This blog post is provided to you by Jillian Holt.
Jillian is an amazing hair & makeup artist located in the Florida Panhandle.
Bonus: She is a killer vocalist too. You can sometimes catch her and her Bluesy hubs Adam Holt at Lulus Gulf Shores (among other places).
Got Falsies: False eyelashes for your photo session?
Heck Yes.
I love false lashes. They have the power to take even the most demure makeup look over the top!
Lashes can be daunting
Which lashes should you pick?
How should you apply them?
Can you reuse them?
Is there any mascara that can give me a falsies look without actually wearing false lashes?
Not all lashes are created equal – if you’ve ever looked for lashes, you know that there are a litany of options. Generally speaking, I choose lashes that compliment the look I’m hoping to achieve, but I always choose lashes that have an invisible band and tapered lash ends.
What does that mean?
An invisible band is the band that glues to your skin from which all the false lashes are ‘growing.’ A dark band makes it more difficult to camouflage the lash band – obviously we don’t want people to see your fake lashes first and your face second. A tapered lash end means that the lash hairs have a naturally tapered appearance rather than a blunt edge. This gives a much more natural and beautiful appearance.
My all time favorite faux lash brand
is the ARDELL fauxmink collection. I use number 811 most often with my clients that are brides, bridesmaids, or getting their makeup done for a portrait sessions – it is a beautifully lightweight, tapered lash, that creates a beautiful cat eye effect, lifting the outer corner with extra length.
Number 817 is a great option for a more understated or natural look. This is a great choice for outdoor family photos or portrait sessions.
For clients that are doing any kind of boudoir session or those wanting a more dramatic look
I will use lashes from the Kiss Lash Couture line. A favorite is Gala.
Next, pick a lash glue that will work well for you. My favorite is Ardell Duo Quick-Set Strip Lash Adhesive. As the name suggests, this lash glue is quick drying, which makes lash application that much easier!
Applying lashes can be tricky
but with some guidance, and a little practice, you’ll be a lash master. Something important to remember: lashes are not once size fits all! You should always measure the lashes and trim them to the width of your eyes. To do this, before applying any glue, gently rest the lash on your top lash line, aligning the lash with the inside of your eye where your lashes begin. Find where the lash overhangs the outside edge of your eye and make note of it (I’ll usually count the knots so I know how much to cut off). Then, move the lash away from your eye and trim the outside edge of the lash to the length you measured. If you have very large eyes, you may not need to trim (lucky you), but you should always measure first just to be sure. Lashes that are too wide will not adhere to your lash line properly and will not feel comfortable!
Next, apply lash glue
in a thin, even line along the lash strip edge. If you’re using the quick-set lash adhesive, wait about 10 seconds for the glue to get sticky. This is a very important step! If the glue is not sticky, the lash will slide around on your lash line and it will be very difficult to get it to stay put!
*PRO TIP:
Even with very natural looks, I like to apply a thin line of black liquid liner to the upper lash line to give the lashes some camouflage. This is especially helpful if you are new to applying lashes as it will reduce or eliminate ‘lash gap’ where you can see a gap of skin between your natural lashes and the false lashes.
As you are holding the lashes to lash line, use the other hand to gently lift up the skin of your eyelid, ensuring that the lashes are applied to the base of the lashes.
Allow the lashes to set completely – usually about 1-2 minutes, or until you can no longer see any of the white glue. Then, gently push the lashes up and apply 1-2 coats of mascara.
My absolute favorite mascara of all time
is PUR Fully Charged. It has an incredibly creamy formulation that applies cleanly but gives lashes a major boost in both length and thickness. The best part is that you can apply multiple layers without getting clumpy. It is also long lasting!
Lashes can be reused if you take care of them!
I recommend that you gently peel them off, clean them with makeup remover, then wash them with a mild soap and water. Store them on the original plastic casing so they retain their shape.
Jillian Holt is a makeup artist and hairstylist with 18 years of experience in the beauty industry.
Thank you Jillian for all of this amazing information on False Lashes!!
Important note from Jessica:
No one is getting kick backs from the links and the images are stock images. They are provided to help you see what Jillian’s fav products are. Questions? Ask below! If I can’t answer them I’ll pass them on to Jillian. XO
