The 4 Things You Have to Do for Your False Eyelashes to Look Natural

I have never been able to apply false lashes without having the lash bands lift up at the tear ducts and/or fall off before the end of the night. Beyond technique failure, fake eyelashes often look heavy and synthetic. I hadn't found a set that felt as chic as the lashes seen on the spring 2015 runways until last week, when NARS released their eight-piece Eye Lash collection.

Who better to teach me — and us — how to apply these lush new falsies, I thought, thanKurtis Dam-Mikkelsen? A classically trained makeup artist, Mikkelsen is also one of the most exciting new drag personalities on the planet, appearing most recently on RuPaul's Drag Race as Miss Fame. What I love about Mikkelsen's approach to makeup is his preference for using as few tools as possible. For our first ever how-to with Mikkelsen aka Miss Fame, all that's needed is mascara, a fresh set of lashes, and some Duo Eyelash Adhesive in black.

Step 1: Apply mascara

"Curl natural lashes and comb on a coat of mascara, creating a shelf to support the weight of your falsies." And maybe try to look a little less dead in the eyes than I do?

Step 2: Cut to fit

"Cut the lash band right down the center to create a large individual lash. It's easier to place than a full lash strip, which can become wonky and weird and asymmetrical."

Step 3: Add adhesive

Trace each lash band, one by one, with a laser-thin line of Duo and wait a few moments for the adhesive to dry a bit.

Step 4: Put 'em on

Using your fingers, not tweezers, "place your extension on the outer corner first, hugging that lash line tight." For an eye-lifting effect, Mikkelsen places the outer extension slightly above the natural lashline.

In the mood for some new tunes? Miss Fame's new single, "Rubber Doll," is the perfect soundtrack for applying false lashes.

From: ELLE