False eyelashes that stay put

False eyelashes that lift off in the middle of the day or night can be unpleasant and a deterrent for women who wish to give them a try. However, false lashes can increase the length and thickness of your own natural lashes, creating a pretty frame for your eyes. Whether you want to wear false lashes for a special occasion or to the office every day, finding a lash that stays put is the most important part of the equation.

Reviews on sites like Brides.com and Epinions confirm that there is an ongoing debate about what is more important to staying power, the eyelash or the glue. After looking at expert and user reviews and doing some tests of our own on 20 different false eyelash sets, we realized that the truth is likely somewhere in the middle: lash-wearers must find the best lash and glue for the ultimate staying power.

MAC Lash

MAC Cosmetics produces a number of false eyelashes. For example, Lash 1 offers a natural length, while Lash 2 gives a longer wispier look to natural lashes. Kim Kardashian commented on her blog that she tried MAC lashes number 35 and loved them. When it comes to staying power, our tests showed that the natural length of Lash 1 works well to make lashes look fuller, but blends along your natural lash line for true staying power. Lash 1 is handmade and retails for $15.00 for one pair of lashes. The lashes can be reused. How many times these lashes can be reused varies, but expect to wear one set of lashes at least several times. 

One of the drawbacks of MAC Lash 1 is the lash denseness. One reviewer at the MAC website complained about slight vision obstruction and a heavier feel to the lashes. Our test of two sets of MAC Lash 1 proved that the lashes are dense and heavy. However, they did not obscure our vision. For maximum staying power with this lash brand, trim to match the length of your natural eyelash line.

Sephora Illamasqua

Illamasqua lashes come in a variety of styles and colors. Consumer reviewers on Sephora rate this false eyelash brand with more than four out of five stars. Several of the reviewers mentioned the durability of Illamasqua Art of Darkness #23. This particular lash has a long, feathered look with a hint of deep green.

For our personal tests, we tried one set of Illamasqua #11. These lashes were a striking blue and transformed our eyes into an exotic look.  We also tried the allure of wispy lashes with Sephora's Illamasqua # 8. Both sets of lashes seemed durable. After trying each set three or four times, they were still holding up well and could easily be used at least that many times again. These lashes cost a bit more but seem more durable than less expensive brands.

According to Illamasqua's official blog, celebrities who support the brand include Courtney Love and Lady Gaga. Illamasqua retails for under $20.00.

Ardell Fashion Lashes

Ardell lashes are available at retailers like Walmart, Target and local drugstores. Ardell produces quite a few different false eyelashes. One of the top selling on Ardell's website is the 110 Demi, a long lash with wispy ends that retails for under $5.00 for one set, making it a frugal choice. Ardell states the lashes can be reused for up to three weeks, but our tests showed that three or four wears is typical before the lashes begin to tear. With three separate sets of Ardell 110 Demi lashes, the lashes were used three or four times before they tore during careful removal. 

Out of 46 customer reviews on Ardell's site, these lashes were rated an average of five out of five stars. These lashes look natural because they are made from sterilized human hair. The main drawback to this particular lash is that it is often bundled into a starter kit that includes LashGrip adhesive. Out of starter kits for the Demi 110 checked at five separate stores, all packages came with LashGrip. This particular adhesive does not seem to have the same staying power as other adhesives. Even though these lashes are inexpensive, it is advisable to invest in a tube of stronger adhesive.

The Perfect Glue

According to Makeup Alley and Total Beauty, consumers agree that DUO has the best staying power out of adhesives readily available on the market. DUO is a latex surgical adhesive that is made in the United States that consistently receives consumer reviews of four or more out of five stars at sites like Makeup Alley, Drugstore.com and Amazon. It only comes in two colors: clear-white and dark tone and retails between $6-8.

Whatever eyelash you ultimately choose and whatever adhesive brand you apply, take the tube along with you in case of an eyelash malfunction. Although there are self-adhesive eyelashes on the market, our tests and user reviews show that these tend to lift rather early after application. It is best to use eyelash glue even with self-adhesive lashes if you want them to stay put.