Everything you need to know to master false lashes

False lashes have been around for decades, and yet so many of us still tread with trepidation around them. While fiddly, after a little practice falsies are a breeze to apply, and the payoff is wide-open eyes. Well worth the effort if you ask us. To help you reach pro status, here’s everything you need to know about false lashes.

Before you begin

“Do your eye makeup, including curling lashes and mascara, before applying false lashes,” says Manicare adviser Liz Kelsh.

How to apply false lashes

For individual lashes:

#1 / Place a dot of lash glue on the back of your hand and wait approximately 30 seconds for it to go tacky.

#2 / Using tweezers, pick up a lash and gently dip the pointy tip in the glue. “Starting at the outer corner of the eye, place the lash at the base of your natural lashes and use the tweezers to tap the lash into place,” says Kelsh.

#3 / Repeat the process until you get to roughly the centre of the eye, then switch to shorter lashes, continuing along to fill in the lash line.

For strip lashes:

#1 / “Measure the lash up to your eye and trim accordingly”, explains Kelsh. 

#2 / Next, dot the glue along the strip lash, wait for it to go tacky, then apply and tap in place using tweezers.

“As a final step, reapply mascara to blend your natural and false lashes,” Kelsh advises.

The different types of false lashes 

Strip: “These give a full lash effect and look best with stronger makeup, like smoky eyes or heavy liner,” explains Kelsh. Try shu uemura Natural Volume False Eyelashes.

Individual: The most versatile, but they do take a little time to master. Try 1000 Hour Black Flared Short Individual Lashes.

Half strip: Gives a natural or dramatic result, depending on thickness and length. “Use liner and mascara to blend with your lashes,” says Kelsh. Try Glam by Manicare Eva Lashes.

Eye-opening mascaras 

If you’re still wary of false lashes, these mascaras deliver similar results, without the fuss:

Maybelline New York The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara; Max Factor Voluptuous False Lash Effect Mascara; It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara.

If you want to know how else you can fake bigger, brighter eyes - try this beauty hack.

For more beauty advice from marie claire, check out marieclaire.com.au

Do you have any nifty tricks for applying false lashes with ease? Are you a fan of individual lashes or strip lashes? Tell us in the comments below.

Main image credit: Getty