How to Make Fake Eyelashes Look Natural

False eyelashes have the power to instantly elevate any makeup look, adding volume, length, and drama. However, there’s a fine line between beautifully enhanced eyes and an obviously fake, heavy appearance. The goal for many is to achieve a seamless blend where the falsies look like they naturally belong to you. This can seem tricky, especially for beginners who struggle with thick bands, incorrect placement, and an unnatural curl. The good news is that with the right techniques, anyone can master the art of the undetectable false lash. This guide will provide simple, expert-approved steps on how to make fake eyelashes look natural.

Achieving a natural look with false eyelashes starts with selecting the right pair. Opt for lashes with a thin, flexible band, as these are easier to blend with your natural lash line. Choose a style that complements your eye shape and preferences—wispy and lightweight options tend to mimic the look of real lashes better. Preparation is key, so make sure to trim the lashes to fit your eye size and soften the band if needed. Small details and the right tools can make all the difference in effortlessly enhancing your beauty.

Additional Tips for Applying False Eyelashes

• Practice makes perfect: Don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts at applying false eyelashes don’t turn out perfectly. It takes time and practice to get the technique right.
• Use a lash applicator: Lash applicators are specially designed tools that make it easier to apply false lashes onto your natural lash line. They provide more control and precision compared to using fingers or tweezers.
• Apply mascara before applying false lashes: This helps create a base for the false lashes to adhere to, making them blend in more seamlessly with your natural lashes.
• Consider using individual lashes: Individual false lashes give you more control over the final look and can create a more natural appearance. They are also easier to apply for beginners.
• Trim false lashes if necessary: False lashes often come in a standard size, but it’s important to trim them to fit your eye shape. This will prevent them from poking into the inner or outer corners of your eyes.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Fake Eyelashes Look Natural

Step 1: Choose the Right Lash Style

The foundation of a natural look is selecting the right type of eyelash. Overly thick, long, or dramatic styles will be difficult to pass off as your own. Look for lashes with a clear or very thin, flexible band, as these blend much more seamlessly into the lash line. Opt for styles that have a wispy, crisscross pattern and varied lengths, as this mimics the appearance of real lashes. Avoid lashes that are one uniform length all the way across. For the most believable effect, consider styles that are shorter on the inner corner and gradually flare out toward the outer corner.

Step 2: Trim Them to Fit

One of the most common mistakes that leads to fake-looking lashes is wearing a strip that is too long for your eye. Almost all lash strips need to be trimmed. Before applying any glue, hold the lash up to your eyelid to measure it. The strip should start where your natural lashes begin to fill out and end just before the outer corner of your eye. If it extends too far, it can drag the eye down. Using small scissors, trim the excess length from the outer edge, never the inner corner, to preserve the natural taper.

Step 3: Curl Your Natural Lashes

To create a seamless blend, you need to treat your natural lashes as a supportive base. Start by curling your own lashes with a good eyelash curler. This lifts them and helps them curve in the same direction as the false lash, preventing a noticeable gap between the two. After curling, apply a single, light coat of mascara to your natural lashes. This step adds a bit of grip for the false lash to adhere to and helps the color of your natural lashes match the deeper black of the falsies.

Step 4: Bend the Lash Band

New false eyelashes often have a very straight, stiff band that doesn’t conform to the natural curve of the human eyelid. Forcing a stiff band onto your eye will cause the inner and outer corners to lift throughout the day, which is a dead giveaway that you’re wearing falsies. To prevent this, gently bend the lash strip into a “C” shape and hold it for several seconds. You can also wrap it around your finger or a makeup brush handle. This simple action softens the band and gives it a curve that will hug your lash line comfortably.

Step 5: Apply a Thin Layer of Dark-Toned Glue

The type and amount of glue you use are critical. Opt for a high-quality lash adhesive that dries black or dark gray. A dark-toned glue will blend right into your eyeliner, making the lash band virtually invisible. Squeeze a thin line of glue directly onto the lash band, paying a little extra attention to the inner and outer corners, which are most prone to lifting. Avoid applying too much glue, as this will get messy and take a long time to dry, making precise application difficult. Let the glue sit for about 30 to 60 seconds until it becomes tacky.

Step 6: Using Tweezers or Your Fingers

This is the most crucial part of the application. Using tweezers or your fingers, look down into a mirror and carefully place the lash strip directly on top of your natural lash line, not on your skin or on your lashes themselves. Aim to get it as close as physically possible. Start by securing the center of the strip, then gently press the outer corner into place, and finally, secure the inner corner. This precise placement is the ultimate secret to making the band disappear and creating the illusion that the lashes are growing from your own lid.

Step 7: Pinch Your Natural and False Lashes Together

Once the lash is in place and the glue has fully dried, the final blending step is to meld the two sets of lashes together. You can do this by gently pinching your natural lashes and the false lashes together with your fingertips, moving along the entire lash line. Another great tool for this is a pair of tweezers used carefully. This action presses your real lashes upward into the base of the false ones, hiding any separation and creating a single, cohesive, and voluminous set of lashes that appear completely unified and natural.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Type of Eyelashes Look the Most Natural?

Lashes that look the most natural typically have a few key features:

• A clear or thin band: This makes the strip much easier to conceal.
• Wispy, crisscrossing fibers: This mimics the imperfect pattern of real lashes.
• Tapered lengths: Lashes that are shorter on the inner corner and flare out slightly look more believable than a strip of one uniform length.
• Human hair or faux mink: These materials are often softer and less plasticky than synthetic fibers.

Should You Apply Eyeliner Before or After Fake Eyelashes?

Applying a thin line of black eyeliner before you apply your false lashes is highly recommended. This technique gives you a clear guide for where to place the lash strip. It also helps to camouflage the lash band, especially if your application isn’t perfectly flush with your natural lash line. You can go back in with a liquid liner after application to fill in any tiny gaps for an even more seamless look.

How Do I Stop the Corners of My Eyelashes from Lifting?

Lifting corners are a common issue. To prevent this, make sure you trim the lash to fit your eye shape properly. A lash that is too long will always lift. Second, bend the lash band before application to give it a better curve. Finally, when applying glue, add a tiny extra dot of adhesive to both the inner and outer corners of the band for extra hold where it’s needed most.

Can You Reuse Fake Eyelashes?

Yes, most strip lashes are designed to be reused multiple times. To extend their life, you must clean them after each wear. Gently peel off any excess glue from the lash band with tweezers. Then, you can use a cotton swab dipped in an oil-free makeup remover or micellar water to gently wipe away any mascara or eyeliner residue from the fibers and the band. Store them in their original case to help them maintain their shape.

Why Do My Fake Eyelashes Feel Heavy or Uncomfortable?

If your lashes feel heavy, it’s likely because the lash style is too dramatic or the band is too thick for your liking. Start with a more lightweight, “accent” or “natural” style. Discomfort can also be caused by improper placement. If the lash is poking your inner corner, it is probably too long. If it’s placed too low and touching your natural lashes, it can also feel strange. Ensure the lash is trimmed correctly and placed right at the root of your lash line.

Conclusion

The secret to a flawless false lash application lies in the details. It begins with choosing a believable style and customizing it to fit your unique eye shape. From there, it’s all about technique—curling your natural lashes, applying a thin layer of dark glue, and placing the strip as close to your lash line as humanly possible. By taking the time to master these steps, you can move beyond a heavy, artificial look and achieve a beautifully enhanced effect. Now that you have a clear understanding of how to make fake eyelashes look natural, you can confidently wear them for any occasion.