I tried 5 different DIY lash extensions – these were the BEST!

One of the MOST frequently asked questions I got when we all went into quarantine years ago was WHAT I was doing about my lash extensions?! I was a traditional lash extension addict for TEN years (YES! Ten years) and so when we all went on a lock-down and all the salons closed I knew I was gonna have to get creative with my lash extension habit. And ever since then? I HAVEN’T GONE BACK. Seriously!

I’ve tried five different kinds of DIY lash extension solutions – everything from magnetic lashes (liner and non-liner) to strip lashes to Gossamer lash extensions. And today I’m sharing THE BEST DIY lash extensions out of everything I tried (plus, we have an EXCLUSIVE deal for you)! These are the cream of the crop, easiest to use, very best and most natural looking lashes you can apply from home.

at home lashes

Deal Details

We are so excited to share our code MINTARROW with you to get 15% OFF sitewide at Pro Lash for the month of June, our #1 pick for at home lash extensions!

Why I recently switched

So a few months ago, at my hair appointment, my hair girl was like “CORRINE, you have to try this new DIY lash extension line.” She was the one who originally got me on DIY lashes with a brand we’d both been loyal to since 2020, so I was like “no way that it’s better than what I’m already using,” but she said “no seriously, IT IS! They’re WAY easier to apply because they come pre-glued, and they LAST LONGER.”

She told me she was wearing them swimming and scrubbing her face in the shower without any of them coming off and I was intrigued.

But THEN she told me they’re taking her under 5 minutes TOTAL to apply.

AND they looked so good on her.

So reluctantly, and curiously, I was like “okay okay, I’ll give this new line a try.”

And guess what?

THEY ARE AMAZING.

They really do take me under 5 minutes to do BOTH eyes, total time. They last me 10ish days, and I can SWIM in them, I can shower and wash my face and have water running all over my face, and they do not budge.

And they still offer the same benefits I’d been enjoying of wasting no time going to a salon for professional lash extensions, PROTECTING my natural lashes instead of damaging the heck out of them, and having them last at least a week or more, and saving a TON of money.

I’ve been using them for a few months and just can’t gatekeep any longer.

How to remove old professional lash extensions

The first question I know you might have (because I get lots of DMs about this!) is how to remove the stragglers, if you have any, of traditional, professional lash extensions. When I took my last pair of professional lash extensions off, back in 2020, I used a lash remover like this one from Amazon, and they came off after two applications of Neil applying it and then gently using q-tips to slide them off (like you can see in the pic below).

My only regret is that I didn’t buy some eye pads to protect my under eye area, just like the kind they put on you when you’re getting lash extensions. My under eye area was so irritated after taking off the lashes that I was mad at myself for not thinking of this step! These are only $8 and I wish I would’ve gotten them. Otherwise, the old lash extensions were pretty easy to remove.

how to remove eyelash extensions at home

Best DIY lash extensions (my #1 choice!)

If you want to save some real money but don’t want to have to put fake lashes on daily (ME!) and you’re used to the convenience of lash extensions, OR if you just want to have a three minute weekly solution instead of a one hour appointment every few weeks, this is my FAVORITE solution by far of everything I tried.

What I love about Pro Lash lashes vs. the ones I used to use:

  • Pro Lash lashes are easier and faster to apply because they come pre-glued.
  • Pro Lash lashes are totally waterproof and sweatproof.
  • I swam with my kids in a pool multiple times over spring break and they didn’t budge at all.
  • I can shower and fully wash my face. The old extensions I used to use I had to be super careful to not get them wet or they’d start coming off.
  • They take me less than 5 mins total for both eyes and last 10 days to 2 weeks.
  • These are a WAY better deal to get started – the starter kit for ProLash is $85 and that comes with the glue, the remover, the application tool, and 3 sets of lashes! The other company I used to use is $125 for their starter kit that only includes 2 sets of lashes.

    The price per set of lashes after that is somewhat similar, but ProLash is still less expensive, at 3 sets for $70, or $56 on subscribe & save (that breaks down to $23/set, or $18/set on subscribe & save) PLUS you can use my code MINTARROW for 15% OFF so you can get them for as low as $15.30 per set total, vs. the other company I used to use at $25/set or $21/set if you were a member, but you could only use my discount on your first order.

*Check out the picture below of my lashes – I took this right after I jumped into lake mead and my lashes didn’t budge! These really are the best lashes on the market!

Best lash extensions
at home lash extensions
at home lashes
diy lashes

Steps to apply

I said these lashes are easy to apply, but HOW do you actually do it? Here are the steps!

*They recommend applying your lashes in the morning because lashes can shift at night.

Step 1: Apply The Adhesive

Start by coating your natural lashes really well with the adhesive wand in a side to side motion

Step 2: Apply The Lashes

Apply the lashes under your natural lashes but don’t apply them too close to your natural lash line

Step 3: Crimp The Lashes

Before crimping, do the squint test. Do this by looking around, blinking and squinting to make sure there is no pinching. Use the tweezers to clamp down then release to crimp the lashes. You will want to pinch your natural lash and the extensions together to get them to stick together.

It is recommended to crimp regularly. Do it morning and night and prior to getting them wet but don’t do it too hard because doing so can damage the lashes.

How to safely remove your lashes:

  • Apply lash remover and let it sit for 10 seconds
  • Remove lashes (lashes should come off easily) If needed, you can apply more of the lash remover
  • Gently wipe away any extra glue that is left on your natural lashes with the lash remover solution

Extra tips to make your lashes LAST:

  • Crimp before and after getting them wet
  • After getting your lashes wet, pat them dry
  • Make sure your face and lashes are oil free prior to application. Once the lashes have been applied avoid using oil based products around your eyes
  • Overlap the edges of the lash segments slightly to increase retention and reduce gaps
  • Trim the lash segments length wise on the 3rd or 4th ones to fit smaller eyes or to make them more comfortable
  • Try not to apply lashes too close or too far away from the lash line. If you place them too close they can feel uncomfortable

Lashes for days

I hope this helps you save a bunch of money & time – OR if you’ve just wanted to try out some falsies for special occasions here and there, these lashes really are THE BEST! Don’t forget to use code MINTARROW to get 15% OFF sitewide for the month of June! Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to help you out!

Corrine Stokoe

Corrine Stokoe is a blogger, podcaster and content creator behind the brand Mint Arrow. She and her husband Neil live in South Orange County with their 5 kids, she runs her blog and business with 7 team members, where they find the best daily deals and share favorite finds in fashion and beauty. They also run a podcast called Mint Arrow Messages. Mint Arrow has been featured in Forbes, Women's Wear Daily, Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal, AdWeek and Allure. Corrine is passionate about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ as often as she can and teaching others to use social media for good.

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Hi, I’m Corrine and it’s pretty simple. I think you deserve to buy the things you want at a price you can afford. Here you can find the best deals and steals on high end fashion, as well as beauty and wellness tutorials.

Comments

  1. Great post – I miss my extension! For Lashify, do they fall off after 7-10 days, or do you remove them after 7-10 days? If they fall off, does it look weird like there is a whole section missing? can you reapply the same lashes back on? what if you lose the section that fell off? Are they easy to remove? Are you applying the extensions directly to your lashes or the skin below your lash line? sorry for all of the questions!!

    1. Hi Kat, no worries! Happy to help as much as I can. My first application of lashify I had a couple of them fall off but they were super easy to reapply, like 20 seconds to just reapply the one that fell off. Closer to the week mark, more of them started falling off so I just used their melt-away to take them all of and they slid right off super easily with zero damage to my natural lashes. WAY easier than removing traditional lash extensions! You glue them under your lash line to your actual lashes, not your skin! But the glue is very gentle, nothing like traditional lash extension glue either. Hope this helps!!

  2. Do you think we have to buy the kit? If we just buy the lashes you said you like classic? If we buy the kit what length and style do you recommend?

  3. Hello. I just watched your tutorial and read your article above. Is there somewhere we can see your exact Lashify order (a specific list of each item) so I know exactly what to buy to recreate your look? Thank you

    1. Hey Caroline!

      Here’s what Corrine said: “My favorite core gossamers are the C14 and C16s! I also love the starburst gossamers in 14 and 16. I wear either Cs or starbursts depending on whether I want a more natural look or a little more standout, like for pictures. I strongly recommend the control kit (get 25% off here!) because it really does come with everything you need, and I also love the products pre-cleanse and release, and the gossamer storage case for travel”

      Hope that helps! -Kourtney

  4. Hi!
    I love your review. The thing I was most curious about is the adhesion to multiple lashes. I know with regular salon lash extensions it’s a huge no-no to adhere one lash to multiple of the natural lashes, as if one natural lash falls out, the fake lash glued to the multiples will not fall out with it and potentially damage the lashes. What is this like for these lashes? I think they are getting bonded to multiple lashes correct? I’m just worried about any damage to my natural lashes.

    1. Hey Karyna! The lash glue that you use for these at-home extensions is VERY gentle, not like the surgical glue they use with traditional lash extensions! It lasts 5-10 days and when you use the melt away, the extensions literally slide off your lashes with zero resistance and don’t take off your natural lashes at all. It’s hard to describe until you try it yourself, but it’s a very different process all-together! -Kourtney

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