5 False Eyelash Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s face it, we all have to start somewhere when it comes to false eyelashes. As much as we wish it were something we knew how to do straight out of the womb (wouldn’t that be nice?), it does take practice and patience. Knowing the top mistakes to avoid will have you on your way to perfectly applied lashes in no time.

Not letting the glue dry to a tacky state before applying the false eyelashes. If the glue isn’t tacky enough the corners of the lashes will lift later on and could even come off completely. Taking the time to allow the glue to set (usually 30 seconds) ensures a lasting, strong hold and also makes it easier for the lashes to adhere to your lid. If you apply them too early, you’ll notice the lash won’t stick as quickly compared to if you had waited.

Not applying lashes close enough to the natural lashline. As you can see in the photo of Alexandra Burke (right), taking the time to position lashes correctly will not only make the look professional, but most importantly: natural. The obvious gap you see in her lashes and the false eyelashes makes it very apparent they’re not real.

To avoid this type of mishap:
– Curl your natural lashes prior to application and set with a waterproof mascara to hold the curl.
– Apply as close as possible to the natural lashline (practice makes perfect!).
– To eliminate gaps, use an eyelash curler with minimal pressure to mold the falsies to your natural lashes.
– Line the eyes with eyeliner so if you happen to be slightly off the lashline, it’s more easily masked.

Not custom fitting false eyelashes to your unique eyeshape. False eyelashes generally will not fit everyone straight out of the package. If they do, consider yourself a lucky lady! For the rest of us, not taking the time to trim them if they are too long for your eyes can cause the extra length to poke the inner or outer parts of your eyes. Needless to say this can be painful and result in further irritation. Not taking the time to custom fit your false eyelashes to your eyes can also make your eyes appear droopy, and that’s the opposite effect false eyelashes are supposed to have.

Applying mascara after applying false eyelashes. Not only can this pull out your natural lashes when you take the false eyelashes off but re-using the false eyelashes will be troublesome. The mascara will build up and shorten the life span of your lashes as there is no way to remove it from the false lashes (getting them wet will ruin them indefinitely).

Throwing false eyelashes away after one use. A common misconception with false eyelashes is that they’re good for only one use and then they must be thrown away. Thankfully, that’s a false assumption! With the proper care and maintenance, you can expect to get 5-8 wears from a single pair of human hair or synthetic lashes. Whereas, mink lashes typically yield 25-30 wears for a single pair of lashes. See our recommended best practices for proper care here.