By Pippa Bailey
Sometimes mascara doesn’t quite cut it and what your mama gave you just isn’t enough. We’re not advocates of wearing false lashes every day (though there is a brilliant pair here that you could wear daily), but for a party, it can’t hurt to add a little oomph.
We love all these pairs for a five minute or less application, lightweight feel and comfortable minimum six-hour wear.
All these are applied the same way: trim the lash band length if needed, run glue (included unless otherwise stated) along the band, paying particular attention to the corners, air dry for 30 seconds or so, then press as closely as you can along your lash line (try using a cotton bud for this) and cover any visible join with eyeliner.
We like to wash ours and store for repeat use: try rubbing a little cleansing balm on your fingertips, working through the lashes gently, rinsing under the tap, patting dry and then leaving to air dry fully.
Make Up For Ever Lash Show Natural Impact False Lashes N-204: Escentual
These are the lash equivalent of barely there make-up: light enough for casual daytime wear, giving a little extra thickness and length without being obvious.
The band is the clearest, thinnest and most imperceptible we found. For evening wear, we love the slightly more dramatic tapered N-103.
Benefit Prima Donna Fake Lashes: Benefit
The criss-cross pattern of these lashes means they give great volume while also being super fine. You have to buy the glue separately (£7) but the glue is clear, latex-free and doesn’t have a strong chemical smell.
Our only quibble is that it look a while to train the inner corners to sit downwards along the lash line.
Mac 33 Lash: Mac Cosmetics
These have been a go-to for years. Rather than a solid lash line, the lashes are grouped in small sections, each tapered, to give a natural up-and-down finish.
You need to buy the glue separately, but happily Mac does the brilliant Duo Brush On Striplash Adhesive (£10) which is black (rather than the usual standout white) and has a eyeliner-style brush applicator.
Huda Beauty Samantha Lashes: Cult Beauty
There’s no beating around the bush here, these lashes are a bold and dramatic; perfect for big nights out and occasions involving glitter. The lashes have thick roots and are wispy and varied in length, offering a very sexy finish.
The black lash glue is sold separately for a rather pricey £14, but it’s the strongest, longest holding we’ve found.
Eylure Texture No 117 Lashes: Eylure
An ever popular choice from the high street lash heroes, the 117 are wispy and light, with a nice thin lash band, and taper towards the outside of the eyes.
These lashes are a definite suit-everyone choice, whatever the occasion (or budget!).
Urban Decay Urban Lash HBIC Babies: Urban Decay
If you struggle to place a full strip and get the ends to stick, or find a full pair OTT, Urban Decay’s individual clusters go on in seconds and can be placed wherever best suits your eye shape.
We love the lightweight feel and clever magnetic closure box so you can store them for reuse.
Nars Eyelashes Numero 4: Nars
Sophisticated, dense, glossy and curling, these are perfect for a night out somewhere classy, when you want high impact without being too dramatic.
We recommend curling your own lashes first so they sit together seamlessly as the Numero 4 is quite lifted. Glue, sold separately, is £5 and latex-free.
The Verdict: Best false eyelashes
For an everyday lift, we love Make Up For Ever (closely followed by Mac). For dramatic nights, it has to be Huda.
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