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While chatting with Shea Couleé recently, she walked Allure through her application routine for false eyelashes. Turns out, the RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars winner has an unexpected-yet-genius way of gluing them on. Her quick trick is the key to keeping your fake lashes from drooping downward and weighing down your lids. (Drag queens often stack three sets, so a lifting effect is crucial.)
Running the glue along the inner rim of the falsies is the usual application technique, right? Well, according to Shea, that's all wrong. "I always recommend putting the lash glue on the top of the lash track, not on the inside," she says.
After putting on her lashes, Shea pushes them upward to help them curl in that direction better for a more doll-eyed aesthetic. "I use really long lashes, but they can cast big shadows," she explains. "It's so important to make sure that they're curling upwards away from the face for a more open-eye look."
Fellow drag queen Kim Chi taught Shea this technique eight years ago by way of Chicago-based makeup artist Jacob Strayer. "It's the gift that keeps on giving," Shea remarks.
Through his own trial and error when practicing his own drag makeup, Strayer discovered this tip, he tells Allure. His added advice: "Look down when applying the lash. Do this until it dries. Don't look up too soon to avoid getting glue on your upper lid, but don't let it dry completely, so you can make minor adjustments." Noted.
Strayer's longtime lash glue of choice is Duo's black Eyelash Adhesive. (For those who prefer clear, we love the Kiss Ever EZ Lash Adhesive.) If you happen to be in the market for a new pair of false eyelashes, too, Velour's The Effortless Collection won a 2020 Best of Beauty Award for its lush, fluttery styles with lightweight bands for the ultimate lifted lash look.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Read more about false lashes:
- The Official False Eyelash Guide
- I Tried the Lash-Liner Glue That's All Over TikTok
- Beyoncé Has Secretly Been Wearing These New Falsies for Two Years
Now, see Latrice Royale's drag transformation in action:
