You wouldn't put on mascara before your shadow and eyeliner -- same thing applies for false lashes. Taylor Chang-Babaian, makeup artist and author of "Beauty Rewind" suggests doing all of your other eye makeup (including mascara) before applying false lashes.
This way, you don't have to maneuver around superlong lashes when you're crafting your smoky eye. It also helps keep makeup off of your falsies, which increases the life expectancy of strip lashes (Never reuse cluster or individual lashes).
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Know the Difference in Glue
Not all lash glue is created equal. Use a glue that starts out white and dries clear as opposed to one that dries dark. Dark lash glue has a tendency to mess up your eye makeup if you don't get the application right the first time, according to Chang-Babaian and Chanel national makeup artist Fred Vellon. Try Duo Eyelash Adhesive, $9, in Clear, a waterproof adhesive that's a favorite among reviewers on our site.
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Strike a Pose
The best position for applying false lashes: looking down past your nose into a mirror (preferably a magnifying one), says McAdams. This gives you the best view of your lash line and will help you get the application correct. Plus, it keeps glue from getting on your eyelids and messing up your makeup application.
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Ready, Set, Apply
Now, the tricky part -- putting them on:
1. Apply a thin line of glue at the base of your strip lashes, and wait a few seconds so the glue has a chance to get tacky. This will help them adhere more easily.
2. Place the lash on the inner corner first and then attach the outer corner so it sits slightly above the natural lash line -- this "cheats" the lash line and gives the illusion of bigger eyes, says McAdams.
3. Wait two minutes for your lashes to dry, then go over them with a dark liner right at the root of your lashes.
4. Curl your lashes (both real and fake) with an eyelash curler. This reduces tension on your eyelids and makes them feel more comfy, says Chang-Babaian. It also prevents them from drooping and making your eyes look heavy.
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Make Your Lashes Last
If you plan on reusing your strip lashes, don't apply mascara to them. Also, washing them is a big no-no -- water will ruin them. If they're especially gunky from lash glue, gently peel it off. You can also use a silicone eye makeup remover and a Q-tip to cleanse the base.
The mere mention of false eyelashes can strike fear into the hearts of otherwise makeup-savvy women. Applying false lashes is an art that many of us have yet to master. A bad application can literally leave you in tears, ruining your makeup in the process.
But once you learn how to apply false lashes, they can make your eyes look wider and add a dramatic flair to your eye makeup that mascara alone can't provide. And let's not forget that the Kardashians have singlehandedly made fake lashes an everyday accessory. Now, we're not saying you have to break out your falsies for work, but for special occasions? They can really make your eyes pop. (But if you do want to wear them during the day a la Kim, we aren't going to stop you.)
To help you get over your fear of false lashes, we went straight to the pros to find out how to apply all kinds of falsies -- from cluster lashes to strip lashes. Here, our easy makeup tutorial on how to apply false lashes.
