If NASA ever needs lashes that withstand re-entry into earth, maybe they should get some from Wosado. That was a funny thought I had while wearing magnetic lashes—tested, unintentionally, on The Flying Dinosaur rollercoaster at Universal Studios Japan. Picture this: seated in face-down position, hurtling through Osaka’s skies at breakneck speed, hair in chaos, dignity questionable. And yet, my lashes? Secure as a rollercoaster’s seatbelt. Three out of four of my friend group wore magnetic lashes to the park, and all three survived the G-force unscathed.
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The funny thing is, Wosado has addressed that the magnets surrounding their tech are small and light, but mighty enough to survive a rollercoaster. It does sound like a gimmick, and such was the consensus when this product first went viral on Xiaohongshu and later Tiktok in early 2023. After two years of wearing these bad boys on and off, I do have my thoughts about them.
Who would magnetic lashes be good for?
Kat Zhang, make-up artist and founder of Suburbs Studio, weighs in on this, “Magnetic lashes are great for those who are allergic to traditional lash glues or adhesives as they eliminate the need for glue. They are also perfect for people who prefer wearing lashes only on certain days or special occasions rather than committing to lash extensions. Lastly, they suit anyone who enjoys switching up their lash styles often as you can easily go from natural to glam without the hassle of removing glue or maintaining extensions.”
It is for these same reasons that these types of lashes are a hit among my peers. Especially since there are so many appealing lash styles to try, and that comes with new techniques to learn. Take the trending Korean idol lashes for example: The eyelashes are curled and set with a heated wooden stick, mascara is applied carefully and unclumped, and the last step would be finely clustering the strands with a tweezer. For someone like me, who often leaves my makeup till the last minute, I love that I can recreate the same effect with far less effort. The result? A flawless eye moment, practically in seconds.
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How would you apply magnetic lashes?
With all new innovations, putting on magnetic lashes comes with a learning curve. Most come in an all-in-one box, which includes a magnetic applicator and a lash fixer, which helps the product stay on the lids. I remember feeling frustrated during my first few failed tries applying them because I could not get the base of the magnet close enough to my lash line—there was an obvious gap and the lashes would slip off fast. It was only after watching a few tutorials that I got the hang of it, and I haven’t had an issue ever since.
Zhang shares a tip to help with that, “Start by prepping your natural lashes. Curl them and apply a thin coat of mascara or lash primer to help the magnetic band grip better. Then apply the eyeliner as close to your lash line as possible, wait for it to dry slightly, and gently attach the magnetic lashes on top. This gives them a more secure hold and helps them blend seamlessly with your natural lashes.”
What lash styles suit you best?
From manga-inspired drama to natural extensions and delicately wispy flutters, there’s a lash style for every mood and occasion. But if you’re new to falsies, figuring out which style suits your eye shape can feel a little daunting.
On choosing the right falsies, we look to Zhang for advice, “It really depends on the look you are going for, but eye and lid structure play a big part too. If you have more lid space between your lash line and brow bone, you can usually carry fuller, denser lashes without overwhelming your features.
For those who want to round out their eyes, opt for styles that are longer in the center. If you’d like to elongate or lift the eyes, go for lashes that are longer at the outer corners.
You should also consider the thickness of your natural lashes, as pairing very thick or heavy falsies on sparse lashes can look unbalanced. These small adjustments help the lashes look more harmonious with your natural shape and makeup style.”
Final thoughts
So, gimmick or gem? For me, magnetic lashes have been a consistent win in my beauty routine, especially given my preference for convenience. I love how effortlessly they come off at the end of the day—you just pull them off, mess-free, and pop them back in their case for next time. Carry the case with you, and you can even reapply and adjust them on the go, something their glued-on counterparts simply can’t match.
But magnetic lashes may not be for everyone, and other options may work better depending on the individual. Zhang says it best, “ My lashes are quite droopy and my lids are on the heavier side, so I found it harder to get the magnets to sit close to the base of my lash line. This can sometimes create a small gap between the natural lash and the magnetic one, especially for those with hooded eyes. With that said, for people with stronger natural lashes or more defined eye shapes, magnetic lashes can hold up beautifully, especially for quick touchups, photoshoots, or last-minute events.”
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Straddling the line between one-off falsies and a professional lash appointment, these magnetic lashes sit squarely in the mid-range in price. Whether they’re worth the splurge is up to you, but in my experience, a single pair lasts for months, making the investment feel justified. That said, the delicate magnets demand a gentle touch, or they risk snapping under less-than-careful handling.
Should you decide to try them, test their mettle somewhere thrilling. If they can survive a day at the amusement park, you’ve found your match.
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