Beginner's Guide to False Eyelashes

 

 

 

If you've never tried false eyelashes before — or tried them years ago and gave up — this guide is written for you. Magnetic lashes have genuinely changed what's possible for women over 50. They're repositionable, they don't need glue, and they take most women about 10 minutes to figure out.

Start with the Complete Confidence Kit — it includes six styles from barely-there to soft glam, plus everything you need to find what suits your eyes before committing to one pair.

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

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 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

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