Fake Eyelashes - tips

FAKE EYELASHES - How to make the cheap ones look real; how to put them
on so they stay on; how to wash them so they last longer.


Over 25 years, I have become an expert on making false eyelashes look
real! I finally typed this up for someone, so of course put it out
here as well. I don't have ANY eyelashes at all, so wearing the
"whole fake lashes' instead of the 'individuals" will make the most
sense for people like me. The few times my eyelashes started growing
back, I had trouble getting my fake ones to look right. So, when I
get back on letting mine grow back, I will either NOT wear fakes
anymore, or figure something out with the individuals. Every time I
have tried the individuals, I couldn't get them to stay on 10 minutes,
let alone 6 weeks! 

I will try to explain by words what to do. If you want, I will draw
pictures and mail to you. Basically, you are going to cut them down to
a more realistic size. If you leave them as long as they come in the
package, they actually end up drawing more attention, and people
notice that you are wearing fakes. Then they closer, and end up
noticing that there are no real ones underneath the fakes! 

You can do this with either of the 2 cheapest brands of false
eyelashes! Only $3-4 a pair, and they last about a month. I use
Ardell, Style #101 Demi. I usualy get mine at Jewel Grocery Store,
Walgreens or Walmart. I think there was a 303 number I used at one
point. If you can't find the exact same number, when purchasing, look
at the base of the eyelashes. If it is the "splothy" style, with wide
gaps in the spacing of the lashes, don't buy. The less gaps and
"fullest" look is the best. Buy at least 3 pairs your first time. I
usually prepare 2 at once, so I always have a spare. 

____________________ 

Directions to Feathering Eyelashes: Use the tiniest pair of scissors
you can - I use nail scissors (not clippers) that I found at
Walgreens, with a curved tip. Do each step for both eyelashes, to try
to keep them as symmetrical as possible. 

Step 1. Peel off package by outer end. Hold up to eye, and measure
sideways width to cut off - ie. from inner corner of eye to outer
corner. For most people they are at least 1/4 inch too wide. Better
they be a smidge short, because if they are a smidge too long the
corners of the lash will poke, and annoy the hell out of you! You'll
only know from practice what is a comfortable width for you. NOTE!
When actually cutting, CUt at a RIGHT ANGLE! If it is a pointy end, it
will poke you in your eyelid all day long. 

Step 2. Put the lashes back in the tray, except a little "raised" or
"higher" than they were originally, so that you can get hte scissors
under them. See the half moon curved shape on the top? Make them
upside down so the curve is on top. See how there is a "second" layer
of shorter lashes, following the curve of hte longer layers? You are
going to go through the longer lashes, and cut 1/4 to 1/3 down to the
length of the shortest and halfway lengths. Start at one end, and work
your way across. Randomly, pick and cut ONE lash at a time. á The
absolute shortest any individual lash should be is 1/4 inch. 

Step 3. Look at your Longest Layer of the Curve. You are going to cut
approx. 1/8 inch length off. Follow the curve around and shorten the
entire eyelash, as if you are giving a haircut. 

Step 4. Look at the longest Layers again. You should have "gaps" kind
of random, kind of even, in the longest layers, but no gaps right up
against the lash base. Your "groups" of longest lashes, perhaps
between 6-12 lashes each. You are going to cut individual lashes
again. You will pick One or Two out of each group, and cut down to 1/2
to 2/3 the lenght of the longest lash. Start at one end, and work
thorugh the "groups" to the other end. 

Step 5. Look at your groups again. You are going to pick One or Two
out of each group, ad cut own to 2/3 to 3/4 of hte length of hte
longest lash. Start at one end, and work through the "groups" to the
other end. 

Step 6. Look at your groups agian, at your Longest Lashes. Out of the
LONGEST Lashes, no 2 lashes of the same length, should be next to each
other! So you are going to start at one end, and work your way to the
other, splitting up any remaining LONG groups, by cutting some a
smidge shorter, 1/2 off, 1/4 off, untill it is thinned out. NOTE - the
shortest lashes, will end up in some bunches, but that doesn't show
when you have them on with makeup. 

Step 7. Look at the outline of your longest lashes last time. Is the
curve still nice? Or is it TOO nice? I go back one more time, and ever
other longest lash, I cut one more smidge off, so it is a slightly
zig-zagged curve. 

______________________ 

Directions for putting on Eyelashes... 
They work better after they are "broken in" for a few days, so don't
despair if they are really annoying at first! They also do need to
be taken off every day. You can't sleep in them, or they get crushed
and then you have to wash them again before you put them on. 

Step 1. Take the eyelash out, and curl in a tight spiral, starting
with one corner. I hold it inbetwen my thumb and forefinger - and hold
for a few seconds. Then curl it in "horizontal" cylinder type,
sideways, like rolling up a roll of paper. Hold for a few seconds. Do
the spiral again. Flex the eyelash to the approx shape of your eye.
Very important to get it close to your shape, before you get the glue
ready! 

Step 2. Use a toothpick or bobby pin to hold the glue. Put the glue
from the bottle, directly onto the Bobby pin, just a blob about 1/4
the size of a paper punch hole. Use the bobby pin to apply the glue to
the lash. Apply a thin strip of glue along the entire lash. Put the
BObby pin down. Hold the lash with both hands, and flex the lash while
blowing on ghe glue for approx 10-30 seconds. Take care NOT to smell
the glue! á I have to say, I worry about brain damage after having
smelled glue every day for 25+ years! 

Step 3. Put the eyelash on your eyelid, aiming for the inside corner
to the outside. If you don't have any eyelashes, you should put it
lower on your lid, approx. 1/2 way between the vertical line of 'gone'
eyelashes. Hold against lid for 2-5 seconds. If it stays, you can let
go. Let dry for at least 2 minutes. 

Step 4. Take an even tinier drop of glue on hte very end of hte bobby
pin, and dab it on the inside corner of your eyelash, ON TOP of the
part of the "Main Line" of hte lash, that you cut at hte 90 degree
angle. This is the step that helps keep them on even for Roller
Coaster Rides, buckets of water dumped on your head, etc. Do it agian
for hte outside corner spot. If any part of the eyelash is not
attached, or popping off, you can squeeze the glue inbetween the lash
and eyelid wiht the bobby pin, AND put some "on top" of that area as
well. Let dry for at least another full 2 minutes before applying any
lid makeup.

Step 5. I use a "crayon-type" eyeliner pencil, by Maybellin (short red
pencils), for the lower lid and eyebrows. 

Step 6. By the time I finish my eyebrows, my lids are dry enough for
eyeshadow. 

Step 7. After eyeshadow, I use a Liquid Eyeliner on upper AND lower
lids. 

Step 8. - Especially when they are new, I sweep a little liquid
eyeliner over them, so they don't look too perfect. 

_____________________________ 


Taking care of your False Eyelashes: 

When taking them off at night, peel the glue off. Store them in their
case or tray. 

WASHING YOUR EYELASHES 
You can wash them! I wash mine about once a week or every other week -
depends on how much makeup you got on them. Washing can also give you
some ability back to shape them as they get older. 

1. Have a washcloth or hand towel; a paper clip or safety pin; and a
sharpened pencil ready, by the side of the sink. 

2. Fill up your bathroom sink to about 3 inches, and put a little
shampoo in there. swish it so the soap distributes. Make sure you pull
the plug tight, you don't want your eyelases to go down the drain! I
let them soak while I take my shower, so about 10-15 minutes. 

3. Gently get the rest of the makeup or glue off them with your
fingers. Rinse under the water, while you still have the plug in! 

4. Lay the eyelashes flat on the towel. Fold the towel over once, and
press down on top of the eyelashes, to get most of hte water out. Move
the eyelashes to a dryer area of hte towel. 

5. Use the pointy end of the paper clip or safety pin, to straighten
the indivudual lashes back into a fan shape. 

6. Then use the pencil to "roll" the eyelash back into a slight curl.
You can also use the pencil to "press down" to get the curve,
depending on how thick your towel is. Use the sharpened end of the
pencil, to get some curl at the inside and outside corners of the
lashes. 

7. Let dry for about 15-20 minutes. By the time I am ready to put my
makeup on, after my shower, they are always dry. 

Hope this helps! 

Pam