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- Makeup
- Eyes
- Lashes
Those false lashes aren’t going anywhere.
By
and
Alyssa Kaplan
Alyssa Kaplan
Alyssa is an associate commerce editor covering makeup, skincare, fragrance, haircare, and more. She consistently surveys the market and spends hours testing products to find tailored recommendations for Byrdie readers. Though she loves all things beauty-related, she has a particular affinity for makeup and finds immense joy in discovering high-performing, confidence-boosting products.
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Updated on March 29, 2024 10:58PM
In This Article
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In This Article
- Our Top Picks
- Reviews
- What To Look For
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Trust Byrdie
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.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best Drugstore:
Best Strong-Hold:
Best Dual-Purpose:
Best Applicator:
What We Like
Small brush allows for precise application
Consistency isn’t runny or thick and goopy
Provides excellent grip and hold
What to Consider
Nothing
Applicator: Brush | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This clear lash glue easily takes our top spot. 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.
Lee | Lilly Lashes Brush-on Lash Adhesive Tester
"The Lilly Lashes adhesive comes with a very simple applicator, which allows for a lot of control and is great for beginners. The glue itself is a good consistency, not too goopy or runny. It comes out of the tube white and turns a sort of fluorescent blue once added to the lash, making it easy to see how much you've put on and avoid adding too much. I don't experience any irritation on my skin and can barely feel it once I apply the false lashes to my lids."
What We Like
Quick-drying formula
Easy-to-use brush applicator
What to Consider
Can get messy on the eyelids if too much is applied
Applicator: Brush | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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.During testing, we found that while the formula was easy to apply and it kept our 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.
Andres | Duo Brush-on Lash Adhesive Tester
"This product dries faster than I expected, so it’s important to get the last into place as quickly as possible. The first time, I applied too much and could feel some sticky residue along my lash line. The false lashes do feel quite secure once they’re on, and they stay that way all day."
What We Like
Brush tip is easy to work with
Comfortable once applied
Keeps lashes in place without budging
What to Consider
Takes a bit longer than ideal to dry
Applicator: Brush | Cruelty-Free: No
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. We found that the formula was easy to work with, although our tester 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.
Grace | Velour Eyelash Glue Tester
"The Velour lash glue holds pretty well, though it does take some time to get tacky enough to apply the falsies to my eyes. I like that it dries perfectly clear and there’s no clumping or irritation."
What We Like
Combines two steps in one
Dries quickly
Felt tip makes application easy
What to Consider
Glue could be a bit tackier for a stronger hold
Applicator: Felt tip brush | Cruelty-Free: No
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.It's not too tacky, which is a good thing for comfort, but could pose a challenge if you struggle to keep your falsies from lifting.
Amy | D'Lashes D'Adhesive Eyeliner Pen Tester
"This eyeliner adhesive is used like a regular eyeliner, and it comes in black or brown. The adhesive isn't as sticky as lash glues I’ve used, but it holds the false lashes in placeand dries fairly quickly. It's very convenient not having to carry around an extra product."
What We Like
Brush is easy to work with
Glue has a strong hold
A little bit goes a long way
What to Consider
You have to be careful not to apply too much
Applicator: Brush | Cruelty-Free: No
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 we found that we were able to cover the lash band in glue quickly and easily. The formula dried quickly and kept our falsies in place, the glue was stronger than we expected, and therefore we could feel it on our skin. Our tester 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.
Nasya | Sephora Collection Brush-tip Lash Adhesive Tester
"Sephora’s lash adhesive has a great applicator tip that makes the application mess-free. I wish that the color of the glue was white instead of black, because I can see some marks when I don’t apply the lash perfectly or accidentally use too much of the product."
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. She spoke to experts in order to get more in-depth insights on the best false lash glues out there.
Celebrity makeup artistNydia Figueroais a beauty expert and educator whose work has been featured in The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and NYFW.
Updated byJill DiDonato