Best magnetic lashes: Fake your flutter without the fuss

Wave goodbye to finicky false lashes with the best magnetic lashes for making your eyes look magnificent
Danielle Wilkins
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Updated on 11 September 2023

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While theres much to be said for a good mascara, sometimes you just want to make your peepers pop in a way only false lashes can. Trouble is, theyre also notoriously difficult to apply, especially when youre wrestling a teeny tiny bottle of tacky glue at the same time. This is where the best magnetic lashes come into their own.

Magnetic lashes are the less-complicated cousin of the traditional falsie. Not only are they much simpler to apply, but gentler, more hygienic, and often longer-lasting, too. Like any false lashes, they take some practice to get right, but once youve mastered them, were pretty sure you wont look back.

To help you pick the perfect pair, we tried some of the biggest brands on the market. While donning our falsies, we assessed everything from how easy they were to get on and remove, to length, weight and how well they stood up to a good-old British breeze.

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How do magnetic lashes work?

Unlike traditional false lashes, magnetic lashes dont require glue for application. Instead, magnetic lashes can work either one of two ways:

The most common way is to line your lids with a magnetic liner that contains iron oxide which has a similar look and feel to liquid eyeliner and this adheres to the magnets hidden within the band of each lash strip.

The other works by sandwiching your natural lashes between two sets of falsies, each with a row of magnets that attract each other. The latter tend to be trickier to master, but they work well for anyone with particularly sensitive eyes.

How do you apply magnetic lashes?

If youre using a full strip lash, measure it from corner to corner and trim if necessary. Apply your liner and then, looking downwards into a magnifying mirror, gently press the lash onto your lid. Using an eyelash holder or pair of tweezers will make it less fiddly.

Are magnetic lashes safe and hygienic?

Absolutely. In fact, many experts have dubbed them safer and much less irritating than traditional falsies, as eyelash glue can damage natural lashes and is also rather unpleasant if it gets into your eyes.

Magnetic lashes tend to be more hygienic as no sticky residue means theyre easier to clean and reuse. Simply wash your lashes after every use using a cotton swab and gentle makeup remover, such as micellar water, and allow them to dry naturally before packing them away.

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How much should I spend?

As youll see from our roundup below, you dont need to spend a fortune to get an excellent pair of magnetic falsies particularly if you only plan on whipping them out for special occasions.

Our cheapest options come in at a purse-friendly £6, but you could spend anywhere up to £30 depending on the materials used. Plus, most are reusable, which only adds to the value youre getting for your money. Keep in mind, though, that with some brands, youll need to purchase the magnetic liner separately.

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Price when reviewed: £35 | Check price at Lolas Lashes

This set comes with everything you need for lash application, so its great for beginners who have long been fans of Russian-style infills or extensions and want to recreate a similar look at home.

We tried a sample from the Classic collection (Queen Me), and despite being the most subtle in the range, they still offer amazing density and drama just as salon-style infills would.

As well as a pair of waterproof lashes, youll also get a liquid liner (with an ultra-fine tip for perfect precision), a pair of tweezer-style lash applicators, and a touch-up pen that removes smudges, which proved to be handy for our tester, who admitted they were not so well-versed in applying liquid liner. Things did get a little messy. That said, this liner was also one of the easiest to remove and came off well with a gentle cleansing oil.

These lashes are much kinder to your natural lashes (and your wallet) than regular salon treatments, and, with proper care, you can get up to 30 wears out of them.

Key specs Aesthetic: Medium to dramatic; Material: Synthetic fibres

Check price at Lola’s Lashes

Price when reviewed: £9 | Check price at Sephora

If youre not a fan of the dramatic, inky-black look, Ardells ultra-light Naked Lashes blended in seamlessly with our testers natural strands, and they were huge fans of the wispy, fluttery style.

They couldnt be easier to apply just two coats of the brands magnetic liquid or gel liner (which needs to be purchased separately) allowed them to sit securely and last throughout the day.

The band is super thin compared to all the other brands we tried its almost invisible on the eye, in fact, which only adds to the natural feel.

One caveat is that theyre tricky to pull out of the box possibly because theyre so dainty so take extra care, particularly if youre hoping to reuse them.

Key specs Aesthetic: Natural Material: Synthetic fibres

Check price at Sephora

Price when reviewed: £16 | Check price at Look Fantastic

For some, a full strip can look too heavy, and smaller and/or round eyes will benefit from either individual lashes or some fluttery half lashes in the outer corners to widen and elongate. These ultra-lightweight natural fibre lashes do just that, delivering that extra bit of oomph to the outer corners.

A bit of patience is required during application since youll need to apply three coats of liner (allowing each coat to dry in between) to get them to stay put but, that done, stay put they certainly do.

The eyeliner brush is a tad thick compared to a traditional liquid eyeliner brush, so unless youre a seasoned pro, it might take some time to master the perfect flick.

The lashes are easy to remove though, and the eyeliner rubbed off well with an oil-based cleanser. These ones are reusable up to 15 times.

Key specs Aesthetic: Cat-eye accent; Material: Natural fibres

Check price at Look Fantastic

Price when reviewed: £6 | Check price at Primark

These may look quite dramatic in the box, but theyre light and very natural-looking once youve applied them.

As well as being the cheapest in our roundup, they were also one of the most straightforward to apply. This is another pair that requires three coats of liner, and the brush is on the thick side, but the product glides smoothly over the lids without feeling claggy or drying and the lashes lasted well.

It doesnt state on the packaging how many times they can be reused but with proper care, youll certainly get a good few uses out of them. For less than the price of lunch, theyre a solid purchase.

Key specs Aesthetic: Natural to medium; Material: Faux mink

Check price at Primark

Written by

Danielle Wilkins

Danielle Wilkins is a London-based freelance writer and journalist with a special interest in parenting, wedding and beauty content. Formally the editor of Wedding Ideas and features editor at Baby, Danielle has worked with a number of brands and lifestyle publications in both a writing and editing capacity since her career began in 2007, covering product reviews for all things pregnancy, parenting, bridal and beauty. She has also previously shared advice and hosted panel talks at industry events such as Bubble London and The National Wedding Show.

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