How do I apply false eyelashes with eyelash glue?

“The best way to apply eyelash glue is by placing the glue on the band of the lashes and letting it get tacky before applying,” says Figueroa. When applying lashes, get as close as possible to the top of your lash line, then flip the lashes upwards and blend with mascara to create a lash curl effect .

How do I remove them?

To remove eyelash glue, saturate a cotton swab with makeup remover and glide it across the lash band. The lash should then slide off with ease, but if not, try saturating a cotton pad with makeup remover and gently pressing it onto your eye to coat the lash and lash band. If you’re really struggling, try using a cleansing balm formula to help loosen up the glue.

The 6 Best Lash Glues of 2023, Tested & Reviewed

Applying a pair of false lashes can serve as the cherry on top of your makeup look or even as an instant confidence boost. Whether you prefer a natural look or want a dramatic, fanned-out flutter, you’ll need something to anchor them down—namely, eyelash glue. While it might not be the most glamorous or exciting product category, finding a really good one that works for you can make a world of difference. What makes a great lash glue? Easy application, workable consistency, and stronghold.

So, we conducted hours of research to find the best and most popular eyelash glues on the market before selecting a dozen to put to the test in our lab in NYC. We evaluated each one based on ease of use, hold, and comfort, and ahead, we’re sharing which ones are Byrdie-approved.

Keep scrolling to find the best eyelash glues tested by Byrdie.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Lilly Lashes Brush-On Lash Adhesive at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:

Duo Brush-On Lash Adhesive at Amazon

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Best Strong-Hold:

Velour Lashes Black Lash Adhesive at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Vegan Formula:

Tarte Tarteist Pro Lash Adhesive at Amazon

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Best Dual-Purpose:

D'Lashes Felt Tip Eyeliner Pen at Dlashes.com

Jump to Review

Best Applicator:

Sephora Collection Brush-tip Lash Adhesive at Sephora

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
How We Tested
Other Options We Tested
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Lilly Lashes Clear Brush-On Lash Adhesive

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Hold/Comfort

5/5
Wear

5/5

What We Like

Small brush allows for precise application
Consistency isn’t runny or thick and goopy
Provides excellent grip and hold

What We Don't Like

Nothing

This clear lash glue is our winner, with the only perfect score out of the products we tested. The small brush allows you to precisely apply the glue onto thin lash bands or on hard-to-reach areas of your lash line, and the consistency is easy to work with as it’s not runny or goopy. We love that the glue starts off white so that you can see where you’re placing it and then turns slightly blue before drying down clear, so it doesn’t interfere with your makeup look.

After letting it dry on the lash band for a few seconds, our tester said it had excellent grip and applied to her lash line with ease. It didn’t irritate her eyes, nor did it have a funky smell that many lash glues have. It felt comfortable as she wore it, and she noted that her false lashes remained intact with no issues.

Price at time of publish: $13

Applicator: Brush | Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Testers Say

“I will say that if one has never applied lashes before, this glue allows a lot of control. Also the white color (which turns a sort of fluorescent blue once added to the lash) makes it easy to see how much you've put on and avoid adding too much!” —Lee Hubilla, Tester

4.4

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Hold/Comfort

4.3/5
Wear

4/5

What We Like

Quick-drying formula
Easy-to-use brush applicator

What We Don't Like

Can get messy on the eyelids if too much is applied

Considering that eyelash glue isn’t the sexiest makeup product, finding a solid option that you can quickly grab at the drugstore for an affordable price can sound ideal—but only if it performs well. This one is great because it has a brush applicator that makes applying it easy, it has a strong-hold formula, and it dries quickly.

Our tester shared that while the formula was easy to apply and it kept her lashes in place, it’s easy to go overboard and apply too much which can make for messiness on the eyelids and a bit of discomfort. If this often happens to you, we recommend wiping excess product off of the brush before applying.

Price at time of publish: $5

Applicator: Brush | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Jhett thompson

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta

What We Like

Brush tip is easy to work with
Comfortable once applied
Keeps lashes in place without budging

What We Don't Like

Takes a bit longer than ideal to dry

It’s extremely frustrating when you apply your false eyelashes only to have them slip and slide around or peel up at the corners. That’s why finding a glue that has a nice, strong hold is important, and this one is great. In addition to coming in both black and clear, this lash glue has a brush applicator that’s user-friendly, feels comfortable once applied, and keeps the lashes where you place them.

Our tester shared that the formula was easy to work with, although she noted that it took quite a while for it to dry enough to get to a tacky state. If you’re in a hurry, we recommend applying the glue to your lash band and then gently blowing on it to speed up the drying process.

Price at time of publish: $12

Applicator: Brush | Cruelty-Free: No

Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

4.5

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Hold/Comfort

4.5/5
Wear

4/5

What We Like

Applicator applies just the right amount of product
Has a strong hold
Simple ingredient list

What We Don't Like

Feels a bit heavy on the eyes

If you prefer to use vegan beauty products, this lash glue is a great option to have in your collection. It’s made with just a few ingredients—latex not being one of them—and is vegan and cruelty-free.

Our tester appreciated that the brush picked up just the right amount of product, which prevented her from having to keep re-dipping or wiping off the applicator. Once applied, it adhered nicely and kept her falsies fully intact without budging. Her only complaint is that she felt it was a bit heavy, so we recommend applying a very little amount and working up if needed.

Price at time of publish: $12

Applicator: Brush | Cruelty-Free: No

4.7

D'Lashes

View On Dlashes.com

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Hold/Comfort

4/5
Wear

5/5

What We Like

Combines two steps in one
Dries quickly
Felt tip makes application easy

What We Don’t Like

Glue could be a bit tackier for a stronger hold

Being able to cut down time when applying false lashes is incredible, and this liner and lash glue in one can help you to do just that. You simply apply the eyeliner as you would with any other liquid eyeliner, and then apply your falsies on top—the liner formula has a stickiness to it that grips the lashes.

According to our tester, this product is easy to use, looks like regular eyeliner when applied, and keeps false lashes in place. She appreciated that the formula is quick-drying but noted that it wasn’t very tacky, which is a good thing for comfort but could pose a challenge if you struggle to keep your falsies from lifting. However, the ease of application, two-in-one formula, and strong performance make it easy to recommend.

Price at time of publish: $20

Applicator: Felt tip brush | Cruelty-Free: No

What Our Testers Say

“I would recommend this product. It's very easy to apply and it's very convenient not having to carry around an extra product.” —Amy Kwan, Tester

4.7

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Kohls.com

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Hold/Comfort

5/5
Wear

4/5

What We Like

Brush is easy to work with
Glue has a strong hold
A little bit goes a long way

What We Don’t Like

You have to be careful not to apply too much

It’s no secret that applying false lashes can be a bit tricky, so finding a lash glue with an easy-to-use applicator makes all the difference. The brush on this one is just long and dense enough to give you solid control, and our tester shared that she was able to cover the lash band in glue quickly and easily. The formula dried quickly and kept her falsies in place, but she noted that the glue was stronger than she expected, and therefore she could feel it on her skin. She explained that she probably applied a bit too much and likely wouldn’t have had this issue had she applied just a little bit of the glue.

Price at time of publish: $8

Applicator: Brush | Cruelty-Free: No

Final Verdict

Our winner is the Lilly Lashes Clear Brush-On Eyelash Glue. The brush applicator makes precision application easy, the formula isn’t too runny or too goopy, and it has a strong hold that keeps falsies in place. But if you’re looking for a lash glue that doubles as eyeliner and helps to cut down on steps in your makeup routine, we recommend the D'Lashes Adhesive Felt Tip Eyeliner Pen.

Meet the Expert

Celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa is a beauty expert and educator whose work has been featured in The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and NYFW.

How We Tested

Each eyelash glue was carefully tested in our lab facility in New York City. After ensuring their false lashes were suited to their eye shapes, testers applied the glue to the lash band following the instructions on the packaging. They then adhered the falsies using tweezers for precise application and waited ten minutes for the glue to dry before assessing whether or not the lashes were locked in place.

Other Options We Tested

Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Lash Adhesive

Our tester really enjoyed the brush applicator on this waterproof lash glue, but she found that it wasn’t tacky enough to grip the lashes and, therefore, did not create a stronghold.

KISS Strip Eyelash Adhesive

This affordable eyelash adhesive is easy to apply and comfortable in the eye area, but our tester found the formula to be pretty watery, which prevented it from keeping the lashes secured in place.

What to Look for in an Eyelash Glue

Application Method

The application method of an eyelash glue can make all the difference in the outcome of how well your falsies are applied. "When buying an eyelash glue," celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa says, "remember to choose one that works best for your skill level." Brush-on formulas are pretty straightforward, whereas squeeze tubes can be a bit tricker. In any case, Figueroa promises you'll master falsies application with a little practice and patience. And as of fairly recently, there are eyelash glues that double as eyeliner, like the D'Lashes Adhesive Felt Tip Eyeliner Pen. If you’re looking to shorten your makeup routine, we recommend trying this one, as it knocks out two steps in one.

Color

Eyelash glues typically come in clear, black, or white. While it applies white, white adhesives will often dry to a clear finish in a few minutes. At times, it may take longer, depending on the amount of glue you’ve used. Black is typically what makeup artists gravitate to as it applies virtually undetectable on naturally darker eyelashes. Clear formulas are great for ensuring the glue isn’t visible, but they can be tricky for beginners. If you’re not sure which one you prefer, check out the Sephora Collection Brush-Tip Lash Adhesive—it comes in both black and white.

Ingredients

While most adhesives call on acrylic copolymers for that sticky, tacky effect, some lean a bit cleaner than others. For those with sensitive skin or eyes, a formula without latex, formaldehyde, or synthetic fragrance might be best. If you’re looking for a latex-free option, we recommend the Lilly Lashes Clear Brush-On Eyelash Glue.

FAQ

How do I apply false eyelashes with eyelash glue?

“The best way to apply eyelash glue is by placing the glue on the band of the lashes and letting it get tacky before applying,” says Figueroa. When applying lashes, get as close as possible to the top of your lash line, then flip the lashes upwards and blend with mascara to create a lash curl effect.
How do I remove them?

To remove eyelash glue, saturate a cotton swab with makeup remover and glide it across the lash band. The lash should then slide off with ease, but if not, try saturating a cotton pad with makeup remover and gently pressing it onto your eye to coat the lash and lash band. If you’re really struggling, try using a cleansing balm formula to help loosen up the glue.

Why Trust Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.

These 12 Drugstore False Eyelashes Look Unbelievably Real

Updated by Jill DiDonato

Best Overall

Lilly Lashes Clear Brush-On Lash Adhesive

Best Drugstore

Duo Brush-On Lash Adhesive

Best Strong-Hold

Velour Lashes Black Lash Adhesive

Best Vegan Formula

Tarte Tarteist Pro Lash Adhesive

Best Dual-Purpose

D'Lashes D'Adhesive Felt Tip Eyeliner Pen

Best Applicator

Sephora Collection Brush-tip Lash Adhesive

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