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Cindy Crawford looks great. Full stop. None of this “for your age” bullshit. “I'm not 20, and no one expects me to look the same way as I did when I was 20,” she tells podcast hosts Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan on the latest episode of Gloss Angeles, where the legendary supermodel gets candid about everything from facials to facelifts. (Spoiler alert: She's not especially into either.)

Speaking of being 20, Crawford is appalled that the public discussion about the “right” age to get a facelift has skewed so young on social media. “Is there a right age? I mean, certainly not 20. I'll tell you that much,” she says. And certainly not 24, which is her model daughter Kaia Gerber's age. And when it comes to cosmetic treatments and procedures that have gained popularity among younger people, she tries to steer her away.

“What I say is, like, look, you are naturally beautiful, and I would just encourage her to lean into that,” Crawford says of her advice to Gerber. “Because otherwise, everyone starts looking kind of the same, and so I'm like, you made it because you had your look.”

So does the Meaningful Beauty founder, now 60, think that she's at the right age for a facelift? She's not immune to intrusive thoughts about getting work done, but she's holding off, at least for now. She credits some of that restraint to a pact with her friend, makeup artist Sonia Kashuk.

“We're like, 'We're not doing it, right? We're not doing it,'” Crawford says. “I feel lucky that my husband is very, very against it cause he's like, ‘You look beautiful. Why?’" But then, Crawford says, she'll see someone who got a facelift and admire how great it turned out, so the temptation returns.

“I have decent genetics, and, I mean, tempted? Yes. I, like everybody—you look at someone, you're like, ‘They look really good. What did they do?’ But then you see other people, and you're like, is it worth the risk?" she says, grimacing at the thought of undesirable results. “My self-talk is all about, obviously, trying to take care of myself and accept that, you know, we all age if we're lucky.”

Photo: Gloss Angeles

As for other beauty treatments, Crawford tells Gloss Angeles that she's tried lasers and PRP, but she's getting conventional facials a lot less often than she used to. “I used to go to Cristina Radu all the time for facials, and that's when I was working a lot, and my skin was younger, and I really needed the cleaning and the microdermabrasion more,” she says. “Now, I don't like that kind of a facial so much.”

Instead, to get a more refreshed look, she's been enjoying the occasional facial massage, and she recently partnered with Upneeq, the prescription eye drops that help lift eyelids. “Upneeq is a great product, especially for people who don't want to do surgery,” she says, referring to blepharoplasty.

“I would recommend to anybody because you can just stop using it if you don't like it. You can use it every day if you want. You could use it for special events if you want,” she says. “It's not a big buy-in, right? There's so many interventions you can do now.”

And whether or not you decide to pursue those interventions is an entirely personal call. “If it bothers you, it bothers you,” Crawford said, echoing the advice her esthetician aunt used to give about not considering other people's opinions regarding your appearance. “And if you want to and if you have the means to address it, then that should be up to you.”

Check out the full conversation about aging, modeling, running a beauty brand, and so much more in the latest episode of Gloss Angeles.

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Highlights are never just highlights. There are seemingly countless ways to lighten and brighten hair without dyeing your whole head. And while you know what you like when you see it, it can feel impossible to put it into words once you’re seated in the salon chair. Balayage? Foilayage? Babylights? Midlights? How are you supposed to know what to ask for when the differences are so subtle, and the looks keep getting rebranded with trendy new words?

Thankfully, as a client, you don’t need to take a Duolingo course in highlight terminology to get what you want. An experienced and talented colorist can get you where you want to go if you come equipped with a few photos and a general understanding of the process.

“It’s the stylist’s job to translate what the client wants into the right approach, which is why consultations and asking the right questions are so important,” says Sean Michael, owner of Salon Beau in Andover, Massachusetts. “Bringing in photos is especially helpful. It gives us a clear visual so we can align on the end result and choose the best technique to get there.”

But if you want to give yourself a vocabulary advantage, that’s where we come in. First things first: There are technical terms and there are visual terms. Let’s talk technique first. Jess Gonzalez, lead colorist at Flore Los Angeles, says “classic foil work applied from root to ends with clean, consistent sectioning” is used to achieve traditional highlights. She continues, “Balayage, by contrast, is hand-painted to create a softer, more sun-kissed effect, while foilayage combines the two: hand-painted placement inside foils to achieve that diffused look with added lift.”

These techniques are used to achieve some of the other effects, like midlights, babylights, chunky highlights, and ombré, that refer more to the visual outcome. “They give clients a language to describe how blended, dimensional, or high-contrast they want their color to feel,” says Gonzalez. “At the end of the day, it’s all a variation of placement, saturation, and how lived-in or refined the result is.”

Read on for how to interpret what different highlight lingo means.

Traditional highlights

“Traditional highlights create brightness from root to ends throughout the head,” says Alexis Thurston, founder and chief product officer of Danger Jones hair color. Think: the classic, polished dimension we see on Jennifer Aniston.

Another great example is Jennifer Garner, on whom Tracey Cunningham, colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional US creative director of color and technique, used ultrafine, controlled sections of foils paired with thoughtful toning to create a result that feels soft, seamless, and elevated. “Traditional highlights have really made a return, especially with a focus on precision foiling,” Cunningham tells Allure. “It’s one of the most effective ways to brighten the hair while still maintaining contrast and dimension.”

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Balayage

Balayage is ideal for a lower-maintenance look—Gonzalez says you can visit the salon every three to six months, in comparison to traditional highlights needing a zhuzh every six to eight weeks. It’s a hand-painted technique where lightener is applied freehand “for a soft, lived-in, natural gradient with less noticeable regrowth,” says Michael. Thurston concurs, adding that it stays popular because it grows out beautifully.

Cunninham loves how there are no harsh lines at the root with balayage. “On Ellen Pompeo, I focused brightness around the hairline and through the lengths to achieve that ‘golden sand’ blonde.”

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Foilayage

This portmanteau is exactly the hybrid you think it is: a combination of balayage and foils. “Hair is hand-painted but wrapped in foils to achieve brighter, more lifted results while keeping softness,” says Michael.

“It’s ideal when someone wants to be noticeably lighter but not stripey,” adds Thurston. Perhaps needless to say, the salon upkeep schedule falls between balayage and traditional foil highlights, requiring a visit every 8 to 12 weeks.

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Lowlights

“Lowlights are about adding darker pieces back into the hair to create depth and contrast,” says Cunningham, who likes to weave in deeper tones to keep color from looking flat and make the lighter pieces stand out.

“They’re often what makes blonde or brunette hair look more ‘expensive’ and multidimensional,” says Thurston, citing Hailey Bieber as a prime example.

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Midlights

As you might have guessed, midlights are the middle ground between highlights and lowlights, creating a seamless way to blend everything. They’re often concentrated on the mid-length instead of the scalp, Thurston says, making them a smart way to refresh dimension without committing to frequent root maintenance.

“The technique may vary, but the goal is always the same: natural, believable, dimensional color,” says Cunningham, who has done midlights on Emma Stone. “I layered tones through the mid-lengths using Igora Vibrance, which softened the contrast and created that seamless, luminous auburn.”

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Babylights

Babylights involve lightening very small sections of hair to create a blended look. “Stylists often tease the hair first so that only a limited amount of strands are actually colored, which keeps the result super-subtle and natural,” says Michael, who adds that the regrowth is much less noticeable. And even though babylights are ultrafine, their cumulative effect is never streaky. “They create a soft glow rather than obvious streaks, like the subtle brightness often seen on Margot Robbie,” says Thurston.

“On Leslie Bibb, I placed micro-fine foils throughout the hair so you don’t see individual highlights,” says Cunningham, who explains that babylights often mimic natural lightening from the sun.

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Chunky

When you think of chunky highlights, your mind might immediately jump to the thick stripes of the Y2K era. Kelly Clarkson’s Thankful album cover is the epitome! But while the modern take on chunky highlights is still high-contrast with thicker swaths of lightened hair, “Today’s versions are more intentional and editorial,” Thurston says. “They read as a fashion statement rather than a throwback streak.”

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Ombré

Ombré might have gained popularity nearly two decades ago, but it never really went away. What once looked like grown-out color became a desirable, intentional, gradient look. “It transitions from darker at the roots to significantly lighter at the ends with a more noticeable contrast than balayage,” says Michael.

Less about highlighting individual pieces and more about that color shift from top to bottom, ombré is a low-maintenance way to create brightness and movement, Thurston says.

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Collage: Allure; Source images: Apple TV, Celeste GonzalezSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

On the heels of the announcement that Margo’s Got Money Troubles has been renewed for season two on Apple TV, reporter Kirbie Johnson interviewed hair department head Jaime Leigh McIntosh about the realistic and fantastical wigs showcased in the series for her column The Scenario.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles follows new mom Margo (played by Elle Fanning) and her quest to provide for her child in what many still consider an unorthodox fashion: creating content on OnlyFans. The series was acclaimed by critics, while viewers enjoyed it because it was simply a delight to watch. The show—based on the book by Rufi Thorpe—is also chock-full of fun and fantastical hairstyles, all of which give more context to the characters wearing them. From the mountain of wigs created for Margo’s alter ego, Hungry Ghost, to Rico Nasty’s mullet and glow-in-the-dark braids for her role as KC, there are also wigs hidden in plain sight, like the one worn by Michelle Pfeiffer, who plays Margo’s well-meaning but somewhat superficial mother, Shyanne. As the series wrapped, department head Jaime Leigh McIntosh reflected on her and her team's hard work, and shared details from behind the scenes.

Hungry Ghost’s Gargantuan Galactic Wig

Hungry Ghost’s wig.

Jaime Leigh McIntosh

Fanning in the hair and makeup chair.

Celeste Gonzalez

Fanning as Hungry Ghost on set.

Erin Ayanian Monroe

For Hungry Ghost’s fantasy hair, stylist Celeste Gonzalez not only sewed “three and a half wigs” together, but she also added zip-ties to help with weight distribution and structural support, a trick that Gonzalez credits to drag artists. Overall, it took several weeks to create the wig because McIntosh and Gonzalez were working on it as the series was being filmed.

The wigs they used were synthetic and ordered online, which helped keep costs down from a custom-designed wig (for reference, just the extensions and hair color used in Love Story cost over $10,000). “I think they each were maybe around $50 each, so really it was just the expenses, the time of the stylist going into it [that drove up the cost] that you'd need to factor in.” To finish off the look and make it shimmer, the wig was topped with glitter body spray. Gonzalez estimates the wig itself weighed five pounds; Fanning was “a trooper” for wearing it, adds McIntosh

McIntosh said she got inspiration for the shape of the fantasy wig from the Instagram account Chaos Dreamland. “It's an Instagram page where someone creates AI images, but the hair is always adorable.” The hair lead scrolled through the account with Fanning and landed on a pink hairstyle with bumper bangs and a Barbie-esque ponytail. “I would say [ours] is better than the image that we were inspired by. It's a little controversial, I suppose, using AI, but I didn't create the AI image, and I like to draw inspiration from all sorts of places. I don't want to limit myself on that side of things.”

Shyanne’s Basic Blonde Glamour

Michelle Pfeiffer as Shyanne.

Apple TV

Shyanne’s custom-made wig.

Jaime Leigh McIntosh

Shyanne is the glamorous member of the family, someone who likes to have her hair and makeup done—and to do Margo’s hair and makeup, too. After reading the scripts and receiving guidance from actress Michelle Pfeiffer, McIntosh shared on Instagram that she and wigmaker Rob Pickens worked on custom options for the character. “Michelle knew she wanted [Shyanne] to be blonde, but we all decided to go with a blonde coloring technique that maybe wasn’t the current trend, but Shyanne had it done by her trusted colorist years ago, liked how it looked, and so has stuck with it,” McIntosh says.

When building out a backstory for Shyanne’s character, McIntosh felt she is the type of woman who wakes up and styles her hair everyday, and the style McIntosh landed on was ribbon curls created with a GHD flatiron. She chose the look for the same reason as she chose Shyanne's outdated blonde hue: "She found what worked for her years ago. It may not be the latest trendy way to create curls, but it works for Shyanne and she looks bangin’.”

KC and Rose's Colorful Creations

Lindsay Normington as Rose.

Celeste Gonzalez

Rico Nasty in her blonde mullet to play KC.

Jaime Lee McIntosh

Some of the more eclectic (and electric) looks in the series came courtesy of KC (played by rapper Rico Nasty) and Rose (actress Lindsay Normington), friends of Margo who help her build her online identity. “We got inspired [for their looks] by going through Pinterest and TikTok, as well as searching for fun braided looks and club kids,” says Gonzalez. “We wanted both these girls to look as cool and creative as possible, but also like they've done [their hair] themselves,” Gonzalez says.

For a glow-in-the-dark scene in episode 8, KC’s wig came from McIntosh’s personal collection. “The yellow wig had a little bit of glow to it, but we still ended up adding some UV paint onto it, and I also dyed some lime green highlights,” says Gonzez, who used the shade Limelight from Hayley Williams’s Good Dye Young range.

Rose’s excessive hair accessories helped sell her creative, DIY persona. “With the accessorizing, I could just imagine Lindsay's character being that type of girl that has one of those clear cabinets full of fun hair accessories. She's grabbing from a big bucket of hair accessories that she has and doing the most.”

KC’s glow-in-the-dark wig.

Celeste Gonzalez

KC’s wig under the blacklight.

Celeste Gonzalez

Source images: Courtesy of brands; Collage: Laneen Wells for AllureSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Applying a set of false lashes may take some practice to perfect, but they’re one of the quickest ways to elevate any look. After you’ve decided what the vision is—barely-there wisps, fluttery doll-like volume, or a full-on dramatic cat-eye—the user experience isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. The key is to wait for your glue to get tacky before pressing the lash down, positioning the center first, and then adjusting the inner and outer corners for a natural fit. Plus, the benefits are (almost) priceless. Most styles take just minutes to apply, cost significantly less than lash extensions, and require none of the long-term upkeep.

Our Top False Lashes

• Best Overall: Ardell Seamless Underlash Extensions, $20
• Best for Travel: Kiss Falscara Studio Mini On-The-Go Kit, $17
• Best Customizable: Lashify Control Kit, $125
• Best Bold Look: House of Lashes Iconic Line, $12
• Best for Beginners: Glamnetic Magnetic Half Lashes, $20

Ahead, we rounded up the best lash strips, clusters, and individual lashes makeup artists and Allure editors actually rely on for comfortable, believable, and long-lasting wear.

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What's the best way to apply or fit lashes to the eye?
• How do you clean and store lashes for reuse?
• What's the best way to remove lashes to prevent damage?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Ardell Seamless Underlash Extensions

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Ardell

Seamless Underlash Extensions

$20 $12 (40% off)

Amazon

$19

Ulta Beauty

Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Ardell Seamless Underlash Extensions

Jailynn Taylor

Why we love it: Out of the troves of faux lashes our editors have tried over the years, Ardell's Seamless Underlash Extensions rank among the very best— after all, it’s a two-time Allure Best of Beauty Award winner. This lash cluster set stands out for two major reasons: a wispy-lash effect that attracts endless compliments and a dual-ended bond-and-seal applicator that keeps your new lashes in place for days. Choose between two lengths, 10 mm and 12 mm, for a soft, natural flutter or a longer, more dramatic finish. Bicoastal makeup artist Alexa Hernandez has been reaching for Ardell since her days behind the makeup counter. "I love how natural they look, but with a hint of drama,” she says. “I think it's best for brides or anyone who likes a subtle eye or soft glam." Bonus: If you want to take them off before your day is through, the kit includes a gel adhesive remover that instantly melts away any remaining lash glue.

Taylor before applying the Ardell Seamless Underlash Extensions

Jailynn Taylor

Taylor after applying the Ardell Seamless Underlash Extensions

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor

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“Ardell is what introduced me to cluster lashes, and now I refuse to wear strips. The bond-and-seal combo works fast, holds strong, and keeps my lashes on for up to 3+ days. They’re natural but still noticeable enough to draw you in, and they aren’t scratchy or heavy like other lash clusters. The application is beginner-friendly, and the kit includes everything you need to get started. It’s my go-to recommendation to friends who are looking to try out DIY lashes.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Material: synthetic fiber, cotton band
• Included: lash clusters, contoured curve tip applicator, black bond, clear seal, gel remover
• Reusable: yes, up to 6 times

Best Customizable: Lashify Control Kit

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Lashify

Control Kit

$125

Lashify

Taylor applying the Lashify Control Kit

Jailynn Taylor

Why we love it: If a salon-quality lash extension experience from the comfort of your own home sounds too good to be true, the Lashify Control Kit is here to prove otherwise. The stars of the show are ultra-lightweight, vegan clusters made from 100% Korean PBT silk (PBT stands for polybutylene terephthalate) to mimic the look of natural silk. They attach beneath the natural lash for a seamless finish that could fool anyone into thinking you just came back from the salon. Other features we love about this kit: The dual-sided bond comes in clear and black, offering multi-day wear, while the sealer locks everything in place, and the lash-shaped tweezers are designed so even beginners can lay lashes like a pro. And the cherry on top: The travel-friendly hard-shell case includes a built-in magnifying mirror for on-the-go touch-ups.

Taylor before applying the Lashify Control Kit

Jailynn Taylor

Taylor after applying the Lashify Control Kit

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from Taylor

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“The whole Lashify experience feels luxurious from start to finish. The lashes are lightweight and natural-looking, and hands down some of the most complimented I've ever worn. The glue applies smoothly and feels like nothing once it's on, with a hold strong enough to last me three to four days through showers and my habitual touching. The range of styles and lengths makes it easy to mix, match, and build your perfect lash map. If you're committed to doing your lashes at home, it's well worth the investment.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Material: synthetic fibers
• Included: Gossamer lashes, fuse control wand, whisper light bond (dual-sided clear and black), waterproof sealer, hard-shell control kit case with built-in magnifying mirror, black lash storage box (holds up to 12 Gossamer lashes), pre-cleanse, melt-away remover, wandom wand tip covers
• Reusable: yes, up to a week

Best for Travel: Kiss Falscara Studio Mini On-The-Go Kit

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Kiss

Falscara Studio Mini On-The-Go Kit

$17

Amazon

$20

Walmart

Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applying the Kiss Falscara Studio Mini On-The-Go Kit Lash Extension Kit

Katie Gunderman

Why we love it: Compact enough to slip into your smallest bag, the Kiss Falscara Studio Mini On-The-Go Lash Extension Kit is designed to keep up with your busiest days. These bandless synthetic clusters come in three lengths (8, 10, and 12 millimeters) and three band sizes (2, 4, and 6 millimeters), so you can mix, stack, and layer to build everything from a barely-there everyday look to a full-on cat eye. The water-removable bond is gentle on the eyes and dissolves easily in warm water, making removal a breeze. Hernandez reaches for this lash kit for its versatility: "It’s great for the makeup savant who likes to switch it up" and equally "great for the newbie who's curious to try and play” since the kit is truly all-inclusive. No second-guessing here!

Gunderman before applying the Kiss Falscara Studio Mini On-The-Go Kit Lash Extension Kit

Katie Gunderman

Gunderman after applying the Kiss Falscara Studio Mini On-The-Go Kit Lash Extension Kit

Katie Gunderman

Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman

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“The Falscara Studio Mini On-The-Go Kit is perfect to pop in your purse or bring on vacation. I love that the lashes come in different lengths so you can achieve exactly the look you are going for. The lash band is also thin, which helps you execute a seamless application and is hardly noticeable once applied.” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager

More to know

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• Material: synthetic
• Included: 2 lash palettes (18 clusters each, classic natural in 8mm, 10mm & 12mm), water removable bond, mini applicator, compact mini case
• Reusable: no

Best Bold Look: House of Lashes Iconic Line

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House of Lashes

Iconic Line

$12

Amazon

$12

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: Meet the strip lash that cut through the noise of the falsies market and won a 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award: House of Lashes Iconic Lite Natural Volume Faux Mink Fibers False Eyelashes. How? Well, this faux mink fiber style features wispy 3D fibers arranged in a V-formation to create a bold cat-eye elongation. The flexible cotton blend band contours to any eye shape for a seamless application and fit. Simply bend the band into a U-shape, coat it with glue, wait for the glue to get tacky, then land center-first and adjust the corners—gently pinching the band and your natural lash together for long-lasting hold. With proper care (removing glue after each use and storing the lashes in their original packaging to keep their shape), they can be reused up to 15 times. That $12 price tag looks particularly attractive, doesn’t it?

Tester feedback from senior copy manager Leslie Lipton

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“C'mon, is something really ‘iconic’? Absolutely, when that something is the House of Lashes Iconic line of false eyelashes. Choose the degree of drama you want, whether you're a newbie or an experienced wearer. The bands are flexible, so they're easier to apply than most others, and comfortable for hours and hours of fluttery fabulousness." —Leslie Lipton, senior copy manager

More to know

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• Material: faux mink
• Included: 1 pair of lashes
• Reusable: yes, up to 15 times

Best Natural Look: Kiss The New Natural Lashes

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Kiss

The New Natural

$13 $12 (8% off)

Amazon

$13

Ulta Beauty

$12

Walmart

Taylor applying the Kiss The New Natural Lashes

Jailynn Taylor

Why we love it: The New Natural Lashes from Kiss are designed to be indistinguishable from your own, but you’ll soon find that the extra-thin band blends into the lash line without a trace. The 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner for—you guessed it—best natural lashes embraces intentional imperfection with uneven, sparsely-distributed synthetic fibers. This lash-lift effect adds just enough length and fullness to open up the eye—an ideal companion to a bare face or a full glam. Measure the strip against your lash line, trim if needed, coat the band with lash adhesive, wait 30 seconds until it’s tacky, and then press it into place. Available in versatile styles such as Nude Blazer, Pearl Earring, and Wide Slacks, each offers a subtle take on the natural-lash effect. Four pairs per pack, and up to 10 uses per pair (with proper care), is a pretty good deal in our books.

Taylor before applying the Kiss The New Natural Lashes

Jailynn Taylor

Taylor after applying the Kiss The New Natural Lashes

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from Taylor

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“While I am now a cluster girl through and through, I still have a lot of respect for a good strip lash in a pinch. The Kiss New Natural Lashes feel like absolutely nothing on the eye, the clear band makes them completely indistinguishable from your real lashes, and the flutter is super natural. I like to add a little mascara for extra oomph, but even on their own, they deliver. They are also easy to reuse since you just clean off the glue and store them back in the packaging to keep their shape.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Material: synthetic fibers
• Included: 4 pairs of lashes
• Reusable: yes, up to 10 times

Best for Beginners: Glamnetic Magnetic Half Lashes

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Glamnetic

Magnetic Half Lashes

$20

Amazon

Why we love it: If you're a fan of Glamnetic's easy-to-use press-on nails, we have a feeling you'll be into the brand’s lashes, which are just as foolproof to apply. Glamnetic’s Half Lashes feature a trimmable band with magnet technology for a glue-free, mess-free experience. These lashes range from 9 to 16 millimeters at their shortest and longest points, adding a bit of drama to any eye look. Keep in mind you'll need a magnetic eyeliner to adhere your lashes (the liner isn’t included)—simply apply to your lashline as you would a regular liner, and et voilà!

More to know

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• Material: synthetic fibers
• Included: 1 pair of lashes, 1 magnetic carrying case
• Reusable: yes, up to 60 uses

Best Individuals: Eylure Luxe 3D Individual Faux Mink Lash Flares

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Eylure

Luxe 3D Individual Faux Mink Lash Flares

$9

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: Individual lashes give you total control over where the volume goes, how the eye is shaped, and how natural or dramatic the final result reads. The Eylure Luxe 3D Individual Faux Mink Lash Flares come in short, medium, and long sizes, so you can fully map and customize the lash to the eye, layering shorter flares on the inner corner and building up to longer lengths on the outer edge for a tailored result. Hernandez uses them on clients for exactly that reason: "I love how they can make the lash go in any direction. With the proper mapping, I can even make them look like a strip and be more comfortable for my client and provide reassurance that there will be no lifting." The customization doesn't stop there: "[you] can fill in gaps to create a 'your lash, but better' look," she adds.

More to know

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• Material: faux mink
• Included: short, medium, and long individual lash flares
• Reusable: yes, up to 10 times

Best Budget: Salon Perfect Cloud 3D Curl Fluffy Fake Lashes

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Salon Perfect

Cloud 3D Curl Fluffy Fake Lashes

$7

Walmart

Why we love it: Fluffy, feathery, and weightless are the best ways to describe Salon Perfect’s Cloud 3D Curl Fluffy Fake Lashes. The dual-tone, brown-and-black fibers mimic the natural variation of real lashes, blending seamlessly with your own. The 3D curl opens the eye, giving the appearance of a lash lift, while the soft, fluffy texture keeps things flexible and comfortable from morning to night. The clear band disappears into the lash line for an undetectable finish. When you're done for the day, peel the strips off, remove any leftover glue, and place them back on the tray. The best part? They’re under $7 for two pairs—hello, steal.

More to know

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• Material: synthetic fibers
• Included: 2 pairs of lashes
• Reusable: yes

Best Faux-Mink: Lilly Lashes 3D Faux Mink Lashes

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Lilly Lashes

3D Faux Mink Lashes

$24

Amazon

$24

Ulta Beauty

$24

Sephora

Why we love it: The Lilly Lashes 3D Faux Mink Lashes feature a criss-cross fiber construction that adds depth and dimension, while blending into natural lashes without ever looking obvious. Traditional mink lashes were once the gold standard for their ultra-soft, lightweight feel and natural-looking finish, and the waterproof faux-mink fibers here replicate that same look and feel without the animal-derived materials. The 100% cotton band sits flush against the lash line, and when well-maintained, each pair delivers a staggering 25 wears. The style comes in four variations to suit different eye shapes and levels of drama. For example, the Mykonos style offers a round, fluttery shape, while Rome brings a similarly round silhouette with a bit more sweep. Both work well to complement almond, upturned, and round eye shapes.

More to know

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• Material: synthetic fibers, cotton band
• Included: 1 pair of lashes
• Reusable: yes, up to 25 times

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to apply or fit lashes to the eye?

We have an editor guide on how to apply falsies, but of course, our makeup artists are obviously pros. "Line up the inner corner, but don't line it up perfectly. You want to stop slightly before you get to the inner corner so it blends seamlessly," says Hernandez, and then trim any excess from the outer corner. She recommends dispensing a generous amount of glue onto a box or palette so it becomes tacky as you work, and specifically reaches for black glue because it hides into the liner and lash line more seamlessly. Apply it thinly with the back of a brush or Q-tip, with extra glue on both corners to prevent lifting. For placement, angle your mirror under your chin with your eyes looking down to stretch the eyelid and keep an unobstructed view, then apply the lash at the center first before working outward. Once you're satisfied with the fit, Hernandez has one final tip: "After about 30 seconds to a minute, I like to pinch my lashes together—this will make a huge difference in making them look more natural."

How do you clean and store lashes for reuse?

To ensure your false lashes last as long as possible, "dispense micellar water on a spoolie and comb out the lashes," avoiding anything oil-based, says Hernandez. "The weight of the oil will remove the curl of strip lashes." She also recommends going light on mascara, applying it to your natural lashes before putting falsies on to keep them as clean as possible. Before storing, she "gently removes the glue so the lash band can go back to its original shape," and keeps the original packaging.

What's the best way to remove lashes to prevent damage?

Always err on the side of caution with removal. Hernandez suggests using "tiny Q-tips with a little bit of eye cream or micellar water, and maybe a tiny bit of oil," and work it along the lash line, massaging with a Q-tip until the glue loosens enough to release cleanly. The cardinal rule: Never rip them off, especially on dry skin. If reuse isn't a concern, she suggests using "a cleansing oil or balm with the lashes on [because] individual lashes will just slip off.”

Meet the experts

• Alexa Hernandez, a makeup artist in Los Angeles and New York

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best false lashes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: wear, longevity, color variety, and ease of use. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.