How To Make False Lashes Look Natural This Party Season
With tips from Meghan’s favourite lash brand
Strip lashes, like spray tans, may be fake by name and nature but they needn’t look it. Traditionally heavy and prone to lifting when you least want them to, false lashes can end up wearing you instead of the other way around. But by choosing the right the pair, and with the right application technique, they can deliver volume and length that look incredible (yet wholly credible).
Make Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, your muse. She’s a fan of the faux mink variety by Velour Lashes, having once shared on her blog that they offer the best fit and style for different eye shapes. “The Whispie Me Away lashes are my favourite!” she wrote. “They add medium volume, so they have a much more realistic look as opposed to an overdone one, and they sit comfortably for hours on the lash line.”
We spoke to the CEO and founder of Velour Lashes, Mabel Lee, to share her top tips for mastering strip lashes ahead of party season.
Choosing the right lashes for you
Velour Lashes – Whispie Me Away
Dhs80
Shop here
If you’re in the market for false lashes, it’s safe to assume you’ll want some volume and length, but it’s true that everyone has a different view on what’s natural-looking. So, think about the occasions you’ll be wearing them for when deciding.
“Velour offers a range of collections that cater to different volume and lengths. For a more natural look, there is the Effortless Collection that gives you a super natural volume and length and is perfect for an everyday look.” These lash bands are more flexible and slightly smaller, meaning they’ll measure up to all eye shapes. “We also have the Luxe Faux Mink collection that gives you a bit more volume and length without it being overdone,” Lee explains. (Meghan’s favourites, pictured here, are from this range.)
The materials the brand use mimic the look of natural hairs, so “they blend perfectly with your natural lashes to ensure it doesn’t look plastic or fake”.
Application dos and don’ts
Do apply mascara first
Lashes should be your last step. “I would normally apply all my make-up first (including mascara) and apply the false lashes as the final step,” says Lee. And remember to let your mascara fully dry first.
Don’t apply more mascara on top
The oils in the mascara can break down the bond of the lash band so it is important to try to avoid getting mascara on the false lashes. “Always avoid applying mascara directly on the false lashes; by applying mascara first on your natural lashes and then applying the false lashes you will get 20+ uses out of each pair of Velour Lashes.”
Do prep and measure them first
Some strip lashes need trimming to suit your eye shape. Hold the lash up against your eyelid to measure them against the natural length of your lash line. Using scissors, trim the lash band to size if needed, always starting from the outer corner of the lash so the style is maintained.
Don’t just glue and go
“The biggest ‘mistake’ you can make when applying lashes is not giving the glue enough time to get tacky,” Lee says. “There is a misconception that you should apply the lashes immediately after applying the glue while it is still very wet. The trick is to give the glue 20 seconds or so to slightly set and it will make your lash application so much easier.”
Do employ tools to master placement
Velour has a Too Easy Lash Applicator tool which allows you to grasp the lash and place it on and as close to your natural lash line as possible, then secure the corners. Some people use tweezers, but – for obvious reasons – these can be dangerous. For the perfect finish, once the lash adhesive has fully dried, you can brush the lashes upward and into your own lashes using the comb end of the Lash Applicator to blend to perfection.
Do clean your lashes to make them last
Single-use strip lashes are no good for you or the environment. “If you get make-up on your false lashes, use a q-tip and oil-free make-up remover to spot clean the lashes, do not soak them,” advises Lee.