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Oct 14, 2024

The 6 Best False Eyelashes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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Fluttery, reusable, and ready for the spotlight.

In This Article

InStyle / Jhett Thompson

False eyelashes can enhance your natural features or top off a dramatic look—it just depends on the type of lash you choose. “The first thing to pay attention to while buying fake eyelashes is the look you’re trying to achieve,” says Katya Bychkova, a beauty expert and founder of the fashion blog Style Sprinter. “Are you all about natural-looking falsies, or are you going for a dramatic look? Or somewhere in the middle?”

As straightforward as false eyelashes may seem, they’re anything but—when they go on wrong, they go on really, really wrong, so we set out to find the best options. We tested 19 of the most popular falsies, analyzing each for ease of application, comfort level, wearability, longevity, and overall look. We also noted if they ever started to peel or itch. After tallying scores and ranking each set, we landed on the six best false eyelashes below.

Why We Love It: Want to add natural-looking length to lashes? These semi-wispy, fluttery half-lashes do that and more. They’re easy to apply, don’t pull on natural lashes, and add substantial volume. “The lash extension is very lightweight—it didn’t feel like there was anything on top of my natural lashes,” says Nasya, an InStyle tester. In terms of durability, these lashes reign supreme. According to Lilly Lashes, they can be worn up to 25 times. The lashes’ band is also on the thicker side, which Nasya said made it look like she was wearing a “thin layer of eyeliner” when she put them on.

Who It’s For: Although the band is half the size of typical falsies (hence the term “half lash”), those with smaller eyes may still have to trim them to get a more natural effect. But aside from that, we highly recommend these lashes for everyone due to their ease of application and the naturally enhanced final look.

Material: Faux mink | Sets per pack: 1 | Glue Included: No

Nasya, tester: “They held up very well. I feel like I could use them for a long time and even reuse them for multiple wears.”

Why We Love It: These bold lashes are made with 100 percent faux mink hair and offer bold volume and length. Andres, an InStyle tester, says that the falsies accentuated their natural lashes and made them look much longer. As for the application process, it couldn’t be simpler. “This process was much easier than the other lashes I tested,” Andres explains. As for our favorite thing about these lashes: They’re reusable and can be worn up to 10 times.

Who It’s For: These lashes are superfine, long, and fluttery, making them ideal for a dramatic eye makeup look. The lash band isn’t curved, so it may not be the perfect fit for every eye shape. With that being said, these are great lashes for anyone with straight lash lines. For more curved lash lines, we suggest using half lashes, as they tend to be longer on the outer corners, which can give the eyes a lifted effect.

Material: Faux mink | Sets per pack: 1 | Glue included: No

Grace, tester: “I love the overall look—it’s dramatic and fun.”

Why We Love It: Lilly Lashes is a fan-favorite brand because it makes incredible lashes that work on all eye shapes. A major selling point is their flexibility—people can alter them to fit different lash lines, including almond, hooded, downturned, upturned, and more. Mads, an InStyle tester, says the application process was “straightforward and easy,” which surprised her given the lashes’ impressive volume.

Who It’s For: People can adjust these lashes to fit any eye shape, from almond to hooded. Overall, they’re great for anyone who’s looking to amp up their makeup look, as they add a dramatic, fluttery flare. Because these lashes are very long, they might be too much for those hoping for natural-looking falsies.

Material: Faux mink | Sets per pack: 1 | Glue Included: No

Mads, tester: “Despite the lashes being so long that they hit my eyebrows, the product felt extremely lightweight.”

Why We Love It: The eyes are typically one of the more sensitive areas of our bodies, so we completely understand wanting to use all-natural products around them. These full-length false lashes are entirely plant-based (made with hemp-derived fiber material) and designed to last for more than 20 wears. “The lash is pretty lightweight. I feel it on my lashes but not in a way that makes me uncomfortable,” says Grace, an InStyle tester. Grace caveated that application wasn’t a total breeze—she found the lash fibers challenging to hold on to—but said lash bands’ width made up for it.

Who It’s For: Anyone looking for a natural set of lashes, especially one that adds just a subtle boost to your eyes (the strands are 6–9 millimeters). However, because they aren’t the most intense option, they might not be the choice for someone who’s going for a dramatic look.

Material: Plant fiber | Sets per pack: 1 | Glue Included: No

Grace, tester: “I love how it looks on my face. It’s not too dense, which makes it perfect for an everyday look. It’s natural-looking and elegant.”

Why We Love It: Want to try false lashes for the first time but don’t know where to start? These Sephora lashes are the perfect first step for newbies, as the 10 different styles are versatile, pliable, and adjustable enough to fit any lash line. On top of that, these lashes provide comfortable wear for hours on end. “Previously, I’ve found some bands of strip lashes uncomfortable or noticeable, especially on the inner corner of my eyes, but these felt so light, and I could barely feel them on!” says Lee, an InStyle tester. Even so, you’ll probably still have to trim these lashes to fit your eye shape.

Who It’s For: These lashes are great for a first-timer who wants to add a little oomph to their look. “They would be wonderful for a night out, an event, or a stage performance,” says Lee. “They're a bit much for every day and definitely don't look natural, but if that's not what you're looking for, then they're a great option.”

Material: Faux mink | Sets per pack: 1 | Glue Included: No

Lee, tester: “They're lightweight and flexible, which made handling them easier. I applied these lashes with my fingers, which made for an even simpler, no-fuss application.”

Why We Love It: If you want a customizable lash set that can do it all, let us introduce you to the Lashify Control Kit. This top-rated box comes with everything you need to apply false lashes, including the Fuse Control Wand that allows for seamless application, one set of lashes (choose between Amplify, Bold, or Curl styles), the Whisper Light Dual-Sided Bond in clear and black formulas, and a handy case that houses every tool.

The catch? They don’t apply like a regular lash strip. “These are applied as 'slices', so you're applying multiple pieces—one at a time—to create the look of the whole lash,” says Jill, an InStyle tester. “You have to clean your lashes, then apply a bond, apply the glue, and predetermine the position to get the effect you want.” It might take a few tries to properly apply these lashes, so give yourself adequate time to get the hang of it. Once she applied them, Jill said they were “beautiful, natural-looking, and seemed like they'd last a long time.”

Who It’s For: Ultimately, these lash extensions are perfect for anyone who wants to amplify their natural lashes for an extended amount of time. “They look 100 percent natural,” says Jill. Since it takes some time to get the hang of applying these lashes, we don’t recommend this kit for beginners.

Material: Silk | Lashes per pack: 12 | Glue Included: Yes

Jill, tester: “These are not to be used for a dramatic, glam, drag, or another intense look, but they are beautiful, and I would wear them to an event,”

To start, we did a deep dive into the best-selling false eyelashes across top beauty brands. After reviewing the ratings, we rounded up the 19 most popular falsies and put them to the test in our New York City lab. Our 10 testers evaluated the faux eyelashes on a scale of one to five for four important categories: Ease of application, weight, wear, and look. Once the testers provided their feedback, we narrowed down the list to the six best false eyelashes.

According to Bychkova, the best way to apply false eyelashes is by first measuring the band’s length compared to your lid. “Often, you might need to cut the lash to fit your eye size,” she explains. “Use small manicure scissors and always cut starting from the outer corner of the lash, which is typically the side where the lashes are the longest.”Once you’ve done that, prep your skin for the falsies. “If you are not wearing eyeshadow, put some loose setting powder on to ensure your lids are not too oily, as it might impact how a lash glue sticks to your skin,” Bychkova says. When your lids are ready for the lashes, use a lash applicator or tweezers to grab the falsies. From there, apply a thin coat of lash glue to the false lash and wait 15 seconds before putting it on your eyelid to ensure the glue gets tacky. Finally, secure the falsie along your lash line, and you’re done.

In terms of removing false eyelashes, the best way to do so is slowly and carefully so you don’t pull out your natural lashes. “I remove false lashes by gently peeling them off, starting from the outside corner,” says Andrew Velázquez, a celebrity makeup artist. “If there happens to be glue residue, I apply an oil-based eye makeup remover to rub off the rest.”Additionally, if you’re wearing lashes with strong glue, ​​Bychkova recommends soaking lashes in a makeup remover first. To do so, wet a cotton round in an oil-based makeup remover and leave it on your lid for about 15 to 30 seconds. “During this time, the product will break down some glue, making it easier to remove your falsies,” she says. “Don't just pull your false eyelashes! By doing so, you’re risking pulling out your lashes.”

There are a few ways to clean false lashes. “First, clean the glue out of the lashes by washing them with a foam face wash,” says Sima Mosbacher, a lash expert and founder of Urban Doll. “If you’re removing a stronger glue, it's more difficult but not impossible. I would suggest using an oil solution. You can also use a dish soap.”Aside from face wash and dish soap, Bychkova notes that there are dedicated false lash cleansers. Just apply these solutions to your lash lines and gently rub off the glue.

Yes, you can reuse most false lashes. Bychkova notes that if you take good care of your falsies and don't damage them during the removal process, you could reuse them up to 20 times. Just ensure that you properly clean them and use a strong glue that works with your lashes and eyelids.

According to Bychkova, the lifespan of your falsies depends on one simple thing: How well you take care of them. “If you clean your false eyelashes properly after each wear and store them in a container that doesn't bend them, you could have a good 10 to 20 times wears out of a single set,” she says.Once applied, your falsies should be able to stay on for a full day (unless you have oily skin, which may cause them to fall off more quickly, according to Mosbacher). That said, you should always remove them before sleeping. “Although they are very commonly used, eyelash extensions and false eyelashes can often create eye issues,” explains Christopher Zoumalan, M.D., a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon and founder of Skinuva. “It's either the eyelashes themselves or the adhesives used that create issues for some patients.”Dr. Zoumalan explains that many patients don’t have problems with falsies, but there’s evidence that wearing false eyelashes for too long can cause problems such as eyelid and eye inflammation (like conjunctivitis) and other infections. To avoid this, be sure you’re taking off your falsies each night and washing your face.

Lauren Harano has been contributing to InStyle since August 2022, where she covers all things beauty. She is knowledgeable about everything from skin care to makeup, and has tested hundreds of products during her career. For this article, Lauren interviewed four beauty experts: Andrew Velázquez, a celebrity makeup artist; Katya Bychkova, a beauty expert and founder of the Style Sprinter blog; Sima Mosbacher, a lash expert and founder of Urban Doll; and Dr. Christopher Zoumalan, a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon and founder of Skinuva. All four experts lent their expertise and shared their advice for safely applying and wearing false eyelashes. Additionally, Lauren compiled insights from testers, poured over product specifications, and rounded up our top picks for this story.

Why We Love It: Who It’s For: Material: Sets per pack: Glue Included: Nasya, tester: Why We Love It: Who It’s For: Material: Sets per pack: Glue included: Grace, tester:Why We Love It: Who It’s For: Material: Sets per pack: Glue Included: Mads, tester: Why We Love It: Who It’s For: Material: Sets per pack: Glue Included: Grace, tester:Why We Love It: Who It’s For: Material: Sets per pack: Glue Included: Lee, tester:Why We Love It: Who It’s For: Material: Lashes per pack: Glue Included: Jill, tester:Style: Reusability: Glue:
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