False Eyelashes - Let the battle commence!

After managing to finally get these crafty little critters onto my eyes, I would give one word of advice to any other false eyelashes hopefuls:

PERSEVERE!

I bought a packet last year, and let me tell you - they quickly went in the bin.  A waste of £5.00.  As a student, £5.00 is like gold dust and it was a difficult decision to make to buy them in the first place, let alone throw them away!!

However, New Year's Eve 2010/11 was fast approaching and I wanted that little extra something to accessorise my simple LBD...so, I decided to try the eyelashes again.  It had been several months later so I had almost forgotten about the ordeal I suffered with the first batch.  I was quickly reminded of that though when I was faced with the trauma of applying them again.  A fight ensued.  The eyelashes won.  But I was determined to claw my way to victory...

I stared at the lashes perched on my vanity case.  They stared back.  Threatening me.  After a few more scowls (from both of us) I made the decision of getting the nail scissors out.  Mwahahaha!  A weapon!

(There is actually advice on the packaging to trim them down, but as a female I don't do instructions!)

I snipped away from the end that sticks closest to the inner-eye and trimmed the lashes so they looked fan-like.  A good job well done.  But I was once again faced with the gluing scenario!  Damn - I'd forgotten about getting them on.

Now, google reviews (my new best friends) recommend using tweezers to put them in place.  I'll tell you now, DON'T!  Unless you want to be poked in the eye, this is not the best way to stick them on.  Use your fingers - you have much better control.

So, here's what I recommend:

Once the lashes are trimmed to fit your eye perfectly (snip off little bits at a time - too much and they will look alien-ish!), apply the glue along the line of the lashes (the false ones, not your actual lashes!  This may result in your eyes sticking together otherwise!) and a little bit underneath - where they will sit on your own lashes; wait about 20-30 seconds before applying them - the glue goes tacky and sticks better; place them on top of your lashes and push the line into place - I usually stick the middle down then do the outer part, before sticking the part down closest to the inner-eye; leave them a minute or so, once you are happy with them, to make sure they are secure.  Then apply eyeliner - I recommend a liquid eyeliner as it's much more defined and hides jagged looking kinks in the lash-line.  I then apply mascara to both my real lashes AND the false ones.  You can even curl them if you want a more dramatic effect!  Once you are happy with the result, you can complete the look with further make-up.

WARNING: When you first apply the lashes, they will feel heavy on your eyelids - your eyes adjust after about 10/20 minutes though, so don't tear them off in frustration too quickly!!

I have since bought two more pairs - one pair was more natural looking and the others have glitter in them!  Oooh!

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Loula and her fluttering eyelashes xx

P.s. I would love to know of anyone else's false eyelashes experiences, traumas, tips etc!