False Lashes - Gracie from The Vintage Cosmetic Company

Isn't it funny how we are all to some extent set in our ways? Despite having experimented with beauty products for years and reading everything I can get my hands on when it comes to beauty, there are still products which I haven't tried for whatever reason. A few weeks ago I shared with you my first experience with using a brow mascara, and today I'm taking another plunge into the unknown with my first ever go at false eyelashes. The past few years there's been a complete boom when it comes to eyelashes - everyone seems to want to have long, beautiful, flirty and fluttering lashes and most salons offer eye lash tinting or semi-permanent lash extensions that can last for quite a few weeks before you need to fill them in again. If you're looking for a more affordable quick fix you can go into most stores on the high street and get a full set of eyelashes in all kinds of looks, lengths and effects, or you might opt for some individual lashes instead. You know the saying, in for a penny in for a pound, so I went all out and tried a full set of  Vintage Cosmetic Company False Eyelashes* (£4.99). The Vintage Cosmetic Company has a lovely range of beauty accessories like makeup bags, brush rolls, tweezers, eyelash curlers and brushes with a lovely cute, dainty vintage floral pattern and the items have such a charming 1950s' boudoir feel about them. The false lash range is made from human hair and out of the five different styles, I tried Gracie for a touch of glamour with "light, girly lashes".

To apply the lashes I equipped myself with slanted tweezers, a cup of coffee and lots of patience. Since I'd never tried any form of false lashes I was fully prepared that I would make a complete mess of the application, but there was absolutely no reason to worry and there are some very straight forward and helpful instructions included too. First of all I measured the lash strip against my eyes and found that it was just a tiny bit too long, so I gently snipped of a tiny bit of the end from each strip and then it was time to add the adhesive. The "glue" comes in a tiny tube with a handy and sturdy plastic applicator, and when you apply it from the tube it looks quite white but it dries without any color. Holding the lash strip with the tweezers I lined the edge with the adhesive, and as per the instructions I let it dry for 30 sec before applying the lashes starting from the middle of the eyelid and then doing the corners last. I found that the easiest way to attach the lash strip was to put it on at a slight angle from above, so basically lowering the strip onto my own lashes, as close as possible to the root and pressing and blending them with my own, using the tweezers.

I was absolutely amazed at how easy it was to apply the lashes - it did take some tiny adjustments, especially in the inner and outer corners to make sure the strip was firmly pressed down into the roots of my own, but the lash strip was very flexible and bendy so shaping it along the eyelid was the simplest thing. The lash strip blended very well with my own lashes effect and I didn't actually think that I needed any additional mascara, although you could add that as well if you prefer. For me as a complete novice, it took perhaps two mins on each eye all in all, and with a little bit of practice I bet I could do it really quickly.

The lashes are soft, lovely and wispy with incredible length and I was very happy with the final look, especially since this was my first attempt ever at applying false lashes. It's an extravagant and eye catching look, perfect either for a special occasion or even with next to no makeup for a wide-eyed youthful look. Removing the lashes was as easy as applying them, you might feel a very very slight pinch just as you loosen one end of the strip, but then it comes off at the gentlest tug and a great thing about these falsies is that you can re-use them again. The main reason I'd never tried false eyelashes before was that I thought that it would be complicated and fussy with the adhesive, but these were so incredibly easy to work with and even though I may not use a full set every day I will definitely try some other styles and I'll also invest in some good individual lashes. You can get Gracie or one of the other lash sets from Vintage Cosmetic Company in Boots or at Feelunique.com, where they come at a slightly lower price, so why not get yourself two sets while you're at it?