How to apply fake eyelashes - Fox 2 News Headlines

By Grace Gold
 

There's no easier way to achieve lusciously long lashes than by wearing a pair of false ones.

The Old Hollywood trick -- which has been used since Marilyn Monroe's heyday -- is great to add to your beauty arsenal. And while lashes aren't labeled as "waterproof," they're designed to stand the test of tears, which means you can even enjoy them by the pool or on the beach.

Pick Your Lashes

"Until you become a seasoned lash diva, it's best to start off with fairly natural false lashes that pump up the volume of your own lashes -- without looking costume-ish," advises Jason Ascher, resident makeup artist at Barney's New York.

Look for individual sprigs or half-strips at your drugstore, moving on to more dramatic full-strip lashes once you become comfortable with the technique.

Glue On

Lash glue comes in clear and colored options; you'll always want to go with clear, as the colored glues can dry like uneven eyeliner, says Ascher.

Squeeze a drop of glue out on a tissue. Using a toothpick, apply a thin line to the strip of the lash. Blow on it until it's a tacky texture -- it usually takes about 15 seconds. Apply a tiny ball on both ends for extra support if using a full strip.

Apply, Pat and Set

Line up the outer corner of the false lash to the outer corner of your lash and tuck the strip as close to the base of your lashes as possible. Using a pointy cotton swab or a slanted eyeliner brush, gently pat the strip down into place.

Work both strips until you see the lash settle without popping up. Finish with a smudge of eyeliner to conceal the lash strip, and a coat of mascara to seamlessly marry your natural lashes to the falsies.

Remove Safely

After you've posed for your close-up and danced the night away, you'll want to carefully remove your lash strips so as not to inadvertently pull out your natural lashes. "Grasp the outer corner of the lash -- careful not to grasp your own -- and pull toward your nose. Remove the dried glue, and you can likely wear them a few more times," says Ascher.

Remember, the more you play and practice, the easier it'll become to apply a strip.

Grace Gold has covered beauty for Harper's Bazaar, People and People StyleWatch magazines, as well as for AOL's StyleList.com. She is the author of The Boob Job Bible: 10 Steps to a Sexy, Safe Breast Augmentation.

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