False Lashes

    Whether you’re going for a natural beauty look or full-on Las Vegas glam, false lashes are a foolproof way to take any makeup look from very nice to va va voom. But, like with all things beauty, the trick is to find the type that suit you and learn how to wear them well.

    First, the product. A good place to start-- and my day-to-day go-to-- is with Ardell Fashion Lashes, which are relatively inexpensive (around $5 a pair) and can be found in most pharmacies and supermarkets. There are tons of styles to choose from, but I recommend that beginners go for a pair with a thin lash band: they’re more flexible and much easier to cut and apply. My favorite, universally flattering option is definitely the Demi Wispies in Black. They’re natural, not too long, and winged to provide the perfect Angelina Jolie-esque cat eye look. Looking to go a little more high-end? Lilly Lashes--a favorite of celebrities and makeup artists-- offer both human hair lashes and 3D Mink Lashes (don’t worry, they don’t harm the animals) in a variety of ultra-glam, luxurious styles. At $30 a pop, the Mink Lashes are definitely a much bigger commitment, but the look can’t be beat-- and they can be washed and worn up to 30 times, making them well worth the investment.

    Now, the application. This, of course, is the trickiest part about false lashes, but with the right products and some practice it’s definitely possible to master. To do it right, you’ll need: your false lashes, a good lash glue--my favorite is Duo Striplash Clear Adhesive-- a pair of point tweezers and, possibly, some scissors.

    First, do the rest of your makeup and apply mascara--false lashes (and highlighter) are pretty much the finishing touch. Make sure that the lashes aren’t too long--they should be the same length as your natural lash line. If they’re longer than that, cut a bit from the inner corner until they’re the proper length. Next, apply a strip of the glue along the lash band. I recommend that you apply a little bit extra at either end so that they don’t lift out of place while you’re wearing them. Lay the lashes above your natural lashes--starting from the outer corner and working your way in-- placing them as close as you can to your lashes. This is where the tweezers come in: use them to (carefully) push the false lashes closer to your natural lashes and to squeeze your natural lashes and the false lashes together so that there’s no space. Let the glue dry and voila! You’re done.

    Like I said, getting this right can be difficult at first, so don’t give up if you don’t get it perfect the first time around; give yourself time to explore and find the styles, products and technique that work best for you--and have fun with it!