VIDEO: The Secrets to Adding Instant Drama with Fake Eyelashes

Latinas usually have to battle with straight eyelashes no matter how curly the locks may be. Here are some easy options for creating striking lashes at home.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

Fabulous drugstore mascara
L'Oreal has come out with an innovative formula which extends the length of your natural lashes. The Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara adheres fibers to your eyelashes and elongates the hair strands. This mascara doesn't flake or smudge throughout the day and leaves your lashes clump free. Another great mascara from L'Oreal is the Voluminous Power Volume 24 HR Waterproof Mascara. It has a large curved brush which adds tons of volume and length. If you have straight lashes that don't curl easily, I definitely recommend getting a waterproof mascara which will hold a curl much longer than a non-waterproof one.

Check out my video on adding drama and glamour to your eyes:

High-end favorites
Benefit's They're Real Mascara has found a cult following among mascara junkies. It grabs every last little lash with it's spiked bristles, leaving your lashes lifted and separated enough to pass as falsies. The glossy formula lasts all day and is great for days when you want to add serious drama to your eyes. For everyday, natural looking lashes, I recommend Buxom's Amplified Lash Mascara, which gives you the option of tailoring the lash effect by manipulating the wand- up for volume and down for length. Great for sensitive eyes, this mascara is formulated without parabens or synthetic dyes. A new beauty find I have been loving is Anastasia's Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat, which instantly makes any mascara you have waterproof! Great for applying to your favorite mascaras that don't come in a waterproof format.

False eyelashes
False lashes can really amp up any makeup look, especially for those of us who could use a little extra help in the volume department. Urban Decay's line of cruelty-free synthetic fiber, Urban Lash False Lashes, vary from super natural looking, like their Sly lashes, to diva lashes like their Plush lashes. The eyelashes also come with a small vial of glue. Since they are synthetic, they last a really long time if you take care of them and remove the glue after every use. For lashes made out of natural fibers (100% human hair), try the House of Lashes line. These are my new beauty favorites! Their Au Naturale lashes create the perfect daytime look, as they look incredibly natural and flirty. I also recommend Sweet Romance and Hollywood Glam for an evening out and the ultimate romantic look. For false eyelash beginners, try to find lashes that have a clear band, which are generally easier to apply.

See my tutorial on how to get Eva Longoria's sexy and sophisticated makeup look.

How to apply falsies
You'll need a few things to apply false lashes. First, decide on a pair; I chose House of Lashes in Sweet Romance. You will also need an eyelash curler (I like Tweezerman's Classic Lash Curler) and a pair of tweezers (I use Tweezerman Slant Tweezers). For eyelash glue, the best one hands down is from Duo. I like it in black, so the glue dries in the same color and blends in with the line. You might also need a pair of small scissors like Tweezerman's Stork Scissors.

Step 1:
Carefully remove the lashes from the package with your tweezers. You can mess up the lashes trying to remove them with your fingers, so if you have a pair of tweezers, take the time to use them. Apply the eyelashes to your lash line, and measure to see if they fit. They shouldn't be too close to the inner corners of your eyes. You will be able to feel if they are too big as soon as you put them on. Trim the outer flared corners of the lashes if necessary; never trim the inner corners!

Step 2:
Apply a thin layer of eyelash adhesive to the lash line. This is the most important step. Wait about 30 seconds for the glue to become tacky. If you don't wait after you apply the glue, the lashes will slip and slide all over your lid.

Step 3:
Using your tweezers, place the middle of the lashes onto the middle part of your lid. Hold for a few seconds, and then apply the left and right side to the lid. Make sure the ends are securely glued on.

Step 4:
After the glue has completely dried, take a lash curler and curl your eyelashes. You can apply mascara on your real lashes before applying falsies to prevent mascara from getting on the false lashes. You could also apply mascara afterwards to blend your real ones with the false ones. Just make sure to apply mascara at some point.

Last tips
Use a lash curler before applying mascara for an optimal curl, especially if your eyelashes don't have a natural curl. Also, when applying mascara, wiggle the wand side to side for added volume. Don't forget to apply a bit to the top of the lashes. Last but not least, do not pump your mascara wand! This traps air in the tube and dries out your mascara, as well as clumps up the wand. There should be enough product on your mascara wand when you take it out of the tube. If there's no longer product when you take the wand out of the tube, then it's time to replace it. Mascara should be replaced every three months to cut down on bacteria build up.

To see more of Charleen's beauty videos check out her Youtube Channel

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