The Ultimate Guide to DIY Eyelash Extensions: A Game-Changer for Short and Sparse Lashes

As someone with short and sparse lashes, I’ve always struggled to achieve the voluminous and fluttery look that mascara and traditional strip lashes ensure. While professional eyelash extensions provide a stunning result, they can be expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes inconvenient. That’s when I discovered the world of DIY lash extensions – a complete game-changer for anyone who wants full and bold lashes without the salon price tag.

DIY eyelash extensions, particularly cluster lashes, have become incredibly popular for sat-home application. Not only are they cost-effective, but they also allow you to control the lash look, style, and length you desire. These lashes are applied to the underside of your natural lashes, blending seamlessly with your own lash line for a more natural look. Plus, with the right kit, the application process can be relatively easy, making them the perfect solution for at-home beauty enthusiasts like myself. Below, I’ll share my experience with the top five DIY eyelash extension kits currently on the market and rank them based on effectiveness, ease of use, and overall results.

Top 5 DIY Eyelash Extension Kits for Home Use

1. Nanolash DIY Eyelash Extensions Starter Kit 

When it comes to DIY eyelash extensions, the Nanolash DIY Eyelash Extensions Starter Kit is in a league of its own. It completely blew me away with its extensive content, high quality, and ease of use. The kit includes everything you need for flawless application: 36 lash clusters in various lengths (to customize your look), a bonder with a brush applicator, an applicator tool, a sealer, and a remover.

One of the standout features of the Nanolash kit is its bonder – it’s incredibly strong but gentle on the eyes, meaning my cluster lashes stayed intact for 7 days without irritation or discomfort. The cluster lashes are ultra-lightweight and look unbelievably natural, mimicking the softness and fluffiness of mink lashes without the hefty price tag. I was able to achieve the perfect blend of length and volume without any hassle. The included remover is a lifesaver, making it so easy to remove the lash extensions without damaging my natural lashes.

The overall application process was smooth, with the bonder applicator allowing me to apply the adhesive precisely where I needed it, resulting in less mess and more control. I didn’t experience any clumping or excessive glue drying too quickly, which is often a problem with other kits. Also, there are 8 lash styles to choose from and the cluster lashes are available in either black or brown. I chose the Innocent lash style in brown and it worked perfectly with my lighter features. Another huge plus is the price – this kit provides salon-quality results for a fraction of the cost, making it accessible to lash enthusiasts of all budgets.

 2. Lashify Starter Kit

Lashify is one of the most well-known names in the DIY lash extension world, and their Starter Kit comes with high expectations – and a high price tag. The kit includes a control wand, 10 lash clusters, a bonder and sealer, which helps secure the cluster lashes in place.

While I was impressed with the overall quality of the lashes – they are soft and natural-looking – you only get 10 of them and the application process wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped. The control wand is meant to help apply the lashes with precision, but I found it to be cumbersome, especially for beginners. It took me multiple attempts to get the lashes on securely. The bonder is also quite tacky and can make the application feel messy if you’re not used to working with it. 

The biggest downside, however, is the price. While the Lashify system delivers professional results, it’s a significant investment compared to other kits. Additionally, there’s no remover included, meaning you’ll have to purchase that separately – another inconvenience.

3. Kiss Falscara Starter Kit 

The Kiss Falscara Starter Kit is a popular choice for anyone looking for an affordable option, and while it has some strong points, it does have its limitations. The kit comes with 10 cluster lashes, BOND & SEAL formulas, and an applicator.

The biggest advantage of this kit is its price – it’s incredibly budget-friendly and easy to find in most drugstores. However, the quality of the lashes and the bonder isn’t quite on par with higher-end options like Nanolash or Lashify. The lash clusters look a bit more synthetic and don’t have the same natural flutter, especially in certain lighting. 

In terms of application, the Bond-and-Seal duo works, but I found the adhesive to be a bit too tacky, and it dried faster than I expected, making it difficult to reposition the lashes. There’s also no remover included, which means you’ll need to be very careful during removal to avoid damaging your natural lashes. While this kit is great for beginners or those on a budget, it’s not the most long-lasting or high-quality option.

4. Ardell X-tended Wear Lash System KIT 

Ardell is another familiar name in the lash world, and their X-tended Wear Lash System is also worth mentioning. This kit includes 20 cluster lashes, a lash adhesive, an applicator, and a remover.

The cluster lashes themselves are decent and can give a nice, voluminous look. However, I struggled with the lack of sealer – I was tricky to get rid of the tackiness of the bonder without it, plus the cluster lashes did not lash as long as well as I’d hoped. Within two days, I noticed some lifting at the corners, which was frustrating. On the plus side, you get 20 cluster lashes which gives you more variety when it comes to styling your lashes, unlike the Lashify kit with only 10 lash clusters. 

The applicator tool felt a little flimsy, making it difficult to get the lashes in place securely. However, the kit comes woth a remover, so removing the cluster lashes after full 4 days of wear was a breeze.

5. Lilac ST Intro Starter Kit 

The Lilac ST Intro Starter Kit has a beautiful aesthetic, and the cluster lashes themselves are lightweight and natural-looking. The kit includes 10 cluster lashes, clear lash glue, Crystal Coat sealer, and an applicator. However, with just 10 cluster lashes, your option for creating diverse lash looks is very limited. I used up all the cluster lashes for a single application. Also, I wish there were most lash styles and colors to choose from.

Applying these cluster lashes look me about 15 minutes as the applicator reqires a steady hand but once you get some practice, it’s quite convenient. Overall, I was happy with the application process and the final result.

Additionally, the kit doesn’t come with a remover, which means you’ll need to be extra cautious when taking the cluster lashes off. While the Lilac ST kit has potential, it requires a bit of patience and practice to get the application just right.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for the best DIY eyelash extension kit on the market, Nanolash DIY Eyelash Extensions Starter Kit is the way to go. With its superior bonder, natural-looking cluster lashes, and included remover, it offers everything you need for a flawless at-home DIY lash application, without the high cost of other kits.