False Eyelash Talk 2 - How long do they last? How do I care for them?

There is just too much information to cover for one post so I divided the talks up.

Check here for False Eyelash Talk 1 where I covered more false lash basics, how much they cost, and some factors to consider when choosing a suitable pair of  lashes for yourself.

How Long Do False Eyelashes Last?

A well cared for qualify pair of lashes can last up to two dozen wears (perhaps more). Lashes from anywhere between $3-10 dollars can last from one time use to half a dozen wears. How you clean and care for them will play a big part in the longevity of your lashes.

How to Clean Them.

The primary reason you need to clean your lashes is so you can wear them again and in order to that, you'll have to make room for more glue. To get rid of the old glue from your last wear, the simplest way is to soak the lashes in lukewarm water for 15 minutes and peel the glue off . You should then have a fairly clean surface for your next wear. Dry them off and store away for use next time.

I've also used a light mixture of diluted alcohol used to dissolve glue. The solution is very effective and leaves  the lashes spotless but this will only work if your lashes are high quality ones (i.e. Shu Uemura, MAC lashes, etc.) because it will dissolve the cheaper ones. Plus unfortunately, I don't know remember what the concentration of the mixture is.

The quality of the glue as well as how you apply them on your lashes will determine how difficult or easy it is to remove the glue. Good glue is very easy to remove as you only need to peel them from the spine of the lashes. It is as easy to peel the glue off as it is to make a mess and get glue onto the lash fibers. It is much harder to get glue off the fibers than it is off the spine.

To get a strip of glue cleanly on the spin takes patience and practice. The other thing that will take even more patience and a lot more pratice is when applying the lashes onto your lids. More often than not when you start out, you will smudge glue on the lids. Don't be discouraged if you don't at first succeed. Even after hundreds of applications, I still smudge glue into my real lashes especially when I'm in a hurry.

The white strip on the lashe spine is glue.

Try to only apply glue on the spine of the lashes sparingly. You don't need a lot.

What Eyelash Adhesive (glue) Do You Recommend?

My favorite tried-and-true eyelash adhesive contains latex so if you're allergic to latex, there are latex-free eyelash adhesive available. I haven't tried any of those but a quick search online will reveal a few brands you can try.

My two eyelash adhesives that I recommend are Shu Uemura's Eyelash Adhesive and DUO's Eyelash Adhesive. Both products work very consistently and will get your through a 12 hour day easily. I've covered Shu Uemura's product extensively here.

 

Can I Use Mascara on My False Eyelashes?

I don't recommend it because it's putting more product on your lashes that either needs to be cleaned off or should you leave it on, makes the pair kind of dirty! Either way, it shortens the lifespan of them.

So then, why would anyone want to put mascara on them? I've seen some girls use it and because mascara plumps your natural lashes it does give your eyes more volume. It also helps blend in your real lashes with the false ones.

I can't recommend putting mascara on $20-30+ lashes but you could probably put mascara on your lashes before applying the false ones if you really wanted to.

I hope you found this helpful. Individual lash reviews and tips on how to put lashes on to follow!