Are false lashes bad for your eyes?
You might have seen Gen Z flaunting their false eyelashes over the Internet or on TV. Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian are lash aficionados and I hear that Paris always wears 2 x pairs on one eye for that really dramatic lash look.
I know that lashes look amazing however, you may feel it would be impossible to pull off this look or that you may damage your natural lashes or your eyes in the process. Fear Not! You do not have to worry as here at Hello Dame London, we are all about kindness to our eyes and to ourselves in general.
It is commonly believed that false lashes are bad for your eyes if you wear them all the time, but this is not so, in fact, women love fluttery eyelashes and are always looking for products that can make their eyelashes longer, fuller and thicker.
False lashes are quite possibly the most versatile beauty product that exists when it comes to enhancing your looks. Whether you're going for a glamorous night out, or just want to try something exciting, false eyelashes are a quick and affordable way to completely change the way you look. Despite this, they do have an undeserved bad reputation that is constantly reinforced in tabloids and fashion magazines - particularly when it comes to the health of your eyes. I want to debunk these myths and avoid any unnecessary concern!
False lashes can be a great option for those who want to add some extra “oomph” to your makeup look. They’re a great way to achieve that dramatic, sexy look that can sometimes be hard to achieve with just mascara. But false lashes are not without their share of concerns. Here are some of the things you need to know about them so that you know what to look out for when you first try them:
Wearing Lashes
1 - DAB A TINY BIT OF ADHESIVE ON YOUR UPPER EYELASH BEFORE YOU BEGIN
If you have any concerns about the adhesive then it is imperative you do a patch test first. Dab a tiny amount on the corner of one upper eyelid and leave for 24hrs. If you don’t react then you know the adhesive is safe to use. At Hello Dame London we offer a free liner sample so you can try before you buy. Just email hi@hellodame.london with the liner of your choice and your name and address and we will send you some to try out.
2 - PRACTICE ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR WRIST BEFORE TRYING THEM ON YOUR EYES
If this is your first time wearing lashes, there is quite a bit to get your head around. It helps to think of lashes like contact lenses. A bit fiddly to begin with and then you will be chucking them on in a nanosecond.
Follow the instructions on the information card that we send with your order, or by following one of our tutorials but instead of applying them straight onto your eyelid, practice on the inside of your wrist. The skin here is similar to your eyelid and the angle is slightly awkward so it will give you a trial run of applying lashes without you having to stress about not getting it right first time!
3 - MAKE SURE YOU WASH YOUR HANDS
Clean hands are essential when working around the eye area. We all forget to do this but it does make a difference. The aim is to minimise the amount of times you touch your eyes which is why I developed the Angle Eyelash Brush. Designed to gently press the lash to your eyelid you can yse this instead of tweezers and be kind to your eyes at the same time.
4 - HELLO DAME “INVISYGLUE” WORKS ON SUPER SENSITIVE EYES
When I was developing the Invisglue to work with the Invisylash range, I had to go back to the supplier several times to ensure the adhesive was suitable for women with uber sensitive eyes. I suffer from styes if I use poor quality makeup and I have never had a reaction to Invisyglue so I can put my hand on my heart and say this is one of the best on the market.
5 - APPLY INVISYGLUE TO THE LASH BAND AND NOT YOUR EYELID
With the Invisylash range it really helps to add the Invisygule to the lash band and not your actual eyelid. This prevents a build up of adhesive on your upper eye and prevents it all getting a bit hot and sticky. If you find your fingers have got adhesive on them and the lashes are sticking to your fingers and not your eyelid, rub a tiny bit of makeup remover (we love Clinique) between your fingers and thumb.
Don’t forget to LET THE LINER GO VERY TACKY before applying your lashes. Too much glue applied to your eyelid will make the lashes difficult to remove at the end of the day - so less is more here. Build up in fine layers if you need to.
6 - USE AN ANGLED EYELASH BRUSH TO ADJUST THE LASH AND NOT TWEEZERS
As I mentioned above, aim to keep your fingers away from the adhesive and your eyes as much as possible. The brush is angled so you don’t have to continually contort your wrists to get the lashes on. Use the soft nib and press the lash down onto your eyelid to create a secure bond that will last 24 hours.
If your brush is getting sticky then clean it with the Clinique Take The Day Off makeup remover for a seamless application.
Removing Lashes
1 - GENTLY PULL THE LASH AWAY FROM THE OUTSIDE EDGE
This is where it’s ok to use your fingers, so with clean hands, gently pull the lash away from your eyelids. I find it easiest to hold the lash on the very outer corner as this stops me damaging the lash. They should peel away like the skin on an orange. You don’t need to tug and pull as we don’t want to damage your natural lashes in the process.
2 - PUT THEM STRAIGHT BACK INTO THE BOX
We are all guilty of skipping this step but it will make a HUGE difference to the longevity of your lashes. Putting them back in the box keeps the shape and integrity of the lash and ensures they will last up to 30 wears. You will also know where to find them the next time you want to wear them.
3 - REMOVE ALL MAKEUP WITH CLINIQUE REMOVE THE DAY
I now recommend the Clinique Take the Day Off makeup remover as it is a good all purpose cleanser and works well with the Invisyglue. Soak a cotton pad and press it against your eyelid and count to 60. You need to allow time for the solution to soak into all the makeup and Invisyglue so patience is required. Gently wipe away and repeat if necessary.
4 - CLEAN YOUR LASHES ONCE A WEEK
I have plenty of tutorials, blog posts and TikTok/Reels showing you how to clean your lashes so follow Hello Dame London on your favourite social media channel to find out more.
To Conclude...
False eyelashes are perfectly safe for your eyes. They really do help to enhance your eyes, making them look so much more beautiful. Just make sure you test the adhesive before applying to your eyelids and always purchase flash lashes and adhesive from a reputable supplier.