You’re standing in the makeup aisle, staring at a wall of plastic boxes. There are "mink" lashes (which usually aren't mink), "whispy" ones, and some that look like literal caterpillars. It’s overwhelming. Most fake eyelashes for beginners tutorials make it look like a three-second job. They swipe some glue, pop it on, and suddenly they’re a Disney princess.
Then you try it.
Your eye is watering. The inner corner is poking your tear duct. One side is drooping. It’s a mess. Honestly, the biggest lie in the beauty industry is that putting on lashes is "easy." It’s a motor skill, like riding a bike or using chopsticks. You’re going to be bad at it until you’re not.
The truth is that most people fail because they treat a strip lash like a sticker. It’s not a sticker. It’s a structural enhancement that has to fight the natural curvature of your eyelid and the moisture of your eyes. If you don't understand the physics of the lash band, you're going to lose.
The Equipment You Actually Need (And What’s a Scam)
Most beginner kits come with a tiny tube of glue. Throw it away. Seriously. That glue is usually the lowest quality possible and dries into a rubbery mess that won't stick to the corners.
If you want your lashes to stay on through a wedding, a night out, or just a long day at the office, you need a dedicated adhesive. Professional makeup artist Sir John (who works with Beyoncé, so he knows a thing or two about lashes staying put under stage lights) often emphasizes the importance of the "tack" factor.
Get these things instead:
- A Precision Glue: Look for Duo or House of Lashes. If you’re sensitive, get the formaldehdye-free versions.
- Tweezers or an Applicator: You can use your fingers, but your fingers are giant meat sticks compared to a tiny lash hair. Tweezers give you a line of sight.
- Small Scissors: This is the part everyone skips. You have to trim them. Almost no one has eyes as wide as a factory-made lash strip.
- Clear vs. Dark Glue: Use clear if you aren't wearing eyeliner. Use dark if you are. Dark glue is more forgiving because it blends into your liner, but if you get it on your eyelid by mistake, it looks like a smudge.
Why You Must Trim Your Lashes
Here is a fact: if the lash is too long for your eye, it will lift. Period.
The lash band is stiff. If it extends past your natural lash line toward your temple, the movement of your face will eventually pry that corner off. If it’s too close to your inner corner, it’ll poke you every time you blink. It hurts. You’ll want to rip them off by 2:00 PM.
To do it right, hold the lash up to your eye without glue. See where your natural lashes start and end. Use your scissors to snip from the outer edge. Never trim from the inner corner, because the lashes are designed to be shorter there to mimic real hair growth. Snipping the inner corner leaves a blunt, thick edge that looks fake and feels like a needle.
The Art of the Wait
This is the "aha!" moment for fake eyelashes for beginners.
When you apply the glue to the band, do not immediately put it on your eye. This is the #1 mistake. If the glue is wet, the lash will slide around. It’ll get glue on your real lashes. It’ll get glue on your eyeshadow. It’s a disaster.
Wait 45 to 60 seconds.
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The glue needs to become "tacky." It should look slightly iridescent or change color slightly (if it's the blue-to-clear kind). When it's tacky, it grips the skin the second it touches it. Think of it like a Post-it note versus a wet piece of paper. You want the Post-it.
Placement Strategy: The "Middle-First" Rule
Don't try to line up the whole strip at once. It won't work.
Tilt your head back. Look down into a mirror—this is vital because it flattens your eyelid. If you look straight ahead, your lid is creased and you’ll glue the lash into the fold.
- Place the center of the lash strip onto the center of your lash line first.
- Once the middle is anchored, use your tweezers to grab the outer corner and press it down.
- Finally, grab the inner corner and tuck it into place.
If you’re struggling with the strip, try "half-lashes" or "accent lashes." These only go on the outer half of your eye. They give you that cat-eye lift without the struggle of fitting a full band to your inner corner. Honestly, many pros prefer these because they look more natural and stay on way longer.
Magnetic Lashes: Are They Actually Better?
Magnetic lashes went viral a few years ago. There are two types: the "sandwich" kind and the magnetic liner kind.
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The "sandwich" ones—where two lashes click together over your real ones—are a nightmare for beginners. They require incredible hand-eye coordination. However, the magnetic liner version? That's a game-changer for some. You draw on a liner that contains iron oxides, and the lash just snaps to it.
According to a study published in Dermatitis, the iron oxides used in these liners are generally safe and FDA-approved for cosmetic use, but you should still do a patch test. Some people find the liner feels "heavy" or "crunchy." If you have a shaky hand with eyeliner, magnetic lashes might actually be harder than glue.
Maintenance and Longevity
Can you reuse them? Yes. Should you? Only if you clean them.
Bacteria loves lash glue and old mascara. If you don't clean your lashes, you're begging for a stye or a "pink eye" situation. After you peel them off, gently pull the dried glue off the band with tweezers. You can use a Q-tip dipped in micellar water to wipe away any mascara.
Don't soak them in water. Most high-quality lashes (especially the faux-mink ones) use a specific curl that is set with heat or chemicals. Water can ruin that curl and make the band lose its shape. Store them in the original plastic tray so they keep their "C" curve.
The Misconception About Damage
A lot of people worry that fake eyelashes for beginners will rip out their real lashes.
If you do it right, they won't. The danger isn't the glue; it's the removal. If you just grab the lash and yank it off at the end of the night, you are going to pull out some of your natural hairs. Use an oil-based makeup remover. Soak a cotton pad, hold it over your eye for 30 seconds to break down the adhesive, and the strip should practically fall off.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to try this, don't do it right before a big event. Do it on a Tuesday night when you have nowhere to go.
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- Step 1: Buy a "multipack" of cheap lashes (like Ardell Demi Wispies). You will probably ruin the first pair, and that’s okay.
- Step 2: Get a bottle of Duo Brush-On Adhesive. The brush makes it much easier to apply a thin, even layer than the squeeze tubes.
- Step 3: Measure the lash against your eye and trim the outer edge.
- Step 4: Practice "the hover." Get the lash close to your eye without touching it just to get a feel for the angle.
- Step 5: Apply glue, wait 60 seconds, and drop it onto the center of your lash line while looking down into a mirror.
Once the glue is dry, use an eyelash curler to gently squeeze your real lashes and the fakes together. This "fuses" them so there isn't a visible gap. Finish with a tiny bit of mascara at the base to blend the colors. You’re done. It took ten minutes today, but by next month, you’ll be doing it in two.