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False Eyelash Love
By Destroyx | December 20, 2008
Above: I love my false eyelashes and use any excuse to wear them.
It’s no secret… I have a thing for false eyelashes. If there were a self help group for eyelash addicts, I would be the first member.
I have always been infatuated with eyelashes probably because I am not naturally endowed with long eyelashes, so through the years I’ve had to turn to artificial methods to sate my passion.
My eyelash addiction probably began when I was studying ballet as a young thing and we were allowed to don a pair of ‘falsies’ for the final year concert. It was not until years later that this romance would be rekindled when I began being very interested in dramatic makeup and began experimenting with various false eyelashes. Currently I am a regular wearer whenever I perform and I wear them for photo shoots. Personally I find that false eyelashes can really accentuate and open your eyes up. They also make fluttering your eyelids at people a whole lot more dramatic.
Where can I get false eyelashes from?
A lot of people ask me where I purchase my false eyelashes from and the short answer is anywhere I can find them. I’ve found quite a few good ones online, as well as places that sell hair care products and makeup. In Australia I’ve found some fantastic ones at Hair Warehouse. Some of the best eyelashes can be found for inexpensive prices, including places like Hot Topic where they often have nice feathered shaped lashes.
Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura
Most recently some makeup companies have taken false eyelashes to the extreme artform. Well known is Shu Uemera’s Tokyo Lash Bar which has just been installed into David Jones in Australia (yay!). They have recently teamed up with the inimitable Viktor & Rolf (some of my personal favourite designers) to produce a stunning range of designer couture eyelashes. Called Wing 1, Wing 2 & Rhombus these beautiful eyelashes were inspired by the harlequin mime Marcel Marceu. They will cost you a pretty penny, but you’ll be adorning your eyelids with tiny pieces of wearable art!
Above: Eyelashes from my personal collection.
I managed to snap up some of these eyelashes for myself on my recent trip to Singapore, and you’ll probably be seeing them in a photoshoot or two, that is… if I can muster the courage to remove them from their packet. On the left of the photograph you can see some pretty eyelashes that I bought for $2 each from a discount store in Singapore, which shows how affordable they can be.
Tips for wearing false eyelashes
1) Although the eyelash glue that you get in most eyelash packets is good and totally usable, for extra hold I would recommend surgical adhesive (Duo is a good brand which is available at MAC stores) or Shu Uemura’s glue works well. These glues also works well for sticking jewels and other random objects on your face.
2) Your false eyelashes should be able to be worn on numerous occasions provided that you take good care of them. You should remove the glue that builds up on the eyelashes and store them back on the container that they came in so they can retain their shape.
3) Avoid buying eyelashes that have a really blunt edge and are all the same length- unless you are going for a doll like look. I always find that eyelashes look best when they are feathered in shape because they blend in with your natural eyelashes better.
4) Don’t be afraid to trim lashes down to size to fit your eye shape. Try cutting them in half and use them on your lower lids as accents.
5) Don’t worry if you get glue everywhere after you’ve finally got your eyelashes on. Cover up the glue residue witha swash of liquid eyeliner. Alternatively you can pat over the glue with glitter using a brush (make sure you do both eyes evenly though).
Above: Eyelash inspiration from Shu Uemura & Christian Dior
How do I put false eyelashes on?
Putting lashes on can be a little traumatic even for the seasoned wearer. I was going to do a video tutorial on how to do this, but I found that Leesha from xsparkage.com beat me to the chase and she posted an excellent tutorial on youtube. Check it out here for an excellent guide to putting on false lashes.
December 20th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Hey , come back to Singapore soon and we’ll bring u for more eyelashes maniac !
SOL !
December 20th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Hey Ray! I fucking love Singapore. I wanna go back. Can I stay at your house?
December 20th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
It’s so hard to find decent falsies here in-store in LA except around Halloween…but the Viktor & Rolf ones you got look absolutely divine! Hope to see them on you soon!
December 20th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Fake eyelashes are the thing I have the most trouble with. I love wearing them but have so much trouble getting them on.
I really like the ones on your collection.
December 21st, 2008 at 12:59 am
Diana- I wouldn’t think it would be too hard in LA because I thought there would be lots of makeup artists there? Anyhow keep your eye out for hottopic.com because I found some really nice ones for under $5. You can find some nice ones on ebay too.
Persephone 66- I hate putting them on too… It took me like half an hour to get them on when I first started and I would get glue everywhere! Practise really makes perfect so just keep practising and you’ll be able to do it. I find because I have to wear them so often, I can put them on a lot faster.
December 21st, 2008 at 1:32 am
Perhaps you’d enjoy this — Eyelash Typeface: http://acriacao.com/2008/12/19/eyelash-typeface-by-amitis-pahlevan/
December 21st, 2008 at 2:36 am
God I love Tokyo Lash Bar!
I wonder if Melbourne DJ has them yet, I’ll have to take a look.
I have a funny false eyelash story, or rather, a ‘DON’T’ to share with people…
I was getting ready to head out to a club the other night, and when I went to put my false lashes on, I realised I was out of lash glue.
The words of a wise drag queen rang in my ears “Oh honey, I just use clear nail varnish! Works a treat!”
I though, oh - what the hell?
What the HELL indeed. Burning, agony, seething pain - and that was only the application! The removal was another traumatic event, entirely.
Moral of the story: Drag Queens really do suffer for their art. Always stock up on glue.
December 21st, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Those feather ones are awesome!! BTW, Congrats on the new blog :) And hehe…I wore my new purple Shu Uemera lashes that I bought in Harajuku, last night to Love & Hatred.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:33 am
Joannie- OMG! That’s so fucking awesome. I have to try that sometime. I love the three dimensionality of the type face. Absolutely original….
Bex- Dude… that is like the worst eyelash/makeup horror story I have EVER. Poor thing. I thought we all suffered for our beauty, but it would seem that drag queens definitely win. Yikes.. I’m still reeling…
Trashtastika- Hey lovely! Thanks for visiting =) Oh oh… I need to see photos of you in your lashes. I have developed a severe addiction to Shu Uemura stuff and I love seeing it on people! What type of club is Love & hatred?
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Oh My!
They’re wonderful…
I’ve always been much too afraid to use false lashes, but i really would love to
Curse my brother for being given the longest natural lashes I’ve ever seen, instead of me :(
But I may start after seeing how wonderful they look!
x
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Blitz- I have really short lashes too, so I’ve had to resort to fake ones. They make your eyes look so much bigger… well for me anyway! And they are fun to make your eyes look a lot more extreme too.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Any time ! Both u and Zoog are welcomed on our shore ;)
Oh yeah I am working on a radio show soon so I may spin some Angelspit tunes or do an interview with you guys so dun hold ur breathe ;)
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Hmm… i really am considering starting to use them now
I know that they have some really cool ones in little shops around here,
and I’ve always admired the rainbow stargazer ones i found a while back…
You’ve totally convinced me :)
Im going to buy some this weekend XD
x
January 15th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Orange sticks (you know those pointy wooden things you use for doing your cuticles?) are fantastic for putting on false lashes - use the sloping side to spread the glue, and the pointy end to get the lashes in the right position. Just don’t poke yourself in the eye! *is a wee bit clumsy*
February 17th, 2009 at 4:51 am
the videos amazing! ^^ i actually have a pair of false eyelashes i picked up at an animae convention, yet i didnt have the slightes idea on how to put them on. (i have a tenecy of buying random things and then wearing them long after they were bought) XD
February 27th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
hey. the video really helped me but yeah, i have still problems to put them on.
by the way i found lashes with stars. absolutely amazing … and i am afraid about put them on, because they are perfect and i dont want to destroy them at the very beginning ..
i am so sorry for my english…
love Tea ×××
March 29th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
I recently went to Harvey Nichol’s in Edinburgh and asked for Shu Uemura glue but they’d run out ;[ But they recommended Duo. :D It cost me £9 for the tube but it was so worth it. I have to practically rip my lashes off at the end of the day. (Not literally. My favoured lashes are Shu Uemura and I try to keep them in tiptop condition ^^)
April 25th, 2010 at 1:24 am
OMG! Those are the exact same eyelashes I bought from a Japanese store here! hahaha. Awesome. They are cheap and lovely, and amazingly sturdy. And the glue that comes with it is surprisingly good. I can go an entire day without them loosening one bit 8D