Eyelashes don’t make the man or woman, but they certainly add a nice finishing touch. When your lashes look full and dark and flutter appealingly, the effect on the eyes and the rest of the face is noticeable, even just on a subconscious level.

If you don’t have naturally bodacious lashes to flaunt, there are a number of ways to boost or augment them: mascara, lash lifts, extensions, falsies. And when it comes to false eyelashes, magnetic lash strips are hot on the market right now.

What Makes Magnetic Lashes Different

Traditional false eyelashes are applied with glue. They’re meant to be placed right above the lash line — where eyelashes grow along the eyelid — so as not to suffocate or entangle your true lashes.

Magnetic falsies skip the glue and can be applied directly over your lashes, on the lash line, like sandwich buns. They come in two pieces, an upper and lower, which magnetically hold when you bring them together. Both are intended to be used with lashes on the upper lid, but two pieces are crucial to make the magnet aspect work.

For traditional falsie enthusiasts, this might seem like twice the work and very unnecessary. But if glue turns you off, magnetic eyelashes could be just the lash product for you to try.

There are also magnetic falsies that come with magnetic eyeliner. You apply it, wait for it to dry a bit, and then place a single strip of lashes onto the liner. The magnetic eyeliner holds the falsie in place instead of a second lower lash. Although this article won’t cover those versions of magnetic falsies, they’re another option that isn’t glue-based.

Pros and Cons of Magnetic Lashes

It won’t be the method for everyone, but surely there isn’t any downside to attaching lashes with magnets instead of glue?

Well, there are some compromises. Whether or not these are deal-breakers depends on how someone utilizes their falsies. They also aren’t meant to compete with or replace eyelash extension treatments, which is a con for anybody seeking a look that’ll last more than a day.

Magnetic Versus Traditional Falsies

Pro: Longevity

• Magnetic false eyelashes stand up to repeated reuse and can be cleaned without a problem.
• You can keep them long-term for occasional use or really wring out their worth with lots of wear in a shorter span of time.

Con: More Expensive

• You can pick up a box of false eyelashes at the drugstore with a single bill, but many magnetic falsie sets are often a bonafide purchase. Sure, they’re reusable, but that value doesn’t lessen the blow at checkout for a pricey package.
• Even priced within your budget, they’re more expensive than comparable traditional falsies.

Pro: Ease and Accessibility

• Although magnetic lashes aren’t much easier for beginners and making the switch to them could also prove a bit troublesome, they are simpler in theory than having to use glue.
• For people with a little hand-eye coordination trouble, they might be a better option, as well as for those with sensitivities or previous allergic reaction to eyelash glue.

Con: Somewhat Less Customizable

• On the other hand, magnetic lashes probably aren’t the first choice for people who glue in individual lashes or love to split their falsies for more maneuverability and personalization.
• Magnet positioning makes dividing them a more difficult proposition and rules out individual lashes altogether.

How to Apply Magnetic Lashes

The process is easier with a clamping applicator tool, which allows you to place both upper and lower to your lash line simultaneously.

1. Prep your natural lashes by adding a modest swipe of a lighter mascara. An overly thick, dark formula will only make your lashes and the magnetic falsies clash because you will not be putting mascara on the false lashes. A quick curl is optional but helpful. This step will add texture that’ll give the magnetic lashes something to grip.
2. Add your strip-concealing eyeliner now, before the magnetic lashes are in place. Because they’re for multiple uses, you don’t necessarily want to put anything directly on the lashes or strip if you can avoid it.
3. Time to apply the lashes! Gently grip the edges of the top lash between two fingers, squeeze them a bit to get a curved shape, and help keep the edges down later, then place or hold it right at the top of your lash line. Do the same for the bottom lash, but bring it to the underside of your lashes, as far back and close to the top lash as possible. The magnets should then engage and snap together into a hold.
   The process is easier with a clamping applicator tool, which allows you to place both upper and lower to your lash line simultaneously.
4. Lo and behold, that’s all there is to putting on magnetic lashes.

What Not to Do

There are a couple of other points to keep in mind while applying your magnetic lashes though. You do not want to:

• Put mascara on the lashes.

With traditional false eyelashes, it’s recommended that you apply mascara to them in order to create a more natural blend between the falsies and your own lashes. But because magnetic falsies aren’t single-use and have their sandwich thing going on, putting mascara on them will just cause a clumpy, regretful mess.

• Be afraid to reposition or start over.

A benefit of magnets is that you can easily slide them off or adjust them on your lid, depending on how badly things have gone wrong. There’s still some wiggle room when it comes to glue, but this is definitely a perk specific to magnetic falsies.

• Forget you can tailor magnetic lashes a bit.

They may not be as fully “customizable” as traditional falsies, but the magnetic ones can still be trimmed. If that’s something you value, having the falsies closer match your natural eyelashes, feel free to snip off a little false lash length (while it’s not on your face, please).

• Apply the lashes while looking straight on.

A tip that’s great for either magnetic or traditional false lashes is to apply them while looking down instead of forward. Position a smaller makeup mirror below your face and look down into it to get a better view of the lash line and expose more eyelid real estate. You shouldn’t (and really can’t) close an eye while putting on lashes, but this angle will create a useful approximation.

Best Magnetic Eyelashes

New to the magnetic lash game? Ardell and One Two Cosmetics are staples of the falsie and magnetic falsie world, respectively, and a great place to start. Ardell is a real steal for trying out the magnet method.

Also, check out these well-reviewed, modestly priced Amazon alternatives.

• Vassoul 8 piece magnetic lash set with applicator tool.
• Arvessa magnetic falsie set with applicator tool and lash brush.
• Pinpoxe 8 piece magnetic eyelash kit with applicator tool.

Takeaway

Overall, how to apply magnetic eyelashes is pretty similar to the glue method, with a couple of changes in makeup timing and one extra lash piece to place. It’ll still be challenging if you love the look of falsies but hate putting things near your eyes.

But magnetic eyelashes are a perfect alternative to traditional falsies for anyone sick of that glue life, or just plain allergic to it. Lash connoisseurs should try their hand (or their lash?) at it just to keep up with the latest trends — and maybe find a new fave product.