Long Lashes or Bust…
Oh the curse of having wimpy, short and thin lashes. They’re so sad that sometimes I feel as though the best volumizing and lengthening mascara formulas don’t help some days. So while I have to live with what Mother Nature gave me, I can cheat and wear false eyelashes, right? Right!
Now I don’t claim to be a pro at applying falsies, but here’s how I put on mine. 
Here’s what you’ll need - a pair of false lashes, some cosmetic glue made for eyelashes, scissors, and Q-Tips.
Before we start, a quick money-saving tip: that the glue pictured here is the exact same tube the MAC counters sell for $8. You can get the same at CVS (where I purchased mine) for just $4!
Start by choosing your favorite lashes. For me, I like MAC #32 lashes for a super natural look to enhance my real lashes to make them look a bit longer and fuller.
Before you begin, measure the lashes against your eyes to for the best fit. If you have smaller eyes like I do, you’ll probably want to trim a little off the ends.
Squeeze a little of the cosmetic glue onto a Q-Tips - this lets you control the amount of glue that goes onto the lashes. If I apply too much directly onto the lashes, it can become a real goopy mess and ruin them.
Start with the inner corner and place the false lashes right above your natural lash line, slightly pressing them and your real lashes together.
Most falsies have a thin band connecting the lashes together. To camouflage it, I use a pencil liner over the lashes and voilà - no more lines!
The real trick to applying false lashes is practice, practice, and more practice as well as a good amount of patience. Some days it takes me quite a while to put them on, other days it’s a breeze. Either way, I love the end result - longer and fuller lashes and knowing that sometimes it’s okay to ask Mother Nature for a little help 
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On April 19th, 2008 Brittany said:
Looks like you pulled it off, sweets! I’ve purchased falsies and just haven’t had the courage to wear them out. You have inspired me to tryyyy again.
On April 19th, 2008 MandyPandy said:
I find that applying the individual falsies (three hairs to a clump) looks the most subtle, but I’m still not crazy about ‘em.Luckily I have long thick lashies; my mom’s are really short and stick straight, though.
I’m curious: what are your thoughts on Lash Extensions (such as Jinnylash)?
On April 19th, 2008 Meredith said:
You’re right - it can be tricky to put on eyelashes, but with practice it gets easier. I know lots of people are intimidated by them, but I love them, too.
On April 19th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hey Brittany!
Try ‘em, try ‘em!! Which lashes did you buy? I only wish I had more time in the morning so I can start wearing ‘em to work more often
On April 19th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Mandy,
I’ve never tried the individual lashes. I think they’re just too much for me, I’d never have the patience to apply multiple.
Way to rub it in that you have long and thick lashes - lucky duck
Lash extensions are something I definitely want to try. My doctor had them when I came in for a visit once and they looked amazing. She said they were quite high-maintenance though; you have to get them re-done often, can’t go swimming, etc. It would make me scared to wash my face, let alone remove my eye makeup with them on everyday for fear that they’d fall off.
What are your thoughts on them?
On April 19th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Meredith,
Thanks for stopping by!
I only wish I had more time to apply them so I could wear them everyday. Which are your favorite lashes to wear?
Hope you’re having a great weekend so far
On April 20th, 2008 Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net said:
You did a really good job! Now come help me with my wings, please
On April 20th, 2008 Rachel said:
Wow nice work there, Lilan! You make it look so effortless.
Falsies have always been a pain pain pain for me to wear and I can struggle with them unsuccessfully for up to half an hour! I have this maddening tucked in double eyelid so I keep missing the “right” spot to stick in the lashes.
What do you think of lash perming, by the way? Or do you have a lash curling iron to recommend?
On April 20th, 2008 Nikki said:
You look great! And your choice of falsies really suits you. So natural looking!!! You’re right when you say, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE is all we need…SO TRUE!
On April 20th, 2008 kia said:
hey nills! they look great! thanks for sharing… i should wear my lashes to work one day and see what happens. i might cause a riot! eeks! LOL!
On April 20th, 2008 Beautytalk said:
I was just talking to my friend about this yesterday. I am so clumsy so I know I would be no good at this.
On April 20th, 2008 MandyPandy said:
Yeah, I swear I’m like a genetics experiment or something; I have long lashes unlike my mom and don’t even have an epicanthal fold like my dad. Still, what I wouldn’t give for straight hair, un-blemished skin and a low nose-bridge like my Mom’s.
My thoughts on lash extensions are much the same as yours: I don’t go swimming much (or at all) but I’d be scared to wash my face! I don’t wear eye makeup, so I could probably just take a cleansing cloth to the rest of my face, I suppose. Still, I’m afraid the noxious glue from the lash extensions would make my lashes fall out. I’m really paranoid when it comes to my eyes; this is why I haven’t had Lasik yet.
On April 20th, 2008 Lilan said:
Thanks Mrs. Lynne! But from the looks of it, you do just fine with your lashes girl! Even without falsies, you’re completely blessed with longer lashes
On April 20th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Rachel,
A half an hour is about average for me too! I’m lucky if I can get them on in less time - but I’m totally determined
Lash curling freaks me out - I don’t know if I can stand to hold something so hot so close to my eyes. In case I never mentioned, I’m totally clumsy making it too much of a risk for me. The most I’d consider are lash extensions.
How about you? Have you tried curling in the past?
Thanks so much for stopping by girl!
On April 20th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Nikki,
Thanks so much! I’m getting ready to graduate to more dramatic lashes - I have these shu lashes I just bought about a month ago that I still need to break in.
What are your favorite lashes to wear?
On April 20th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi MIss Kia!
You should definitely wear them to work! I think I’m gonna do it sometime this week and cause a riot at my office too
On April 20th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Beautytalk,
You gotta practice girl! They’re so fun and flirty, you gotta try it
On April 20th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hey Mandy!
Happy Sunday!
At least you’ve got some variety in your family as far as looks - I have the same exact features as my mom - chipmunk cheeks, short, stubby lashes, and thin, fine hair.. oh well! I think the only thing I can look forward to is graying at an older age b/c she didn’t get gray until her 40s if I remember correctly - woo hoo!
I’m with you, eyes are a sensitive part of the face that I am not comfortable messing with. But I gotta encourage Lasik - everyone I know that got it really say that it’s an awesome thing!
On April 21st, 2008 Elizabeth said:
Wow, that looks nice! I don’t think I have the ability to do that, even with practice.
On April 22nd, 2008 Lilan said:
Hey Elizabeth!
Trust me, girl, it took me quite a while before I could even put them on straight! Now I just gotta work on speed.
If you have longer lashes, you don’t need falsies I’m sure.
Hope you’re having a good day!
On April 25th, 2008 Rachel said:
Hey Lilan, I bought a cheap lash curling iron today and just tried it on lashes that have been coated with mascara all day （they’re droopy by now).
The iron is warm, not hot, but I still do not dare bring it close to my inner lash line… As a result my lashes in the middle are nicely crimped, the rest remain wilted.
I will try again tmr on a fresh face! Meanwhile, my observation: curled lashes seem shorter. Still need the falsies if I want the va-va-voom. Sigh… How early must a girl wake up to be immaculately groomed? And don’t get me on the nails…
On April 25th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Rachel,
Happy Friday!
Which lash curler did you end up getting? I think I’m going to check one out too - and chock it up to “research” for the blog
I’m glad to hear that it’s warm and not hot, that makes me feel a bit better. Although I’m with you - my inner lashes are really short so I won’t be going in too deep.
It would be kinda cool to try and curl false lashes to make them super va-va-voom - depending on what they are made of, of course!
At any rate, keep me posted on your efforts! I’m super curious! And I feel ya on the nails thing - I only just painted mine again after going bare for a month!
On April 26th, 2008 Girl-Woman said:
If only my hands didn’t shake. Great post.
On April 26th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Girl-Woman,
Thanks for stopping by again!
My hands aren’t too shaky, but it’s still hard for me to get these suckers on. I’m just kind of a clutz and it takes time
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
On April 28th, 2008 YukiNatsuo said:
love it coz u made it look so easy! i’m gonna try it asap :p thanks for the confidence hehe…
On April 28th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi YukiNatsuo,
I’m glad you found it useful! Let me know how it turns out for ya! I’ve been meaning to wear lashes more and more but I just can’t find the time
Hope you’re having a great Monday!
On May 8th, 2008 Rachel said:
Hey Lilan,
Sorry I took this long to reply! The lashes curl better with the help of the iron - results are optimal after applying mascara. I bought this uber cheap battery-operated Eye Curl II iron on a special offer of S$9.90 (approx US$7.30), but am wondering whether something more expensive like one by Panasonic or ModelCo would yield better results.
Meantime this little cheapie product helps me walk out the door happy, haha!
On May 8th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Rachel!
I just got one of those heated lash curlers that I’m going to try this weekend. Stay tuned for a review soon! Keeping my fingers crossed that they work
Happy Thursday! Hope you’re getting ready for the weekend like I am. Do you have any fun plans?
On May 9th, 2008 Rachel said:
Hehe I don’t work Fri and Sat (but gotta work on Sunday), so my weekend has already begun! Gonna attend a food website launch party tonight, so meantime I’ve put my Burt’s Bees pre-shampoo mask in my hair and slapped on another blackhead zapping Shiseido mask on my face!
I’m also surfing the net in between performing miscellaneous household chores. Can’t wait to read your heated eyelash curler review!
On May 9th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hey Rachel,
Oh! Your weekend’s already begun, that’s so nice! Do you find it’s kind of a bummer to work on Sundays? I hope your job is fun at least
Wow, a food website launch party sounds like fun! I really love food - what’s the website?
I’m looking forward to trying the heated lash curler too! Can’t wait!