Make-up artist reveals how to reuse your high street false eyelashes more than a DOZEN times
We're all guilty of throwing our false eyelashes away after a single use, but now we don't have to
FALSE eyelashes can be expensive, especially if you're buying a pair for every single night out.
At around £10 a pop, throwing away a set after one use definitely doesn't feel like you're getting your money's worth - so here's how to make sure you do.
Seasoned falsie wearers and make-up artists know that a good pair of lashes can last you at least a dozen wears if removed and cared for properly.
Certain brands last better than others, but all lashes stretch beyond a single wear, so don't bin your falsies after one go.
Make-up artist Jamie Greenberg - who's painted the faces of A-lister stars like Kaley Cuoco and Rashida Jones - has revealed her top tips for prolonging the life of your high street false eyelashes.
Her trick is to make sure that you "treat them like dishes", and wash them after every use (but don't bung them in the sink, obviously).
- Glamify Sky High Luxury Mink Eyelashes, MissPap, WAS: £5 NOW: £2.50,
In the first instance, the removal of the false lashes needs to be done smoothly and slowly, says Jamie.
After you've got the lashes off, soak a cotton bud in make-up remover to wipe away any excess glue that's lingering on the strip.
The make-up remover you choose needs to be a water-based one, rather than oil-based.
This is because oil-based removers can cause the eyelashes to warp, and they will also make your make-up run when you next apply them as oil clings to surfaces rather than evaporate like water does.
- Elemis Smart Cleanse Micellar Water 400ml, QVC, £31.50,
Next, you'll need to properly clean the eyelash itself.
Jamie states you should do this by "sandwiching them in between two tightly wound, make-up remover-soaked cotton buds" and combing through the tips with a disposable mascara wand.
After you've cleaned them, place them back in their original cases to dry.
When they're fully dried out, she suggests you mist them with 96 or 99 per cent alcohol to kill bacteria.
What you'll need to clean and keep your lashes in tip top shape
- Cotton buds
- Micellar water (or any water based makeup remover)
- Their original case
- 96 or 99 per cent alcohol
- Disposable mascara wands
- Ardell Wispies Clusters 603, Beauty Bay, WAS: £4.95, NOW: £3.47,
Another tip from Jamie is to minimise mascara use as it makes it harder to clean the lashes.
She notes: "Cleaning falsies — and keeping their shape — becomes incredibly hard when trying to cut through coats upon coats of mascara."
Here are some of the best current offers on falsies and eyelash glue, which work out at pennies per use:
- DUP Lash Adhesive in Dark, Beauty Bay, WAS: £8.95, NOW: £5.36,
- Eyecharm, The Best Lash Glue Ever, Unicorn Cosmetics, WAS: £2.50, NOW: £1.99,
- Doll Beauty Stephanie Lashes, Beauty Bay, WAS: £10, NOW: £6.99,
- Doll Beauty Brandy Lashes, FalseEyelashes.co.uk, £10,
- Glamify The Selfie Lash, MissPap, WAS: £10, NOW: £5,
- Unicorn Flutter Lashes, Unicorn Cosmetics, WAS £9.99, NOW: £6.99,
- Unicorn Majectic AF Lashes, Unicorn Cosmetics, WAS £12.99, NOW: £7.85,
MORE HAIR AND BEAUTY
One woman had a nightmare experience when her false eyelashes were stuck on with NAIL GLUE and she lost her sight for two hours.
Not into falsies? You might like to try LVL... here's all you need to know about lash lifting.
And for those who just fancy good old mascara - here are some of the best.