We love the look of fake lashes, but applying them? Not so much. So, determined to figure out how to put on fake eyelashes the right way, we got expert makeup artist to spill their best lash application tips. Read on to learn how to apply false eyelashes like a pro, plus 13 tips to keep your falsies looking fresh!

1. Prepare Your Natural Lashes

After completing your eyeshadow and eyeliner application of choice, curl your lashes, and apply mascara. Try the Goodylashes Eyelash Curler and Goodylashes supreme quality eyeliner.

2. Apply Glue to the Eyelash

Using a tweezer, hold the lashes and dab on a thin line of glue to the lash band with a cotton swab.

“Never squeeze the glue from the tube directly onto the lash base,” he cautions. “I put a drop of glue on the middle of a Q-tip and drag the lash through it. This adds just the right amount.”

A note on color: dark glue will blend into your eyeliner better. Ricky prefers black lashes glue since it blends right into the lashes. But worry not: the standard white stuff will dry clear, so you’ll be fine. Goodylashes adhesive comes in black and clear.

3. Wait for the Glue to Dry Slightly

This is a game-changer: Let the glue dry for about 30 seconds. It’ll make the fake lashes less likely to slide around when you apply. “It’s important to wave the lash around for a bit after adding the glue,” says celeb makeup artist Ricky. “This lets the formula dry enough to become tacky, preventing you from getting glue all over the place.”

4. Adhere the Strip to Your Lash Line and Press It Into Place

Using the tweezers again, put the lashes in place right where your eyeliner is and press them into the lash line. Goodylashes 28mm mink lashes are full and long.

5. Apply Black Eyeliner to Hide the Lash Strip

Extra eyeliner and another coat of mascara with tying it all together, filling in any little gaps. Note: While adding a touch of mascara to the fake lashes will help blend them with your real lashes, it will also limit the use of the pair to one or two times. (It’s not safe to keep reusing mascara-ed up falsies more than twice because bacteria can build up — gross!)