Ok. Describing verbally how to apply fake eyelashes is a little like playing Scrabble in pantomime, so bear with me.

So what we're gonna do is first have a quick little glossary, so you know precisely what I'm talking about!

As you can see from the diagram here, I will refer to the skin area that you typically put eyeshadow on as the "lid" itself. The Lashes also need no introduction. It is that last little bit of skin, that line of skin just above where the lashes start, where you put your eyeliner, that I shall refer to heretofore as the "Lash Line."

These are a lousy representation of a fake strip of eyelashes. However, for our purposes, it's close enough for government work. When I refer to the lashes on the fakes, I will call them "Fake Lashes." The strip the fake lashes are glued to will be referred to as the "Lash Strip."

Finally, the tools and implements needed will be referred to as either a tube of glue or a bottle of glue.

Ok, now that we have that straight, let's get right down to brass tacks, shall we?

First, buy some fake eyelashes at your local drug store. Revlon makes some, but they're a little expensive. Mod makes fine ones in all different styles, and they are much cheaper. However, Revlon does have the "cachet" advantage here, so it's whatever kind you're happiest with.

Buy a color (blond, brown, black, etc.) that matches your own coloring. That said, I feel it necessary to tell you that I am a blonde, and have always bought black. I like black. I use black mascara and eyeliner, too. What can I say? Anyway, Your next decision is whether you'll be buying the individual lash clumps or the all-in-one strip. I sure hope for the purposes of this tutorial that it's the strip. I've never bought anything else. Those individual ones look like too much work. I do hope to soon get up a description for the use of those though.

While you're at the store, get some adhesive. Even if adhesive comes with the lashes....because they never give you enough for more than one use. And they're not resealable, in most cases. There are 2 kinds I know of; the afore-mentioned bottle and tube. I have used both and don't have a preference. They're both easy enough to use. Buy whichever you like. BUT -- if you buy the bottle, make sure you either have toothpicks at home, or buy them at the store, cause you'll need em.

Now that you're home with your purchases, and standing in front of the bathroom mirror (like the segue?) open the package. Make sure you're putting them on after your face has been washed and moisturized but before any makeup. Or do them in the order shown on the Supermodel Face page. Now, if you're using a tube of glue, take off the lid and gently squeeze the glue across the "Lash Strip." You want a medium line...too much glue is gloppy and dries badly, making them look obvious. Too little glue, and they won't stay on, they'll flop embarrassingly at one corner. For a first-timer, I suggest making a line as thin as you can, and then immediately going over it with another thin line. That should get you the right amount.

If you're using the bottle, get a toothpick and dip it into the bottle, then draw the toothpick across the lash strip. Do this along the length of the Lash Strip and then do it again.

Holding onto the Fake Lashes by the very tips, slowly position them in such a way that the Lash Strip will bond with the Lash Line. I've found a deft dip down and then up, sort of a swoop coming from underneath, works best. When they are correctly on the Lash Line (and as far down on it as possible) hold them there for a few seconds to ensure they bond right where they're supposed to -- and that they STAY there.

Bat your eyes gently for a few seconds when you remove your hand from the scene to help them dry further.

You are done! Take a good look at them and see that they look perfectly natural...absolutely NO peeling up at either end is acceptable...not because I'm a snob, but because you'll see for yourself how embarrassing it looks. :) It takes a little practice, but I swear you'll get it down in no time. Matter of fact, in my wild and crazy youth, I was known to occasionally sleep in them. Whoops. Heh.

And don't worry -- the glue is more like rubber cement than real glue. It rubs right off, and regardless of how long it's been on, those lashes'll peel right off without pain if you want them to.

And there you have it!