Flashy Lashes

The first time I learned about the magic of false eyelashes, I was 15. I took ballet for several years at a studio in Pasadena, Calif., and had a successful audition for a production of the "Nutcracker." This was the first time I was in such a large performance, and in the dressing room of the theater, I carefully watched the older girls to see how they applied their glamorous stage makeup. One of the girls saw me watching her as she stuck on some impressive fake eyelashes--I must have been staring with my mouth open because she came over and gave me an old pair and a brief lesson in application. Ever since then, I have loved to add some extra oomph whenever the occasion calls for it. When my friends and I go out on a Friday night, you better believe I have sky-high lashes to match my 5-inch stilettos! (Only young once, right?)

My personal favorite lash brand is Sugar Cosmetics Flirt False Lashes Criss Cross, only $9 at Sephora! The best thing about these lashes is that no matter what shape your eye is or what event you’re going to, you can manipulate them to flatter you. Flirt comes with 4 half lashes, which are designed to draw attention to the outside of your eye, or, for rounder eyes, apply two facing inward, like you see in the package--you can get amazingly full lashes. Since they are so sturdy, you can reuse them for much longer than anything you would buy at the drugstore. To store them, make sure you take them off and reshape them to the container before you hit the pillow!

Application Trick: Let the glue sit on the eyelash for about 15 seconds to let it become tacky before you apply it to your eye. This way, you will have to wait less time for the glue to dry, and you minimize sliding. Also, for more precision, adjust with your tweezers!