DIY Lash Extensions: How to Use and Apply Them

If you're looking to achieve long, voluminous, fluttery lashes from the moment you wake up, eyelash extensions are one of the ultimate ways to do it. But while they provide noticeable results and are widely available, we understand if you can't justify the cost or you find regular appointments to be tedious. Enter DIY lash extensions: an at-home solution that uses a permanent adhesive to attach false lashes, so they can last for weeks if done well. One day, I noticed that my friend had long, fluttery lashes that she didn't have before, and when I asked if they were extensions, she told me they were the DIY variety. As a beauty editor, I was shocked that I didn't know DIY lash extensions existed, but I decided to try them out myself—and spoiler alert, I loved them. Ahead, learn all about DIY lash extensions and how to apply them, complete with tips from a celebrity MUA and a lash expert.

What Are Eyelash Extensions?

Lash extensions are individual lash fibers bonded by medical-grade adhesive to provide length, fullness, curl, and thickness to natural lashes. The biggest difference between them and false lashes is ultra-strength glue and special remover. "Eyelash extensions are when false lashes are glued to your existing lash to extend the lash’s length," explains celebrity makeup artist Ramy Gafni.

Apparently, the adhesive used to glue the lashes is so sturdy that you can gently wash your face and get them wet without having to worry about rogue lashes falling off in clumps. The best part: They last for weeks. I've been dying to get lash extensions, but I haven't wanted to cough up the money, so DIY lash extensions sounded like the perfect alternative. While the DIY route will never be quite as strong and precise as going professional, it is a more effective and longer-lasting solution than regular false lashes, so I was intrigued to see if this technique would give me the results I wanted.

Benefits of DIY Eyelash Extensions

There are several reasons you might try DIY lash extensions instead of false lashes or a professional application, ranging from personal preference to convenience to cost. A few of the main benefits are as follows:

• Low-cost alternative to professional eyelash extensions
• Long, defined lashes
• No need to wear as much makeup

DIY Lash Extensions vs. Salon Lash Extensions

Salon eyelash extensions can be costly (around $200 for a full set) and can actually wreak havoc on your natural lashes, interfering with your ability to apply eye and face creams (Read: Choose your lash artist wisely if you go this route for best results). Professional extensions also require a lot of upkeep and can take as long as two hours to apply. Meanwhile, you can apply DIY eyelash extensions at home, with all necessary products available for under $20. They won't be quite as dramatic (more on that below), but they still lead to long, fluttery, defined lashes that you simply can't get from a regular tube of mascara.

What to Expect from DIY Eyelash Extensions

I started my DIY lash extensions journey by contacting the lovely team at Ardell, who sent me the brand's permanent glue, LashTite Clear Adhesive, and a friendly note advising me to use the included LashFree Adhesive Remover to take them off—otherwise, my real lashes could come off with the falsies (yikes). I was cautious, but I was pumped.

I spilled a few drops of the LashTite onto a piece of foil as instructed on the box, then dipped an Ardell Duralash Natural Individual Lash in Medium into the glue and applied it directly to my natural lashes. Things were going well until I decided the glue was looking clumpy and the lashes weren't sticking on well, so I washed my face to get the glue and lashes off and start over. This was a big mistake: The glue got in my eyes, and it stung so badly that I found myself Googling whether the product could damage my vision and gave up for the night.

Thankfully, the next day, I was fine (save for a minor headache), so I gave my eyes a rest for a few days and tried again. The second time around, I knew not to use so much glue and to work more quickly, as the glue tends to get tacky and dries fast while it's on the foil. I also applied a few of the shorter lashes toward the inner corners of my eyes. With this better technique, I didn't experience clumping or burning—just feathery, realistic lashes.

The Results and Aftercare

Even though my lash experiment was a total DIY, I tapped lash expert and Ardell educator Mae Manalo for proper aftercare instructions to learn how to get the most out of my DIY eyelash extensions. She told me, "Don't rub your eyes when drying with a cloth, avoid waterproof mascara, and use a foam cleanser." In short, you'll want to be as gentle with your lash extensions as possible in your daily routine for long-lasting results.

When it was time to take off the DIY lash extensions, I will admit the process took a bit of elbow grease and patience. Some of the lashes were stuck on like concrete, so I had to work at them with both my fingernails and a cotton ball soaked in the LashFree Remover. This resulted in a few of my own lashes coming out, but it wasn't noticeable or too heart-wrenching.

Above is a photo of me with the DIY lashes on one week after applying them (and with no mascara). The lashes aren't as long or full as a professional set of extensions, but they work for me and the look I was going for. If you want a more dramatic look than what you see here, you can use the longer individual lashes or layer them for a thicker set. The lashes lasted me about a week and a half, and they probably could have lasted longer if I was a bit more careful when I washed my face and didn't thrash around while I slept.

The Final Takeaway

DIY lash extensions require a lot of patience and precision, and they can be so tedious that some experts don't recommend them at all. "Because it requires such precision I do not recommend attempting this at home," Gafni says. "Opt instead for great mascara or false lashes that need to be reapplied daily." However, I found the process to be fairly seamless, and I would absolutely attempt DIY lash extensions again. Professional lash artists still will provide the best results with their natural-looking, intricate work, but if you don't have the budget to pay up to $200 for a full set, this DIY method will help you get impressive results for around $20. It's not perfect, but I didn't wear mascara to work for days after I applied the lashes, which is something I've never done. All in all, I'm in love with the look and the price.