Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to apply or fit lashes to the eye?
We have an editor guide on how to apply falsies, but of course, our makeup artists are obviously pros. “Line up the inner corner, but don’t line it up perfectly. You want to stop slightly before you get to the inner corner so it blends seamlessly,” says Hernandez, and then trim any excess from the outer corner. She recommends dispensing a generous amount of glue onto a box or palette so it becomes tacky as you work, and specifically reaches for black glue because it hides into the liner and lash line more seamlessly. Apply it thinly with the back of a brush or Q-tip, with extra glue on both corners to prevent lifting. For placement, angle your mirror under your chin with your eyes looking down to stretch the eyelid and keep an unobstructed view, then apply the lash at the center first before working outward. Once you’re satisfied with the fit, Hernandez has one final tip: “After about 30 seconds to a minute, I like to pinch my lashes together—this will make a huge difference in making them look more natural.”
How do you clean and store lashes for reuse?
To ensure your false lashes last as long as possible, “dispense micellar water on a spoolie and comb out the lashes,” avoiding anything oil-based, says Hernandez. “The weight of the oil will remove the curl of strip lashes.” She also recommends going light on mascara, applying it to your natural lashes before putting falsies on to keep them as clean as possible. Before storing, she “gently removes the glue so the lash band can go back to its original shape,” and keeps the original packaging.
What’s the best way to remove lashes to prevent damage?
Always err on the side of caution with removal. Hernandez suggests using “tiny Q-tips with a little bit of eye cream or micellar water, and maybe a tiny bit of oil,” and work it along the lash line, massaging with a Q-tip until the glue loosens enough to release cleanly. The cardinal rule: Never rip them off, especially on dry skin. If reuse isn’t a concern, she suggests using “a cleansing oil or balm with the lashes on [because] individual lashes will just slip off.”
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best false lashes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: wear, longevity, color variety, and ease of use. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
For some full-face beauty inspiration, beyond lashes, watch Olivia Dean’s 10-minute routine:
