How to Apply Strip Lashes for the First Time

Quick answer

A strip lash can look fine on the tray and still poke at a corner once it’s on your eye. Before opening the glue, check the band against your natural upper lash line and trim it as directed if it extends too far. Apply a thin line of adhesive, wait for the product’s stated tacky stage, then place and hold the strip along the lash line. If a corner feels uncomfortable, remove the strip and reassess the fit instead of adding more glue.

Make sure you have a strip-lash adhesive

These steps are for conventional removable strip lashes worn above the natural lash line. Underlash clusters, pre-glued or magnetic lashes, and salon extensions use different attachment methods. Check the lash packet and adhesive label before you begin.

Ardell’s FAQ says its LashTite adhesive is for individual lashes, not strip lashes, and describes LashFree for removing those individual lashes. For strips, choose an adhesive labeled for strip lashes and keep its package handy for application and removal directions.

Set up before you start

Wash your hands and use a clean applicator near your eyes. The FDA advises against sharing eye cosmetics and recommends avoiding them during an eye infection or inflammation. Work at a steady mirror in good light, and set your tools within reach so you can pause without losing track of the lash you’re fitting.

Dry-fit and trim the band

Before applying adhesive, align the strip with your natural lash line to see whether it extends beyond either end. Ardell’s DUO directions call for this fit check and trimming excess if needed.

If an inner or outer corner pokes, Ardell’s FAQ says the strip may be too wide for your eye shape. Remove the lash before cutting, and trim cautiously as directed; Ardell recommends trimming from the outer corner when possible to preserve the design. Check the fit again before applying glue. If the band still feels difficult to position, consider a different band width rather than trying to hold an uncomfortable corner down.

Apply adhesive and wait as directed

For its current U.S. DUO Striplash Adhesive Clear, Ardell directs users to apply a thin line along the band and wait 30 seconds before application. Ardell lists rubber latex and fragrance in the ingredients, so check the package if you avoid either. “Clear” describes how the adhesive dries; it does not mean the formula is free of those ingredients.

KISS’s U.S. Silver Ring strip-lash directions also describe checking the fit, applying adhesive along the band, and waiting 30 seconds for tackiness. These are instructions for those named products. Follow the label on your own adhesive if its timing or preparation differs. Use the wait to settle your mirror and hand position, then place the band when it reaches the stage its directions specify.

Place the strip and check the corners

KISS directs users to place the lash along the natural lash line and hold it while the adhesive dries completely. Ardell likewise says to press along the lash line to secure the band. Follow the directions for the lash-and-adhesive system you chose.

Once the strip is in place, check that both ends sit comfortably. If a corner pokes or the band feels wrong, remove it according to the adhesive’s directions and reassess the fit. Don’t try to solve a sizing problem by layering on glue.

Stop if irritation occurs

Check adhesive ingredients before use, especially if you know you react to an ingredient. If an eye cosmetic irritates your eye, the FDA advises stopping immediately; see a doctor if the irritation persists.

When you’re ready to remove the lashes, follow the adhesive’s removal directions and don’t pull against resistance. On your next try, change one thing at a time—such as the band fit or the timing—so you can tell what made placement easier.

Sources

Image credits

Featured image: Kamaji Ogino / pexels.com (original image page)
Body image 1: Nataliya Vaitkevich / pexels.com (original image page)