APPLYING STRIP LASHES (updated Oct 2026)

 

What You Need to Apply False Eyelashes

• A pair of strip lashes (I’m using [lash brand and style])
• Lash glue (latex-free if you have sensitive eyes)
• Small scissors
• Tweezers or a lash applicator
• Black eyeliner and mascara
• A mirror you can look down into

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Shop my exact lashes and tools on ShopMy.

How to Apply Strip Lashes Step by Step

1. Pick a style that fits your eye shape

This is where lash monster mistakes start. A lash that looks gorgeous in the package can be too long, too dramatic, or too thick once it’s on you. For a natural look, pick wispy lashes with varied lengths. If you have hooded or mature eyelids like I do, shorter lashes on the inner corner and a little more length at the outer corner open your eyes up without weighing them down.

2. Measure and trim your strip lashes

Hold the lash band against your lash line before adding glue. If it extends past your eye, trim it from the outer edge. Never cut the inner edge, because that’s the one that keeps the lash looking natural. This one step fixes about 80% of the “why do these feel so weird?” problem.

3. Bend the band

Gently bend the lash band around your finger or the side of a pen for a few seconds. This helps it follow the curve of your eye so it doesn’t poke up at the corners.

4. Apply lash glue and WAIT

This is the hack that changed everything for me. Add a thin line of glue along the band, then wait 30–60 seconds until it gets tacky. Putting lashes on while the glue is wet is how they slide around and end up crooked.

5. Place the lashes at the base of your natural lash line

Look down into your mirror and use tweezers to set the middle of the lash first. Then press down the outer corner, then the inner corner. Hold for a few seconds. Aim to get as close to your natural lash line as possible without touching your skin.

6. Blend everything together

Once they’re on, let the glue set, then curl your natural lashes and add a coat of mascara to blend them in with the false lashes. Use a little black eyeliner over the band to hide any gaps. This is the step that makes them look like your lashes, only better.

How to Make False Lashes Look Natural

• Go smaller than you think. If you’re torn between two styles, pick the less dramatic one.
• Skip the heavy mascara on the lashes themselves. It can clump the fibers and make them heavy.
• Practice on a day you’re staying home. Seriously. Your first few attempts don’t need to be seen.

How to Make Strip Lashes Last Longer

• Keep oils and heavy makeup remover away from the lash band while wearing them.
• Never pull them off. Use an oil-based remover to loosen the glue and slide them off gently.
• Peel any leftover glue off the band, then store them in their original tray. Most strip lashes can be worn more than once with good care.

Common Strip Lash Mistakes (Learn From My Lash Monster Days)

1. Using lashes that are too long for your eyes
2. Skipping the trim
3. Putting them on while the glue is still wet
4. Gluing them to your eyelid instead of your lash line
5. Giving up after one try. It really does take PRACTICE!