Beginner's Guide to False Eyelashes

If you have never worn false lashes, or you tried them years ago and gave up on the glue, magnetic lashes are worth another look. You draw the liner on like ordinary eyeliner, the lash clicks straight onto it, and if it lands crooked you lift it off and place it again. Nothing touches or pulls on your own lashes, and most women have it sorted within about three tries.

If you would rather not choose, The Lifted Look Set gives you six styles ordered from softest to most defined, plus the liner and the applicator tool, so you can find yours at home rather than commit to one pair up front.

Why false eyelashes feel different after 50

As oestrogen levels change during perimenopause and menopause, natural lashes tend to grow back finer, shorter, and more sparsely. The lid can also develop a slight fold, which changes how lashes sit and how visible they look once applied. Traditional false eyelashes — heavy bands, lots of drama, glue that stays wet while you blink — were designed for younger lids with more space to work with.

Magnetic lashes solve most of these problems at once. The liner goes on like regular eyeliner, sets in about 5 to 10 seconds, and the lash snaps into place. No mess, no waiting for glue to dry, and if the placement is slightly off you can lift it and try again. That forgiving quality is exactly what makes them work for beginners.

Choosing your first pair: what actually matters

The most common beginner mistake is choosing a style that's too dramatic for where you're starting. If the first lash you try makes you look startlingly different in the mirror, it's much harder to build confidence. You want to start somewhere that makes you think "oh, that's nice" rather than "that's too much."

For a first pair, look for:

• A half lash or a very natural full lash rather than something long and voluminous
• A style with centre or all-over focus rather than heavy outer corners
• Lightweight construction so you can barely feel it
• A magnetic system so you can reposition as many times as you need

Half lashes tick most of those boxes at once, which is why the half lash range, the easiest place to start suits most beginners.

Not sure of your eye shape? Take the eye shape quiz — it takes about two minutes and points you toward the styles most likely to flatter your particular eyes.

If a fold of skin covers part of your lash line, magnetic lashes for hooded eyes are shaped to sit where you can still see them. If you would rather look through everything before you decide, our full magnetic range is all in one place.

If you're genuinely unsure where to start, the Complete Confidence Kit solves this by giving you six styles ordered from subtlest to most dramatic. Start with the softest one and work your way along when you feel ready. Most women find two or three favourites within the first week.

How to apply magnetic lashes: step by step

Here's the full process from scratch. It feels unfamiliar the first time, then very quick once you've done it a few times.

Before you start

Make sure your upper lash line is clean and free of moisturiser or eye cream. Oils on the skin prevent the liner from gripping properly and can cause the lash to lift off throughout the day. A cotton bud with micellar water along the lash line takes about 10 seconds and makes a noticeable difference.

Also: gently roll the lash band around your finger before you apply it. This softens the band and helps it curve more naturally to the shape of your eye, which makes placement easier and more comfortable.

Step 1: Apply the liner

Hold the Double Bond Liner like a regular eyeliner pen and draw a thin line along your upper lash line, as close to the roots of your natural lashes as possible. Start from the centre and work outward, then go back and fill in from the inner corner. The liner should look like clean, neat eyeliner.

Apply a second coat over the first for a stronger hold, and let it dry for about 60 seconds before placing the lash. The liner sets in 5 to 10 seconds but benefits from a little extra drying time before you add the lash on top.

Step 2: Place the lash

Hold the lash at the centre with your fingertips or with the Precision Application Tool. Look slightly downward into a mirror — not straight ahead, but down toward the mirror from above. This gives you a clearer view of the lash line.

Start at the outer corner of your eye and gently press the lash toward the liner. Work inward from there. You'll feel the tiny magnets click into place against the liner. Don't press too hard — a gentle, even contact is all you need.

Look up and check the result. Does it need adjusting? Simply pinch the lash gently at the outer edge and lift it off. The liner stays on your skin, and you can reposition the lash as many times as you need without starting over.

Step 3: Finishing touches

Once the lash is placed, press gently along the band with your fingertip to make sure it's fully seated against the liner. If there are any small gaps, a tiny extra dot of liner and 30 seconds' drying time will close them.

You can apply a light coat of mascara to blend your natural lashes into the false ones if you like, though most women find it isn't necessary. The liner line already creates a clean base that makes the lash look like it starts at the roots.

Tips that make the biggest difference

Use a mirror that angles up toward you. Looking down into a mirror — rather than straight ahead into a wall mirror — exposes much more of your lash line and makes placement far easier.

Rest your elbow on the table. This reduces hand tremor and gives you much more control. A lot of women with dexterity concerns find this one change makes the whole process much easier.

Start with a half lash. Half lashes only sit on the outer third of the lash line, so there's much less band to align. Nadia and Nita from the kit are both half lashes — they're the easiest styles to start with and still give a beautiful result.

You can wear reading glasses during application. Many women do. You don't need to do this by feel — being able to see clearly makes everything easier.

Don't judge by the first attempt. Almost everyone's first application is a little wonky. The second is better. By the fifth, most women are doing it comfortably in under two minutes.

Use the Precision Application Tool. If you find it hard to hold the lash precisely with your fingertips, the Precision Application Tool gives you much more control. It's included in the Complete Confidence Kit.

How to remove magnetic lashes

Removing the lash is straightforward. Pinch the lash gently at the outer corner and peel it away from the liner. It comes off cleanly without pulling at your skin or natural lashes.

Store the lash back in its tray to keep it in shape. With proper care, each pair can be reused many times — just avoid getting mascara directly on the lash fibres, which can make them harder to clean and eventually affect their shape.

To remove the liner from your eyelid, use a cotton pad with a gentle eye makeup remover or micellar water. The liner removes like regular eyeliner.

Common beginner questions

How long does it take to apply magnetic lashes?

The first time usually takes 10 to 15 minutes as you're getting familiar with the process. After a few tries, most women settle into about 5 minutes. Some find they're down to 2 to 3 minutes once it becomes routine.

Can I apply them with shaky hands or arthritis?

Yes. Resting your elbow on a flat surface reduces tremor significantly, and the Precision Application Tool helps with grip and control. The magnetic click also means you don't need to hold everything perfectly steady — the lash guides itself into position once it's close to the liner.

What if the lash doesn't stick?

The most common cause is oil on the lash line — either from moisturiser, eye cream, or natural skin oils. Clean the lash line with micellar water first and make sure the liner is fully dry before placing the lash. A second coat of liner also helps on skin that tends to be oily.

Do I need to trim the lashes to fit?

Possibly. If the lash band is slightly longer than your eye, trim a small amount from the outer end. This is normal and doesn't affect how the lash looks once it's on. The Complete Confidence Kit includes styles that are generally well-suited to a range of eye widths.

Can I wear magnetic lashes if I have sensitive eyes?

Most women with sensitive eyes find magnetic lashes much gentler than glue-on styles. Our Double Bond Liner uses iron oxide as the magnetic component — the same material found in standard eyeliners and mascaras. There's no formaldehyde, no latex, and nothing that contacts the eye itself. If you have a known sensitivity, check the full ingredient list before purchasing.

How long do the lashes last once on?

All day in most conditions, including through light activity. Avoid rubbing your eyes and keep oil-based products away from the lash line throughout the day. If you're in a very humid environment or very active, a second coat of liner helps improve the hold.

Should women over 50 wear false eyelashes?

If you want to, yes. Nothing about eyes that have changed rules lashes out. What changes is the kind that suits you. Lighter bands, a stronger curl, shorter length, and a magnetic system rather than glue will nearly always sit better than the styles you tried before.

You can also browse the happy customers page if you want to see how the lashes look on real women.