Fake eyelashes are the ultimate patience test. More than being stuck in traffic or meeting your ex’s new girlfriend, trying to get the second eye to look like the first one can bring out your murderous tendencies. Fortunately they’re only directed at your fake eyelashes (and unsuspecting roommates who just want to use the bathroom).
Here are 5 tips to ensure you don’t kill people who contribute to your rent:
5. Buy the right pair of fake eyelashes.
This step took the longest to learn. “These are super cute for my robot costume!” I would squeal as I bought a pair of metallic plastic lashes. Then I would tell them how much I hate them as I struggled to put them on for 20 minutes. The trick to picking fake eyelashes is to choose ones that have a very flexible band. This will prevent them from fighting to peel off your eyelids all night.
Side note: Choose the right glue, as well. The stuff in the tube. I use Duo. Don’t trust anything with a brush applicator.
4. Put on your makeup before your lashes. That includes mascara.
It’s nearly impossible to get your eyeliner on evenly and symmetrically after you’ve put on fake lashes. Plus, if you have to pull them off to reposition them (repeatedly), you’re peeling off makeup, not skin. I tend to apply liquid eyeliner first and use black-tinted eyelash glue to blend in the band.
3. Cut the eyelash bands to fit the width of your eyes.
I don’t have the biggest eyes, so most eyelash bands are too long for me. I used to think “the more eyelashes, the better”, but having lashes near your tear ducts is not only irritating (when you accidentally cover them in glue), but it can make your eyes look narrower or even slightly crossed. Bonus: Shorter eyelash bands are also easier to put on.
2. Cut the eyelashes into sections, if necessary.
I prefer to avoid cutting the band into sections because it can create gaps and asymmetry in the lash line, but it makes them a lot easier to put on. Sometimes you only need a half band at the outside of your eye. It’s also fun to stick on a narrow strip of another, more colorful pair at the outer edge of your eye on top of a black set.
1. Give yourself plenty of time.
Putting on fake eyelashes should never be the last thing you plan to do before you leave. Save that for filling a flask. If you’re just learning how to apply the lashes, give yourself a good 15 minutes to put them on in an environment where no one will interrupt you. Put on some soothing music and remind yourself how good you are at so many other things. With practice you’ll be able to get them both on in the right place the first time!
I love this tutorial because it’s super fast (and includes a lot of the tips I mentioned). I started it at :33 to skip the intro: