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HOW TO APPLY FALSE LASHES FOR BEGINNERS

blue eyed model looking away slightly from the camera. the shot is a close up of her eyes and eyelashes. she has freckles

You’ve mastered the feline flick with your favourite eyeliner, gotten over the fear of the eyelash curler, found your can’t-live-without mascara *and* learnt how to effortlessly blend your eyeshadows. But have you grasped the fiddly job of seamlessly adding on false eyelashes? 

For many of us, a make up look can sometimes feel incomplete without a pair of dramatic falsies. But how do you glue them on without: a) getting glue everywhere and b) attaching them on so that they look natural and not like they’re about to fly away?  

Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you... To master the art of applying eyelashes (so that you’ll have everyone wondering if they’re real or faux), we’ve created the ultimate how to guide so you can attach and go like a pro... 

close up of a brown eyed model applying fake eyelashes to the outer corner of her eyes using a tweezer

How To Apply False Eyelashes

1. Prep your station

Before you begin the delicate application process, you need to have the appropriate apparatus handy. Grab your favourite lash glue, your box of falsies and a tweezer. We suggest setting these up on a flat surface (and not your bed!), with a mirror on standby next to you. 

2. Customise your lashes

Although most lashes come prepared in a strip, it’s important to note that not everyone will need the entire length. Hold the strip near your lashes and trim the excess hairs, so that the strips are customised to fit your lids. 

3. Be strategic about your glue application

This is a super important step. Although you may want to swipe on the glue and immediately try and attach them to your eye lid, it’s imperative you wait at least 30 seconds to allow the glue to go tacky. Why? Because it will grip onto your lashes better and not slip, slide and move around.  

4. Use your mirror

Hold your mirror perpendicular to you so that you’re looking down and not straight ahead. It’s important you hold the mirror this way as it makes your lashes look more extended and your better able to see where to perfectly place your falsies. Then, using your tweezers, place them on top of your lashes. Don't worry if you don’t get the placement right — you can simply peel them off and start again. Once you’re happy, use your tweezers to softly push down the fake eyelashes onto your lash hair so that they’re securely glued on. 

5. Camouflage Your Hard Work

Now your faux flutters are attached and secure, reach for your favourite liquid or gel eyeliner and draw a line over the strip and across the lid from the corner of the eye, to camouflage the false lash strip. You can even draw a feline flick on the outer corner if that’s the look you’re after. 

Types Of Fake Lashes

Now you’ve learnt how to apply falsies, let’s dive into the different types of faux flutters available... 

Strip Lashes 

When most people think about fake eyelashes, they probably think of strip lashes first. These are essentially a horizontal strip filled with faux hairs across the entire length. When attaching these types of lashes, they are glued onto the whole of your upper lash line. 

Cluster Lashes 

Also called ‘accents’ or ‘flares’, cluster lashes are ideal for those who are new to false lash application, are short on time or want a more subtle addition to their make up look. With a much smaller strip that needs placing on your lash line, they’re faster and easier to apply. Plus, as they aren’t as long as a strip, there’s less chance of them lifting at the corners. Cluster lashes are also an ideal way to create a ‘cat eye’ effect when a few are placed on the corner of the eye. 

Individuals 

For those that prefer minimalistic, subtle additions to their make up looks, individual lashes are ideal to enhance your natural hairs. Working to boost volume, add definition and fill in gaps within your natural lashes, individual falsies are the most versatile of the faux flutter line up.  

 

But what are the best fake eyelashes? Let us introduce you to the best of the best... 

huda false eyelashes applied to a models dark brown eyes. she is looking away from the camera. her eyebrows are dark brown and arched

Best False Eyelashes

Looking to add some drama to your glam? Enter: Huda Beauty’s Hoodie Lashes. The ultimate falsies for va-va-volume, these faux flutters deliver crisscrossed clusters and multi-layers of wispy lash fibres for a transformative finish. With a transparent strip and ultra-fluffy fibres, these lashes ensure you’ll be drawing in all the necessary attention all evening... 

 

Featuring both individuals and clusters, Huda Beauty’s Hoodie Flares #25 Classic Lashes are the do-it-all collection for any eyelash afficionado. Whether you want to dial up the drama (and stack the clusters together) or want something more whimsical, these soft, natural looking falsies quickly and effortlessly take you from breakfast to dinner to drinks. 

 

SHOP ALL HUDA BEAUTY >>>  

 Available in medium and long iterations, Sweed’s Cluster 3D falsies are the ultimate customisable lashes. Wispy, fluttery and ultra-glamorous, these sets are attached to a thin band that effortlessly blends into your lash line. Ideal for creating enchanting and expressive eye looks, you can mix and match the lengths to suit the needs of your make up looks. 

Mimicking the appearance of natural lashes, but elevating them with a slightly tapered end are Sweed’s Nikki No Lash-Lash set. Co-created with renowned viral make up artist Nikki Wolfe, these ultra-delicate individuals work to achieve a plethora of different finishes. From subtle to more dramatic, the set features four different lengths from barely-noticeable to a more defined finish. Well, if they’re good enough for Nikki... 

SHOP ALL SWEED >>> 

FAQ’s

Still have more questions on fiddly falsies? We’ve got the answers to some of your most requested queries. 

Do I put mascara on before fake lashes? 

It’s always best to apply your mascara first before you attach your falsies. This is because once your faux flutters are applied, there will be a more seamless blend with your natural and fake hairs. Plus, if you’re using a strip lash then applying mascara first will make the glue adhere better to your natural lashes, meaning the falsies will stay on for longer. 

Do you put fake lashes above or below real lashes? 

Always apply your fake eyelashes above your natural hairs. Not only does this mean your faux lashes blend in more seamlessly but it eliminates them looking clumpy and feeling heavy which can happen if they were to be applied below. 

What are the most natural looking false eyelashes? 

For a natural-looking effect, we suggest applying individual lashes the same length as your natural hairs. Blending into your natural eyelashes, individuals work to create a fuller-looking lash lineup without looking bulky or unnatural. 

 

Take homes? In short, always trim your strip (if you’re using a strip lash), wait at least 30 seconds (longer if you can!) for the glue to dry and *always* use your mirror at a perpendicular angle for perfectly applied falsies. Now, are we going for clusters, individuals or strip? 

 SHOP ALL FAKE EYELASHES >>>  
Rina Teslica
Rina Teslica Writer and expert

Rina is Cult Beauty’s Junior SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or co-hosting her own parenting one, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.

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