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Wearing false lashes with a subpar glue is an exercise in futility. Even if you’re not using them everyday, it’s still so important to use the right adhesive so the lashes last all night. Plus, some glues can cause any unnecessary irritation around your sensitive eyes.
“I personally see patients who come in for rash around the eyes or eyelids and they didn’t even think that is could be from their eyelash extension, or false eyelash glue,” says board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics Dr. Sheila Farhang, MD. “Our eyelid skin is the thinnest skin on our body. Anything you put on it is absorbed at a higher percentage and rate…and it tends to be more sensitive to products.”
So how does one choose the best eyelash glue? Farhang and her sister, Los Angeles-based optometrist at the Visionary Eye Institute Dr. Parisa Jalalat, spill everything we need to know about picking the right adhesive for our falsies, including how to safely remove them.
Jalalat says to avoid eyelash glues that contain cyanoacrylates (aka methylacrylate), formaldehyde, parabens, and latex, as these can potentially cause irritation like redness, burning, itching, and tearing.
Farhang agrees, which is why her personal favorite is this one from Tarte. It’s made without any questionable ingredients and is the perfect formula for sensitive eyes.
The best way to apply lash glue is to place it directly on the lash line using the applicator or a very small thin brush. Avoid your actual lashes. Farhang explains that this will cause less trauma and damage, especially when you’re dealing with an ultra-strong lash glue like this one from House of Lashes. We love that it's still safe for sensitive eyes.
We love a good multitasking product and this one doesn’t disappoint. This glue is an adhesive when wet and a black eyeliner when dry. Pro tip: If you already know you’re prone to any skin sensitivity, both Farhang and Jalalat recommend doing a patch test of any glue on your wrist or upper arm to make sure it's safe for you.
The thin applicator makes this latex-free lash adhesive super easy to use. It's strong enough to hold even the most dramatic and fluttery false lashes all day—but be sure to remove them at the end of the night.
“False eyelashes really shouldn’t be worn for more than a day even if they are advertised to stick on longer,” says Farhang. She and Jalalat both agree that micellar water is the safest and most effective way to gently remove lash adhesive.
Chances are you’ll find this glue in any pro makeup artist kit—and for good reason. It comes in both clear and black and is the gold standard for long-wearing lash glue.
If you plan on crying, sweating, rubbing your eyes a lot, or doing anything serious in your false lashes, this is the waterproof glue you need. It's also latex-free and less than $5.
A near five star rating by over 1,000 users can’t be wrong. This lash glue, which is water-resistant and super easy to use, is perfect for even the most over-the-top falsies you plan on wearing.
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