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"Wearing lashes makes me feel a little more special," says fashion personality and beauty entrepreneur Jenna Lyons. She founded her lash brand Loveseen in 2020 to share that magic with everybody, comparing wearing the perfect pair of lashes to "wearing my favorite gold sandals or heels. Like I’m ready for anything!"
Whether you’re a novice or a lash-extension regular, one thing’s for certain: false lashes have the power to give you a next-level beauty look in just a few minutes. From brow-grazing strips that give you drama to easy-to-maneuver, short-cut segments that give you a natural fullness that mascara just cannot—here are our picks for the best false lashes for every occasion.
Pros
Tool is perfect for beginners. - Great gift.
Cons
- Each set lasts 10 wears.
Jenna Lyon's first foray into beauty was unexpected—but the lashes came with a genius little tool that made application simple. The starter kit gives you two options for lash vibes: every day and over the top, brush on glue, and the tool since they know you'll be hooked.
Pros
- Synthetic
- Vegan
Cons
- Might be too dramatic for everyday wear.
Huda Kattan's billion dollar beauty empire started with a collection of lashes. This pair of super-fluttery falsies is made of synthetic fibers on a cotton band that's really flexible (just how the beauty guru herself prefers) and elongates the eye.
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Pros
- Natural looking
Cons
- Band can be too thick for some eye shapes
Reviewer say it feels like mink—but these plant-based lashes are all natural, baby. The set was designed with everyday glam in mind.
Pros
- Very subtle
- Buildable
Cons
- Takes more time to do the entire eye.
This set includes 14mm sections of lashes (called Gossamers) that you can apply anywhere along your lashline that you'd like a boost to you have naturally.
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Pros
- Korean Silk Fiber
- Handmade
Cons
- May not be dramatic enough for big events
TikTok will tell you that these are the best lashes for a low-key, laid-back look with its airy wispiness and subtle lengthening effect.
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Pros
- Dramatic
Cons
- Only a few wears per pair.
Ardell's Natural Lashes are so light that you forget you have them on. The lash hairs go from short to long to mimic your real lashes and blend seamlessly when you apply mascara.
Meet the Experts
Jenna Lyons, fashion designer and founder of Loveseen.
Taylor Murphy, head of Retail Education at Velour Beauty.
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FAQs
Q: How do you pick the right lash extensions for you?
Lyons: The best way to find the right set for you is to use the Loveseen quiz. It’s super helpful! It asks you a few questions that help us give you some recommendations. And if you’re not sure you can always DM me and send me a picture. I answer all of these questions time and time again, day and night, I really do!
Murphy: There is a general rule of thumb when choosing the correct lash style – think opposites attract! For instance, if you have a very round shaped eye, you might want to try a flared lash style. This will balance out the roundness and give the illusion of elongating the eye. Ultimately, you want a lash that will compliment your natural eye shape and accentuate your features. However, it truly boils down to personal preference. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and confident! If you need help choosing a style, here are our recommendations for each eye shape:
Almond: A round lash style is the most complimentary, but almond eyes can pull off any lash style. Lucky them!
Round: A flared, winged lash style is the most complimentary for round eyes.
Hooded: A round lash style is the most complimentary for hooded eyes.
Monolid: A longer, round lash style is the most complimentary for monolid eyes.
Q: Should I try lash strips or lash extensions?
Murphy: Lash extensions can be damaging to your natural lashes if you continuously have them without taking breaks, or if you’re getting them done by someone who is not properly professionally trained. False lashes are an amazing alternative as they aren’t aggressive on your natural lashes, you have more freedom to play around with different styles, and they are much more comfortable for daily wear. I don’t know about you, but I love to rub my eyes and sleep on my stomach – you can’t do that with lash extensions!
Q: How long does a strip extension last?
Murphy: A false lash should last all day or all night long, no matter what you’re wearing them for! Velour lashes are comfortable to wear for long periods of time as we have flexible, lightweight cotton bands, and the highest quality premium fibres that sit effortlessly on top of your natural lash line.
Q: What’s the secret to the perfect lash extension application?
Lyons: One of the most important things with the application that I have learned the hard way is that you really have to let the glue dry. I also find that if I put a little dab of glue on my actual eyelid and let both of those parts get really sticky that then when they hit each other they stick and it really helps. Another trick that I use a lot is that I take a dark brown or black powder and use a really thin angled brush and that gives me a really nice softening blended line, especially if I don’t want to use a heavy liner and I want to have a more natural look.
Murphy: Prep: Gently remove lashes from their tray. Toggle the band back and forth to ensure the lash isn’t stiff for application. If you’re using a full-length lash, this is when you would measure and trim the band, ensuring you only trim from the outer corner, never the inner. Step 1: Brush a thin layer of Velour’s White Lash Adhesive on the band and wait approximately 30 seconds for it to get tacky. Add extra to the corners for additional hold. Step 2: Grasp the lash with the Velour Too Easy Applicator and place it on top of your natural lashes, as close to your lash line as possible. Lastly, secure the corners and ensure the lash is in the most flattering spot
Q: How do you remove lash extensions?
Murphy: Removing your lashes is quite easy! Gently lift the outer corner of the lash band from the eye, and slowly peel off from one end to the other. If you’re having a hard time grasping the corner of the lash band due to excess adhesive, use your nail to peel up the corner. Never pull on the lash fibres to remove as this can damage the lashes.
Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
Jesa Marie Calaor
Jesa Marie Calaor is a Beauty Editor at HearstMade. She creates beauty and grooming content across all of Hearst's sites. Follow her on Instagram (@jesamarie_).
Margaux Anbouba
Margaux is the former Beauty Editor at ELLE who wants to try it all and do it all…and she does. She’s not afraid to chop, slather, dye, swipe, inject, and more—and if it’s worth your time and money, she’ll rave about it here.
