If you’re keen on a faux flutter, you probably have an eyelash extension expert on speed dial. (If you live in London and act on a recommendation, the Bazaar beauty team is forever loyal to Edyta Kurowska.) The best can create a set so beautiful and natural-looking that no one will believe they aren’t your own God. gave eyelashes.
But while salon offerings have come by leaps and bounds in recent years, many options in the at-home false lash market still feature spidery stripes and bulky strips for a rather unappealing proposition (iShimmer’s minimalist fakes buck the trend here).
Hoping to finally bring the false eyelash market up to date is Lashify: an at-home kit that bridges the gap between the professional semi-permanent set and the youth-oriented adhesive strip.
Founded by Sahara Lotti, who designs, manufactures and brands every component herself, Lashify is the first brand on the market to offer what it calls ‘DIY eyelash extensions’. With 280 patents currently under her belt, her mission is to deliver something that looks as flawless as a set of professionally applied at-home eyelash extensions.
The brand has already become a red carpet mainstay; The likes of Emma Stone, Sandra Oh and Selena Gomez wore their lashes at this year’s award ceremonies, from the Critics’ Choice Awards to the Emmys.
The trick is the ‘lower lash’ application method. While traditional false lash strips are placed on top of your natural lashes, often leaving a defined line on your eyelid, Lashify’s thin lash clusters are placed below your lash line, meaning they blend brilliantly and allow you to apply eyeshadow flawlessly. You desire it very much.
Absolutely welcome news for anyone who’s tried cutting strip lashes to fit the contours of their own eyelids, the Lashify system is designed to be completely customizable: you can apply as few or as many clumps of lashes as you wish, and you can apply as many eyelashes as you like, from the most inconspicuous, ‘lashy but better’ minis to the largest Choose from a variety of styles and sizes, from full-bodied, dramatic styles that are night-worthy.
How does Lashify work?
Here’s where things get a little complicated: With many first-to-market components included, the Lashify system can take a minute to get your head around it. If you’re new to the brand, your first purchase should be the Control Kit, which includes everything you need to get started.
First, apply a thin coat of Whisper Light bonding solution to clean lashes (do not use a balmy cleanser or eye cream beforehand). This is essentially your lash glue, and the tube is double-ended: use the black formula to gently brush your lashes, and use the clear formula along your lash line to mark the base of each lash cluster. Once the bonding is clear, you are ready to apply your lashes using the Fuse Control Wand. This clever tool is actually an ergonomically designed tweezer; It aims to hold your lash clusters without bending or damaging them, allowing even the shakiest of hands to apply them with precision.
Place each strand under your natural lashes, just above the root, avoiding the skin at the waterline. Once you’ve applied it all, use the wand to gently press it securely into place. For extra long life, apply a coat of gloss effect Glass sealant.
Lashify: The Bazaar review
I should preface this by saying that I’m not exactly Lashify’s target market: the last time I wore false eyelashes was my first year of university, and I’m not a regular extension wearer either (although I did make the pilgrimage to the aforementioned Edy for my wedding, so why this I immediately realized how much he was loved).
As an unwavering false eyelash phobe, I had no burning desire to road test the Lashify kit. I’m wary of beauty tools that look complicated or frustrating to use, and I’ve never seen a DIY lash strip that didn’t look even slightly off-putting.
But the first look at the brand’s Control Kit put my concerns to rest: the quality of the design is clearly visible and it’s clear that every obstacle has been taken into account. The lashes themselves (I used the entry-level A 10) are thin and discreet enough to look completely realistic even from close range, and the bands at the base are impressively thin. Stick to more natural options and you’ll get a flattering, eye-opening result that’s sure to transform newcomers.
Yes, the wisteria are spindly and feather-light – I lost a few to the floorboards – but the delicate nature is part of the plan. Anyone who has experienced heavy, welded eyelash extensions knows all too well the damage it can do to your natural lashes, whereas Lashify is designed to protect your natural lashes. When you’re ready to remove them, the brand’s Melt Away dual-phase cleanser will remove them without the need for rubbing or pulling.
My first try was admittedly a bit messy: I ended up with uneven eyelashes, and one of them fell out before I ordered dessert. But on the second try, everything started to make sense, and within 30 minutes (this isn’t something to try after ordering an Uber) I had extremely natural-looking lashes. Within two weeks, my results lasted for an entire weekend and a friend even assumed I had gone to a salon.
There were a few clever tips that helped me master the art. The magnifying mirror in the Control Kit is designed to lie completely flat: try placing it on a table, then look downwards as you apply it: you’ll be able to see what you’re doing much easier. Second, make sure you don’t apply your lashes too close to your waterline: about 1-2mm up along each lash is ideal placement. If your hands are shaky, I recommend purchasing the brand’s thoughtful application bundle to ensure you don’t waste your precious lashes while you get used to the technique.
There are also plenty of extra tools and products to discover on the site; these include a menu of different bonding solutions of different strengths; but I will show you how to use the original Whisper Light formula (included in the Control Kit). before investing in anything else. That’s probably all you need.
It’s important to also consider your everyday makeup look when deciding whether this is the right product for you: those partial to dark smokey eyes or delicate eyeliner may find that removing makeup becomes a bit of a chore (and damaging the longevity of the glue on your lashes).
What’s more, if you’re looking for something you can apply in a hurry, you’re not destined to stick with Lashify: opt for a reliable lengthening mascara. But when time is on your side, this unique beauty innovation is pretty revolutionary: with a little practice and perseverance (and watching the nifty how-to videos on the brand’s site), I’m sure you’ll be transformed in no time. I was…
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