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Love the way long, full lashes make you look wide awake and ready for the day (or evening) ahead, but feel like even the best mascara doesn't always get the job done? An eyelash growth serum or eyelash extensions are also solutions, but they have drawbacks (namely, time commitment and price tag).
Falsies, on the other hand, provide a happy middle ground, since they're both instantaneous and budget-friendly. And today, there's a new crop of false lashes that don't require messy glue: magnetic lashes. There are two kinds of magnetic lashes: dual (or sandwich-style) magnetic lashes that snap together over your natural lashes and single magnetic lashes that are applied to a magnetic eyeliner you paint on just above your natural lash line, says makeup artist Mary Winkenwerder.
Meet our experts: Mary Winkenwerder, a makeup artist in New York City, stylist Fred Connors, owner of FRED. salon, Omayma Ramzy, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Omayma Skin, Jamie Greenberg, a celebrity makeup artist, Valeria Heredia, a makeup artist and founder of Real Beauty School, Vivi Mintara, makeup artist and founder of Eye Makeup Lab, Asako Ito, co-founder of lash extension salon Divine Lashes
To help you find the best, most reliable options out there, we asked professional makeup artists to share their top recommendations:
Pros
Easy to apply- Good for beginners
Cons
- Not as voluminous as some may prefer
If you're a newbie, Fred Connors, owner of FRED. salon, suggests sandwich-style lashes, like this popular pair, since they don't require as much precision as alternatives that require liquid liner.
Pros
- Made from vegan silk
- Realistic effect
Cons
- Requires more effort to apply
For a more realistic look—especially if you have smaller eyes—Connors suggests selecting this pair, since the vegan silk can be trimmed to fit.
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Pros
- Budget-conscious price
- Natural effect
Cons
- Can be tricky to apply
Though sandwich-style magnetic lashes can be too heavy to safely wear, these are ultra-lightweight, since they're simply accent pieces. Plus, they look more natural than full sets, says celebrity makeup artist and founder or Omayma Skin, Omayma Ramzy.
Pros
- Volumizing effect
- Moderate price point
Cons
- Can be time consuming to apply
Want to bring on the drama? If you're comfortable wielding the eyeliner, opt for this wispy set from Eyelure, says Ramzy.
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Pros
- Customizable
- Last all day long
Cons
- Takes some trial-and-error to apply properly
Not only are these lashes customizable to your eye shape to keep them looking (and feeling!) nice and natural, but they also come with lash anchors, so you know they won't budge—even if you're dancing the night away. A nice bonus: You can reuse them up to 60 times, says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg.
Pros
- Good for a bold look
- Easy to find in stores
Cons
- Expensive
Widely available and simple to apply, these magnetic lashes make a bold statement without much effort, says Winkenwerder.
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Pros
- Available at mass retailers
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Don't last as long as some competitors
These lashes have a budget-friendly price tag that makes them ideal for beginners to experiment with, says makeup artist Valeria Heredia. But that doesn't mean they're flimsy—you can count on these for a strong hold that'll last all day.
Pros
- Comes with a cleansing balm remover
- Long lasting
Cons
- Higher price
Though a gentle vegan formula, the magnetic liner that comes with these eyelashes is long-lasting and easy to apply, says Vivi Mintara, makeup artist and founder of Eye Makeup Lab. The set also comes with a cleansing balm that helps remove the magnetic eyeliner without damaging the lashes or leaving any black marks around your eyes.
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Pros
- Good for petite eyes
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Not as voluminous as others
If you have small to medium eyes, avoid lashes with too much volume, since they can overwhelm. Instead opt for a lighter, more sparse pair, like the Classy Lashes from MOXIELASH, says Asako Ito, co-founder of Divine Lashes, a lash extension salon.
10
Most Versatile
Arishine Magnetic Eyeliner and Lashes Kit
Pros
- Highly rated on Amazon
- Good variety included in kit
Cons
- Takes time to master application
If you want options for both day and night, there's no beating this Amazon bestseller, which has nearly 24,000 five-star reviews. The set comes with five pairs in varying degrees of volume, plus an applicator and two tubes of magnetic eyeliner.
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Pros
- Created by a doctor
- Clean formula
Cons
- Higher cost
You can bet these magnetic lashes are safe for your peepers—they're created by board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Anika Goodwin. The company is transparent about their ingredients, citing a safer concentration of iron oxide particles with a hold that compares to other brands.
12
Best For Sensitive Eyes
Velour Lashes She's A Magnet Magnetic Luxe Faux Mink Lashes
Pros
- Good for easily-irritated eyes
- Free from chemicals and dyes
Cons
- Thick band may be noticeable
Eyes prone to redness? Or maybe you wear contacts that render your eyes ultra-sensitive? Either way, these lashes are free from chemical processing and dyes to help keep you comfortable during use.
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Pros
- Plenty of options
- Good value
Cons
- Can be tricky to apply
It's nice to have option, and that's exactly what you get with this kit. It includes five different styles appropriate for daytime events, formal evenings, and everything in between.
14
Best Value
Luxillia Magnetic Lashes With Eyeliner
Pros
- Good value for set
- Plenty of options to customize look
Cons
- Need to practice applying
With this comprehensive set, you'll get more than a bevvy of options—the included liner is fully waterproof, so you don't have to worry about where your day takes you.
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Pros
- Good for cat eye look
- Long lasting
Cons
- Not as much variety as other kits
If you love a good cat eye, you'll fall for these super-strong magnetic lashes, since the eyeliner is extra opaque.
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How do you apply magnetic lashes?
Magnetic lashes are inherently easy to apply, but Greenberg offers the following tips to keep everything looking nice and natural if using a magnetic eyeliner:
- Gently bend the band of your lashes to mold them to your eye shape. If they are too long, trim them so that the band is flush with the next magnet.
- Curl your natural lashes, then apply the magnetic eyeliner to your lash line, letting it dry for 2 to 3 minutes. Keep your eyes closed while the liner dries to prevent any transfer.
- Apply mascara to your natural lashes.
- Apply magnetic lash to the inner corner of the eye first, moving outward. Try to keep it as close to the lash line as possible. To make application easier, look down at a mirror instead of straight on.
- Once you are satisfied with the positioning of your falsies, secure them by applying pressure to top of the false lash and bottom of your natural lash with the curved edge of the applicator.
- Blend your falsies and natural lashes by combing them with an eyelash brush.
Are magnetic lashes safe?
"Trace amounts of iron oxides are permitted by the FDA to be used as a color additive and allowed in the eye area," says Dr. Daniel LaRoche, an eye physician and surgeon in New York. What's more, magnets do not cause any kind of disruption in your eye movements or your vision, he explains. Still, it's important to note that excessive use can cause discomfort from the weight of the lashes and even block eyelid glands, which can contribute to styes.
How do you clean magnetic lashes?
One of the biggest benefits to magnetic lashes is there's no messy glue to contend with—read: minimal cleaning required. That said, magnetic lashes that adhere to liner will require a little more TLC than the sandwich-style variety. So if you do need to clean some residue off, simply use a little micellar water or cleanser and water to gently clean off any makeup, says Ramzy. You can also use a spoolie to gently brush through the lashes to keep them tangle-free.
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
