The Best False Color Eyelashes

In the late 1800s, people were so obsessed with long eyelashes that they would sew them onto their eyelids using a needle and thread. (To make this slightly less painful, they rubbed on a cocaine solution beforehand.) Nowadays, the obsession with long, fluttery lashes remains, but with a lot less suffering. Today’s fake eyelashes can be applied using a simple adhesive, and they’re available from naturalish to full-out drag queen.

What are the types of false eyelashes?

The main ones include strip lashes, individual flares, individuals, and corner lashes, according to Klein. “Strip lashes are mainly used for a more glam look and are generally easier to put on yourself,” she says. “Individuals are used when you need to fill in but don’t want a full glam look. I prefer them because you can really tailor them to the eye shape.” And true to their name, corner lashes are for lifting the outer corners of the eyes.

How do you apply false eyelashes?

Klein suggests measuring the lash first to make sure it isn’t too long. “Always trim from the outer corner — not the inner corner — so it isn’t sharp,” she says. “Once that’s done, bend the lash so it’s in a half-moon shape and flexible.” You’ll apply the glue in a thin line adjacent to your lashes and make sure it has dried for 30 seconds. Start by placing the lashes on top of your natural ones and then hold the corners down for longer to make sure they’re secure.

A useful item when applying strip lashes are lash applicators, which are shaped like tweezers, but with a long, flat edge to grip the lashes and hold them in place until the glue dries. Klein also says that when it comes to applying individual lashes, use actual tweezers for more precision. When it comes to tools, she recommends the House of Lashes applicator and Sweed tweezers, and for glues she uses Duo and Callas eyelash adhesives (the latter if you have a latex allergy).

Read on for the best eyelashes from drugstore to luxury, and get ready for lush falsies with minimal fuss.

Few things can boost your confidence as instantly as a good pair of false lashes. Whether you’re looking for something subtle or prefer to go full-on glam, falsies can add the perfect finishing touch to your makeup look or even help you feel a bit more put together on a no-makeup day.

But finding the best false lashes for you is certainly not a one-size-fits-all situation. Besides the fact that we all have different preferences, our individual eye shapes also play a huge role when it comes to choosing falsies. This is why it’s so helpful to do your research before purchasing false lashes; after all, it’s not like you can try them on before you buy.

Here, I tested nearly 20 different styles of false lashes — everything from the cult-favorites to new launches — to bring you the best of the best in a variety of categories.