Its pretty much a fact. Sadly, the ability to apply them properly a-top my eyelashes as opposed to my dressing table has long eluded me. But at the recent launch of the autumn/winter 09 collection, the lashes were so spectacular it was obvious I could no longer just admire them from afar. I cornered senior Shu Uemura make-up artist Haydn Jones for an impromptu masterclass. Take note:
Dont attempt to put on false eyelashes for the first time the night you want to wear them. You need to practice first.
Do apply false lashes after mascara. Think of them as the finishing touch to your face, Haydn says.
Do use a hand-held mirror laid flat on a table in front of you and look down in to it. This gives you the best view when youre applying false eyelashes yourself.
Do get yourself a gizmo. The Shu Uemura Eyelash Applicator to be precise. It may look like an instrument of torture, but this handy metal device think part eyelash curler, part tweezer has been designed especially to apply false eyelashes and is miraculous as far as Im concerned.
Do use scissors to snip the lash strip to fit.
Do squeeze a thin line of eyelash glue on to the back of your hand rather than directly onto your eye lid(Shu do a great one you can apply it straight away instead of needing to wait for it to get tacky like some others) and dip the strip into it, ensuring theres an even line of glue all the way along.
Do make sure you align the lashes to your own and press lightly into place. Because the applicator is curved, it makes it easy to gently pinch along the lash line and effectively secure the lashes, says Haydn.
The new Shu Uemura eyelashes dont hit stores till September but, as you can see, theyre well worth practicing for.
