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You've bought a pair of lashes and you're not entirely sure what to do next. Maybe there's an event coming up, maybe you just want to try them. Everyone's first attempt goes badly. Here's how to get past that.
Start With Magnetic
If you haven't bought yet, go magnetic. If you've already got both types, start with the magnetic pair.
Magnetic lashes are repositionable. You can adjust them multiple times until they're right. No glue to time, no waiting for adhesive to get tacky, no commitment to your first placement. Most beginner problems don't exist with magnetic. No crooked application, no lashes too far from your lash line, no sticky residue in your real lashes.
Start with a natural style. They're more forgiving while you're learning, and subtle mistakes are less visible. If you're not sure what suits your eye shape, we've got a guide on choosing lash styles.
Adhesive lashes work well once you've got the hang of things. But you're not there yet, and there's no reason to make this harder than it needs to be.
How It Works
Magnetic lashes need magnetic eyeliner. This bit matters. You apply the liner along your lash line like regular eyeliner, wait about thirty seconds for it to dry, then the lash strip clicks onto the dried liner. Tiny magnets in the lash band grip the iron particles in the liner. That's it.
When we say magnetic lashes are "repositionable," we mean: if the placement is wrong, peel the lash off gently, adjust your angle, press it back down. No ruined product, no starting over.
Most of the learning curve is actually the liner, not the lashes. Getting a steady line close to your lash line takes a few tries. Once the liner is right, the lash part is easy.
Give Yourself Two Weeks
Your first attempt will take thirty minutes and probably won't work. The lashes will be uneven, or too far from your lash line, or just somehow wrong in a way you can't identify. This is what happens. First attempts are supposed to be bad.
By your third or fourth attempt, something clicks. You'll get them on in under fifteen minutes. They'll actually look right.
By your fifth attempt, it's routine. Ten minutes, done, not something you think about.
The mistake people make is attempting their first application on the morning of the event they bought the lashes for. Don't do this. Practice on a weekend afternoon when you've got nowhere to be and nothing riding on the outcome. Give yourself at least five practice runs before it matters.
What the First Hour Feels Like
You'll see them in your peripheral vision, like tiny curtains at the edge of your sight. You stop noticing within an hour.
Your eyes might water slightly. Not crying, just adjusting. You'll blink more than usual while your eyelids get used to the weight. You might feel hyperaware of them, catching yourself in mirrors, checking your phone camera. This fades. By your second or third time wearing them, you'll forget they're there.
If you're noticing all of this, nothing's gone wrong. It's just new.
If Something Goes Wrong
If a corner starts lifting, excuse yourself and press it down firmly for about ten seconds. Magnetic lashes reset easily. This usually solves it completely.
If one lash shifts badly and won't sit right, take them both off. Uneven lashes are more noticeable than no lashes. Bare eyes are a fine backup plan.
Early on, keeping a small mirror in your bag can help with peace of mind. You probably won't need it, but knowing it's there helps.
Taking Them Off
Peel gently from the outer corner. Don't pull fast or hard. The liner washes off with your regular makeup remover or micellar water.
If you clean the liner residue off the lash band after each wear, they'll last longer. But if you forget, it's not a disaster.
That's It
Two weeks of practice, magnetic lashes, and you'll be looking Stylash for whatever you've got coming up. It's not complicated. It just takes a few attempts to feel natural.