How to Apply Home Lash Extensions as a Beginner

We’re all for that fresh, bright-eyed look fluffy false lashes provide, but what if you could wake up that way every day — ditching the clumpy mascara and the $300 lash extensions? Enter the do-it-yourself, at-home lash system. Lashify was the first home lash extension system created and patented by Sahara Lotti in 2015. Its innovative under-lash technology soon inspired other companies to go on to create several systems like it, providing plenty of options for customers depending on their budget and style preferences.

Home lash extensions ensure easy self-application by anyone to the underside of most natural lash lengths. A single set can last anywhere from a day to several weeks depending on the application and bonding technique used.

At first glance, these lashes may look like your average strip lash resting in their case. When you go to remove them, you’ll notice that the lashes for each eye are actually divided up into smaller sections. This makes for ease of application and allows flexibility to use more or fewer lashes, mix and customize styles, and stack lashes on top of one another to create fullness and dimension. Now that we know what DIY lash extensions are, let’s talk through how to apply them.

Setup

At hand, you’ll want to have a clean set of your lash style of choice, an oversized, curved tweezer — often referred to as a ‘wand’ — and lash extension glue. Optional but not required is a clear color sealant to be used as a last step in the application process. This helps to reduce stickiness, keep lashes clean and clear of debris, and extend lash wear.

Start by prepping the lashes of choice by mapping them out in front of you on a clean and stable surface. This will allow for ease of application when moving section by section. From there you will create your desired lash map with the number of lashes needed for each side, depending on the shape and size of your eyes. Once you have your supplies set up, you’re ready to begin.

Clean your natural lashes to ensure they are free from any oils or makeup. Take your lash glue and use the spooly applicator to lightly wiggle at the base of your lashes, then up and through the ends. A little goes a long way, so be sure to only apply a light coat to start. Once that becomes tacky — around 30–60 seconds — you can use your tweezer wand to pick up a lash.

Easy Application

Start your map at the center, inner, or outer corner of the eye. With a steady hand, place the lash section above the waterline and pull up slightly in an upward motion, hooking the lash onto your natural lashes. You want to be far enough away from the waterline to be comfortable, yet close enough for a seamless look. Apply each of the remaining lash sections side-by-side across the length of the eye.

After you’ve applied your lash sections and are happy with the placement, you can go ahead and fuse them together with your natural lashes. Angle the lashes between the tweezer wand and squeeze gently, holding for a few seconds. Your lash extensions should look and feel secure and seamlessly blended with your natural lashes. As an optional last step, apply a clear color sealant by gently brushing the applicator through the lashes from root to tip. Natural lashes and skin oils vary from person to person so feel free to play around with different bonding products and techniques to find what methods work best to give you the length of wear needed.

Finding the Right Fit

It may sound daunting, but practice makes perfect. Play around with angling the mirror to either be looking up or down at it during lash application. Find a lash style and length that feels comfortable on your eyes and don’t feel pressured to go too voluminous or long when first experimenting with DIY lash systems. It can take some trial and error as you figure out what styles, lengths, and bonding techniques work best for you. If you’ve discovered the luxury and ease of home lash extensions, comment below and tell us about your experience!