Imagine that hell has frozen over (or the world has run out of fake lash glue), and you're stuck without any way to adhere your falsies to your lash line.
You could go glue-free with magnetic lashes, but what if you want the classic look of glue? Here are some substitutes for lash glue that you can use in a pinch.
How to make eyelash glue in a hurry
At this point, we have to say we don't recommend that you make your own glue, but if you're caught short and there's no way to get your mitts on some glue (There's always a way, more on that later), then the following suggestions might help.
The suggestions probably won't help, to be fair, but in the name of science and beauty, let's get stuck in with some pros and cons:
Honey sugar solution mix
Mixing sugar, honey, and water together makes homemade glue.
Pros: You should have all the dry ingredients in your kitchen cupboard, especially if you're a cake maker.
Cons: It will be sticky, like really sticky, and you'll have difficulty getting it off your fingers and lashes. Plus, it probably won't hold up for very long. But if you're stuck (literally), this might work.
Flaxseed glue
Heating flax seed and water can make an all-natural adhesive that is also said to encourage lash growth.
Pros: All-natural ingredients, but so are chillies, and we won’t recommend putting those on your eyes.
Cons: Same as above, it will be sticky and hard to remove. Plus, you'll need to heat the flaxseed for a long time to make the glue, which can be a bit of a faff. Plus, who has flaxseed in their store cupboard? Not us!
White rice as glue
Mashing white rice mixed with water can create a glue-like substance.
Pros: It's a great way to use up leftovers. No, you can't use the rice from your takeaway - sorry, NO!
Cons: Same as above, it will be sticky and hard to remove. Plus, you could attract hungry birds (not the human variety) or insects looking for a snack.
Tape
This might not be the most gentle option, but clear tape can do the trick if you're in a bind.
Pros: You can buy clear tape in the corner shop, and what's left over can be used for wrapping presents.
Cons: Tape will pull your lashes off when you try to remove it, and it probably won't hold up for very long. Ouch, double ouch, in fact.
Coconut oil as glue
This one is controversial because it can irritate some people.
Pros: Coconut oil can work as an adhesive and help nourish your lashes if you don't have sensitive skin.
Cons: Coconut oil as the glue will never work in reality, plus it will drip in your eye, causing blurry vision. Anyway, who wants to go out smelling like a piña colada? Although we do love a piña colada here at false lash HQ.
As you can see, there are several options if you're caught without lash glue, but we wouldn't recommend any of them for long-term use or sensitive skin. Now let's look at what you should do if you're in this sticky situation.
There are loads of options if you don't want to use glue or you've run out; here are just a few.
Borrow your mum's or your best mates' glue: If all else fails, ask your mum or best friend if you can borrow some of their lash glue. Just make sure to give it back once you're done. Seriously, here are some proper suggestions.
Go glue-free with magnetic lashes
Magnetic lashes combined with a magnetic liner are a great way to achieve the look of falsies without any glue. They're easy to apply and remove and won't damage your natural lashes. Plus, they're reusable, so you'll save money in the long run.
Here are our favourite magnetic lash and liner kits:
- LOLA'S LASHES MAGNETIC LASH KIT - ROSE QUARTZ
- ARDELL MAGNETIC LINER AND LASH KIT - ACCENT 002
- EYLURE PRO MAGNETIC EYELINER & LASH KIT FLUTTERY LIGHT 007
- LOLA'S LASHES MAGNETIC LASH KIT – RUBY
Use mascara
If you don't fancy magnetic lashes and liners, there are other options, such as mascara.
You can use waterproof mascara to make your own lashes look like falsies, or you can try lengthening or volumising mascara to enhance your natural lashes. Just make sure to curl them first for extra oomph.
Here are our favourite mascaras:
- BENEFIT THEY'RE REAL MASCARA - JET BLACK
- SWEED PRO LASH LIFT MASCARA
- RIMMEL SCANDALEYES RELOADED MASCARA 001 BLACK
- MAX FACTOR RISE & SHINE MASCARA
Mascara is great, and we love it, but it can't really replace the lovely effect of a complete set of false eyelashes. So, here are some other things you can do:
Get a glue subscription
Why not sign up for a subscription if you're fed up running out of lash glue? That way, you'll always have a fresh tube on hand and won't have to worry about scrambling for lash adhesive ever again.
Stock up
Buy multiple tubes of lash glue so you're never left in the lurch again. We recommend storing them in a cool place, so they don't dry out.
Glue lasts ages, so if you decide to stock up, good for you and your organised self. Don't worry. The bond might go off because it won't; the glue will still be good go to go when you're rocking your slippers and pipe and watching the antique road show. Oh! You do that now (crying and not in a good way).
Use self-adhesive strip lashes
While stocking up, put in a few packets of self-adhesive strip lashes. Strip lashes are great to have on hand for emergencies and are much easier to apply than regular falsies.
Self-adhesive strip lashes are what they say on the packet; the strips already have glue on them - yes, they're pre-glued. Boom!
Self-adhesive lashes are a godsend, perfect for when you can't be bothered to mess around with lash glue. They're also ideal for beginners still getting the hang of applying falsies.
If you need a little help removing these bad boys, click the link and read about the best way to remove strip lashes.
Here are some of our favourites:
- KISS EVEREADY LASHES - BLACK
- ARDELL LASHES DEMI WISPIES MULTIPACK (6 PAIRS)
- ARDELL NAKED LASHES 421 MULTIPACK
- EYLURE PRE-GLUED TEXTURE LASHES 11
So what if your tardiness wasn't about forgetting to buy glue? It's more about finding an adhesive to suit you. It's possible that you still need to find your glue life partner.
There are loads of different glues on the market, so finding the right one for you is challenging. Other adhesives have different ingredients, so it's essential to research and figure out what works best for you.
To help you remove individual lashes, we have added a link to our blog here. Click on it and read about how to do it effectively.
Always start with a patch or sensitivity test
We can't say this enough! Doing a patch or sensitivity test before using any new product on your skin, eyes, or lashes is essential. A sensitivity test will help determine whether you're allergic to the ingredients in the glue.
To carry out a patch test, put a small amount of glue to the inside of your wrist or behind your ear and wait 24 hours to see if there's any reaction. Don't use glue if your skin is red, swollen, or itchy.
If you have easily irritated skin, you'll need to find a gentle glue that won't irritate. Likewise, if you want a strong hold, look for an adhesive with a high bonding strength but is kind to the eyes. We have a few suggestions that might work for you.
Here are a few of our favourite lash glues:
- DUO QUICK SET STRIP LASH ADHESIVE CLEAR TONE
- DUO BRUSH-ON STRIP LASH ADHESIVE WHITE/CLEAR TONE
- HOUSE OF LASHES - LASH ADHESIVE CLEAR
- ARDELL LASH TITE CLEAR INDIVIDUAL LASH ADHESIVE
The above are fantastic, but there are loads more to choose from. It's worth reading our blog about choosing the best glue for you. After all - forewarned is forearmed or, in this case, lashinformed.
Finally, we want to hear from you if you decide to go down the homemade lash glue route - warning, though, we will laugh at you and post your ridiculous fails on our Instagram page. We'll probably tweet about it and go for the full-on glue shaming on TikTok. You have been warned.
We hope this information has helped you if you were wondering what to do if you don't have eyelash glue. Remember that there are loads of options, so you're never stuck without gorgeous lashes.
And if all else fails, ask your mum or best mate to borrow some of their lash glue. They probably won't mind... much.
But definitely don't use white rice as glue - that's gross.
