The 5 Best False Eyelashes of All Time Cost $30 or Less, and Make for the Perfect Cheap Beauty Gift

Move over, mascara: These fuss-free lashes are all your giftee needs for a fuller, longer look.

False eyelashes level up our look like no other beauty product, yet many of us opt out of using them for one major reason: they’re a total pain to put on, making them seem like the worst beauty gift. Well … at least they used to be.

Thankfully, we’ve moved far beyond the olden days of sewing them onto our lids (please don’t do that) and have more eyelash-enhancing options than ever to create a fuller look with our lashes. Modern false eyelashes are made with non-irritating materials — synthetic fibers, mink, or human hair — and come in various lengths to help your giftee achieve specific results.

There are hundreds of styles to gift, ranging from a subtle oomph with KISS My Lash But Better, All Mine to full-on va-va-volume with Lilly Lashes 3D Mink in Mykonos. False eyelashes, such as Doja Cat’s favorite $8 falsies, can be applied with old-fashioned lash glue, while others, like Glamnetic Virgo Magnetic Lashes, are trendy magnetized versions for seamless application. Regardless of which pair you gift loved ones, there’s a set of false eyelashes out there for everyone to enjoy for days, weeks, and even months to come. And given their cheap price tags, you can afford to gift plenty to loved ones and yourself.

How Safe are False Eyelashes?

There’s no doubt that false eyelashes look incredible, but are they actually safe to use? According to Dr. Elizabeth Chiang, M.D., Ph.D., an ophthalmologist and oculoplastic specialist, they’re generally safe, assuring “they cannot affect your eyesight if applied correctly.”

So, how exactly do you apply fake eyelashes safely? Makeup artist and founder of Embellish Beauty, Marcia Williams says you can safely use fake eyelashes with glue by following these two pro tips with every application:

1. Test the adhesive on the back of your hand in case of any skin irritations and reactions.
2. Silk false eyelashes are helpful for sensitive skin.

What to Consider

False eyelashes will enhance your beauty look in just a few minutes and can last between up to 40 wears — but according to Williams, the biggest key to finding the best lash that fits you is understanding your eye shape. The Philadelphia-based entrepreneur says you should keep these shape guidelines in mind while you shop:

• Round and almond-shaped eyes can handle fuller-bodied false eyelashes.
• Mono eye shape, hooded, and small eyes should consider shorter false eyelashes or fake eyelashes that are slightly longer in the center to create an illusion of depth.

How to Apply False Eyelashes

Here, Williams shares a few of her favorite tips for quick and easy false eyelash application.

• Measure the lashes before wearing them for a custom fit.
• Use small lash scissors to snip a tiny amount of outer lash hairs at a time.
• Allow the lash adhesive to dry down before applying.
• The shorter part of each faux lash strip goes closest to the inner corner of your natural lashes.
• Use the back of a spoon to press the lashes up once applied.

How We Chose

Since there are just so many fake fringes to choose from, we recruited a few of our very own editors, along with our beauty-fanatic colleagues from our sister Hearst publications to chat all about their favorite falsies, too. Here are our favorite fringes that made the cut.

What makes these LOVESEEN lashes so iconic? First off, they’re basically weightless, thanks to their lightweight nylon and P.E.T.-based lashes. They’re also easy to glue on, and you can even grab a helpful lash tool from their site to make the application easier than ever.

LOVESEEN is the brainchild of fashion designer Jenna Lyons and celebrity makeup artist Troi Ollivierre, so you already know this brand will be nothing less than sublime. Don’t believe us? Well, Brian Underwood, beauty director of Women’s Health — plus our very own parenting editor, Cat Bowen — both vouch for this amazing lash brand that you just simply can’t miss out on.

Underwood is a fan of all the lashes under their line, but Bowen says the “Jack” set is her favorite for an all-natural look that you can wear any day.

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4.7-star average from 58 LoveSeen reviews

Ardell is synonymous with false eyelashes, so it’s no surprise the signature #110 lashes are featured on this list.

These non-intimidating lashes are great for daily wear and beginners looking to give falsies a whirl. They sport a clear lash band so your giftee won’t have to camouflage with eyeliner or eyeshadow. They also alternate between medium and long synthetic hairs to give a realistic “your lashes, but better” feel.

While gifting five sets of the same eyelash may seem extra, your giftee will be thrilled to have backups. Not only do they have enough lashes to last them at least a month, but on nights when they want to amplify your eye look, they can layer two sets of lashes for extra drama.

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4.5-star average from 2,901 Amazon reviews

Alexis Gaskin, former freelance beauty assistant at Elle, says she can’t get enough of these bargain-friendly lashes — and we guarantee your giftee won’t either.

These lashes truly stand out for their ultra thin band, which makes them look oh, so real. Since the bands are thin, their lash application is a total breeze, but your loved one will need their own lash glue for this set.

But with its super-low price tag, you can feel free to gift all the lash glue you’d like — plus a few more pairs of these lashes!

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4.5-star average from 2,335 Amazon reviews

Doja Cat sported these dramatic eyelashes at the Grammys, so your giftee can recreate the red carpet lewk at home and will only cost you $8.

“I opted for a flared lash with spiky clusters to help elongate the eye and add a dramatic wispy effect. For this, I opted for the Kiss Lash in the style ‘Sire’ from the new Muse Lash Collection,” makeup artist Ernesto Casillas recently told us.

He applied the Kiss Strip Lash Adhesive and waited 10-15 seconds for it to get tacky, then applied the lashes and topped off with a generous coat of mascara to both top and bottom lashes. “The great thing about this look is that it doesn’t have to be precise,” he said.

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When your bestie wants to embrace maximum glamour, gift her these cruelty-free eyelashes from I-ENVY. They’re reusable up to three times and made with tiny microfibers placed under their real lashes for the most realistic appearance.

Lash clusters are ideal for when your giftee wants to create a more subtle effect, but they’ll really appreciate this beauty gift because it comes with lashes of various lengths. They can apply the longer clusters on their outer lashes to enhance their cat eye or start at the center for a Y2K baby doll look.

Amazon reviewers swear by these false eyelashes, and so will your giftee. “I love this product — it is so way to apply, looks unbelievably natural, and stays on,” says one 5-star review.

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3.9-star average form 2,624 Amazon reviews