5 Best False Eyelashes

Emma Gunavardhana
Updated
From subtly enhancing to eye-openingly dramatic. - Copyright (c) 2012 Rex Features. No use without permission.
From subtly enhancing to eye-openingly dramatic. - Copyright (c) 2012 Rex Features. No use without permission.

Not all fake eyelashes are created equal so if you want to beef out what you have naturally it’s worth knowing what’ll give you a believable ‘I grew these myself’ look and what will make your lashes look like a set of gorgeously fluttering butterfly wings.

Here’s some of the best for all your lash looks...

For the natural look...

As you’d expect from the name these look natural, but have a little more length and density. They are pre-glued, which means you don't have to faff around with lash glue - instead you can just apply them straight to lashes. A great option if your Uber is on its way. Eylure Naturals 031 Pre Glued Lashes, £4.95, FeelUnique.

eylure natural 031 lashes 
For natural looking, full lashes from the inner corner to outer edges.

For the doe-eyed look...

MAC have a famously broad range of lash looks, these are wispy, long and incredibly dramatic with a winged shape at the outer corner. To avoid any application errors, apply to the glue to lashes and allow it to go tacky. Once it's got a bit of stick to it, place on the lash line. By allowing the glue to dry slightly you'll get sticky not slippy application. These go perfectly with a strong winged liquid eyeliner. MAC 34 Lash, £10.50, MAC.

mac 34 lashes in a box
If you want long, winged lashes - these will give you that fluttering look.

For a flared edge...

These are to lashes what clip-in extensions are to hair. They can be placed at the outer corner to beef out those longer lashes that can often thin - especially if you're in the habit of sleeping on your side or rubbing your eyes a lot. They are great for eyelash newbies as the placement isn't as fiddly, to start with, as the lashes that sit across the whole lash-line. Urban Decay Fast Easy Sexy False Lashes, £12, Urban Decay. 

urban decay lashes partial winged
To thicken and extend those outer corners, partial lashes are a great trick.

For the full and flirty look...

If your want is thick, full lashes these full, natural looking falsies will deliver. Natural spacing means they look natural, but will give a fuller and longer look than natural lashes. Kiko Cosmetics Natural False Eyelashes, £5.90, Kiko. 

kiko natural lashes in box and out of box
Natural looking lashes but much, much fuller.

For a customisable look...

Before you dismiss these individual lashes as a nonsense, it's worth noting that they'll give you a more natural looking thickness. It's up to you to place them where you feel you need a little extra coverage. Just take a pair of tweezers, grab a lash and dip the base into your lash glue. When the glue is tacky, pop the lash into any spaces to fill and thicken up lashes very naturally. Shu Uemura Flare Eyelashes in Black, £14. Shu Uemura. 

shu uemura individual lashes in box
Individual lashes give you greater control and allow you to 'pad out' your natural lash line.