I don’t know how anyone else feels, but for me, false eyelashes are the bane of my existence. Particularly since they are the very last thing to go on. You can absolutely nail everything else about your look, but then if you make a mistake in applying them, it can lead to 3 different potential problems:
1) the glue can run (and you can’t wipe it off without risking smearing your make-up),
2 your real eyelashes can get clumped together, or what’s worse,
3) you can get them on, but simply not placed right, so something looks “off”.
Furthermore, trying to fix them that late in your make-up routine can mean having to choose between being “super late” (as opposed to your “usual late”) or simply resigning to the fact that you have to go out with your eyes looking like a mess. Personally, I don’t really see either as an option.
Are false eyelashes dangerous?
So my original reason for looking into magnetic lashes was the fact that I kept seeing videos on social media warning about the toxicity of lash glues. Given the fact that the easiest way for anyone to get more views and longer watch times on social media is to use scare tactics, I didn’t want to take what they said at face value and decided to look into it myself.
While for the most part, from everything I've read, eyelash glues are generally safe, but there are some risks associated with using them.
One aforementioned risk is that is application is done incorrectly, your eyelashes can clump together, increasing the risk of breaking or shedding them, thus thinning out your real natural eyelashes.
Other risks are chemically-based. The skin on and around your eyes is the most delicate and sensitive skin on your body; and certain ingredients can cause it irritation, redness, burning, itching, or tearing. In particular, these include: methylacrylate, formaldehyde, parabens, and latex. If you did want to use lashes with standard lash glues, these would be the ingredients that you want to avoid💡
Given the fact that I live in a country where I can’t really read ingredient labels however, I decided that it might be good to simply look into other options instead. This was the process that eventually let me to magnetic lashes.
1st Solution to False Eyelash Problems:
Lash Adhesivies
One solution to help with the first issue is using lash adhesives instead of lash glues. (The difference is glues have water added to them and adhesives do not). A lash adhesive like the Silly George’s Liner Bond can fix your lashes into place quickly and hold them there all day. It is also both FDA and PETA approved, so it’s not just generally considered safe for you; but is also cruelty-free for animals as well.
I tried self-adhesive lashes (that have a dry-sticky base) and had limited success, but the sticky base eventually started coming off onto the holding case, and after a few applications over make-up the remaining base became even less sticky as well.
Granted, I may have simply gotten a bad pair or bad brand, but I never really tried again after that.
Furthermore, while lash adhesives are a great way to alleviate problems 1 & 2, (the glue running or your lashes clumping together) they do not necessarily give you a fix for problem 3. (Being stuck with a bad placement).
Personally, this was why I decided to give magnetic lashes a try.
What is it like to use magnetic lashes?
I ordered the magnetic lashes online and they came in a set of two pairs. They came with an eyelash comb, applicator, and carrying case.
Much like self-adhesive lashes, they were relatively cheap (around 2000yen) and labeled as “re-usable”. For myself, this was also important because the less things you have to replace regularly, the less likely you are to be halfway through your routine when you realize you are missing something to complete your look.
Like any kind of lashes, they take a bit of getting used to. When taking them out of the case, you have to be careful separating them and attaching the proper top and bottom segments to the applicator. (The ones I got were actually color-coded, but that wore off after the first few months).
Taking them off is a snap. They simply slide off over top of your real lashes; so unlike glued or self-adhesive lashes; even if you don’t place them correctly, you can simply slide them off, seperate the top and bottom again, put them back on the applicator and try again. As they don’t actually sit on your eyelids, doing this process multiple times also won’t smear or damage your make-up look.
Are Magnetic Lashes Cost Effective?
In my experience, compared to other options, very much so. At this point, it’s been almost a year since I started using the first of the two pairs the set came with. They are showing a bit of wear and tear compared to how they first looked; but that isn’t anything that a bit of mascara can’t fix.
Particularly given how many glue-on lashes I used to go through, or how limited the use was on the self-adhesive lashes I got was. At present, the only issue I have is that I love glittery eyes, and in reusing them, I always have a bit of glitter stuck on them from the previous wear... but as I'm just going to wear glitter again the next time, it isn't exactly a problem ;) If you aren't a glitter fiend like I am though, it may be problematic for you. In the world of make-up, anytime you can get something, and still be using it a year later (with it still looking good!) I would say that you have a winner. ;)
Conclusion
While different things work for different people, I personally found magnetic lashes to be a great option over traditional glue-on or even self-adhesive lashes. Once you get used to them, they go on quickly and easily and can be applied multiple times with no negative impact on eyes, lashes, skin or make-up look.
They also chemical-free in contrast to glues, and their adhesion does not wear down or weaken as it can with self-adhesive lashes.
I’ve also found that at least in my experience, they last forever, making them cost-effective as well. Even if they aren’t your go-to, I would recommend having and keeping a set. ✨👍🏾
References
https://sillygeorge.com/blogs/news/is-lash-glue-safe#:~:text=Lash%20glue%20is%20generally%20safe,mean%20there%20aren't%20risks.&text=Certain%20ingredients%20used%20in%20some,burning%2C%20itching%2C%20or%20tearing.
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