How to easily apply false eyelashes like an expert (2024)

While you can try your best to grow those babies, and seek out the best mascara out there, unless blessed, only a great set of fake eyelashes are going to give you crazy Bambi lashes. However, applying false eyelashes can easily make or break your big night out – and you know we're talking from experience when we say that.

We've all been there, the pre-drinks are flowing, you've created a total floordrobe of unsatisfactory outfit options, and then to make matters worse, your strip lash refuses to stick down. The music is paused, the panic starts and before you know it that halo eye you spent so much time mastering is ruined, along with the party atmosphere that has now vanished into thin air. You thought you did everything right, you even applied that Duo Lash glue you splashed out on, so why are your falsies betraying you like this?

Well, unfortunately false eyelashes aren't a one-size-fits-all, you can't just head out the door, chuck some glue in your bag and hope for the best... not unless you want to end up enlisting the help of a stranger in the club toilets come 12am, that is.

There are many factors in play when it comes to false lash application, including your eye shape, how exactly you remove your lashes from their box in the first place (never just rip them out, please) and that's before we've even got to trimming and glue application.

We know it seems like a lot, but trust us, once you've mastered these super-simple hacks, you'll be desperate to put them into practice. Popping to the big Sainsburys? Yeah I think that calls for some individual lashes. Getting some tester paint pots in B&Q, why not slap on a strip lash?

So stay with us while we take you back to lash school 101.

We've all seen how intimidating the false lash aisle is in Boots now. With so many styles to choose from it can be totally overwhelming, but if you know your eye shape it will help you narrow down your selection.

Nouveau Lashes has tried to answer the "will these suit me?" question with illustrations to help you identify your eye shape.

'Almond eyes' are considered the suit-all strip lash eye shape (this is when your irises disappear into your upper and lower eyelids when you look straight ahead). Try Doll Beauty's Eva Lashes.

Not happening for you? (Us neither). Here are some other common shapes and structures, which - of course - come in many variations.

Deep-set eyes; when your eyes are set deeper into the head creating an illusion of a more prominent brow bone. Try lashes that are longer in length at the centre of the lashes, like Eylure's Fluttery Light 177 Lashes.

Downturned eyes; when the outer corners of the eyes appear to be drawing downwards. Try a shorter strip lash that is longer in the outer corners to lift your eyes, like Ardell's Demi Wispies.

Hooded eyes; when the crease on your eyelid isn't visible. Try a thin strip lash in a shorter length, like MAC's 36 Lashes.

Prominent eyes; when your eyelids appear projected in the eye socket area. Try balancing your top lashes with strip lashes on the bottom, too, which will give the illusion of pushing back your eyes, like Sweed x Nikki Wolff's Defined Underlash.

Also, consider if your eyes are close or wide set.

Using a pencil, pen or makeup brush look into a mirror and place your tool of choice from the inner corner of the eye to the outside edge, which will let you measure your eye.

Technically, you should be able to fit the width of one of your eyes perfectly in between the two eyes. When you get overlap (i.e. there's less than one eyeball width space apart) you tend to have close-set eyes so you might want to create the illusion of drawing them apart with lashes that are longer at the outer corners.

If the space is bigger than one eyeball width then you have wide-set eyes and might want the emphasis to be towards the centre. You can do this by using lashes that are longer at the inner corners which will draw the eyes together.

Listen carefully here because this is key information. I know you're in a rush but now is not the time to be heavy-handed.

Hold your falsies - whilst they are still in the plastic tray - under your nose with the lashes facing outwards; this will identify the left and right lashes as they're not always marked.

To remove, always peel them from the outer edge, never from the inner corner. This is because if you bend one section of lashes on the outside it doesn't matter as it's more than likely you'll be trimming them off to fit your eyes anyway.

However, if you bend or break the lash from the inner corner, it does matter. Gently tease the strip out using your fingers or tweezers and rest the lashes back in the box.

Rest the strip lash along your lash line to see whether you need to trim it to size. The strip should start where your natural bulk of eyelashes begin, if you start too close to the inner corner it will irritate your eyes. To mark where your strip lashes should end, go to the outer corner and count 2-4 lashes inwards. Remember, if you leave them hanging over, it can pull the eyes down.

If you have to trim your lashes to fit, remember to do it from the outside edge and don't cut through the lashes, always cut them at the vein.

Sometimes lashes can flatten when you take them out of the box and therefore pop up at the inner or outer corners once applied... irritating much? To avoid this, roll the lashes around your finger, a makeup brush, pen or cotton bud and leave for a minute – this will help them remain more curved in shape.

Dot a thin layer of glue (straight from the adhesive applicator) along the vein of the lash, from corner to corner. Wait a few seconds for it to go tacky before application.

If you want super long-lasting application do the 'double adhesive' technique by applying some dots of glue along your lash line as well as on the lashes.

Oh, and if you're an avid lash wearer, we recommend investing in a separate glue that's more heavy duty than the ones that come with your falsies.

Remember to place them where your natural bulk of eyelashes begin. Look down and press the strip lash against your lash line in the centre, the outer edge and inner corner.

Your false lash kit:

Wearing mascara to start with lets you pinch and push your natural lashes and the false lashes together so they set well. Squeeze the strip lash down onto the natural lashes so you don't end up with a strip of skin between your lashes and the false lashes. Carefully use eyelash tweezers or simply your fingertips.

If you want to create more uplift with your lashes, finish by gently pushing against the lashes at the edge of the inner lash line.

How your lashes will look...

Shop our favourite lashes below, including the pair Bridget is wearing: Nouveau Lashes Volume Style 4.

Pictures courtesy of King Of The Booth.

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