How to Apply False Lashes

By marlena • Nov 22nd, 2008 • Category: Articles & Reviews

False eyelashes can be the most intimidating part of your makeup routine! It can be overwhelming or frustrating at first trying to apply them, but hopefully these steps will ease that anxiety…


What You Need:

  • False Lashes (I prefer Ardell or NYX as they are less expensive)
  • Lash Adhesive (Duo lash adhesive is best)
  • Tweezers
  • Small Scissors

Steps to Applying False Lashes:

  1. Carefully remove your lashes from the container by using tweezers and pulling them at the base.
  2. Size your lashes by holding them to your eye to see if you need to make them shorter.  If needed, trim the outer edge of the lashes with some small scissors.
  3. Using your lash adhesive, apply a small amount along the bottom rim of the false lashes. Take your time as not to get any glue on the lashes themselves.
  4. Allow your lashes to sit for 30-60 seconds until the glue is tacky.  While you are waiting, hold the lashes in a U shape to help them form to the shape of your eyes.
  5. Once the glue has set a bit and is tacky, hold the lashes with the tweezers or your fingers and aim downwards.
  6. Look down slightly and place the middle of the lashes very close to your natural lashline. Be very careful not to place on your lashes, but on the lid right next to your lashes.
  7. Using the end of the tweezers, press down the outer edges of the lashes until they stick to the lid.  If needed, continue to press the entire rim of the false lashes until they are on tightly.
  8. Allow the lashes to sit for a minute (start on the other eye while you wait).
  9. *Optional: Take your lash curler and weld the false lashes together with your real lashes.
  10. Apply your mascara.

Enjoy your “new” lashes and gorgeous eyes!

33 Responses »

  1. marion on November 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm:

    great !!!!!!
    I’ll try tonight, I have a dinner with friends and gorgeous fluffly eyelashes to put on :)
    thank you Marlena !

  2. Nice on November 22nd, 2008 at 5:21 pm:

    good tut. i kinda liked that monroemisfits eyelash tut a little better. she put her mascara on before hand. can you still use the lashes even if there is a pile of old mascara stuck to them? it can be very expensive to keep buying them.

  3. yoasia on November 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm:

    How do you take them off?

  4. Marianne on November 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 pm:

    Hi Marlena,
    I really enjoyed this tutorial as well as all the other great ones you do !
    I’m struggling a bit with the individual false eyelashes which are semipermanent and actually go on your own lashes (brand called YLURE). They can look really natural if done properly. . . I have so far had a couple of mini disasters and would welcome any tips please.
    I’m a big fan of your site and think you’re very professional. Thanks for all the advise.
    XX

  5. Wendy on November 23rd, 2008 at 1:26 am:

    I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT FALSE EYELASHES, it adds drama and elegance to any look FAB!!!!

  6. amber on November 23rd, 2008 at 6:22 am:

    thank you very much!! this is very helpful.
    i love watching all of your makeeup tutorials!!

  7. bella on November 24th, 2008 at 4:41 am:

    Used fake lashes (for the first time!) today. I got soo many compliments and I wanted to thank you Marlena for being my makeup mentor. THANX!!

  8. Elodie on November 24th, 2008 at 2:13 pm:

    Hi Marlena,

    I’m french and i don’t undertand what you say (my english is very bad).
    But I find you beautiful and very talented. I’m impressed !!
    I regret not understand the tricks that you provide us.
    I still watch your videos to see your technique.
    Thank you and sorry for my english.
    Kiss

  9. Ophélie on November 24th, 2008 at 3:11 pm:

    Hi Marlena,

    I’m french and i do not understant all that you say , but, with the video it’s
    a little easier…I am in admiration for your work, I love! I regret not understand ,but continues and thank you for making beautiful !
    thx!

  10. Sara on November 25th, 2008 at 8:13 pm:

    Just wondering if anyone knew of a good brand of NON-LATEX lash adhesive?

  11. kaylynn on November 26th, 2008 at 2:59 am:

    can you re-use lashes?

  12. Tennx on November 26th, 2008 at 7:06 am:

    I’ve been just a little bit…okay no really…pretty intimidated to try falsies out. After your tutorial I definitely have more confidence to give them a try than I did before. Thanx Marlena!

  13. Winter_Bride on November 26th, 2008 at 4:05 pm:

    Where do I get these eyelashes in the UK???

  14. Nicole on November 26th, 2008 at 6:50 pm:

    YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! you have no idea (well, maybe you do [: ) how much this helps ALL OF US. haha ive always tried to look at other tutorials by MAC makeup artists, or asked people at sephora but i was still left stumped. This answers all of my questions in detail to the very last point! thanks so much for this tutorial!

    you are greaaaaaaaat!

  15. Porsha on November 29th, 2008 at 4:26 am:

    This is off-topic, but I couldn’t think of where else to post it…what happened to your pretty recent article on applying eyeliner? I can’t seem to find it anymore.

  16. Trini Make-up Artist on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 pm:

    I have tried and tried to get the strips to work, but you tutorial gave me a whole lot of insight, I am good with the flares but not the strips, I now know where I was going wrong thanks a heap.

  17. Iris on December 4th, 2008 at 5:30 pm:

    Throughout the day my real lashes tend to straighten out and it gets noticeable when I wear the false lashes. How do I fix this problem? How can I keep the real & the fake lashes blended together so it can look real?

  18. Arati on December 6th, 2008 at 5:25 am:

    Hey Mariena! You ROCK! I really admire all the tricks you give to us! I had a question regarding these false eyelashes. Do they come off easily when you want them too? Can you reuse false eyelashes after you’ve used them once? And also, any make up tips for women of color? (I am Indian, and have a caramel-brown complexion). It is always hard to find good make-up artists who can actually do make up on darker skin!
    Thank you and many hugz and kisses to you!
    Btw, your mini-cupcakes are adorable!

    Love,
    ~Arati

  19. mary on December 6th, 2008 at 9:22 pm:

    love this tut!! i went to cvs and bought the Ardell brand and the duo lash adhesive and i just spent like 6 bucks! and when i got home i pulled this tut up and followed you diretions step by step and it was SO EASY!!!! and im lovin my new falsies and i got alot of complinents when i went out! so thank you again for all you wonderful tutorials! and please keep them coming! HAVE A GREAT DAY AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

  20. Iris on December 8th, 2008 at 7:37 pm:

    Very helpful. With a few practices, now I got the hang of it! Thanks!

  21. Jenna on December 8th, 2008 at 9:58 pm:

    thank you! I’ve been so afraid and not very good at false lashes but I will definitely try this & I feel more confident in applying them now!!

  22. Carly on December 9th, 2008 at 4:10 am:

    You are so cute! I love the way you do your makeup! thank you for the ALL THE TIPS

  23. Carly on December 9th, 2008 at 4:10 am:

    tHIS IS REALLY HELPING ME OUT!

  24. Maria on December 10th, 2008 at 6:23 pm:

    I think I’m allergic to DUO glue, is there another alternate glue I can use?

  25. JoJo on December 12th, 2008 at 3:41 am:

    She Gloo is also good, when done I just peel them off slow. Never tried Duo though. Love that mname “She Gloo” sounds like s uper hero LOL.

    Also Red Cherry lashes are good. Mac used to make # 101 but no more. Great tip on measuring it on eye first and never knew had to dry a bit-no wonder top lid would stick to bottom at first :-)

    Lower lashes scare me, never tried em

  26. Marie Banayan on December 15th, 2008 at 3:31 am:

    Hi: Can you please let me know how to clean false eyelashes after I wear them. What products are recommended?

    Thank you,

  27. Tavia on December 22nd, 2008 at 5:32 pm:

    Thanks so much for making this tutorial. I never tried to put false eyelashes cause i was afraid of doing it the wrong way, but after this tutorial i will definitely try it.

  28. Ilham on December 25th, 2008 at 1:15 pm:

    thats kwl. ama try that. ive bought ones b4. long tym but they pissed me off cause they wouldnt stay. hopefully this tym they would. fanx.

  29. daria on December 26th, 2008 at 12:45 pm:

    Hello from kazakhstan! your site for me simply find!! This idea with video clips - shocking! so much new I on your own opened! Many thanks! I am sorry for errors, write with a translator)

  30. Kayla on December 27th, 2008 at 5:22 am:

    Can you re-use lashes? how do you clean them without destroying them? I use them for dance all the time but sometimes i ruin them trying to get the glue off…! =[

  31. Alicia on December 31st, 2008 at 8:09 am:

    Marlena,
    I have found duo glue @ Walgreens and they have a brown/dark glue. I have hear from other people that they like the darker glue because you don’t have to fix it as much with eyeliner and such. Have you tried the darker glue and if so which of the two do u prefer?

    thx,
    Alicia

  32. roc on January 1st, 2009 at 3:50 am:

    i just did them! thanks for such a great tutorial.

    loved it so much, had to take a pic:

    http://www.booksbyraquel.com/makeupgeek3.jpg

    but now i need a tut on what to do next….

    do i just take out and throw out?

    are they washable?

    do i clean them like the brushes?

    so many more questions…

    but so excited! they actually looked real. used the ardell 110 you used in another vid.

    thanks again!

    it’s late, so i didn’t really retouch my makeup, but you get the idea…

  33. Lu on January 2nd, 2009 at 3:17 pm:

    u are amazing Girl! ur make ups are WOW!!! AWESOME! i wish a Great 2009 and great make ups for u!
    lu From Brazil!!!

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