Confession: I was not blessed with naturally luscious lashes, which means I’ve had to resort to lash lifts and lash extensions to achieve any sort of volume. Of course, that wasn’t the optimal solution—for one, eyelash extensions are pricey, and two, they took a toll on my natural lashes after repeated treatments.
Put simply, fake lashes on hooded Asian lids are hard. Really hard. Since my lash line completely disappears beneath my lids when I blink, the friction wears away at the glue, turning everything into one sticky glob. So when I saw magnetic lashes floating around my Instagram feed, I was intrigued. Fake lashes that eliminate eyelash glue from the equation entirely and stay on all day? All for the same price as a cup of coffee? I was skeptical—but intrigued.
"By nature, magnetic lashes provide a sleeker and cleaner look," beauty expert Laura Kay tells Marie Claire. "Because there is no buildup of adhesive glue, there is also less damage to your natural lashes. The removal process is much simpler and less damaging to the eyelashes. Less tugging and trauma means you can retain your natural lashes, and the design eliminates the need for mess."
Ahead, everything you need to know about magnetic lashes—plus makeup artist and lash experts' very favorite pairs.
The Best Magnetic Lashes
- The Best Magnetic Lashes Overall: Lilly Lashes Click Magnetic Lashes
- The Best Splurgeworthy Magnetic Lashes: Glamnetic Everyday Glam Kit
- The Best Budget Magnetic Lashes:
- The Best Long-Lasting Magnetic Lashes: Ardell Professional Magnetic Liner & Lash Wispies Black
- The Best Magnetic Lashes for a Natural Look: Lola's Lashes Lowkey Hybrid+ Magnetic Lash Starter Set
Lilly Lashes Click Magnetic Natural Volume + Medium Length Lashes
Upon first test, freelance beauty writer Sophia Vilensky knew she'd be a Lilly Lashes girl forever. With a wide array of styles available and a pigmented, easy-to-apply felt liner that drew on thick and dark, they clicked into place easily and—after the initial shock wore off—made it feel like she was wearing nothing at all. Despite having no plans beyond a thrilling WFH day, she kept them on; they're really that comfortable.
Pros: Extremely lightweight; A multitude of styles available to suit every eye shape and personal style; Liner is easy to apply; Lashes feature a whopping 12 magnets
Cons: More expensive than other options; Liner not included with lash purchase
Reusable: Up to 50 wears
Glamnetic Everyday Glam Kit
When you think magnetic lashes, you likely think Glamnetic—they have the market on lock. All of their offerings are fabulous (Vilensky especially loves the half lashes for a simpler look) and there's a wide array of choices available so you can get exactly the style you're going for. And while these are much more expensive than other options, they're absolutely worth it. You can tell the quality upon unboxing—how do they look and feel so real?!—and will be even more pleased when you put them on. It only takes 20 seconds to look like you sat through a lengthy lash lift.
Pros: Eyeliner included; Water and smudge-resistant; Can be reused up to 60 times; Lashes are lightweight and high-quality
Cons: More expensive than other options
Reusable: Yes, up to 60 times
Kiss Magnetic Eyeliner & Lure Lash Kit
First, I need to give kudos to these lashes, because the day I wore them was one of the windiest days in Chicago I’ve ever experienced. They had to brave blood, sweat, and tears (okay, maybe not blood), and those strips still remained loyally attached to my lids for about 10 hours. KISS's eyeliner brush is thin and the formula is really pigmented, so the application process was smooth. The lashes stuck instantly to the liner—one strip has five magnets, which meant that even after trimming it to fit my eye, it latched seamlessly. I did notice the liner got a bit crusty and flaky in some areas after a few hours, but nothing too noticeable. Plus, there was definitely no smudging (as the box promises). Overall, highly recommend.
Pros: Extremely long-lasting; Great liner; No smudging; Wind-proof; Dermatologist tested
Cons: Liner might appear a bit crusty after a few hours
Reusable: Yes
The Best Long-Lasting Magnetic Lashes
Ardell Professional Magnetic Liner & Lash Wispies Black
When applying the liner, I noticed that the formula was a bit...gloopy? It skipped a lot and definitely didn't go on as smoothly as I'd hoped. As it clumped, I applied more and more liner to try to save the mess, which just made the line thicker. Eventually, I had to bust out my normal eyeliner to draw over the messy parts. After I got the line down, I followed the instructions and applied two coats—allowing for drying time in between—but the lashes still didn’t stick very well. It was only after a third coat that the lashes stayed in place. Once they were on, though, the lashes were pretty good. They didn’t unstick at all until I took them off at the end of the day. So, despite the hassle, I would give this kit two thumbs up for longevity.
Pros: Super long lasting; Less than $10
Cons: Liner leaves something to be desired
Reusable: Yes
The Best Magnetic Lashes for a Natural Look
Lola's Lashes Lowkey Hybrid+ Magnetic Lash Starter Set
Vilensky never thought she'd be someone who'd think about wearing falsies every day, yet here she is. This natural-looking option (they're called "Lowkey" for a reason) from Lola's Lashes is a match-made in heaven for those looking for a no-fuss, long-lasting look. With a lightweight cotton lash band and just the right amount of fullness, this pick is perfect for those wanted to go subtle with their lashes. The liner is also incredibly strong—they'll stay on all day—and the kit includes an oil-based micellar water cleanser to help get it off (arguably the worst part of otherwise-great magnetic lash wearing).
Pros: Vegan and cruelty-free formula; Waterproof eyeliner; Long-wearing; Strong hold; Kind to natural lashes
Cons: None found
Reusable: Yes, up to 30 times
Also Recommended
Eylure ProMagnetic Magnetic Eyeliner & Faux Mink Volume Lash System
The first thing I noticed about these lashes was how soft they are. They're made of faux mink, giving them the fluffiest texture of the three I tried. Plus, they’re virtually weightless; I couldn’t feel them at all once I had them on. While the magnetic lashes did adhere to the liner without problems, I have a small qualm with the magnets themselves: Because of the location of the magnets on the lashes, the ends lift a bit, which is a dead giveaway that you're wearing false lashes. It was an easy fix, though. I cut the lashes into smaller wisps and applied them individually, which made them look more natural. During the wind test, I did have one lash casualty, so I wouldn't say that Eylure is 100 percent windproof. However, the beauty of magnetic liner is that even if a lash or two fall off, you don't have to wear a crooked strip of falsies all night. Because the lashes stick to magnets and not a glue that will dry up, you can reposition them as many times as you need. Overall, hats off for good eyeliner and lash quality, but you might have to do a bit more work when applying them.
Pros: Super soft and fluffy texture
Cons: Take a bit more care to apply as the ends can lift; Less sticky than other options
Reusable: Yes, up to 15 wears
Velour Lashes Magnetic Effortless Kit
While some reviewers mention that they would have preferred a magnetic band over the magnets added to the lash line here, these falsies are praised by reviewers for being beginner friendly. And we wholeheartedly agree: there was no need for accuracy, as the magnets did all the work—with no trimming or measuring required. Each lash has a whopping eight magnets, ensuring the lashes stay in place all day. Our one qualm? The magnetic liner (which also works as a traditional lash glue and black eyeliner) was a bit dry and hard to apply. But when we got it? They snapped right on.
Pros: Lashes come with eight magnets each; Eyeliner included; Vegan; Paraben-free; 3-in-1 eyeliner included
Cons: More expensive than other options; Liner is hard to apply
Reusable: Yes
The Best Magnetic Lashes Liner
I Envy Magnetic Eyeliner and Eyelashes Kit
Bold and thick, these lashes are great. But the liner? Perhaps even better. Vilensky tried these last in her magnetic lash testing journey, and was so pleased with how the pigmented formula swept onto her eyes—it was a look in and of itself. Once the lashes snapped on, she was met with a super bold set of eyelashes that looked a little out of place on a Tuesday afternoon with no plans ahead. But you know what? A look is a look—and sometimes you need to make plans to fit it.
Pros: Liner is pigmented and easy to apply; Fun, bold lash designs
Cons: Style might be too dramatic for some
Reusable: Yes
The Best Magnetic Lashes for Beginners
MoxieLash Magnetic Eyelash Kit
Applying liquid eyeliner of any kind can be a daunting task, but this one is incredibly easy thanks to its felt-tip pen. The applicator is not only is a breeze to use, but the angled tip means you can even attempt a cat-eye look to pair with your lashes. The included silk lashes are lengthening, but not high-drama, so they are perfect for everyday use. If you have a shaky hand, this kit also includes pre-soaked cotton swabs to make mistakes easy to remove.
Pros: Eyeliner and remover swabs included; Creates a natural-look; Eyeliner is waterproof; Long-lasting; Can be reused up to 30 times
Cons: Eyeliner is thick and difficult to remove
Reusable: Yes, up to 30 times
The Best Foolproof Magnetic Lashes
Lanvier Magnetic Eyelashes and Eyeliner Kit
These lashes are literally foolproof. They can be applied in a matter of minutes and stay on absolutely all day. Seriously, the subtle everyday look of the lashes will make you question why you even bothered with mascara. The pretty packaging includes everything you need for a seamless application: five pairs of lashes in varying styles, waterproof liner, and a pair of tweezers for application and adjusting. At just $15, you might as well give them a try.
Pros: Eyeliner and tweezers included in set; Contains five sets of lashes for different looks; Eyeliner is waterproof; Lashes feel lightweight
Cons: Liner is difficult to remove
Reusable: Yes
The Best Waterproof Magnetic Lashes
Arishine Magnetic Eyeliner and Lashes Kit
Listen: These do not budge. Thanks to the affordable price and strong hold, they're our lash of choice for a night out or windy day. With that being said, they're hard to take off. You can tug and tug and get nowhere. As for the liner, it has some serious hold with its waterproof, smudge-proof, and flake-free formula. (And 25,000+ 5-star Amazon reviews don't lie.)
Pros: Long-wearing; Strong hold; Waterproof and smudge-proof eyeliner included; Contains five sets of lashes for different looks
Cons: Liner is difficult to remove
Reusable: Yes
What to Look For in Magnetic Lashes and Liner
- Liner Formula
Just like our favorite eyeliners, magnetic liners are not all made equal. When shopping for a magnetic liner, you should first consider your preferred applicator and skill level. A felt-tip liner brush will give you more control, whereas a pen or marker-tip liner is much more forgiving for beginners.
Additionally, texture is a big deal when it comes to the best magnetic liners. “Texture should be smooth and viscous enough that it doesn’t look watery or runny,” says Glamnetic’s CEO and co-founder, Ann McFerran, who also recommends looking for liners that use clean ingredients and no parabens to avoid irritation.
- Style
As for the magnetic lashes themselves, it’s all a matter of personal preference. Are you going for a dramatic cat-eye? Choose a pair with fluttery length and volume. Looking for something more natural? Go for medium or short lashes made from silk or faux mink for a subtly glam look.
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Some other things to bear in mind, according to aesthetician Erica Marie Gatt: The quality of materials, typical length of wear, and if they were created with sensitive eyes in mind.
"Choose lashes made from high-quality materials such as synthetic silk or mink for a more natural look," she says. "[Also], look for brands that offer a variety of lengths and volumes. B curl is the most natural, curl. C curl is natural with a small curl. D curl is typically more dramatic, and curl-DD is longer, fuller and very curly. You can always mix the curl styles and sizes for a natural wispy look."
How Magnetic Lashes Work
You may be wondering how magnetic liner gets lashes to stick without glue. Well, it’s all thanks to one magic ingredient: iron oxide. McFerran explains the ingredient is “typically used across all colored cosmetics because it creates pigment, but at a much higher level which gives it its magnetic quality.” Thanks to iron oxide, the magnets on the lashes bond to the liner to give all-day hold.
To get them on, all you have to do is apply the magnetic liner as you would a traditional liquid liner (just make sure to apply a line as thick as the magnets on the lash band, says McFerran) and click into place.
How to Apply Magnetic Lashes
According to Kay, you want to prep your natural lashes for magnetic lash application by starting with a fresh, clean base. "It’s good practice to curl your natural lashes and apply a coat of mascara to help maintain your desired shape," she says. "This also gives the magnetic lashes something to grip onto and helps them blend in more seamlessly with your existing lashes."
The thing is, each magnetic lash brand has slightly different application guidelines—sometimes there's trimming required, liner needs to set for a certain length of time, etc. Read through the instructions on whatever pack you're using ,and follow them.
"Finally, depending on the brand you use and the length of your natural lashes, measure the lash strip against your natural lashes and trim any excess to suit your desired shape," adds the expert. "But remember, you want to achieve a naturally enhanced look, not a false or fake appearance, so just bear that in mind."
How to Remove Magnetic Liner
The one downside to magnetic liner is that it's notoriously hard to remove. McFerran suggests taking a cotton pad with micellar water and rubbing your eye until the liner comes off. I’ve personally found great success using my favorite oil-based makeup remover and gently rubbing the eyeliner away, following that with a double cleanse. Lastly, you’ll want to gently rub off the magnetic bits from the lash magnets and place them back in their original case so they are ready to go for next time.
Our Verdict
Color me impressed—I definitely think magnetic lashes are the real deal. Application is super easy, the lashes stay on all day, and the lack of lash glue also means no more picking leftover clumps of the stuff out of your real lashes (or washing the gunk on your falsies before reusing them).
The liner formulas are super long-lasting—a swatch on my hand didn’t budge, even after a shower—which means you'll need oil-based cleanser to get it off. On the flip side, because the liner formulas are thicker than average liquid eyeliner, it’s harder to control and create a perfect line. You have to make sure to put a good amount on the innermost and outermost part of the line (don’t forget to keep cotton swabs on hand in case of mistakes).
Ultimately, I’d take all three of these over normal strip lashes any day.
Meet the Experts
Laura Kay
Laura Kay is a world leading, fully qualified Permanent Make Up artist and Founder of Laura Kay London. With over 20 years in the makeup industry, part of which as a professional makeup artist, Laura has first-hand experience of makeup application.
Following the success of her Fortnum & Mason clinic Laura founded Laura Kay London to offer her clients a lasting solution to make up application. Offering permanent make up treatments in her high-profile salon, Laura Kay and her team pride themselves on giving every client the perfect result using the latest cutting-edge techniques.
Ann McFerran
Ann attended the University of California at Los Angeles and decided to major in science as a pre-med and become a doctor. After completing her pre-med studies, Ann felt something was missing without the artistic and creative aspects of her life. She soon discovered the magic powers of false eyelashes and realized no one had created easy-to-apply magnetic lashes and Ann decided to step up to the challenge. Since starting her magnetic lash brand, Glamnetic, in 2019, Ann has sold over 100,000 products, built her team up to 70 full-time employees, and made the Forbes' 30 under 30 list.
Erica Marie Gatt
Skin health guru Erica Marie Gatt's decades worth of experience working as an aesthetician and makeup artist has shaped her foolproof, fuss-free beauty philosophy. She believes that curating thoughtful, streamlined skincare regimens for her clients is key to achieving effortless natural beauty and an overarching sense of empowerment, confidence and well-being. As someone who loves the outdoors and being active, Erica recognizes the link between health, wellness and beauty and embraces a holistic approach that puts equal emphasis on both an inner and outer glow.
Erica honed her talent and channeled her passion under the tutelage of celebrated Los Angeles esthetician Gina Mari after having spent years as a makeup artist.Acknowledging that the optimal canvas for makeup is clear, toxin-free skin, Erica gained invaluable experience working on a myriad of skin types with a range of needs, while learning from the industry’s top beauty mavens.
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