Lashing the Lashes

Okay...I've gotta get this one off my chest.  It's high time someone has had this candid conversation about falsies! I get a lot of clients who very kindly come in to me with lashes to try and spare the expense for both of us. However kind this gesture may be its unfortunate however that our retailers are very misguided in what lashes are suited for most women in the market today. Thus I get my very enthused ladies brandishing something like these.

Whilst they are grand for big fashion events or if you want the glamour pin up look or indeed if you have huge eyes that can take the size of these whoppers!! But for the majority of ladies who are going to a ball, debs, wedding who want their eyes to look somewhat natural...these darlings are a disaster, why? Too wide, have to be cut to fit the actual eye... not a problem normally..but its also the length that would have to be cut to look more natural and once you cut the length it looks horrendously blunt and obvious it has been cut unless they are cut in a feathered fashion, which is a technique for a hair stylist in itself.  The average MAC lash available in stores are also a no no for the average lady on an evening out but great for artists to cut and measure and layer for different effects. So in essence can retailers curb their enthusiasm for the wild ill fitting mad lash and opt for lashes that fit the average lady whom does not have Christina Ricci sized eyes and perhaps supply the more natural but enhancing eye accessory?

When I sojourn to the beauty shop for my own supplies I am met most days with an annoyingly ample supply of fantasy lashes. I ask for corner segment lashes and I am usual supplied with this
                                                                

In fairness it is good to have a varied selection for perhaps some goth shoots which seem to be the most popular type of photoshoot in Ireland if you were to go by the supply and demand theory as that does seem to be the most common type of lash available!!!!! However, here are my recommendations that are easily obtainable for everyday, gorgeous women who want to REally fake it well:

Eyelure - Naturalites

Ardell - Fashion Lashes

Revlon  - Beyond Natural

Individual lashes are actually probably easier to apply on yourself than strip lashes as there is always one eye that proves difficult and you easily end up with the beautiful droop on said eye. Individual lashes on the other hand are easily popped in on either side very pro-like by anyone with a little tolerance!

Individual choices, again that are easy to get hold of, are Eyelure and Ardell brands...there are others but these I find are the most obtainable and good for everybody lashes.  They also usual come with small, medium and large sizing in the one box...most women I have applied lashes for however are small, some medium and very few long!

 Things to look for in good lashes:
The seam is vital, the thinner the better... you do not want a big ugly line giving the game away if you have applied them perfectly.
Lash texture, look for a natural texture, there are many out there with vinyl - like textures that look very plastic.
Size, make sure to be realistic about the size of the lashes best for you.  Yes you can get the huge long and thick lashes but then remember that your make up will have to get that extreme to make the lashes seem like a fit for you.
Individual lashes, make sure that the flare on them is not too fake looking and the knot is relatively small.


Get yourself the best GLUE available, one that is the artists choice is Duo lash glue, a white latex glue that dries clear.  It's available here in Ireland from MAC and other good beauty supply stores.  There are of course others on the market, but this is just my choice.  Throw away the ones that come in your box of lashes, they are usually useless and one tube of Duo will last you an age!

Make sure to have a good TWEEZERS and look down in to a mirror when applying. This enables you to get your eye into the perfect position for setting the lash down into the groove between skin and lash, the most natural place for them... try to get right under and in that groove.
Don't apply individual lashes at the very end, this will make the falsie very obvious and have that nasty looking overhang.  Instead choose maybe the second or third lash segment (of your own lashes) in from the outside. Applying them in a cluster on the outside gives a lovely architectural and elegant finish.... this is why I tend to use corner segments for Brides, it gives an instant Princess Grace appeal.
When using Strip Lashes make sure they fit your eye properly and you measure and cut accordingly... again ill fitting lashes give that unsightly overhang, which screams fake and amateur!
Besides that, don't be afraid...everyone seems to think lashes are so incredibly difficult, they're not...they just need patience and a bit of attention.

Remember you want to look like this

  

AND NOT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!