lash out

The last time I wore fake eyelashes was for a Halloween costume in 1997. So imagine my lack of expertise when trying I-Envy ($3.49), the glamorous new lashes from Kiss. I was getting ready to head to the Bryant Park tents for NY Fashion Week and decided to give them a try. I chose Juicy Volume but they're available in a handful of lengths and sizes. I applied the glue (maybe a bit too liberally!) then placed the lashes in place along my lashline. The great thing about I-Envy is that the length is ideal for most eyes. The instructions said you could cut them to make them fit your eye so they don't droop at the edges but I thought if they were supposed to reach from the inner corner of my eye to the outer, I would need a longer pair. There was no advice on what to do about that. When I asked the company, they said a professional makeup artist might cut the lashes in sections to beef up natural lashes where needed. I wasn't even going to attempt that so I sort of placed it in the middle, a bit closer to my outer eye where it would be more noticeable, and continued. I also made sure to press the lashes into the groove right above my natural lashline, without letting skin show between the lashes and my own. If you place them on your own lashes, they will droop instead of opening your eye. I held the lashes in place for about 10 seconds until the glue dried, then wiped off the excess. One helpful trick from the experts at Kiss is to allow the adhesive to become tacky before applying. Another trick is to tilt your chin up but look down into the mirror so your lid is facing down. When I looked in the mirror, some of the lashes had stuck together where there was a bit more glue so it looked funny. When I tried to fix it, the whole piece of lashes moved and then I couldn't get it back to the right spot. I have to say, for the few minutes they were in place, they looked great! Lush volume, dark and sexy--I wished they were my own. If you think you have a steadier hand than I do, go to www.kiss.com for more info or your local Duane Reade store to buy them. If you get it right, you'll be batting a thousand.