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Let’s Talk About False Lashes

Makeup, Style
By Laura Gummerman

Let's Talk About False Lashes abeautifulmess.comWhenever I make a mental list of things that I am thankful for, once I get past all the obvious top favorites like family and friends, I always give false lashes a grateful shout-out. Now, I realize that false lashes are not a big deal to everyone, but I was given a pretty skimpy set of lashes to work with, so I love being able to throw on a pair of falsies for a special night. Everyone has something that gives them an extra boost of confidence (maybe a favorite outfit, super high shoes, or a fresh manicure) and lashes are it for me. I’ve been playing around with lashes for a few years now, and here’s a few thoughts to consider if you are thinking about getting into the lashes game:

Let's Talk About False Lashes abeautifulmess.com What kind of lashes should I get? Good question! There are lots of different kinds to choose from. I group lashes into a few different categories and each one has their own pros and cons:

Natural Lashes: You can see from comparing these lashes with others that they are much more delicate looking (these are my favorite!). These are lashes that are going to give you a boost in length and thickness, but aren’t going to go overboard. I love wearing these for daytime outings when I want a natural look and lashes that are long and light.

Full Lashes: These lashes are obviously much thicker than the natural lashes. While these lashes may look too heavy for everyday wear, they are actually great for photos (especially if the photos are going to be taken from a bit further away). It’s kind of the same principle as theatre makeup—the further away people are from you, the bolder the stage makeup has to be in order to look right. If you were doing full-body photos, these lashes would stand out much more than the natural lashes would at a distance. These lashes also have a more blunt and even shape to the tips of the lashes which give them a vintage Mod look as well (these are great full lashes).

Long & Short Lashes: This category of lashes has a bold pattern of longer and shorter lashes. Some may contain criss-crossed lashes, some may be staight, but the pronounced difference in tip length is their biggest feature. I like to use these if I am going on a date where I want a thicker, more dramatic look. 

Individual Lashes: Ok you guys, these are actually my favorite type of lashes. Instead of getting all your lashes together in a strip, these come in different lengths and are attached individually until the lashline is full. These lashes do take longer to put on, but they look more natural where your eyelid meets your lashline (you avoid the strip that holds traditional false lashes together) and you can put on as many or as few as you want and customize your length and look. My all time favorite ones (and the ones I’m wearing in these photos) are actually the individual lashes that come in groups of three. You still get all the benefits of individual lashes, but it takes a lot less time to apply them.

Let's Talk About False Lashes abeautifulmess.com What glue should I use? A good glue makes a huge difference. I mean, you aren’t going to be very happy with your false lash experience if they keep falling off, right? My favorite glue is Duo eyelash adhesive. They make it in two colors (for lighter and darker skin tones), and it’s the best glue that I’ve used so far. You’ll definitely want to follow the instructions and let the glue set on the false lashes for about 30 seconds before attaching the lash to your lid—I found that tip helped a lot. Make sure to always, always, always keep a spare tube of adhesive, tweezers, and some spare lashes in your makeup bag when you wear falsies. You definitely don’t want to be stuck without a fix-it kit if something doesn’t stick right the first time. 

What if I have sensitive eyes? If you have issues with lash adhesive, try a latex-free adhesive like this one. Depending on your sensitivity, you may have to try a few glues to find one that doesn’t aggravate your particular sensitivity issue.

How long do they last? Traditional lash strips are faster to put on than individual lashes, but will usually only last you through the day. I say “usually” because I think this does vary a bit from case to case. Depending on how much glue you used (and how good of a bond you got), they should last through the end of the night, however, I have been able to wear them overnight as well. Although they take longer to put on, an added benefit to the individual lashes is that they are designed to last much longer than a one day use. You can get days, even weeks, out of your individual lashes. I always choose individual lashes when I want a full lashline for several days in a row and can usually get at least a full week out of them before I take them off.

Can I reuse my lashes? Yes! If you don’t use mascara when you wear your lashes, you can reuse them several times. Just use tweezers to pull the dried lash glue from the lashes after you remove them and store them in their original case until you want to use them again.

Let's Talk About False Lashes abeautifulmess.com Let's Talk About False Lashes abeautifulmess.com Like I said, I usually wear false lashes for more special occasions (like a photoshoot, a date, or a trip), but if you love them as much as I do, you can wear them whenever you want! If you’ve been on the fence about false lashes, I hope you feel much more confident and prepared to choose your lashes now. So what are you waiting for? Go and load up your lashline! xo. Laura

Credits // Author: Laura Gummerman, Photography: Sarah Rhodes, Photos edited using A Beautiful Mess Actions

96 Comments

  • Beautiful photos & thanks for the tips 🙂 P.S I am loving Laura’s posts!! So awesome to see how much this blog has grown! Keep it up.

    Reply

  • I tried false lashes out once and it was a huge fail but these tips are helpful. I have been tempted by the individual lashes but the three in one lashes you mentioned look the right compromise for me (I’m fairly low maintenance about makeup). Great tips, thanks for sharing Laura.

    Zoe. Xx
    http://tadpegs.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply

    • I recommend the Drama Queen HD Lashes mascara from Lady Godiva.
      It adds definition and volume to your lashes instantly! Lashes will appear long and healthy with just one coat of application. Its also water-resistant formulation is also compatible with lash extensions.
      I have short thin lashes and I can absolutely see the huge difference just after one application.
      http://Www.ladygodivabeauty.com/alipowell

      Reply

  • Thanks for the rundown! My sister was literally just asking me about lashes. I’m going to have to send this article to her! Thanks!

    Reply

  • Fun post, have been so confused by false lashes. I have only worn them a couple of times and I had no idea the difference or what to choose. I look forward to trying them again!

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  • ah! a beauty segment! would love to see more of these! you ladies are soooo inspiring! i check here EVERY.DAY. for new inspiration for my life. thank you for motivating me to make it more beautiful!

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  • I need to practice my fake lash application skills. They always look so amazing! This post makes me less scared to try.

    thekeyingredient.wordpress.com

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  • I love false lashes as well! I’m a photographer and whenever I have the opportunity to gussy up a lady for her shoot, I love to take falsies, cut them in half and use them on the outside edge of their lashes. I find the edge, on the falsies, that have the longer lashes on them, and put those closest to their outside corner (i.e. the opposite corner of their tear duct). This allows them to still look like themselves, but with an extra glam that makes their eyes POP! I’ve had great success with this myself as well! (Forget the lipstick, give me falsies and I can take on the world! lol)

    Reply

  • When my best friend got married, I was getting my make up done and refused fake lashes because I was scared of them lol (seems silly now)

    They talked me into getting them and I have to say they looked AMAZE!!!! I’m all about the natural ones

    Reply

  • I never thought of false lashes before really. I am one of those blessed with lashes girls, however it sounds frivolously fun! Perhaps one day!

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  • Lash extensions are the way to go! I use to wear false lashes for events, ect. I first tried lash extensions in October and have had them ever since! Its like having false lashes but everyday when you wake up! You just have to go about once a month to have them filled in. Look for deals on sites like groupon, living social and it makses it super affordable! great post!

    Reply

  • I love lashglue from MAC that turns black when it dries! I do my makeup and put on liquid black eyeliner so you won’t see it if you don’t get your fake lashes perfectly close to you natural lashes. And I’ve fallen in love with the false lashes from e.l.f. cosmetics, cheap and the perfect size for my eyes 🙂
    Right now I haven’t worn mascara since last Thursday when I got lash extensions from Novalash, perfect since I’m on vacation in Brazil and naturally have really blonde lashes 😉 Love to wake up and feel that I look pretty and not like a child.

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  • I’ve tried using false lashes a couple of times. My first try was with individual lashes and I loved the natural look. Mu second attempt was for a big concert I had, so I tried going bigger. It was a bit tricky and I had to cut the lashes shorter on one end, so that’s also an option when you can’t seem to get the lashes to fit.

    Also, wanted to ask Laura: how to maintain the falsies for a week? do you use special caring products or have any tips for making them last longer?

    xo Hanna

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  • I have NEVER seen those individual lashes grouped in 3’s and I’ve been obsessively wearing false lashes since

    I wear strip lashes more often than not (yes, almost every day) and I’d love to be able to make individual lashes work, but since my natural lashes have a surprising amount of curl to them I have trouble getting individual lashes to lay properly & blend in with my naturals while strip lashes kind of force my natural lashes to behave. These seem like they’d be the perfect in-between!

    I’m gonna go hunt down these grouped lashes right. meow. You may have just changed my life. Thanks Laura!

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  • I wear falsies everyday, natural or individual during the week, and fuller ones on weekend night outs. The DUO lash glue is the best! They have a glue that dries clear and a glue that dries black (that’s the dark tone. The dark tone is good for when you wear an eyeliner on the top. When I go on a road trip or camping, I apply the individual lashes before I leave and they last almost a week! (Always bring the extra glue and lashes)

    Reply

  • Why are there no instructions or tips to apply the lashes? That would be helpful for anyone that would like to try them after reading this post.

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  • I don’t really do anything too special to make them last longer, but I do remove eye makeup with makeup remover towelettes while being careful to avoid where the lashes are attached. Otherwise, that’s about it!

    Laura 🙂

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  • thanks to genetics i’ve been blessed with spider-like eyelashes, but this is a really wonderful post for if i ever feel like getting really glam’ed up!
    xx

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  • I haven’t tried false eyelashes in a looonnnngggg time (like, since junior high!), but I absolutely hate having to apply mascara everyday and I like that you can wear the individual lashes multiple days in a row. Thanks for all the great tips! I can’t wait to try it out!

    xoxo
    Taylor

    http://www.welcomehometaylor.com

    Reply

  • I think they make such a huge difference! I would wear them every day if I was better at putting them on!!!!

    Reply

  • Ok I’ve been looking for like 30 minutes & can’t find those grouped lashes anywhere – they are what they look like, right? Three individual clusters grouped together to make a mini-strip? Where do you buy yours?

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  • I had eyelash extensions put on for a trip to Hawaii to avoid mascara meltdown. I LOVE them. I have short blonde eyelashes that refuse to curl. Now I just have my falsies touched up every 4-5 weeks and they last forever. I never wear makeup anymore and I look so much more refreshed and awake during my 6:00 gym class. Forget the mani/pedi/lipstick…I love the eylashes.

    Reply

  • Question..I like the idea of wearing them for more than one day. If I get the individual ones in groups of three how do I remove my eye makeup without dissolving and messing up the glue? Also do you wear mascara with these and if you do what makeup remover do you use? Can you get your eye makeup off without messing them up? thanks

    Reply

  • I am so glad that you wrote this! I have been playing around with the idea of trying them. I cannot believe I made it this long without picking some up! (Halloween doesn’t count)

    Reply

  • This is super helpful!
    I am also loving your lipstick/gloss? Do you mind sharing what brand/color it is? Thanks!! 🙂

    Reply

  • I just got some fake lashes in last months Ipsy bag so this post couldn’t have come at a better time! I was absolutely terrified to wear them so this helps a lot. Thanks for posting!!!

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  • I don’t think that i could wear fake lashes other than for extremely special occasions such as weddings, I don’t know if its just me but i hate knowing that i have something fake on, like i’m not being my true self. is that weird? But i do think that i might get the individual semi permanent ones for like my honeymoon just for the pictures and so that i look a little more appealing to my new husband…it is our honeymoon after all, i don;t want to care the poor fella away. Thank you for this post, i now understand lashes SO much more and i finally know what each one is for.

    http://www.itsmylittlethings.blogspot.com

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  • Hi Robin!
    I do use eyeshadow and liner as well as mascara when I wear the individuals for a while, but I remove eye makeup with makeup remover towelettes while being careful to avoid where the lashes are attached. That way I can get the liner and eye shadow off, but I usually just do the mascara the first day and leave that on the lashes until I take them off. Hope that helps!

    Laura 🙂

    Reply

  • Okay, I have been considering fake lashes for quiet a while but never actually dared trying them. I think I might feel up to it now. Thank you!

    Reply

  • Thanks for the info! I’m definitely going to give it a try. I’d love to skip mascara in the mornings, especially when I’m in a hurry.

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  • You’ve inspired me to try individual lashes. I’ve tried strips a dozen times but have never had any success……won’t even leave the house they look so bad.

    Reply

  • I love false lashes! I usually get really frustrated when i can’t put them on but once they are on i love them.

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  • This speaks to my heart! Hahaha. I wear falsies everyday! Nothing to extreme though. Just to give the right amount of fullness and length 🙂 And then some bigger ones for special occasions of pictures. I’m so used to wearing them that sometimes I accidently get in the shower or fall asleep wearing them!

    Reply

  • Whooo-wheee – love beauty posts. Especially from you Mrs Gummerman. Love your style.

    Still always going to have the fear of false lashes though…seen too much Snog, Marry, Avoid to ever get over that phobia! (and fake tan. Shudder).

    Reply

  • I have such a love / hate relationship with false lashes. I love how they look but I hate applying them and I’m always worried they will fall off during the night.

    P.xx
    GreyWalls

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  • I’ve been wearing false lashes almost every day for 5-6 years. I can tell you that if you do wear the ones that come in strips, you can use them over and over for 2-4 weeks (you just take them off before you go to bed and don’t get them wet). Eventually, they’ll start to clump and look messy. Then you’ll know it’s time for new ones!

    My personal favorites are Kiss in 01 and Ardell in 105. They are all the longer side, but I have rather large eyes and need long lashes to accommodate them.
    This is what works for me, but it may not work for everyone! I’ve tried individual lashes and I can never get them to stay in the right spot (they always end up drooping a little sideways and looking silly on me)

    Great post though! I might give individuals another shot! 🙂

    Reply

  • Hi Larizza!
    This post was just about identifying choosing the right lashes, applying the lashes is really a whole different subject! But we may do a post about applying them in the future 🙂

    Laura

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  • Have you ever tried lash extensions?? I feel in love with them about 2 years ago!! They last quite a long time, and wasn’t overly expensive!! If you haven’t, give them a try!!

    Reply

  • Okay, this is fab and needs a follow-up post. Like how/where do you actually apply them? Do you place the individual falsies right above the lash line or squeeze them in-between your lashes? Do you have any tips for placement of individual lashes? Should we focus on the outer corners or make sure they’re all of different/the same length?

    Also, at what point in the makeup process should you apply them? Do you apply them before you do any other eye makeup or do they go on last? Sorry if these questions have obvious answers. Total newbie here. If you guys ever do make a follow-up post, I’d love to see pictures of how some of the different styles look when applied. This is so exciting to me.

    Thanks so much for posting this! You all never have a disappointing post. : )

    Reply

  • I totally get what you mean! I’ve had alopecia since I was 11 so for 10 years now and it completely robbed me of my eyelashes and eyebrows permanently so I’ve been wearing false lashes pretty much every day for the last 5 years just to make myself look more normal and give myself a confidence boost! Definitely grateful for falsies!

    Emma
    http://emmawillz.blogspot.co.uk/

    Reply

  • This has definitely helped me! I am going to be more confident to try these next time!
    I’d love more beauty tutorials please!! 🙂

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  • I appreciate the breakdown, Laura. Seems like every time I go shopping for lashes I’m rather overwhelmed by all the options. Your tips are very helpful!

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  • Im one of those lazy girls that really doesn’t give to much time to beauty unless its my nails. Also not to mention my lashes totally suck. Sooooo0o0o thanks to groupon i decided to try out lash extensions. Probably one of the best things in live. Im addicted now but its made my beauty life so easy! They look super natural and i don’t even have to put eyeliner on anymore! Def worth a try. But make sure you don’t get synthetic (A synthetic blend is fine though).

    Reply

  • I bought a pair of mink lashes at ArianaLashes a few weeks ago, you should add them to your list! I really love how whispy they are, and besided that they are 100% cruelty free!

    Reply

  • Lashes are like love, once you get hooked you can nevet let go again.
    I love my lashes they make me feel like i can conquer the world <3

    Reply

  • I love these photos and the tutorial is very helpful. My attempt to use falsies also failed. :)) So I’m sure many beginners will appreciate your tips. All these years I was just keeping my lashes long with the help of a good diet (all vegan excluding seafood) and serums that are proved to be effective: Cherish Lash etc. Thanks again for the beauty and patience))

    Reply

  • I have tried both fake lashes and individual. Fake made my eyes itch and hurt. But I’ve tried individual and they are good I did not feel that I had any lashes on but they eventually fall out. Now my real eyelashes are none existent like they have been reduced in size length wise. I look now like have no eyelashes. So they can become addictive, because you look terrible without them because your own have disappeared, they ruin your own.

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  • I like that you talked about how you can consider choosing natural lashes if you want to have thick and lengthy lashes without going to go overboard. This is something that I will be sure to take note of because I’m interested in lash extensions, and I want to make sure that my lashes will look thick and more dramatic without other people noticing that I have lash extensions. Thanks for sharing your article about false lashes.

    Reply

  • That’s really nice especially the pictures. I used to apply falsies on occasions, till I increased my own eyelashes with the help of Cherish Lash serum 🙂 For now I really look like a queen so there’s no need in falsies but sometimes I do wear most decorative and fancy ones. A very useful knowledge, thank you ))

    Reply

  • i love how you showed the tips to apply the eyelashes
    i found the website that offers mink eyelashes #eyelashes strip. it is comfortable and soft and lightless when you apply it on eyes

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  • OMG! I finally found my GO TO Lashes site!! they are awesome! Love their styles of lashes! 100% Mink! you guys must try them out! LOVE IT!!!! <3

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  • Be sure not to rub your eyes or tug or pull on the extensions because this can cause lash loss and even damage to your natural lashes. BTW, nice tips here! Very informative.

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  • I’ve actually gotten a couple of fake eyelashes and can’t ever get them on correctly. I purchased the magnetic ones and cannot figure them out. Any tips on these?

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  • I Love everything about this article however, I strongly prefer Flutterfly Mink Lashes. The quality of Flutterfly Mink lashes are on par with more popular brands like Lilly Lashes. Amazing value considering that one pair of Lilly Lashes costs $30. The lash band isn’t too thick or too thin, it’s also got great bend to it, meaning you don’t have to manipulate it too much to fit the curvature of your natural lash line. They’re natural looking while at the same time dramatic. For someone who has a hooded eye that’s on the smaller side, it’s just enough drama without being over the top like with the 25mm length lashes.

    Xoxo

    Jenna <3

    Reply

  • With dermalmd eyelash growth serum, I have surely observed the difference in my eyelashes in a short time! My eyelashes appearance now darker, thicker and longer than before and I began noticing the difference after 2 weeks of using the serum. I surely endorse it if you looking for a natural way to grow eyelashes after extensions!

    Reply

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