False lashes can make anyone’s eyes pop, but let’s be real: that first time trying to put them on can feel like a total fail. If you’ve ever been stuck with lashes halfway down your cheeks or had the glue situation go totally south, literally, just know you’re NOT alone. Lashes are tricky at first, but I swear—it gets better. So, if you’re a beginner {and it’s okay if you are, we’ve ALL been there!} sit tight because I’m about to spill the tea on the most common mistakes when it comes to false lashes, and how you can totally avoid them.
Let’s start with the biggest oopsies:
1. Choosing Lashes That Are Too Dramatic
Okay, I get it. You saw those huge, fluffy lashes on TikTok and felt inspired, but if you’re just starting out, dialing it down a bit might be your best move. Sizing up to those super voluminous lashes is tempting, but honey, those might just end up taking over your face (and not in a cute way).
You want to go for something more natural at first—like lashes that enhance your own instead of dominating the whole situation.
Pro tip: Try looking for lashes labeled as “natural” or “wispy” while you’re still practicing your lash game. Like, Ardell Demi Wispies? Total beginner bae!
2. Not Trimming Your Lashes
Trust me: most false lashes aren’t one-size-fits-all. Even though the tiny lash box looks perfect, putting them on without trimming could mean you’re rocking way too much lash—resulting in that dreaded “oh no, I feel like a giraffe blinking” vibe.
Before you glue, hold the lashes up to your eye and see if they’re longer than your actual lash line. If they reach too far into your inner corner or too far out your outer corner? Girl, those lashes need a little snip snip.
Tip: Always cut from the outer edge, never the inner edge. The inner part of the lash is the shortest for a reason!
3. Messing Up The Glue
Okay, let’s just address the elephant in the room: lash glue. This is where people tend to panic, but honestly, it’s not that serious once you know how to handle it. The most common mistake is to slap some glue on and immediately try to stick the lash on your lid. Big NOPE.
The glue needs time to get tacky (🤔 tacky, not wet). If you put on wet glue, your lash is gonna slide all over the place like an ice skater on a freshly zamboni’d rink. And who’s got time for that?
Give it a quick second (maybe 20-30 seconds) to get sticky before you even think about placing those bad boys on your lids.
4. Placing Lashes Too Far From Your Natural Lash Line
If you’ve ever felt like your false lashes were literally sitting on your brow bone (yikes), then this one is 100% for you. You need to place them as close as possible to your natural lashes without actually sitting on the lashes. Think like, right on top of your lash line.
A trick to helping placement is to slightly tilt your head back while putting on the lashes so you can see what you’re doing. Also, use a mirror on a flat surface below you (not held up to your face). This simple angle can change the game!
Pro tip: Try using tweezers or a lash applicator for better precision. Your fingers can get in the way of your view sometimes.
5. Not Letting Mascara and Eyeliner Help You
This is such a chef’s kiss for beginners!! Please don’t underestimate how much eyeliner and mascara can save your lash game. Eyeliner helps hide the lash strip, especially if you didn’t get it perfectly close to your lash line, and mascara will help blend your real lashes with falsies.
If you apply mascara after putting your falsies on, it’ll help them mesh together, making it look way more seamless.
| Tool | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Eyeliner | Hides any imperfections and the lash band. |
| Mascara | Blends natural lashes with false lashes. |
6. Skipping Double Glue in the Corners
If you’ve ever noticed that your false lashes start lifting from the edges, especially by the end of the night, girl, I gotchu. Sometimes the lash glue just doesn’t want to stay in those tricky inner and outer corners. That’s why adding a little extra glue on those spots can be a lifesaver!
Dab a little extra glue onto both ends of the lash (where your falsies meet your natural lashes) and it’ll stay strong way longer, trust me.
7. Using Too Much or Too Little Glue
Both of these are super common mistakes when you’re new to lashes. Using too little glue and they’ll peel off within seconds. Use too much glue, and… uh, good luck peeling that off your eyelids after.
You want a nice, thin strip of glue. If you’re using black glue, you’ll see it easier. If you’re using clear glue, it’s a little trickier, but just be mindful and don’t go wild. That glue dries fast but a mess is still a mess.
Loving clear glue but struggling to control how much you use? Check out glues with precision brushes for a more manageable application like Duo Brush-On Adhesive.
8. Removing Them the Wrong Way
We’re not trying to accidentally tug out our real lashes here. You’ll definitely want to be super careful when taking off your falsies; just yanking them off? ABSOLUTELY not.
Use an oil-free makeup remover on a cotton pad and gently press it onto your lashes to loosen the glue. After a few seconds, that glue will give up and slide right off! Trust me, save your lashes, both real and fake, by removing it with a little love.
9. Reusing Lashes Without Cleaning Them
I know, laziness is real when you’re tired after a long day of looking bomb in your falsies. But, if you plan on reusing your lashes (which you totally should), give them a quick clean! Leaving old glue on there or mascara can really mess up your next application. Use a tweezer to gently peel off that old glue, and you’re good to go again!
Pro tip: Store your false lashes in their original case to keep their shape between uses!
10. Using Lashes That Are Way Too Heavy for Your Eyes
Not all lashes are created equal for every eye shape. If your lashes feel heavy or droop throughout the day, that’s a sign that they’re just too dense for your sweet little eyelids!
For beginners or people with more sensitive eyelids, go for lighter, thinner bands. Look for lashes with invisible or super-thin bands instead of the thicker, black ones. They’re not only more comfortable but also less likely to lift—or even worse—feel like they’re pulling your eyelid down.
11. Curling Your Lashes (Or Not Curling Them!)
This can go both ways. Some people forget to curl their real lashes before applying falsies, making the falsies sit weird on your eyelid. Curling your natural lashes beforehand helps the two sets of lashes blend beautifully together.
On the flip side, don’t curl your false lashes right after you’ve applied them! That’s just asking for trouble. Curl your real lashes FIRST like you’re prepping for mascara, then leave the falsies alone.
12. Forgetting Lash Tweezers or Tools
While some people have the magical ability to nail their lash application using their fingers, don’t feel bad if it isn’t working for you. Lash tweezers will become your new best friend because they help you place the lashes where YOU need them without your clunky human fingers getting in the way.
13. Not Checking Lash Band Thickness
Another common mistake is going for super thick bands right out of the gate. Thicker lash bands provide more structure but… also more visible! And trickier for beginners to work with because they can be harder to flex onto your natural lash line.
Start with lashes that have a thinner, flexible band first. They’ll be much easier to mold to your eye shape.
Okay, love, we’ve covered A LOT, but don’t get overwhelmed! False lashes are totally a learned skill and nobody… I repeat… NOBODY is born knowing how to do them perfectly. It’s all trial and error and learning what works best for your eyes, your tools, and your style.
Remember, have fun with it! Lashes can make the difference between a simple look and serving FACE! Now, go grab some lashes, (maybe trial a few moments of struggle), and rock them like the baddie you are. 💁♀️
