False lashes might seem like the ultimate makeup luxury, but they don’t have to be a time-suck at all. The tea is that they can actually become a staple in your routine—without taking forever and a day. I know, false lashes can have a rep for being tricky, but trust me: once you get the hang of it, you’ll be slaying them daily in minutes. And I’m talking minutes, seriously!
So buckle up because in this post I’m going to spill all the tips and tricks you need to slap on those falsies like a pro while saving major time. By the end of this, you’ll be gluing, placing, and go––––→ off into your day serving glam in a fraction of the time. Let’s get into it, bestie! 💅
Step 1: Choose the Right Lashes for You (Without Overthinking It)
Okay, before anything else, picking the right type of lash is mega important. There are so many styles (I KNOW) but keep it chill—you don’t have to stress. Let’s break it down:
- Natural Lashes (aka your “I woke up like this” vibe): Shorter and lighter, these are perfect for daytime or more subtle glam.
- Dramatic Lashes (aka your “I’ve arrived” moment): Super long and fluffy, these are for big occasions, or if you simply wanna do the MOST, like I do on the daily LOL.
- Individual or Trio Lashes (aka “Custom Queen” lashes): These give you full control on how thick or spread out you want them, but yeah—they can be a lil’ more tedious, so maybe save these for when you’ve got extra time.
Personally, I like a flirty, wispy lash because they give that just right amount of drama. But don’t stress too much about picking “the right ones”. What’s important is that they’re comfy, cute, and work for your vibe 🤩.
Pro Tip: If you’re just starting out, go for lashes with a thin, flexible band! They’re WAY easier to manage than thick ones.
The fewer lashes you try to lift, the easier your life will be.
Step 2: Trim Those Bad Boys (Because Lashes Are NOT One-Size-Fits-All)
Now listen… I don’t care if you have the longest, biggest eyes or the smallest—those false lashes are probably going to be a little too long for your eye shape straight out the box. No shame in the game though! Trimming them is the magic. Grab some tiny scissors and let’s snip:
How to Trim False Lashes
- Hold them up to your natural eyelid (without glue for now).
- If they’re way too long, trim from the outer corner. You always wanna keep the inner corner shorter to give it that natural, “blended with real lashes” look. 🤓
- Trim off a little bit at a time until it fits comfortably along your lash line.
You don’t wanna over-trim because then you’ll have a stubby lash looking like Tinker Bell’s wings just shrunk—tragic. Trust me, go slow, it’s worth it!
Step 3: Time for the Glue (#WaitingGame)
Let’s be real, this is where most people get stuck. It’s like all calm and collected until the glue situation comes up. But seriously, eyelash glue doesn’t have to be your enemy, you just gotta know when to stick and when to wait. Here’s the real MVG (Most Valuable Glue) routine:
- Apply a thin line of glue along the band. Not giant globs (I know, it’s tempting). Less is more.
- Let it dry for about 15-30 seconds until it’s tacky. This part is crucial because if you try to pop them on right after applying glue…well, get ready for the ultimate slip n’ slide mess.
Pro Glue Hack: Go for clear glue if you’re new to this, but if you’re feeling a bit extra, a dark glue blends into your eyeliner for a smokey finish!
Step 4: Pop ‘Em On (The Moment You’ve Been Waiting For)
Hold your breath…and place them down right on top of your real lash line. Okay, exhale. But nah, seriously, placing the lash is easier than you think if you’ve softened up the glue with that waiting game!
Here comes the pro tip: look down into a small mirror. This helps you to really see that lash line and boom—you tack the falsie down as close to the lash roots as possible. Not too high, not way off your eyelid either. Use your fingers or a lash applicator ➡️ it’s whatever you’re more comfortable with!
Start sticking it down in the center first, then fix the corners. I usually do the outer corner next and finish with the inner corner. Make sure you press that band gently into place with either your fingers or tweezers.
Key to fast lash app? Secure that middle before everything else.
Step 5: Fuse the Falsies with Your Real Lashes (Bring it All Together)
Now here’s the game changer if you want them to look like they’re naturally growing out of your face, lol. It’s all about pressing your falsies and natural lashes together. That way they’re blended and no one can clock you!
Some people swear by using eyelash curlers for this step. To be honest? I just use my fingers to GENTLY pinch the base of my natural lashes and fake lashes together so they’re sitting pretty. Don’t pull too hard though—you don’t want to yank them off right after you finally got them on!
Step 6: Mascara if Needed (Do You Boo)
Ok, optional step, but I personally like to add a light coat of mascara to help blend my natural lashes into the falsies. Not a lot… you don’t wanna clump everything. Just enough to make them hug and be best friends 💕. If you’re using really dramatic falsies though, you might skip the mascara because they’re bold enough.
Bonus Tips for Super Quick Application
Sometimes you just want to SPEED through everything because maybe you’re running late, or you’re just trying to be out the door in seconds. I got you, girl:
- Cut the Strip Lash in Half: No joke, cut them in the middle. It makes them easier to place because now you’re dealing with two smaller sections instead of wrestling one long strip.
- Use Half-Lashes: If you’re seriously short on time, only apply lashes to the outer half of your eyelid! It still gives that flirty winged lash look but with half the hassle. Absolutely iconic when you’re in a pinch.
- Tweezers or Lash Applicators: If you’re struggling or if your fingers are too big to finesse, grab tweezers or a lash applicator—like the ones that look like a fancy, curvy tweezer made for lashes. They honestly help SO much with positioning and securing.
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The ‘Pre-Glue’ Options: Okay, for the lazy days I’d recommend those lashes that come pre-glued already (ain’t nobody got time some mornings). They’re not as reliable for a full day of wear, but for a quick errand or lunch date, they pull a magic trick.
Lash Troubleshooting
Let’s not sugarcoat it, sometimes lashes have their drama. But, I’ve got answers to the most common lash probs. Let’s troubleshoot real quick:
| Problem | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Lashes keep lifting in the corners | Dab a LITTLE more glue on the corner and press down again. Seriously, don’t over-glue or it gets messy! |
| Glue gets everywhere and messes up your eyeshadow | Make sure your glue is tacky before applying. It prevents it from smearing all over your eyelids while you’re trying to adjust lashes. |
| Looks uneven | Reposition ASAP—don’t wait too long, or the glue starts drying. Use tweezers to adjust the placement of corners. |
| They’re too long, but you’re done with trimming | Try curling them with a lash curler to lift them up more! It’ll pull the look together without needing to trim more. |
| Glue won’t dry fast enough | Use a blow-dryer (on cool) and wave it over the lashes for a sec. That’ll speed up the tackiness. |
That’s pretty much it, babes! Once you get the muscle memory down and steal a couple of these quick tricks, applying lashes is no longer the villain in your makeup story. It can literally be quick and easy.
Push yourself to practice the placement a few times and soon it’ll feel like no big deal. Ready to stop fumbling with false lashes and get on with your day? Let’s keep practicing, killing the glam, and saving TIME 🚀!
