Throughout the decades of makeup trends, there is always some sort of focus on lashes…
From bold, to coloured and even nothing at all, we have seen it all in lash trends. But there is one lash trend that just keeps coming back, the false lash!
The fake lash look was big in stage and screen for many years and became household items for many women in the 60’s and 70’s.
We then saw a little decline in the 80s and 90s, but it was soon back and now, it is for some, a daily application routine as lashes are bigger than ever!
For many celebrities, fake lashes are definitely an everyday look, some choosing them almost everywhere they go like some of the Kardashian’s or some keeping them for their public appearances.
Michelle Obama and Oprah have admitted to wearing them almost everyday in the past and they always kept them simple, more for volume than length.
In parts of Asia it is the norm to wear them daily and if you don’t, it is almost like you must not care enough about your beauty look – they are even sold in convenient stores in some places like Taiwan!
For most of us though, they are something that can be a weekend wear only look or for that special occasion makeup, to give that extra something and create extra depth at the top lash line.
Costume style lashes are another story, some being so over the top, but ever so fun for a certain party theme. But, most of these can be seen by women and they can then be turned off, not all lashes have to be dramatic and silly looking as most are so invisible to the naked eye and look amazing when applied correctly. Read on for my tips on how to use false eyelashes.
MB Pro Tip – Shop around before purchasing.
Don’t just see the first pair and think, yes! There are so many choices, styles, cuts, lengths and some can look very artificial which you really don’t want – unless it is a fancy dress and you are only going to wear them once.
How do you know what lashes are for you?
As a Makeup Artist who works a lot in fashion for events or runway, even with the A-List clients I have, they all want some sort of a lash.
It does make a big difference to the look and can open, give depth and more shape to the eye, which is great especially in harsh lighting which these people, can be in.
Bigger lashes can also mean you need less eye shadow as they give volume to your lashes, lifting your top lash line instantly and the longer they are this means they can appear to be shading the socket area of the eye, which gives even more lift!
In my work. I prefer working with the flare, individual lashes as they are so easy to put either 3-4 on the outer top end of the persons lashes, or sometimes I add 5-10 across the whole top lash line – it really depends on the look and the persons lashes I am working with.
Individual lashes to me look the most natural and you have the choice of adding how many you want on your eyes.
They are great for a winged eye look, just applying a few on the ends of your eye and as there is no one continuous base line as that of a strip lash, they can be hardly noticed when applied.
These individual style lashes do come in different lengths, so sometimes I use a little longer length on the outer and medium to shorter on the inner area of the eye, great to create your own style.
My fave Individual lashes that I use in all my work are from Napoleon Perdis. Faux Lash in Peony (RRP $18)
MB Pro Tip: I have heard from ladies trying these out at home themselves that they are not as easy as the strip lashes, but if you use tweezers, that can help get the bundled tip perfectly attached to the base of your own lashes once you have dipped the ends into some lash glue from your hand.
I think for non-makeup artists, strip lashes are very common for at home use.
They are a little easier to apply yourself as they are a full strip that are placed at your base lash line, and you can use two hands or a lash applicator.
I always prefer to use my fingers, as that’s how I have always applied fake lashes since starting young at my dance concerts with the girls lining up for me to apply them, but a lot of artists do use tweezers or an applicator – whatever works best for you is ok.
MB Pro Tip – You must trim strip lashes!!!
It is very rare that someone doesn’t need to trim down the ends of strip lashes. They are made one size, normally a little too long and if you keep them the shape in the packet, they will droop down at the ends, or just overpower the eyes. Trimming so they are actually the same width, or slightly shorter than your own lash line width always works best and easier to apply.
What I hate about so many strip lashes is the fakeness of them.
Some can look very plastic or they are cut in a non-natural way, it all makes a difference.
Some also have a very thick base line; so thick that you can really tell they are there and if you do not apply a thick black liner joining the base of your eye and the lash, they look very odd.
My fave natural, wearable lash range for everyday to event wear is the Helen Dowsley Lashes. (RRP $12)
I love the variety in the range from the most natural, thinner style lashes to the thicker and separated, or even a wing lash as pictured.
The base line is very thin, which means less visible you are wearing them and no thick black eyeliner needed to join to natural lash line.
MB Pro Tip – Run lash glue either straight from tube onto base of lash strip, if you have a steady hand, or the back of tweezers can easily give a thin application of glue to lash. I usually hold the strip with two hands and place on correct eye, starting from inner corner first (the most important area as can flick up more than outer) flattening out to the outer until in place. Hold in place for a minute or until you think glue has started to set, then open eyes and remove any glue stuck from top to bottom lashes.
A celebrity lash, especially some like Katy Perry, Nikki Minaj, Lady Gaga and the likes can be all shapes and sizes.
Some choose to be bolder in their looks, or some use it for extra definition under bright lights of stage or film studios.
Katy Perry for example is known for her bold lash looks and she wears them very well.
Katy wore styles from the Eylure lash range during her last world tour and then loved them so much helped design her own lashes with the brand.
For a little more drama and a thicker volume look to your lashes, you cannot go past the Katy Perry lashes in ‘Oh My’ by Eylure! (RRP$14.99)
So ladies, choose, trim, apply and you will create some wow factor for your lashes – wear them proud and flutter the night away!
By Michael Brown
