When I first heard about magnetic false eyelashes I figured there had to be a catch – could there really be gorgeous falsies that don’t require any glue or fuss and are totally reusable? I was sure it was a scam.
But then the reviews and videos came out, and I realized that maybe magnetic eyelashes really were worth trying. I dove in, did my research, and I can tell you with confidence that magnetic lashes are a complicated beast that is best approached slowly, with confidence and an adventurous spirit.
In this article, I’ll explain exactly what magnetic eyelashes are, what they’re made of, and how they work. I’ll also explain exactly how to apply magnetic lashes. I also give some pros and cons for magnetic eyelashes, so you can figure out if they are right for you, and to end things off I’ll give you all of the clever hacks that will make the magnetic lash application easier for you, no matter what kind of magnetic falsies you end up choosing.
In this article:
- What Are Magnetic Eyelashes and How Do They Work?
- Magnetic Lash Pros & Cons
- How to Apply Magnetic Lashes?
- How to Apply Magnetic Lashes with Eyeliner?
- Magnetic Lash Hacks to Know
What Are Magnetic Eyelashes and How Do They Work?
Magnetic lashes are simply strip lashes, with magnets along the strip where eyelash glue would normally be applied. There are two strips of lashes per eye: a top piece that goes above the lashes and gives the magnificent effect, and a bottom piece that goes below the eyelashes and connects to the top piece, keeping it in place. The natural lashes sit in between the top and bottom pieces of the magnetic lashes.
Magnetic lashes come in all kinds of designs, including massive, dramatic options, wispy natural options, and even demi-lashes that only sit along the outer corner of the eye. Different brands make magnetic false eyelashes out of the exact same materials as glue-on false eyelashes, including mink, silk, and human hair.
Magnetic Lash Pros & Cons
So it’s pretty clear that magnetic eyelashes do work, but are they any better than regular false eyelashes? We’ll break down the benefits and drawbacks of magnetic lashes, so you can figure out if they are right for you. With that being said, the only way to really know if magnetic lashes will work for you is to actually try them!
Pros
- Magnetic eyelashes are applied without a glue, so there is no mess!
- No need to worry about latex allergies from the glue.
- Once you get the hang of it, applying magnetic false eyelashes is quick and easy.
- Magnetic lashes are almost endlessly reusable, which is better for the pocket and the environment.
- Removal is also much quicker and easier than with traditional false lashes, and it doesn’t leave behind any glue residue.
- You don’t need to worry about sacrificing any of your own natural lashes, which unfortunately is not always the case with traditional false eyelashes.
Cons
- It takes a long time to learn how to apply magnetic eyelashes. Consider investing at least a couple hours of your time in just playing around and figuring out how to apply them.
- Since they are actually made of two strips of lashes, magnetic lashes tend to look a little bulkier than traditional false lashes.
- The most common complaint with magnetic false lashes is that it is difficult to get them to lay down properly at the inner and outer corner.
- It is difficult to get magnetic lashes to sit as close to the lash line as traditional falsies.
- Some magnetic false eyelashes are stiffer than their traditional counterparts, and are harder to get to fit particular eye shapes.
- Sometimes magnetic false lashes simply do not work. Whether the magnetic lashes will look good or not heavily depends on the eye shape of the person trying them out, and unfortunately the only way to find this out is to purchase them and give them a try both with and without the hacks. With so many affordable options out on the market these days it is not a heavy price to pay.
How to Apply Magnetic Lashes?
- Start off by washing and drying your hands. You want to make sure that your hands are clean before you do anything that brings them close to your eyes.
- Make sure that you have a comfortable working area, with a clean vanity, counter, or table. Your magnetic false eyelashes will fall many times during your first application attempt, and you don’t want them falling on the floor, into the sink, or on a messy counter covered in makeup items.
- Before you really start applying the magnetic false eyelashes in earnest, measure them along your eye to see if their length is appropriate, especially if you’ve opted for a full strip of lashes. Do so by holding the connected top and bottom parts of the lashes over your upper lash line.
- If they sit over it perfectly you don’t have to trim, but if they seem long or if they come in too close at the inner corner, then you definitely should. Most people find that they need to trim off one magnet (specifically for magnetic lashes with 4 magnets) and three clusters of lashes from the outer corner of the eyelash.
- Get started by applying your eyeshadow as you normally would, or skip it altogether if you’re not a fan of eyeshadow.
- Apply a little bit of eyeliner, so that the magnetic lashes have something to blend in with at your lash line. You don’t have to apply a full line of liquid eyeliner with a wing, as that might be better to do after you’ve applied your magnetic eyelashes.
- Curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler in order to give them a little bit of lift.
- Apply a few coats of your favorite mascara, starting from the root of the lashes and gently moving it back and forth while you pull it upwards. Give the mascara a few minutes to dry.
- Take the top part of your magnetic lashes, and curve it for a few moments so that the strip takes on a horseshoe-like shape, which will allow the lashes to flow better with the curve of your eye.
- With your fingers or with a pair of tweezers, take the top part of your magnetic lashes and apply it above your lashes as close as possible to the lash line.
- Hold the top lashes in place with your less dominant hand, and with your dominant hand grab the bottom part of your magnetic eyelashes.
- Place the bottom lashes right below your upper lash line – the magnets of the top and bottom pieces will instantly grab on to each other, and hold each other in place, with your natural lashes sandwiched in between.
- Make any small adjustments to the lashes if necessary.
- To make the ends of the magnetic eyelashes blend better with your eye line, apply some black liquid eyeliner along the inner and outer corners of your eye and right above the line of the magnetic lashes.
- If at first you don’t succeed, try again! Magnetic false eyelashes almost never look perfect at the first try – applying them securely and close to the lash line takes some trial and error. If you still cannot get them to work even after repeated application attempts, check out some of our magnetic eyelash hacks!
- To remove the magnetic eyelashes, simply pull them apart by grabbing the top and bottom pieces, or slide them apart in opposite directions.
How to Apply Magnetic Lashes with Eyeliner?
- As a rule, the best time to apply magnetic lashes (and false lashes in general) is towards the end of your makeup application, after you’ve finished all of your eye and face makeup.
- Make sure you already have mascara on to avoid the thick magnetic liner clumping your lashes together.
- Optionally, you may also want to apply regular eyeliner first since magnetic eyeliner doesn’t always give the most precise line.
- Next, apply a line of magnetic eyeliner in short strokes along your lash line, keeping it close to the base of your lashes.
- With weaker liners, you may need to build it up to three layers of magnetic eyeliner. In that case, be careful to let the eyeliner dry down before applying another layer.
- While your liner is drying down, measure your lashes against your eye, being careful not to touch or smudge the eyeliner.
- If your lashes are a little too long, trim them off along the outer end to shorten them. Make sure to trim between magnets, and you can even save that trimmed piece to act as a magnetic lash accent.
- Once the lashes are cut to size, gently tap on your eyeliner to make sure it’s totally dry. If it is, you’re ready to apply!
- Hold the lashes firmly in the middle, grabbing just above the magnetic band, and gently lay them over your lash line.
- Next, gently press them into the liner, starting with the magnets on the inner corner. Make sure the lashes sit comfortably and don’t poke you – if they are, pull them a little away from the inner corner of your eye.
- Next, press the band into the liner over the rest of your lash line, and that’s pretty much it! They should adhere.
- As a final touch, gently press your natural lashes and the false lashes together so that they blend in better.
Magnetic Lash Hacks to Know
- The first and most popular magnetic eyelash hack was created by youtuber Blushing Brush, and it was specifically suggested for the Ardell magnetic lashes. She suggests cutting the bottom lash piece into three parts. Apply the top piece to your top lash, and then apply the bottom part in three sections: first the section that goes closes to the inner corner, then the middle section, then the third section. This way you can ensure that the inner and outer corners are properly curved to your lash line, are secured, and are sitting as close to the lash line as possible.
- Another great hack, created by youtuber Ashley Nicole Stiles, suggests cutting both the top and bottom pieces! Have your magnetic eyelashes magnetized together, so that the top and bottom pieces are attached to each other perfectly, and simply cut them in the middle. This works well for magnetic lashes that have four or two magnetic pieces, and for people who simply cannot get the top part of their magnetic lashes to curve with their eye. Simply apply the outer corner part of the lash first, and then apply the inner corner part.
- This final hack is specifically for false eyelashes that only have one magnetic strip in their center – i.e. the original One Two Lashes. For these, instead of applying the top part first, begin by lining up the bottom half of the magnetic lashes and then closing your eye to keep it in place. With your eyes closed apply the top part. The lashes should stick together easily and as close as possible to the lash line.
Photos via @janicejoostemaa, @thesaraengel, Instagram
