Is Jeffree Star’s magic star concealer good for mature skin?

April 25, 2019/0 Comments/in Health & beauty, Makeup, Reviews /by [email protected]

I’ve been wanting some Jeffree Star makeup and when I saw he had a new concealer out, I just had to get it! When I found out my local Morphe store had my shade, C8, in stock I rushed right down there and got me one.

Before going on, can we just have a moment of awe for the magic wand packaging? I adore stars and crystals and the color pink. And this is a work of art!

jeffree star magic star concealer c8 — Magic star concealer, C8

Anyway, $22 is a splurge for me. I don’t buy high-end makeup. The closest thing I’ve had is the IT cosmetics bye bye undereye concealer. And I have to say that one didn’t impress me much.

Recently I’ve been using Maybelline instant age rewind concealer in the shade neutralizer with good results, and by that I mean it doesn’t crack on me. It also doesn’t cover as well as I would like.

I wanted to see if the JS concealer has better coverage as well as being crease proof. To test this out I wore JS on one eye and Maybelline on the other eye.

Note: I did not purchase the setting powder because I never put powder under my eyes. It just ends up looking dry and cracked. This test is for the concealer alone.

Product details and comparison

Color: The neutralizer is a bit darker than C8 which is for light to medium skin with olive undertones.

maybelline instant age rewind compared to jeffree star magic star concealer — Instant age rewind (neutralizer) and magic star (C8)

Volume: Comparing the amount in each product, the age rewind is 6 ml and magic star is 3.5 ml.

Ingredients: Chemically they share many of the same ingredients when it comes to silicones. They have different anti aging ingredients (two each) which show up at the end of the ingredient list.

Magic star may contain mica, an ingredient with light reflecting properties that makes you look younger.

Wear test: Jeffree Star magic star concealer vs. Maybelline instant age rewind

I applied a minimal amount to each eye, trying to keep it confined to the tear trough area, then blended it with my finger. Magic star went on smoother.

Beware: magic star concealer wand holds a lot of product

I also applied it on the nasal labial fold, an area I usually skip because makeup tends to break apart and crack, making it look even worse. However, for this experiment I wanted to see how it performed.

Maybelline was on my left side and Jeffree Star was on my right. I applied it at 1:30 pm and then went on about my day.

magic star on right eye, instant age rewind on left eye — Magic star on right eye is brighter than instant age rewind

Concealer swatch: (L) instant age rewind, (R) magic star

magic star blended out has better coverage — Concealers blended out. Magic star covers the vein better.

During the day I kept looking in the 10x mirror to see what was happening but tried not to touch either side.

Final thoughts

The Jeffree Star eye was brighter right from the start because the color was lighter and it did appear to be reflecting light. There was better coverage as well. A little goes a loooong way and I could have applied even less.

after wearing magic star concealer for 8 hours — After eight hours of wear

After eight hours of wear, there was no creasing under the eye. There was a tiny bit of breaking up along the smile line though. I’d like to try that area again using less.

My verdict

Magic star concealer has my seal of approval for mature skin! It glides on silky smooth, has great coverage, resists creasing and gives the illusion of younger looking skin.

I would definitely purchase again.

close up after 8 hours wear — After eight hours, no settling into lines

Please check out my video review!

Where to find Jeffree Star magic star concealer

JeffreeStarCosmetics.com
Morphe stores and online
Beautylish.com where you get free shipping on orders over $35
Beautybay.com

Expect miracles? Swell Skin sea buckthorn berry review

March 21, 2017/4 Comments/in Health, Health & beauty, Makeup, Reviews, Uncategorized /by [email protected]

We always hope for miracles from our beauty products but how awesome is it when you find a company that actually promises them.

I’m talking about Swell Skin, manufacturer of sea buckthorn berry oil and soap. And results are guaranteed or your money back.

You are not only guaranteed a miracle, you can expect one overnight. No need to wait weeks or months.

Fantastic, right? That’s what I thought so I decided to put their products to the test.

Promising airbrushed skin in 24 hours

Now what is it we’re supposed to see after just one application? The company claims that 90% of skin’s needs are met within the first 24 hours. As to what it’s really supposed to do, this is what they say:

“Sea buckthorn oil has a reputation for softening lines, plumping skin with moisture, healing skin inflammation including acne, rosacea and many more serious skin conditions.”

Founder Kelli Klus goes on to say, “Regardless of my skin’s occasional challenges, age, sun, infections, spots, acne, rashes, redness etc. the products work immediately to heal each and every one of these problems.”

They sum it up by promising airbrushed skin.

What will Swell Skin do for me? Putting it to the test

Now I’m fairly happy with my skin’s texture, hydration and elasticity. But I do have a few brown spots, hyperpigmentation and sebaceous hyperplasia (SH) bumps that I’d like to see go away. And occasionally I get keratosis pilaris (KP) on my face.

I took before and after photos (something that’s lacking on their website and on 99.9% of outside reviews).

I decided to test these products for either one night or one month. (One month if the overnight miracle did not occur.) And at the risk of becoming lopsided, I used them only on the right side of my face and neck.

Excitement was building as I prepared to use Swell Skin soap and oil for the first time. Would I really see overnight results?

I prayed to the god of skin miracles. Oh magic sea buckthorn berry, please take away my brown spots and bumps!

Using the sea buckthorn berry soap

Swell Skin sea buckthorn berry soap

The bar weighs 2.25 ounces. The ingredients are sodium palmate, sodium palm kernelate, water, glycerine, cocos nucifera oil (coconut oil), hippophae rhamnoides oil (sea buckthorn oil), aloe barbadensis leaf extract (aloe vera), astragalus membranaceus root extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), palmitic acid, sodium chloride, tetrasodium etidronate, tetrasodium EDTA.

The soap felt cool like mint and has minimal lather. It has a mild, pleasant smell.

Afterwards my skin felt very clean but not dried out. I was surprised to see it removed virtually all of my makeup. None of my other cleansers can do that.

Using the sea buckthorn berry oil

Swell Skin sea buckthorn berry oil

The bottle contains 100% pure sea buckthorn berry oil and is listed as .05 fluid ounces. That’s INCORRECT and I’m surprised nobody’s caught this big boo boo.

The actual measurement is .5 fluid ounces, or one-half ounce, which equals one tablespoon of oil.

And to prove that I poured my brand new bottle into a tablespoon. The picture is below.

Bottle contains 1T oil, or .5 fluid ounces, not .05

Moving on from that.

The oil has a faint smell, like some type of grain. It looks a bit orange and it feels like…well, oil. Yes, it feels like oil, it looks like oil and it does not completely absorb into the skin. It did not, however, turn my skin orange.

Expecting an overnight miracle. Did I get one?

The next morning there was still a little bit of oil on my face and neck. And I had only used a small amount. But it was easily rubbed in to reveal the fact that my skin looked exactly the same as before.

No miracle for me. The experiment continued for 29 more days, only using the products on the right side.

My results after 30 days

So here’s what happened. Nothing. Nada. Zip.

There was no overnight miracle.

There was no miracle after 30 days.

I see no difference whatsoever. My brown spots and SH bumps remain.

During the course of the trial period I did get a couple of pimples and also a couple of KP spots on my cheek. The pimples did not go away any faster. There was, however, faster healing with the KP, drying up in about five days.

My before and after photos

Forehead before (L) and after (R)

Eye before (L) and after (R)

Cheek before (L) and after (R)

Airbrushed skin? I think not.

Conclusion and final evaluation

Sea buckthorn soap

The soap is very good at removing makeup, better than any other cleanser I’ve ever used. But it didn’t make my skin look or feel any better. I would recommend it for being a very gentle, effective cleanser.

The bar will last me for many months.

Sea buckthorn oil

The oil might be soothing if I had irritated skin which I don’t. It left my face a little oily in the morning. The only condition it seemed to help at all was the KP which I mostly get on my body. However, it’s too expensive for me to use on that and I would not repurchase.

After using it for a full month, I still had half a bottle left. If I had used it on my entire face it would have lasted one month.

So is this is a miracle product or hype? My verdict: Hype.

Buy the soap if you want a good cleanser but forget the oil.

If you want to see how well Swell Skin worked on someone with acne, please check out this video. It’s the only review that I could find that actually has before and after photos.

For more information about Swell Skin, visit their website.

Have you used Swell Skin sea buckthorn oil or soap? Please share your experiences below.

Where can I get Red Cherry lashes?

December 26, 2012/0 Comments/in Health & beauty, Makeup, Reviews /by [email protected]

Find out where to get Red Cherry lashes

If you’re asking where you can get Red Cherry lashes, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to tell you where to find them at fantastic prices.

Not only that, I’m going to help you sort through the overwhelming variety of Red Cherry eyelashes so that you can find your right style. To assist you I’ve compiled a comparison chart and lists of Red Cherry lashes sorted by type and style number. I’ll also give you my review and recommendations from each category.

Kim Kardashian, with her trademark glam eyelashes, is the most famous person known for wearing Red Cherry lashes. Beyond that, you may not know Red Cherry lashes are made from human hair and are inexpensive. So let’s take a look at what Red Cherry has to offer.

Choosing the right Red Cherry lashes for you

I’m always on the hunt for the perfect eyelash and in my quest I’ve tried several different styles of Red Cherry lashes. I couldn’t find them in any stores in my area, but they’re readily available online at Amazon and eBay.

But before you go shopping, you need to figure out what you’re looking for. Unless you see them side by side, it’s kind of hard to tell the difference between styles and also get perspective on how long and full they really are. The following comparison chart will help you with the selection process.

Below that are lists of Red Cherry lashes sorted by category: natural, day and evening glamour, ultimate drama. These lists are in numerical order by style number.

Once you have the style numbers of the Red Cherry lashes you like, you can check them out on Amazon and eBay.

Comparison chart of Red Cherry false eyelashes by style number

This chart shows the different styles side by side.

Image credit: Amazon

Red Cherry lashes for the natural look—subtle to moderate length and volume

List of Red Cherry natural lashes (image credit: Lynda Makara)

Red Cherry lashes for day or evening glamour—moderate to full length and volume

List of Red Cherry glamour lashes (image credit: Lynda Makara)

Red Cherry lashes for ultimate drama—extreme length or volume

List of Red Cherry glamour lashes (image credit: Lynda Makara)

Red Cherry lower lashes—all lengths and volumes

List of Red Cherry lower lashes (image credit: Lynda Makara)

Photo credit: Cherry by joka2000 (Vietnam), on Flickr

My review of Red Cherry eyelashes

Choosing false eyelashes is a very personal thing, but here’s my opinion of Red Cherry lashes. I like the fact that they’re made from human hair, they’re well made, durable and cheaper than most other brands.

I’ve tried styles from every category, natural, day/evening glamour and drama, and here are my thoughts on each:

Natural. (Subtle to moderate length and volume.) Lashes described as subtle are too subtle for me. Since my own lashes are barely there, adding subtle false eyelashes does not make much difference. I end up having to build them up with mascara and then they just look okay. But they would be good to try for someone who’s new to false eyelashes.I much prefer the ones categorized as moderate and my favorite one is Red Cherry #28.
Day or evening glamour. (Moderate to full length and volume.) There are several that I like from this category because they have a little bit of drama but you can still wear them during the day. My favorite from this category is Red Cherry #DW because of the way they crisscross at the base. I also like Red Cherry #110 and Red Cherry #415 which remind me of my beloved Ardell Wispies.
Ultimate drama. (Extreme length or volume.) Okay, these are really out there. Most of them would only be appropriate for a club, performing on stage or walking the red carpet like Kim Kardashian. And these lashes being so long and thick means that the bands are also thicker and, therefore, not as comfortable to wear. For example, Red Cherry #138 were too long, too straight and the band was constantly poking my eyelid. I did not like these at all. My favorite from this category is Red Cherry #523. They’re a little long but the volume is just about right. They seem fairly comfortable as well. Check out Aileen’s Beauty/Fashion blog to see beautiful pictures of Red Cherry #523 being worn, as well as #117, #79, #203, #43 and #101.

Red Cherry “natural” lashes on Amazon

If you’re not sure what style will look flattering on you, it’s a good idea to try a few different styles. You can find a lot of variety on Amazon and usually for lower prices than you can find at your local beauty supply store.

The following is a small sampling of lashes that are suitable for daytime wear. They give your eyes a little more emphasis but no one will know you’re wearing falsies. You’ll be able to wear these every day. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it quicker to apply false eyelashes than to mess around with layers of mascara.

My favorite style from this category is #28.

Red Cherry “day/evening” lashes on Amazon

If you like a little more drama but still want your lashes to look believable, choose some styles from this section. Some of these looks are spiky, some are wispy and some are the same thickness straight across. I think the ones with a little texture are more natural looking. These are the lashes where the individual hairs are not all the same length.

My favorites from this category are the Red Cherry #DW for their wispy texture.

More styles are available than are shown here.

Red Cherry “dramatic” lashes on Amazon

If you really want to stand out in a crowd, choose from these dramatic looks. Ladies, if your style is bold and flamboyant, you’ll be drawn to these ultra glamorous eyelashes. These are great for clubbing and parties. But the trade off here for the extra drama is a little less comfort due to the weight and the thickness of the bands.

My favorite style from this category is #523.

This is just a sampling of the dramatic Red Cherry false eyelashes from Amazon.

Red Cherry, BUY IT NOW from Joy017 on eBay, a highly rated eBay seller

If you really want to get the best price on Red Cherry eyelashes, getting them from eBay is the way to go. After you’ve tried a few styles and you know what you like, pick up 20 of your favorites from this eBay seller. The price per item really drops when you buy in bulk.

Photo credit: Red cherries by jerryw387, on Flickr

Five foundation tips for women over 50

June 25, 2012/2 Comments/in Health & beauty, Makeup, Reviews /by [email protected]

These five tips will help women over 50 achieve a luminous, natural look with foundation

We all want to put our best face forward, but that gets harder as time goes on. Women over 50 are dealing with hyperpigmentation, sagging, bagging, lines and wrinkles. The right foundation can minimize those problems and make your skin look fresher and younger.

Many women over 50 skip foundation because they’re afraid it will collect in lines and wrinkles. While that’s a legitimate concern, it need not be a problem. I’ll share my five foundation tips for getting coverage without caking.

To illustrate that, you’ll see my before and after photos. I’ll recommend my favorite foundations and also give you application tips for a flawless natural look.

Five foundation tips for women over 50

Choose light reflecting foundation. Wrinkles are little valleys that create shadows on your face. A light reflecting foundation will illuminate those valleys and give an airbrushed look to lines and wrinkles. The magic light reflecting ingredient is mica, but you have to be careful with it. Too much and you’ll look like a Christmas ornament.
Avoid talc. Make sure to read the ingredients when choosing a foundation. Talc is the worst thing for emphasizing lines and wrinkles. It also makes your skin look ashy.
Avoid foundation that is too shiny or too matte. Shiny foundation, with too much mica or oil, highlights the uneven contours of the face and creates more contrast between the higher areas (bags and folds) and the lower areas (wrinkles, hollow eye sockets and cheeks). On the other hand, a foundation that’s too matte, looks dry, flat and unnatural. The perfect foundation should have a satin finish.
Choose foundation that matches your skin tone. This really should be obvious, but if you want your foundation to look natural, it should be the same color as your skin. Going one or two shades lighter or darker will just end up looking like a mask, and your face won’t match the rest of you. You might have to experiment a little to find the right shade. Foundation should match the skin at the jaw line.
Choose light to medium coverage. Too little coverage is just as bad as too much coverage. Something like a tinted moisturizer will do nothing to disguise hyperpigmentation. Foundation with light to medium coverage will still allow your skin to show through while concealing uneven skin tone.

Recommended foundations for women over 50

In my opinion, Physicians Formula mineral makeup powder and Revlon ColorStay liquid makeup are the best foundations for women over 50.

Physicians Formula mineral makeup is my favorite for its light reflecting properties, good coverage and sunscreen protection. Minerals do not clog pores and are usually nonirritating to sensitive skin.

Not all mineral makeup is created equal, however. Some have talc, too much mica or bismuth oxychloride which will make your skin itch.

I’ve tried several brands in my quest for the best mineral foundation, from high to low end. What I’ve discovered is a high price tag does not ensure a good result. For example, I tried the popular Bare Escentuals and didn’t care for it because it had too much mica and was itchy (it contains bismuth oxychloride).

Coming in second to Physicians Formula mineral foundation is Revlon ColorStay. (My review follows the Before and After Photos.)

Best overall foundation for women over 50, Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder

My favorite mineral foundation!

Physicians Formula mineral wear

Physicians Formula mineral powder is my everyday, go-to makeup. It goes on smoothly and looks great (see the photos below of me wearing Physicians Formula). Does not irritate or dry out the skin. Contains derivatives of antioxidant Vitamins A and E. It’s very forgiving in that it resists caking even if you apply a little too much. Provides light to medium coverage which lasts at least 12 hours without touching up (and I never touch up). You get a lot of product and it comes with a brush which I find perfectly adequate for makeup application.

Before and After photos

No foundation or concealer

Wearing Physicians Formula mineral foundation (with concealer and blush)

This photo was taken just minutes after the before photo.

Wearing Revlon ColorStay foundation (with concealer and blush)

I wear the Combination/oily skin formula. And normally I’d put a light dusting of mineral powder over this foundation, but I left it off to to show how the foundation looks on its own.

Adding a little powder on top will tone down the shine a bit and make the foundation super long lasting.

Revlon ColorStay liquid foundation review for women over 50

Medium to full coverage that lasts 24 hours

Revlon ColorStay liquid foundation is a good choice for mature women with dry skin. It has silicone which is supposed to glide over wrinkles. It contains emollients for softening the skin. And it contains just enough mica for an airbrushed look.

Revlon ColorStay comes in two formulations: Normal/dry skin and Combination/oily skin. The Normal/dry skin formula has more emollients and looks dewier than the Combination/oily skin formula, especially around the eye area. It’s also easier to blend.

This is the foundation I use when I want more coverage for a night out or when I’m facing an extremely long day. Provides medium to full coverage. It’s supposed to last 24 hours, and it really does. The staying power is phenomenal, especially when finished with a little mineral powder. Comes in a variety of shades.

How to apply loose mineral powder foundation. The key for natural looking makeup is to blend, blend, blend.

This video is a little long but you can skip to 5:54 to see how loose mineral powder is applied and how very little you need to use.

Before applying mineral foundation, start with clean, moisturized skin. Then shake out a little mineral powder into the lid. Dip the brush in the powder. Swirl the brush around in another lid or container. Tap off the excess. Buff into the skin using a circular motion.

How to apply Revlon ColorStay foundation

Begin with clean, moisturized skin. I never use a primer and I don’t really think it’s necessary. Plus I have the idea that it would ball up during the blending process.

My preferred application method is to use my fingers. Since the Combination/oily formula I use dries a little faster, I dampen my fingers with water. A makeup sponge dampened with water would also blend nicely.

Some people prefer to apply liquid foundation with brushes. If you use brushes, you’re going to end up using more of the foundation, plus you have to clean them later.

For whatever application method you use, put one or two drops of Revlon ColorStay in the middle of the area to be blended and smooth it out from there. Take extra care with the nose as the pores are larger there. A drop of water helps with blending.

Please watch the short video below to see how to apply Revlon ColorStay foundation with a makeup sponge and see the natural look that is achieved.

Women over 50, take the mineral makeup challenge

Is Physicians Formula the best foundation for over 50?

As a mature woman, you might be skeptical that putting mineral powder on your face could actually minimize wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. So I invite you to take the Physicians Formula mineral makeup challenge. Make up half your face with your current foundation, and use Physicians Formula mineral makeup on the other half. See how it looks indoors and outdoors, day and evening. And take pictures if need be to help you evaluate. I think you’ll find that Physicians Formula mineral makeup will make your skin look naturally flawless.

Five false eyelash tips for women over 50

May 15, 2012/8 Comments/in Health & beauty, Makeup, Reviews /by [email protected]

These five tips will help women over 50 get the most flattering look with false eyelashes

They say 50 is the new 30 and in many ways that may be true, except when it comes to your eyelashes. After 50, they’re just not what they used to be. False eyelashes are the best solution to thin, skimpy lashes if you know what you’re doing.

False eyelashes open up your eyes and make them look bigger, giving you a more youthful appearance. They enhance your beauty and make you feel feminine. Just like every work of art needs a focal point, your eyes will be the focal point with expertly-applied false lashes.

But where do you start? There are so many styles and brands to choose from. So I’m going to point you in the right direction and give you five tips for choosing false eyelashes and adhesive, applying them, removing them, and getting the most flattering, realistic look.

Five false eyelash tips for women over 50

Choose realistic looking eyelashes
Use a waterproof, flexible eyelash adhesive
Apply eyelashes with tweezers and a 10x magnifying mirror
Use eyeliner before and after applying eyelashes
Use mascara and an eyelash curler to blend real and fake lashes together

Tip 1: Choose realistic looking eyelashes

The most realistic lashes are ones with the same rounded shape as real lashes and the same feathery texture. Eyelashes that are too thick will not only look fake, they’ll have the effect of closing a middle-aged eye, rather than opening it up. Also, the bands should be as thin as possible for looking more realistic and for being more comfortable to wear.

Eyelashes that are winged out on the end can make your eye look droopy. I prefer false eyelashes that are tapered on both ends, with the inner edge being the same length as my own lashes and the outer edge being slightly longer.

I’ve tried many different brands and styles of false eyelashes, both human hair and synthetic. I think human hair lashes look the most real because they are real hair. And my favorite brand is Ardell. Here are my recommendations for realistic looking eyelashes for both daytime and nighttime.

Best Ardell eyelashes for the natural look

False eyelashes come in strips or individuals. While individual lashes look very realistic, they take so much longer to put on, take off and clean, just the thought of it drives me crazy. So I use and recommend the strip lashes. With care, they can last for up to three weeks.

This assortment of Ardell eyelashes are all good choices for the natural look.

Ardell Invisiband Babies

Here I am wearing Ardell Babies, a very subtle look

Ardell Babies

Ardell 110 Demi Lashes

Ardell 110

Here I am wearing Ardell 110 lashes, slightly longer and fuller than Ardell Babies

Ardell Invisiband Beauties

Ardell 108

Ardell 122

Here I am wearing Ardell 122 lashes, a lighter version of Ardell Wispies

These could be my new favorite! They have the same feathery quality as Ardell Wispies but they are slightly thinner and a just a bit shorter.

Best Ardell eyelashes for the glamour look

These Ardell eyelashes have more drama and still look believable. Except for maybe Ardell Elegant Eyes with glitter, but they’re too much fun to resist!

Ardell 105

Here I am wearing Ardell 105 lashes for the glamour look

Ardell 102

Ardell Elegant Eyes

Ardell Wispies, my favorite false eyelashes for the glamour look

Here I am wearing Ardell Wispies , long and glamorous but still very realistic

I love my Wispies so much, I want to wear them all the time!

Wispies are practically “the” perfect eyelash. I just love how feathery they are! They’re the right length for evening but can be a little long for daytime. Sometimes I just can’t resist and wear them in the daytime anyway.

They’re slightly thicker and longer than Ardell 122, and they’re not as tapered on the inner and outer edges.

Compared to the 105s, Wispies are more feathered and spiky while the 105s are only slightly feathered with the volume being even all the way across.

Tip 2: Use a waterproof, flexible eyelash adhesive

No matter how pretty your false eyelashes are, the look will be ruined if your eyelash adhesive doesn’t hold them in place. A waterproof, flexible glue will withstand a little moisture and will move with your eyelid. Duo and LashGrip are the two top eyelash glues. Some people think that Duo holds better, but having tried both I can’t tell the difference between the two. LashGrip is a little cheaper so I’m recommending that here.

These adhesives come in clear and dark. I’ve tried both and they each have pros and cons.The dark one has the advantage of blending in faster while it’s still drying. What I don’t like about it is if you accidentally get some on your eyeshadow, it leaves a black mark that has to be touched up. The clear adhesive will not ruin your eyeshadow, but it takes about ten minutes to dry clear. Currently, I’m using the clear and I think I prefer it overall.

Eyelash removal tip: Some people use eye makeup remover to remove lashes, but I just use water or a drop of coconut oil. I put a drop along the lash line and let it sit for a minute, then I pull off the lashes starting from the outer corner. Even though the glue is waterproof, it will soften up and the eyelash will come off easily without pulling your own eyelashes out. Then I hold the eyelash close to the band while I pull off the glue. I just use water to rinse off water-resistant mascara and eyeliner from the lashes.

Tip 3: Apply eyelashes with tweezers and a 10x magnifying mirror

Another fact of life over 50 is that our eyesight is not quite as good as it used to be. That makes putting on any makeup a difficult task, and mission impossible for applying false eyelashes.

I don’t wear prescription glasses or contacts, but I do wear readers for close work like beading, sewing, painting and putting on false eyelashes. And here’s how I do it.

First, if the eyelashes are new I remove them from the container by holding the outer edge and gently pulling them off. Then I put adhesive on the eyelash strip while wearing my reading glasses, applying just a small amount directly from the tube with a little extra dot on each end.

After allowing the glue to set up for 30 seconds (or using the blow dryer for five seconds), I grab the strip with tweezers. I take off my glasses and look into the 10x mirror. I hold both ends of the eyelash strip (using the tweezers and my fingers of the other hand) and put it on my eyelid starting at the outer corner. Then I use the tweezers to push the eyelash strip into place along my lash line.

I only use the 10x mirror for applying eyelashes, eyeliner and mascara. It sits in front of a regular mirror that I use for the rest of my makeup application.

Here’s a selection of 10x magnifying mirrors from Amazon. There are some freestanding mirrors, as well as one that mounts on the wall. And don’t forget to get a 10x compact mirror for your purse. It’s great for touch ups during the day.

Jerdon MC449N 5.5-Inch Folding Travel Mirror with 10x Magnification

Once you start using a 10x mirror for makeup application, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one! It’s indispensable for expertly applying false eyelashes and eyeliner, plucking your eyebrows and cleaning up eyeshadow fallout. This mirror is so versatile because it’s double-sided, 10x on one side and 1x on the other, and you can fold it up and travel with it.

Jerdon JP7510N 8-Inch Wall Mount Makeup Mirror with 10x and 15x Magnification

Floxite Elegant 10x Compact in Cobalt Blue with Crystal Medallion

How to apply false eyelashes

See how to apply them and how to remove them in this short video.

Tip 4: Use eyeliner before and after applying eyelashes

Use eyeliner before putting on false eyelashes to camouflage any gaps there may be between the real and fake lashes. So why do you need to put eyeliner on twice? I do this to cover up the eyelash glue. Whether you use clear or dark eyelash glue, they both look shiny when dried. So I go over the edge of the band with black liquid liner. It’s also important to fill in the line from the inner corner of your eye up to the eyelash strip.

Tip 5: Use mascara and an eyelash curler to blend real and fake lashes together

A lot of people put mascara on before the false lashes, but I like to do it afterwards. I start at the base of my lashes and wiggle the wand up while pushing into the fake lashes. Then I carefully curl my eyelashes. I think this helps bind the real lashes with the fake ones, and it makes your eyes look more open.

I like to use water-resistant mascara, not waterproof, because it’s easier to remove with just water.