I LOVE false lashes, especially for photos. My view on photography is that an amazing portrait communicates the true beauty of the subject. False lashes draw attention to the eyes and add a dramatic, sultry, sweet or romantic look to the wearer depending on the style used. This type of look-down pose is really beautiful to capture and very popular right now!
There are so many brands and looks but I prefer MAC just because that is what I’ve used. At around $15 a pair, they have proven themselves for use many many times per pair. I use DUO glue which you can buy from MAC and from Target. The trick is using a tiny amount and waiting 30 seconds after applying it before attaching the lashes to your lid. Also, do a liner on your upper lid to make the lashes blend in better.
False lashes look so incredibly perfect and sometimes you want that doll-like or pin-up look. I sometimes prefer the “natural look” for day to day use myself. When I do this look, I actually trim the false lashes with a small pair of eyebrow scissors to mimic my own lash patterns. For example, my lashes are random lengths in different areas so I just copy that pattern on the false lashes. My acupuncturist actually complimented me on the lashes the other day and was surprised they were fake!
If you have never worn fake lashes, even sparse ones can seem like too much but trust me, the more you wear them, the bigger/longer/thicker you will want to venture! HA! So buy the pair you think you’ll feel comfortable and then also buy the next level or 2 levels up as well. Thicker/longer lashes are better for photos and the more gentle ones are great for a little secret weapon for the run of the mill pick-me-up day.
APPLICATION
Use an eyeliner to make a solid line/cat eye line on your upper lash line.
Set up a mirror on a countertop that tilts up so that you are looking down at it when applying the lashes.
Gently detach the lashes from the packaging and hold by the lashes with tweezers.
Apply a thin layer of DUO glue to the lash line of the false lashes.
WAIT 30 SECONDS.
Apply the lashes to your lash line by looking down into the mirror. The shortest part of the lashes go on the inside of your eye. line them up where your natural lashes begin.
You have a few seconds to slide them into the perfect place!
False lashes were worn in this photo! This makeup credit goes to @mishanesselrod from @holidaysalon! Did you see Courtney of Maison Du Soir‘s other photos? Does anyone have other brand recs?
jackie jade says
i love the look of false lashes since i have basically zero natural lashes ha. i’ve actually been considering getting lash extensions but i’m nervous/cheap!
Christina Warren says
OMG my Korean mom totally did extension for a bit and they were so beautiful! Yes, $$$ and maybe a bit too much keep up for me! I use my MAC lashes WAAYY more times than they probably were meant to be used. They will by like dragging on the ground before I buy more! HA! Thank you!
Jas_sbap says
Wait 30 seconds. Of course. That’s the step I was missing this whole time and why my false lashes always looked so gnarly.
Thank you for writing this!
Christina Warren says
HA! Thank YOU! There was this awesome MAC lady in the downtown Seattle Nordstrom who taught me how to do fake lashes. She had short whited out hair and an androgynous look. Gorgeous. My sister and I referred to her as “David Bowie” for obvious reasons. LOVE HER!!!
Elisa says
These are great tips! I have never worn false lashes because I have fairly thick lashes naturally, but you are making me want to take the plunge 🙂
Christina Warren says
Oh you are so lucky!!! Mine are a decent length but I could use some volume! My sister took all the hair genes in my family! LOL
Wild Hearts + Green Tea says
False lashes look amazing but I actually strictly refrain from using them because I’m afraid I’ll just start hating on my natural (short and straight) ones!
Christina Warren says
Oh I was SO like you!!! HA! I was literally afraid! Then when I did it I just started wearing them to more and more occasions and it felt too good to give up. Thank you! P.S. have you heard of the new Better Than Sex mascara? I want to try it!
Wild Hearts + Green Tea says
Ha! I’ve heard of the mascara but haven’t tried it 🙂 I actually hardly ever use mascara because my lashes are absolutely impossible (I can curl them all day and use various mascaras but they’ll end up straight again in about an hour.)
Christina Warren says
OK, I bought it! HA! It’s pretty awesome. I will review it BUT I still stand behind: Loreal Voluminous in Waterproof as the ONLY mascara I’ve seen to hold a curl on my lashes. It’s $6-$9 and SO worth it!!!
Thien Do says
I bought some new false lashes last week that I’m eager to use! I don’t read blogs on my laptop anymore so I haven’t been commenting as much. It’s so much harder to comment from my phone.
Christina Warren says
Thien!!!! I wrote this post because of YOUUU!! Thank you!!!! OMG, phone commenting is hell! lol I know. What brand????!! PS I bought some of that electric blue mascara at Target today to try on the tips of my lashes….
Chelsea says
Gorgeous–especially in photos!
Christina Warren says
Totally!!! I feel like they are a requirement!
Rowena @ rolala loves says
False lashes definitely give off an air of drama to the eyes. I always worry that I’m going to have a glue mishap when I apply them even if I’m really careful. I just have this thing about stuff near my eyes in general. I’ll have to try your tips the next time I attempt to wear them but it’s been years for me.
Rowena @ rolala loves
Christina Warren says
HA! I hear ya! I have totally had glue fume issues! LOL I’m so addicted now though!!! I’m trying to balance out the poisonous glue with hippie deoderant! LOL
Pamela Bannon says
I am so impressed that you can apply false lashes. I just cant do it. No matter how much I try I am totally hopeless.
Christina Warren says
WHATTTT! I would think you would be living in them! Oh I practiced so many times and I’m so addicted!!!! I would love to see you in them!