How to Make and Apply Your Own Novelty Eyelashes

Outrageous fake eyelashes are a really fun and unique way to send any costume or outfit over the top.  They will really make you stand out at parties, festivals, Burning Man, parades, clubs or just around town if you like surprising people.  But sometimes, you just can't find what you are looking for or can't be bothered with the fuss of putting them on.  I'll show you how to customize your own fake eyelashes and apply them to they stay put all day (or all night)!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

To make your own custom eyelashes, you will need:
-Fake eyelashes for your base.  These can be whatever kind you want.  I like to wait until after Halloween and then buy a bunch of them for a dollar each.  You can get nice, expensive ones if you want, but it's really not necessary.
-Embellishments.  Anything from feathers to sequins and rhinestones to cake sprinkles (yes! give them a coat of clear nail polish to keep the ants away), watch parts for a steampunk look and colorful eye shadows if you want to change the colors of the lashes.  I would not recommend using glitter or other powders that are not intended for eye wear in case they fall off the lashes.
-spirit gum and/or eyelash glue.
-scissors (not pictured)
-Tweezers, brushes, toothpicks, implements to help you attach your embellishments to your fake lashes.

Step 2: Plan Design

Start planning out how you want to arrange your embellishments on your lashes.  Keep the lashes attached to the plastic part they came on, and try setting up your embellishments in different arrangements around them.  This step is not for everyone!  If you're the type who likes to jump right in, then by all means, go for it!  For some people, it can help to lay out your decorations before you start gluing to make sure they will all fit and look how you want them to look.
If you are using feathers or things like that, it helps to arrange larger, or longer items towards the outside of the eyelashes. that is, the part that will be at the outside corner of your eye when you are wearing them.

Step 3: Glue Stuff On!

Here's the fun part.  Using the spirit gum or eyelash glue, you can start gluing on your decorations!  Be careful not to use too much glue because, while it should dry clear, you still don't want to see huge clumps of glue on your eyelashes.  For this part, it can be helpful to use tweezers or toothpicks to help with some of the smaller things.  When using these adhesives, wait for 30 second or so for it to become tacky before trying to stick anything together, otherwise it won't stick.
If you want to color your eyelashes using eye shadow, use a clean mascara brush to coat the fake lashes with a thin coat of eyelash glue or spirit gum.  Wait for a moment, then use a blush brush, or eye shadow brush to dust on the color you want your eyelashes to be.  Make sure the eyeshadow doesn't get clumped together or anything.  Let the glue dry thoroughly and blow lightly on the lashes to get rid of the excess powder.

Step 4: Let Them Dry

This is possibly the most difficult step.  Your eyelashes will look awesome, and you will want to put them on right away, but resist the temptation!  The last thing you want is for them to not be dry and to fall apart as soon as you touch them!

Step 5: Apply Your Eyelashes!

Now you get to wear them!  After applying whatever other makeup you are going to wear, squeeze a little eyelash glue on the back of your hand and lightly coat the edge of the lashes with it by holding onto the lashes and gently dabbing the edge into it.  (Excuse my chipping nail polish!)  Once you have a fine even coat along the edge, let the glue dry for at least 30 seconds.  Then, starting at the inner corner of your eye, stick the end of the eyelashes as close to your natural lash line as possible.  Sometimes tweezers can be helpful for this step as well.  Once you have the inner corner secure, slowly apply the rest of the lashes, staying as close to your lash line as possible.  Apply pressure with your fingers for a few seconds before releasing your eyelid to ensure that the lashes are fully secure.
Touch up any makeup that might have rubbed off during lash application and you're good to go!