Step by Step: How to Apply Individual Flare Lashes!

 What are individual lashes? Individual Lashes differ from the traditional "strip" lashes as they aren't applied all at once. They are applied individually. Individual Lashes are mainly sold in "flares" or, small clusters of about 5 - 10 lashes. They typically come in three different lengths; Short, Medium and Long.

Why individual opposed to strip? The awesome thing about individual lashes, is you can control exactly how you want your lashes to look. With strip lashes, you don't have as much control. Individual lashes are very fun and you can layer them on top of each other for very voluminous & dark lashes and you can mix up the sizes for any look you please. Also, if you want added length, but want to keep your look extra natural, individual lashes are great, because you can add a few flares to the top corner of your lash line and your eye shape will look elongated & your overall look will be more "girly".

Here's a few ideas of how you can use them:

 Short flares starting at the corner (where your lashes are the shortest), then medium flares towards the middle, and long flares toward the end.

Medium flares all across with long flares on top for long, and thick dramatic lashes.

Medium flare, short flare, medium flare, short flare all the way across.

Long flare, medium flare, long flare, medium flare all the way across.

Medium flares starting at the middle of your lashline and long flares toward the end. (to imitate half lashes)

Medium (or long) flares starting at the middle all the way to the end. (to imitate half lashes)

Remember, you can add them wherever you want! You don't have to apply them all across your lashline. You can apply them wherever you want added length or volume.

Tools you'll need:

-Individual False Lashes

-False Lash Adhesive (Strip Adhesive)

-Tweezers

-Mascara

Step 1: First, apply all of your eye makeup, as applying false lashes should be your last step. Apply one coat of mascara.

Step 2: Squeeze a small amount of lash adhesive on a clean surface. I'm using my lash tray as a surface for my adhesive. Then, pick up one flare with your tweezers. Pick them up as close to the bottom as possible. Don't apply too much pressure or you can bend the lashes. Then, dip the end in the adhesive.

Step 3: It's not as necessary to wait as you would with strip lashes, because with strip lashes, the strip can lift off if the glue isn't tacky. Individual lashes won't fall off. But, if you'd like to wait for the glue to become tacky for 10-15 seconds, you can go ahead and do so. For reference, I don't wait. :)

Step 4: While looking forward in a mirror, tilt your head back slightly so your eyelid flattens. You should have a clear view of your lashline. You can start from any area you want, but I like starting from the middle. So, starting from the middle, place the lash down on your lashline, as close as possible to the roots of your natural lashes, but not on top of them. The glue should be on your eyelid, not your lashes. The flare should be laying on top of your own lashes.

Step 5: Close your eye that you just placed the lash on. Examine your placement with your other opened eye. The false lash should be going in the same direction as your natural lashes. If they are going in the opposite direction, take your fingertips and push them slightly so they are going in the correct direction.

Step 6: Continue with placing another lash next to the first one. If you want thick lashes, apply it directly next to the first one. For more of a natural look (what I'm doing), leave a tiny space in between.

Step 7: Again, examine your eye to see if your placement is correct. (repeat step 5)

Step 8: Continue applying the lashes to your lashline going outward. At this point, I've applied 5 flares. You can click on the image to see a close up of the image. You can see how much of a space I left in between each flare for an overall natural look.

Step 9: To make your lashes extend outward, add an extra flare to the very end of your lashline.

Step 10: Wait at least 5 minutes. Once the glue is completely dry, very carefully apply a coat of mascara to your top and bottom lashes. You want to be gentle because you can make the mistake of lifting some of the lashes off with the mascara wand.

Week 3: Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator Treatment Gel! + Photos!

Wow, can't believe a week has already flown by and I'm posting week 3! I was pretty consistent this week and applied the Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator Treatment to my eyelashes all 7 days before going to sleep. Here are my lashes this week...

Like last week, I mentioned that I see lots of new growth, which I am continuing to see in week 3. As far as length goes, my lashes are definitely longer than they were when I started using this, but I can't tell for sure if they are longer than the previous week. What I notice the most, other than the length, is how much fuller my lashes look.

I don't feel the need to wear false lashes at all like I use to, but I noticed when I have worn false lashes (I always wear the strip cut in half and applied at the outer corner of my lashline, to extend the shape of my eyes), my natural lashes blend in so much better with the false lashes. Before when I would wear them, I would always have to use a base to lengthen my lashes to match the length of the falsies. I don't need a base anymore! I also have been using less coats of mascara, because my lashes are more prominent now. Another thing, because I have side swept bangs, my bangs sometimes "sit" on my lashes on my right eye, and it's not good for the condition of my lashes. Many times, the results with mascara on my right eye aren't as good as my left eye, and they also would appear shorter and stubbier. Both eyes seem to match now.

Overall, I'm still very happy with the results of this product as a lash conditioner and probably have one more week until I'm done with the tube. 

View Week 1 here & Week 2 here.

Week 2: Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator Treatment Gel! + Photos!

Last week, I mentioned that I started using Ardell's Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator Treatment Gel as a part of my daily routine. (View Week 1 by clicking here). Today marks week two, and here are my results...

At the end of week 1, I mentioned that my eyelashes feel slightly stronger and slightly longer.

Now, at week 2, I still feel that my lashes are slightly stronger.. but I honestly can't tell if they feel stronger than week 1. What I definitely have noticed is that I have more lashes than I did before. I have lots of new growth, which can be seen in the photo above where my eye is open. You can see that there are several smaller lashes peeking from my lash line. Usually, when I'm not wearing mascara, you can barely see my lashes. Now when I'm not wearing mascara, there are slightly darker (because there are more) and more visible. My results with mascara are amazing and I don't feel I need a base as much I use to. I am thrilled with my progress so far.

Week 1: Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator Treatment Gel! + Photos!

 It seems that after Latisse came on the market, tons of companies came out with lash "boosting" products. Or maybe they always existed, but once Latisse became heavily advertised, many brands (many of which are less expensive) came out with similar products that were just as effective. I personally, found it a bit overwhelming and never went through with purchasing a lash serum, despite the fact that I'm dying to have longer lashes. I was always a bit nervous to try a product like Latisse, because I have sensitive eyes and many reviewers have mentioned that their eyes became very red and irritated for the first week, and some mentioned even longer periods of time. Well, with that said - it didn't sound very appetizing to me to walk around with pink eye for how ever long that lasts.

A while back I purchased this little tube of Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator. When I say a while back, I'm talking over 6 months ago (easily). Back when I purchased it, I only used it about two times and tossed it in my cosmetic abyss. Why didn't I continue using it? Well, laziness I suppose. I must admit, although I make sure to always take my makeup off at night, I'm guilty of not taking off my eye makeup at times. In order for me to keep up with using the treatment, I'd have to wash off my eye makeup every night. Which, at the time I wasn't doing. The past month, I've been taking it off every night - as I've been following with my skincare routine very well. So it hit me earlier in the week to pull the tube back out and use it up.

I don't have any "before" pictures, because I really didn't expect this stuff to do anything for me. I was honestly only trying to finish it because I felt guilty for tossing it since I didn't give it a legitimate try.

So, at night I apply it heavily to my eye lashes. Yes, emphasis on heavy. I apply it as if I'm applying mascara. I pack the product on the brush and comb it through my lashes, making sure to touch the base of my lashes. I coat my top lashes from underneath and on top. Then, apply a coat to my bottom lashes. In the morning, I wash my face and sometimes apply a less heavy coat before my mascara.

It's now the end of the week, and I can't believe it.. I am seeing results. Not huge, significant results.. But my eyelashes feel a lot better. My lashes aren't that terrible. I mean, they're incredibly flimsy.. and they're not long - I'd say they are medium/average in length. When I touch them now, they don't feel as flimsy - yes, they are still flimsy, but they feel a little bit stronger. Also, I usually apply a mascara base before my mascara.. and I haven't all week and the past couple of days, my eyelashes (after mascara) look the same way they would look if I did apply a base. With my mascara, they look slightly longer than they did before. Again, it's not significant enough where YOU may notice, but I definitely noticed.

So I'm convinced this is a good lash conditioner. It's not something that would give you growth like a prescription product or more expensive product - So, I don't think your expectations should be very high in that aspect. But, if you're looking for a product that will help condition your lashes (if your lashes are flimsy, damaged from mascara, false lashes or lash extensions) this may be right up your alley.

I'm going to continue using this product until it's finished and I'll keep you updated weekly.

Makeupalley rates this a 3.9/5, with a 80% re-purchase rate. (click here to read reviews)

Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator Treatment Gel retails for around $5 (give or take). It's difficult to find in stores (around me at least), but you can find it for $3.99 a tube at drugstore.com.

I'm actually really hyped about this - and once I'm finished with this product, I'd like to actually try a more "intense" lash growth product. If you have tried any, I'd love your recommendations or any thoughts/opinions you may have in the comments below!!

Thanks so much, guys! ♥

Tutorial: How to Apply Fake Lashes! (Very Long Post)

How To Apply Fake Eyelashes

Applying eyelashes is very simple once you have a little bit of practice. In this tutorial I will explain step by step how to apply False Lashes. Last week, I posted about my favorite lashes, where you can purchase false lashes as well as other general information regarding false lashes. To be re-directed to that post, click here. Otherwise, Keep Reading!

Tools you will need: 

False Full Strip Eyelashes (I am using ELF Essentials Dramatic Lash Kit)

Lash Adhesive (I am using DUO Dark Tone Lash Adhesive)

Tweezers

Optional Tools:

Liquid Eyeliner or a Dark Eyeshadow

Small brush (eyeliner brush, angled liner brush, smudge brush, etc.)

Where to start? Applying false lashes will be the last step of your eyes. So, make sure to prime your eyes with an eyeshadow primer, apply your eyeshadow and eyeliner & you'll be ready to apply your false lashes!

Why apply them last? You apply false lashes last because you want your lashes to be very black and clean of any eyeshadow or other products. If you apply them first, you may have lashes that are full of eyeshadow. If you'd like, you can apply a thin coat of mascara beforehand. But it's not necessary. I like having a thin coat of mascara on my lashes before I apply false lashes.

Let's Begin! I've included photos of each step along with a caption. I have written out the steps, and they are more detailed than the actual captions.

Step 1: Take your false lashes out of the box. Using your tweezers (or fingers), gently peel the lashes off of the tray. You don't want to apply too much pressure, or else you may bend or damage the band.

Step 2: Using your pointer finger and thumb, you want to hold both ends of the eyelashes at the bottom band. Lightly move both of your hands up and down a centimeter or so. Doing this will stretch the band so it isn't as stiff. This will help the lashes sit better on the contour of your eyelid. (Think of it as stretching a balloon before you blow it up) In the photo of Step 2, the top lash is properly curved and the bottom lash has not been touched yet. You can tell the band on the bottom is a bit straighter.

Step 3: Now we are going to test the lashes to see if they are the correct length for your eye shape. If you have smaller eyes, you may need to cut a little bit. Pick up the according eyelash to you eye. The shortest part of the lashes should be matched up near your tear-duct. The longest part should be at end. The way you will set them on your eyelid is with the curl facing up. Set the lashes down in the middle of your lashline. Look to see where your natural lashes start (inner corner) and pull the false lashes to the same spot. Look to see if the band extends farther out (outer corner) than your natural lash line. If it extends out longer, grab the end with your thumb & pointer finger and lift them off.

Step 4: With your scissors, cut off any excess lashes. (Set it on your lash line again to see if you cut enough)

Step 5: Squeeze a little dab of lash adhesive on a clean surface. Don't apply it from the tube directly to the lashes. A lot of product comes out at once and you don't want to damage the lashes.

Step 6: Using any tool you'd like for precise application of the glue, (many like to use a toothpick or the opposite side of the tweezers. I'm using the opposite corner of the lash adhesive tube) pick up the glue up. Don't worry it's too much. You don't want it to be too little, otherwise your lashes might not stick well.

Step 7: Pick your lashes up with your fingers or your tweezers and drag the glue across the band of the lashes. Apply a little more to each end of the lashes, as they are the spots that tend to wear off.

Step 8: Pick the lashes up with a tweezer, holding them in the middle - close to the band but not touching the glue.

Step 9: It's difficult to apply lashes while looking straight forward into a mirror. The easiest way is by sitting down or standing up and tilting your head back a little - so when you look forward, your eyes are slightly squinted. This way, you'll be getting a better view of your lashline. Like you did in Step 3, set the lashes down on your eyelid as close as possible to the base of your natural lashes, but not touching them. They should be on your eyelid, not your lashes. Make sure they are lined up with the start of your natural lashes before you press them down on your skin.

Step 10: Once the lashes are lined up with your lashes, grab the beginning of the lashes with your tweezers and press it down on your lid. Again, make sure they are lined up with the start of your natural lashes. You don't want them to be any closer to your tear-duct, or it may cause your eyes to water or a pinching sensation. There should be a small space. Grab the outer end and press it down on your skin. Work Quickly before the glue sets.

Step 11: Go along the whole band, pressing it down onto your skin with the tweezers.

Step 12: To make sure it's very secure, use a brush (smudge brush, eyeliner/brow brush, etc) or sponge applicator and go across the band again pressing it down on your skin.

Step 13: Wait patiently for 1-2 minutes while the adhesive dries completely. 

Step 14: For this step, you can use eye liner (liquid/pencil or gel) or a dark eyeshadow (brown, black, etc). If you're using an eyeshadow, take a small smudge brush and smudge the shadow on your lid, close to your lashline - blending it into the band of the false lashes. This will blend in the band better as well as cover up any adhesive you may have gotten on your eyelid. If you're using a liquid liner, line your eyes as you normally would - against the band of the lashes.

Step 15: Apply a coat of mascara to your lashes, starting at the base of your natural lashes all the way up to the end of the false lashes. This will blend your natural lashes in better with the false lashes as well as make the lashes look darker. 

You're all finished! Enjoy your long, lush lashes!

To see how it's done, check out Kandee Johnson's video tutorial!