The Easy Hack For Applying Fake Eyelashes Like An Expert

Fake eyelashes can finish a glam makeup look beautifully, but they also happen to be one of the most difficult beauty elements to master. It's not that applying a strip of lashes to your real lash line is particularly hard; it's just intimidating to get so close to your eyes with glue, especially when the stakes are so high. After all, one wrong move could smudge the rest of your eye makeup. Thankfully for those who are emotionally attached to their falsies — and love using them to make their eyes appear large — experts have flooded the online space with tips and tricks to make the process a little less overwhelming. 

Along with TikTok's false lash hack that advises using an eyelash curler to easily apply them, we're loving a new tip from Los Angeles-based hairstylist and beauty guru Matt Newman. Better known on TikTok as @mattloveshair, Newman posits that the angle at which you look into the mirror can make all the difference. All you have to do is stop holding the mirror parallel to your face. "Instead, hold the mirror below your chin," Newman explains in the video, "and put the lash on from above."

In the TikTok video, Matt Newman demonstrates the easy way to apply false lashes, which he revealed he learned while doing hair at a strip club. After you look down into the mirror and apply the false lash from above, Newman recommends "pushing it into place" to allow the glue to stick and then waiting for the glue to dry before removing the excess. While most people may be used to looking straight ahead into a mirror to apply their fake lashes, the consensus among industry insiders seems to agree with Newman: It's much easier when you look down.

False lash producer Eylure explains that keeping the mirror below your chin allows you to nail the correct angle so that the lashes match up with the natural outline of your eye. Meanwhile, celebrity makeup artist Joanna Simkin told Real Simple that looking down to apply your lashes simply makes your lash line easier to reach. 

Essentially, if you've ever had fake lashes applied by a makeup artist, you've likely noticed that you need to look down during the application, so this technique just emulates the professional method in the comfort of your own home. Even though your lids will be relaxed while looking down, ensure that you keep your eyes open. Closing them can affect the shape of your eyes, which may then result in imprecise application. You also don't want to risk accidentally gluing your eyelids shut! 

Looking down does make things easier, but the fake lash application process can still be intimidating. To appease the false lash gods, always make sure that the fake lashes align with your dimensions. If they're too long or short, it won't matter where you hold your mirror — they'll still look out of place. Measure them against your real lashes before application and cut them accordingly. To make sure that your real lashes blend seamlessly with the falsies, put on mascara before sticking on your strip.

Perhaps the biggest mistake to avoid is applying your lashes when the glue is still wet. This will result in your lashes slipping all over the place once they touch your skin. Instead, apply the glue and wait for it to dry a little — to the point where it's clear rather than white and feels sticky — and then press it on. If a shaky hand is getting in your way, use tweezers instead. Alternatively, you could purchase a false eyelash applicator, which tends to have a wider grip than the finer points of tweezers and may make it even easier to control your application.

If you just can't wrap your head around the idea of regular falsies, it may be worth trying magnetic lashes. Many people find them easier to use because there's no glue; you simply apply the magnetic bond, usually in the form of eyeliner, and then line it up with the lash strip.