use an oil-free makeup remover to soften the glue. Then, gently peel off the lash strip from the outer edge.

- False lashes can be reused! I typically get 2 or 3 wears out of my lashes before they start to get really raggedy.

That's all for False Lashes 101! If you have any other questions or tips to share, leave them in the comments below!