The best magnetic eyelashes if you struggle with lash glue

Ardell Magnetic Lash Wispies False Eyelashes

£13.99 £11.99 (14% off)

Amazon

£13.99

LookFantastic

Glamnetic OMW Magnetic Lashes

£30

Revolve

There's so much that you need to get right – you've got to make sure that the glue becomes tacky enough so that it sticks but not too dry so that won't peel off the corners of your eye throughout the day. Long story short, things can go south so quickly that the next thing you know, you're left with lashes that are smothered in dried glue residue and your eyeliner smudged all over the place (painfully relatable, I know).

So now that we've established how complicated lash glue can be, let's move on to magnetic eyelashes, the answer to our false eyelash struggles. They're so convenient and intuitive to use that they're guaranteed to cut down the time that you'd normally spend attempting to apply a pair of lashes using lash glue. And even if you're already a pro with traditional falsies, you'd still benefit from using that extra bit of time to pick the perfect outfit.

How do they work, you ask? Simple. The false lashes usually have small magnets placed along the strip that adhere to the area of your eyelid where you would apply the magnetised eyeliner that's infused with iron oxides. Unlike the lash glue method, here's no risk of peeling/drying throughout the day and you can confidently go about your day knowing that your falsies are just as firmly in place as they were when you first applied them in the morning. However, not all magnetic lashes are the same. There're also those that come in a set of two per eye that would sandwich your natural lashes in between them, but as wild as it sounds, it's actually far from scary. They're great if you want to go for a more natural, eyeliner-free look.

Still, I won't lie to you: as simple as they appear to be, similar to any other unconventional beauty product, magnetic eyelashes do take a while to get used to. But fear not, because from our countless trials and errors at the GLAMOUR office, as well as frequent conversations with experts and renowned makeup artists, we've cracked the code to the quickest and easiest hacks that will get you accustomed in no time.

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• Aim to apply your regular eyeliner prior to topping it with a magnetic one. Keep in mind that the kind of eyeliner that usually comes in a kit with magnetic eyelashes might not be the one that you're used to. I, for one, am not as good with a traditional liquid eyeliner as I am with a felt tip marker. So if I'm going for a crisp cat-eye look, I'll make sure to draw my wing first, then outline the rest of the shape and fill the rest in with the magnetic liner. That way, you can achieve a cleaner and sharper result every time.
• Try to avoid putting your mascara on prior to applying the lashes. I found that magnetic eyeliner can often clump up and smudge my mascara if I were to apply it before the false magnetic eyelashes. Little tip: aim for waterproof mascara to avoid it moving throughout the day.
• Don't overindulge with the magnetic eyeliner. This is perhaps the first mistake that I made when I first tried magnetic eyelashes. I was so worried that my lashes won't stick that I applied one layer after another, which ultimately led to a panda-looking mess. In my experience, most magnetic eyeliners are more prone to smudging, so do keep that in mind when you're tempted to layer it up. And make sure to patch test the magnetic eyeliner to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction.
• Magnetic eyelash hygiene 101: Clean. Your. Falsies. Regularly. Just like some of the regular false eyelashes, more often than not, the magnetic lashes are re-usable. However, that's not to say that you can get away with chucking them in your dusty cupboard and there's definitely no excuse for re-applying a pair that's crusty with mascara build-up from the week before. Make sure to refer to the user guide of the exact pair of your choosing and clean them accordingly using micellar water or other suitable makeup removers and cleanser. Oh, and wash your hands before use (obviously).

Think you have it all covered and figured out? Think again. With so many options on the market from brands such as Lilly Lashes, Velour and Moxielash, picking the right magnetic eyelashes to match your personal style, budget and preference can be quite a challenge. From natural-looking flares to wispy, voluminous strips and cat-eye half lashes, there's plenty to choose from to suit your style and eye shape. But no need to worry, we've carefully cherry-picked the best of the bunch that tick all the boxes. From one lash lover to another, trust me, they're worth checking out.

Looking to refill your makeup bag with more eye-related products? Make sure to check out our buying guides for the best mascaras, best eyelash serums, best eyeliners and the best eyeshadow palettes.

For more beauty, wellness and haircare content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.