Why You Need Magnetic Eyelashes In Your Makeup Routine (2024)

Thousands of reviewers on Amazon recommend these eyelashes because they're easy to use, provide an array of style options and last all day long. We tested the "natural" pair and thought they looked comparable to traditional false lashes. The thin magnetic liner brush applies a pigment-packed formula and the lash pack includes a silicone-ended tweezer that makes the application seamless.

Take note: The liquid liner takes more than a few minutes to dry completely, so refresh your hair or change your outfit in the meantime — the instructions say it needs to be completely dry before you apply the lashes. The strips went on with ease and stayed put, but our tester found the magnets' weight felt noticeable. Once trimmed, however, the strips fit better and felt more comfortable with time.

This faux mink eyelash set earned a 100% SkinSafe Score, per our Lab's ingredient evaluation. What's more, celebrity makeup artist Maya René loves Eylure for its great selection of eyelashes, and "it also comes with the magnetic liner for your convenience!" Ulta reviewers seem to enjoy the magnetic liner and lash set too.

"I was able to wear these lashes for six hours without needing to reapply the magnetic liner nor did I have any sort of lifting issues," says one Ulta reviewer. "They were much more comfortable than glue-on eyelashes and after about an hour I couldn't even tell I was wearing them any longer." However, some Ulta reviewers noted it required multiple layers of liner to get the lashes to adhere.

Eylure's luxe lashes fluttered their way to high praise among our Beauty Lab pros, who gave it perfect scores for adding volume and length to the appearance of lashes. "It was simpler than any fake eyelash product I tried before," says Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral. "They amplified [my] look without looking too fake."

Testers also raved that it stayed in place all day. Among both novice and pro faux lash users, the eyeliner glided nicely while also making it easy to place the lashes. One thing worth noting: Another tester found the application process a bit tedious as they needed to re-draw the eyeliner multiple times, plus allot extra dry time for it to stick properly.

Customize your look with magnetic lash sections. One Two Cosmetic's sturdy case comes with corresponding placements labeled under each lash. "I liked that there were two pairs of lashes for each eye," said Senior Chemist at the GH Beauty Lab Sabina Wizemann.

"Placing one pair at the outer corners of the eye was enough for my eye to pop but look natural (using both was too much for me)," she said. "I also liked that they were neatly organized in their chambers." One caveat is that they're a bit tricky to get onto the lash line: Our tester followed the instructions closely and successfully applied the lashes after a fourth try.

These lashes put your eye health first, as they're made by board-certified ophthalmologist Anika Goodwin, M.D., CEO of Opulence MD Beauty, who claims the brand's "magnetic liner has the safest concentration of microscopic iron oxide particles that assure a strong adhesion," she says.

Wizemann tried this pair, noting she had to trim the ends to fit to her lash line. The potted eyeliner was a little bit on the thicker side, but the stiff brush tip helped apply it in one stroke. After, the lashes easily snapped into place and held on throughout the day, feeling "soft and flexible and also looked natural."

Our Good Housekeeping Institute Health, Beauty & Sustainability Lab evaluated every magnetic eyelash and magnetic eyeliner recommended above with Michael S. Brown, Ph.D.

In our test, we cross-checked the magnetic liner's ingredients against the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classification and the current Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 - Prop 65) list. We also utilized the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) database to verify the safety of several ingredients.

Our recommendations do not include any magnetic eyelash and eyeliner kits that:

• Lack an ingredient list on its packaging, according to the FDA Declaration of Ingredients
• Have incorrectly spelled or shortened ingredients
• Contain triethanolamine, a potential skin and eye irritant
• Contain carbon black in its nano form
  

✔️ Styles: Eye shapes vary and your falsies should suit you.

• For hooded lids, wispy lashes look best. Its fine, feathery qualities create subtle volume and make the eye appear larger, says René.
• Smaller eyes can try cluster lashes, which let you build up and customize whichever shape you'd prefer — cat eye or otherwise.
• Large eyes can handle many lash types: Thicker lashes add volume, while a small lash adds subtle definition. "When I'm working with clients that have large, round eyes, I try to enhance their shape by reaching for lashes that bring drama but in a subtle way," René adds. "I really like using 3D lashes because they enhance volume and length, but they don't overpower the eye."

✔️ Size and weight: Fuller styles are trickier to apply since they weigh down lashes more. Beginner lash wearers may strike more luck by starting out with wispy lashes that are lighter to handle. Even individual lashes, though a bit intimidating, let you take on smaller sections at a time. Use a spoolie to blend with your natural lashes and even an imperfect application can look pretty seamless. Pro tip: René recommends taking the lash out of its packaging and molding the band. "Take the two ends and press them together, creating a circle," she says. "In doing this, it helps to mold the band to better fit the shape of your eye."

Yes, overall, magnetic lashes are safe to use around the eyes, according to Elise Brisco, OD, CCH, integrative optometrist and clinical homeopath.

She explains that magnetic eyelashes are even better than using traditional false eyelashes because you don’t need to apply glue close to the eye area.

Magnetic eyeliner contains iron oxides, which are tiny, pigmented minerals commonly found in cosmetics, that are FDA-approved for use around the eyes, according to Andrea Thau, M.D., a past president of the American Optometric Association. "There does not appear to be any risk with the small amount of electromagnetic frequency emitted by the magnets." To be extra safe:

✔️ Read the directions on the package. Whether or not you're a pro at applying false eyelashes, each kit is unique and has its own set of instructions.

✔️ Don't share your eyelashes with friends. "Make sure you keep them clean so you don't give yourself an eye infection," Dr. Brisco says. "Wash your hands before handling anything close to your eyes."

✔️ Remove them before you go to bed. "When you don’t clean your eyelids well, or remove makeup and false eyelashes, you risk getting an eye infection," Dr. Brisco says.

There are some potential hazards associated with magnetic eyelashes, including allergic reaction, irritation, eyelid fatigue, lashes falling out and corneal abrasion, says Dr. Thau. The important thing to remember when wearing eyelashes or applying any eye makeup is to practice good hygiene habits, including washing your hands frequently, avoiding rubbing your eyes as much as possible and not sharing makeup.

If you are sensitive to certain metals, Dr. Thau recommends a patch test to check for any negative reactions before using the product near your eyes. "I would also recommend patients with sensitive eyes avoid wearing false eyelashes every day," she advises. "Take breaks every few days so lashes and the area around your eyes can breathe and rest."

Dr. Thau also notes that magnetic eyelashes are unsafe for MRI and must be removed before entering the MRI zone. "The scan uses a magnetic field and could cause injury or complications if magnetic lashes are present," she says. "Patients should remember to mention it to the technologist or remove them before an MRI."

"First, curl your natural lashes and apply a layer of mascara so that the falsies will hold better," says René. "If you apply them on a bare lash it will likely slide off." Makeup artist Lydia Arroyo finds it's easiest to set the lash down in the middle, then adjust the outer corner and save the inner corner for last.

Wizemann has her own method of magnetic lash application: "I found the easiest way to put them on was to hold the top [of the] lashes with my fingers and snap the bottom on with tweezers," she says. "But if you're not comfortable using tweezers, you can buy little lash applicator tools with rounded edges on them."

Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann oversaw the ingredient review for every magnetic lash recommendation in this article. During her over 10-year tenure at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, she regularly tests makeup products in the Lab, including some of the magnetic lashes in this article.

Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin collaborated with Wizemann and interviewed industry experts to put together a comprehensive list of our picks. She road tested the remaining magnetic lashes on both herself and her peers.

We also consulted outside experts, including celebrity makeup artists, ophthalmologists and environmental experts:

• Michael S. Brown, Ph.D, is the founder of BWE, an environmental and sustainability management consulting firm.
• Andrea Thau, MD, is the former president of the American Optometric Association.
• Elise Brisco, OD, CCH, is an integrative optometrist and clinical homeopath.
• Lydia Arroyo is a professional makeup artist.
• Maya René is a celebrity makeup artist.