How to Correctly Apply and Wear False Eyelashes

False eyelashes are a very fun way to give your eyes a dramatic look. Long associated with glamour, many of today's hottest stars have been seen wearing false eyelashes on the red carpet. For any stylish lady who wants to achieve a dramatic and glamorous look in her own life, here is a guide on how to apply and wear false eyelashes.

In the past decade, false eyelashes have seen a huge resurgence in popularity. Many popular make-up stores such as Ulta now carry a huge assortment of false eyelashes (or 'eyelash extensions', as their name was also given an update) in many different styles and lengths. When choosing false eyelashes, you will want the ones that are made of real human hair, as opposed to the synthetic ones. False eyelashes made of human hair are more natural looking and will blend into your own eyelashes better. Depending on the type of look you are trying to achieve, you will need to pick out false eyelashes according to their thickness. For instance, if you are looking for some eyelashes to wear to a formal, dressy occasion, you will want ones that are very thick, as they are more dramatic and will fit with your evening look. Some of the thicker style lashes also come with flecks of gold or glitter, and these will really give your eyes a sparkling, dramatic look for a night out. If you want to wear false eyelashes during the day at work, you will want the shorter, more finer strands. These are very natural looking, and will make your eyes stand out without being too dramatic or over the top. False eyelashes also come in individual strands, and these are really great for everyday wear. I personally like to apply just one or two eyelash strands on the outer lashes of my eyelids to create a 'cat eye' effect.

Once you have your eyelashes picked out, you are ready to apply. Now, for all of your first time false eyelash wearers, this may seem a bit scary, but believe me its not. What you will need are your lashes, the glue (make sure that your lashes actually come with the glue, as I have accidentally bought some in the past that didn't have any glue included!), a small make-up brush, a toothpick, and an eyelash curler. Make sure you start out with a clean face (this is especially important concerning your eyes, as the glue will not apply as well on eyes that have residual make-up on them). When you peel the first lash off of the holder, bend it with your fingers for about a minute. This will eliminate the stiffness and make it more pliable and flexible for application. Next, open the little tube of glue and squeeze a small amount on to a smooth surface (some false eyelashes come with a little plastic disc for this purpose) and use the toothpick to stir the glue. Take the make-up brush and gently apply the glue to the inside edge of the lash in an even amount. I find that a brush works wonders for applying glue, as you want the glue to be consistent without any large blobs. Close your eye, and apply the very outer edge of the lash to the very bottom of your eyelid. Hold it in place for a about a minute, then blink a few times. Repeat each step with the other eye. Once the eyelashes have been applied and the glue has dried (it usually takes a little over a minute for eyelash glue to dry), use an eyelash curler to shape the lashes. Next, apply all of your eye make-up as you normally would (tip: if you choose to wear eyeliner in addition to the false eyelashes, a liquid liner works best.)

Now, as for those synthetic false eyelashes, save those for a night of clubbing or for Halloween. Synthetic lashes are very over-the-top and fun if you want to create a more cartoonish look. Drugstores such as Walgreen's carry fun synthetic lashes in wild colors like hot pink and lime green, as well as sparkly ones. Since these are of a cheaper quality, they usually come with a simple adhesive strip to stick onto your eyelid, however I like to use just a dab of eyelash glue just to keep them secure. Synthetic lashes are also perfect if you want to create a retro, 60s Mod look ala Twiggy, as dramatic eyelashes were all the rage back then.

I started wearing false eyelashes about 8 years ago, and have been in love with them ever since. As a girl who loves make-up and dramatic looks, I find them to be the perfect choice in creating an ultra-glamourous look. Practice makes perfect, so if you don't apply the lashes right the very first time, just peel them off and start over again. It took me awhile to perfect the task of applying false eyelashes, but I did and now I am an expert at it. Follow all of these instructions, and have fun mastering the art of false eyelashes!