There’s something undeniably captivating about fluttery, luscious eyelashes. For many women, the dream of achieving those perfect lashes often leads to countless hours spent applying mascara, fiddling with strip lashes, or making appointments for expensive salon lash extensions. What if I told you that you could achieve a salon-quality lash look at home, with minimal effort, and at a fraction of the cost? Enter DIY eyelash extensions – an increasingly popular and budget-friendly alternative that allows you to achieve the glamorous lash look you’ve always wanted without breaking the bank.
Unlike traditional strip lashes that are applied on top of your natural lashes, DIY lash extensions are applied underneath your lashes, which not only gives a more natural look but also reduces stress on your natural lashes, allowing them to grow healthier. The process might sound daunting, but with the right tools and a bit of practice, you can master it and enjoy beautiful, voluminous lashes every day.
The Best DIY Lash Extension Kits: My Top 5 Picks
In this post, I’m sharing my personal experience with five of the best DIY lash extension kits on the market. I’ve tested them all, and I’ll be ranking them from the best to the least impressive, based on factors like ease of use, quality, durability, and value for money.
1. Nanolash DIY Eyelash Extensions Starter Kit
Why It’s My Top Pick
The Nanolash DIY Eyelash Extensions Starter Kit blew me away from the first application. This kit is every lash lover’s dream come true, providing everything you need to create a variety of lash looks with minimal effort. The kit includes 36 cluster lashes available in three different lengths: 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm, giving you the flexibility to customize your look. What’s more, these lashes come in eight different styles and two colors – black and brown, so you can match them perfectly to your natural lashes or mood.
The lashes themselves are soft, lightweight, and incredibly easy to apply. Even as a beginner, I found the process straightforward, thanks to the quality applicator included in the kit. What sets this kit apart from the others is the inclusion of a bonder, sealer, and remover. The bonder ensures that your lashes stay put for days, while the sealer adds a natural finish, locking everything in place. The remover is gentle yet effective, making the process of taking off the lashes painless and quick.
Benefits:
- Complete Kit: The Nanolash kit includes everything you need – cluster lashes in multiple styles and lengths, a bonder, sealer, remover, and an applicator.
- Variety: With 36 cluster lashes in different lengths and styles, you can create a range of lash looks, from natural to dramatic.
- Ease of Use: The lashes are soft and easy to handle, making the application process smooth, even for beginners.
- Affordable: Despite its professional quality, the Nanolash kit is reasonably priced, providing excellent value for money.
Drawbacks:
- Honestly, I struggled to find any significant drawbacks. The only minor inconvenience is that the lashes are so lightweight, they can sometimes be tricky to handle if you’re not careful. But with a little practice, this becomes a non-issue.
2. Ardell X-tended Wear Lash System KIT
The Ardell X-tended Wear Lash System KIT is another excellent option, especially if you’re new to DIY lash extensions. The kit includes cluster lashes, a bonder, an applicator, and a remover -making it a complete set for at-home lash application. The lashes themselves are lightweight and easy to apply, although they don’t offer as much variety in terms of style and length as the Nanolash kit.
My first attempt at applying these lashes took about 20 minutes, but with each subsequent application, I became more proficient, cutting the time down to around 10-15 minutes. The bonder ensures that the cluster lashes stay in place for several days, and the remover is effective without being harsh on your natural lashes.
Benefits:
- User-Friendly: The Ardell kit is straightforward and easy to use, making it a great choice for beginners.
- Complete Kit: Like the Nanolash kit, this one also includes a bonder, remover, and applicator.
- Durability: The lashes stay in place for several days, provided you apply them correctly.
Drawbacks:
- Limited Variety: The lashes in this kit are all quite similar, differing only in length. If you’re looking for more variety in your lash look, this might not be the best option.
- Time-Consuming: The initial application can be time-consuming, especially for those new to DIY lash extensions.
3. KISS Falscara Starter Kit
The KISS Falscara Starter Kit is a popular choice, and for good reason – it’s affordable and relatively easy to use. The kit includes the Falscara Bond and Seal, a set of angled tweezers, and a set of 10mm-12mm lash clusters. The cluster lashes are soft and lightweight, and the angled tweezers make them easy to apply. However, the kit contains only 10 cluster lashes, which severely limits your styling options.
One thing to note is that while the bond and seal included in the kit help the lashes stay in place, you’ll need to purchase an additional product to ensure they last overnight. Without this, you may find that your lashes don’t last as long as you’d like.
Benefits:
- Affordable: The KISS Falscara kit is one of the most budget-friendly options on this list.
- Easy Application: The angled tweezers make it easy to apply the lashes, even if you’re a beginner.
Drawbacks:
- Limited Lash Clusters: The kit only includes 10 lash clusters, which limits your ability to create a variety of looks.
- Durability: The cluster lashes don’t last as long as those in other kits unless you purchase the additional overnight protectant.
4. Tatti Lashes Invisi-Lash Kit
Tatti Lashes has built a strong reputation in the beauty world, and their Invisi-Lash Kit is no exception. The kit includes individual cluster lashes that can be reused multiple times provided you care for them properly. There are seven individual cluster lash styles to choose from, allowing you to customize your lash look.
One of the standout features of this kit is the quality of the lashes – they’re soft, lightweight, and look incredibly natural. The application process is quick and effortless, making it a great option for those who want a fast and easy lash routine. However, the kit does not include a remover, which can make the process of taking off the lashes a bit tricky. I found that removing the glue residue was a bit of a hassle without a proper remover.
Benefits:
- High-Quality Lashes: The lashes in this kit are soft, lightweight, and look natural.
- Reusable: The lashes can be reused multiple times, making the kit a good investment.
- Variety: With seven different styles to choose from, you can create a range of lash looks.
Drawbacks:
- No Remover Included: The lack of a remover makes it difficult to take off the lashes without leaving glue residues behind.
- Price: While not the most expensive kit on this list, it’s still on the pricier side, especially considering that the remover is not included.
5. Lashify Starter Kit
Lashify is often hailed as the gold standard in DIY lash extensions, and after testing the Lashify Starter Kit, I can see why. The lashes in this kit are made of silk, making them incredibly lightweight and feathery. The application process is smooth, and the lashes blend seamlessly with your natural ones, giving you a stunning, professional-looking finish.
However, there are a few downsides. The first is the price – this is by far the most expensive kit I tested. While the quality of the lashes is excellent, the kit only includes 10 lash clusters, enough for a single application. For the price, I expected more variety and more cluster lashes per kit. If you’re on a budget, there are other kits, like Nanolash, that provide similar quality at a fraction of the price.
Benefits:
- High-Quality Lashes: The silk lashes are lightweight, feathery, and blend beautifully with your natural lashes.
- Professional Finish: The lashes give a stunning, salon-quality finish that’s hard to beat.
Drawbacks:
- Price: The Lashify kit costs a fortune, especially considering it includes enough lashes for a single application.
- Limited Lash Clusters: With only 10 lash clusters, your styling options are limited.
Benefits of DIY Cluster Lashes and The Winner of My Ranking
DIY cluster lashes provide several benefits over traditional strip lashes and professional lash extensions. They’re more affordable, less time-consuming, and you can apply them at home without the need for a professional. Plus, because they’re applied underneath your natural lashes, they’re less likely to cause damage, allowing your natural lashes to grow healthy and strong.
After testing several lash-styling kits, the Nanolash DIY Eyelash Extensions Starter Kit emerged as the clear winner. This kit provides everything you need in one affordable, high-quality box, including a variety of lash lengths and styles, a bonder, sealer, remover, and applicator. The lashes are easy to put on, soft, and comfortable to wear, making it the perfect choice for both beginners and experienced lash enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re looking for a natural everyday look or something bolder, the Nanolash kit has you covered.
