The 13 Best False Lashes of 2023 to Know and Shop

By Arden Fanning Andrews

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When assessing the best false eyelashes, consider the spectrum: There are more-is-more falsies, and there are barely detectable, maybe-she's-born-with-it strips. My experience is with the latter. Before reality television stars and YouTube tutorials informed our modern makeup techniques, I wore false eyelashes all day, every day. Going for a French New Wave look, gluing drugstore Ardell Natural 110 strips onto my lids became a pre-work, pre-party ritual with instant gratification; I felt more glamorous and adorable with my round face's features emphasized like a cute cartoon.

Eventually, though, the heavy caterpillar versions blinking back at me while watching The Bachelor coupled with a rise of extreme extensions caused me to reevaluate my relationship. Plus, carelessly peeling them off before bed was making my natural set shed to an ultrafine fringe (preventable by first pressing a reusable round soaked in makeup remover onto faux lashes, a pro tip I learned too late). Lately, though, my attitude has softened. And as if the fashion and pop culture powers are feeling this same shift, faux sets have started popping up in iterations that look fresh, elegant. Like Michelle Yeoh at the Oscars, who wore Lashify DIY eyelash extensions for her Best Actress win, and on runways, like the models at PatBo who walked in Kiss ImPress press-on falsies. The effect was ethereal, not overdone.

With my interest renewed, two questions surfaced: What are the best false eyelashes for at-home application? Are they worth the effort? For the most effortless application techniques, I consulted the experts. According to Ardell lash expert Jade Munson, for classic strip lashes, the secret to perfecting them is picking a set that opens eyes, like those that just enhanced the outer corners, and trimming the band to fit your personal eye shape. Do all of your makeup except for mascara, then, apply a thin line of glue along the band (Duo is recognized as a drugstore industry standard) and wait a few seconds for it to get tacky. Press the lash band onto your lash line until it stays, and finish with mascara.

Taking into account futuristic innovations, grab-and-go accessibility, and a breadth of styles (like how to apply Lashify's extensions), below are the best false eyelashes for a supernatural gaze.

"I have three eyelashes on this eye and about seven reluctant ones on this eye," says founder Jenna Lyons in a short film created for her LoveSeen line. After years of trying and trimming falsies, the J.Crew graduate created a supernatural collection of faux lashes in hard-to-find shades of brown that look like the real deal. Of course, inky black is also on the menu.

From The White Lotus's Meghann Fahy to Emily in Paris's Ashley Park, celebrities are wearing Lashify, according to celebrity makeup artist Emily Cheng. Rather than applying these on top of the lashline, short clusters of "gossamers" are applied to the underside of lashes (for invisibility) and crimped into place with its ergonomic tool. "A key to Lashify application is to let the bond get a bit tacky before applying the gossamers," says Cheng. "If you apply Lashify Gossamers correctly, you can wear them for days. Because the bond never fully hardens, you can re-fuse lashes if you’ve slept on them funny or if they are starting to lift. Re-fusing helps ensure long wear and a very neat-looking set of lashes."

Founded in the ’70s, Ardell became a best-seller for "everyday lashes." Today, celebs like Cara Delevingne and Lady Gaga wear the brand, and their bestselling Demi Wispies (and new Naked Lash and Eco Lash lines) make it hard to tell where yours end and these begin—the true testament to a good pair of fakes. And in the scope of party prep, availability (Target, Amazon, and more) is a perk—after all, sometimes the urge for an upgraded gaze strikes at the last minute.

At PatBO and Prabal Gurung's recent runways, imPRESS Falsies clusters in ‘Natural’ were pressed underneath lashes for a supernatural effect. To apply, position lash clusters under the lashline using the non-stick applicator and squeeze the cluster together with natural lashes. Et voila! It's a revolutionary 1-step application, no glue required.

Doe Lashes created a starter kit for anyone hoping to try the TikTok-favorite magnetic lash look. Once Neo-Liner is drawn onto the base of the lid, it needs just ten seconds to dry for a 24-hour hold. Next, handcrafted vegan silk strips snap-on thanks to small magnets in the center, larger ones on the edges (to prevent lifting). As they say, "line, apply, and go!"

The feathery fur lash look that JLo popularized on Y2K red carpets can now be accomplished via completely vegan materials. With over a thousand Sephora reviews like "natural without being over the top" and "perfect for every day," plus a near-five-star rating, Lilly Lashes takes the lead for ultra-light, wearable naturals. Not to mention, the label created a user-friendly hybrid pen that swipes on like a liquid liner, then grips lashes with a waterproof, all-day adhesive.

Runway-favorite lash brand Kiss launched an attainable version of at-home extensions with their bestselling Falscara system. Rather than applying these on top of the lashline, short strips are applied to the underside of lashes and crimped into place with the kit's handheld tool. Different adhesives mean these can last for a week, one night, or instantly disappear with the included remover.

No pro-level measuring or trimming required, Velour's Effortless line is designed for beginners to "glue and go." This year, the brand went 100% mink-free, and continuing the conscious evolution, founder Mabel Lee took it a step further and debuted 100% recyclable packaging like paperboard lash boxes and soy-based inks.

Sephora tapped House of Lashes (the "original cruelty-free lash brand" launched almost a decade ago by founder Jenn Chiba) for an impressive collab of various styles. To sculpt a cat eye, Iris starts soft at the inner corners and builds volume and length on the outer edges. For a "natural" volume finish, the Iris design has believable floofiness. Ultimately, the prices are fair, the quality is competitive, and the range is plentiful enough to suit occasions from dramatic photo ops to chill date nights.

Designed for "an endearingly innocent look," MAC's 33 ingenue lash is supposed to blend in with a mix of tiny black and brown lashes. On top lids, they can add fullness without bulk, especially for those with sparse lashes. On bottom lashes, though, they can create a ’60s-inspired mod moment. A final pro tip? After use, wrap cleaned lashes around a curved object on hand like a nail polish top or chubby marker to revive their arc, then store them in their original packaging.

Made from hemp-derived fibers for a fluffy, believable effect, Velour's new plant-based lashes are already a hit thanks to their comfortable fit and reusable fabrication, which lasts for up to 20 wears. Plus, the packaging is 100% recyclable.

Contact-lens friendly and reusable up to 10 times, Kiss's supernatural lash strips are designed to blend with your actual set. They’re also featherlight, cruelty-free, and feature Tapered End technology that helps them disappear into your lashes.

Prados Beauty, the Xicana/Indigenous-owned brand, sends the message to "give back while achieving full glam!" Founder Cece Meadows hopes to grow the Prados Life Foundation and "bring new life and hope to Native American reservations." Sustainably minded and vegan, Shawdy pairs are designed for everyday wear, while Honor The Treaties sets dial-up definition.