Lash clusters with bond and seal are temporary lash segments attached beneath the natural lashes with adhesive and finished with a sealant. This guide was updated on. The process has six steps: clean and dry the lashes, plan the layout, apply bond, place the clusters, press them together and add seal.
Lash Clusters With Bond and Seal: At a Glance
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Clean | Remove makeup, oil and mascara. Let the lashes dry fully. |
| 2. Map | Arrange short, medium and long clusters before applying them. |
| 3. Apply bond | Brush a thin layer near the roots of your natural lashes. Some systems also require bond on the cluster base. |
| 4. Place clusters | Work from the outer corner inward. Position each cluster beneath the natural lashes and away from the waterline. |
| 5. Press | Gently clamp the cluster bases against your natural lashes. |
| 6. Seal | Apply a small amount of seal to reduce stickiness and hold the clusters in place. |
Product instructions vary. KISS Falscara tells users to apply bond to the natural lashes and seal underneath the wisps. TAD Beauty uses one side of its adhesive on the natural lashes and another side on the cluster base. Follow the instructions supplied with your own bond-and-seal system.
What You Need
- Lash clusters or wisps
- Bond adhesive
- Sealant
- Lash applicator or clean precision tweezers
- Oil-free cleanser or lash-safe makeup remover
- A well-lit mirror
- Optional: lash curler and lash map
Do not apply mascara before using a bond-and-seal system unless the product instructions allow it. KISS advises applying Falscara without mascara.
Step 1: Clean and Prepare Your Natural Lashes
Remove eye makeup, mascara and oily skincare from your lashes. Bond grips better to clean, dry lashes.
Let the lashes dry fully before using the adhesive. Do not apply clusters if you have an eye infection, irritated eyelids or inflamed skin around the eyes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises stopping use if an eye cosmetic causes irritation and recommends keeping eye-area tools clean.
If you want more lift, curl your natural lashes before applying the clusters. Avoid curling them forcefully after the clusters are attached, since the curler can pull on the adhesive.
Step 2: Plan Your Lash Map
Arrange the clusters in the order you plan to use them. A simple layout is:
- Inner corner: short clusters
- Center: medium clusters
- Outer corner: longer clusters
A shorter-to-longer layout gives the outer corner more lift. Use fewer clusters for a lighter look and more for added fullness.
Planning the layout first also keeps you from searching through the tray while the bond is becoming tacky.
Step 3: Apply a Thin Layer of Bond
Brush a small amount of bond onto the base of your natural lashes. Keep most of the product near the roots instead of coating the full length of the lashes.
Keep the bond away from the waterline, eyelid skin and lash tips. Too much adhesive can leave the clusters heavy or clumped.
Some systems require bond on both surfaces. TAD Beauty instructs users to apply its "For You" bond to the natural lashes and its "For TAD" bond to the base of the lash segment. Other systems, including standard KISS Falscara instructions, use bond on the natural lashes only.
If the instructions tell you to wait, let the bond become slightly tacky before placing the clusters. Do not let it dry fully first.
Step 4: Place the Lash Clusters Underneath Your Natural Lashes
Pick up one cluster close to its base with a lash applicator or clean tweezers.
Starting at the outer corner, place the cluster underneath your natural lashes. Keep it close to the lash line but slightly away from the waterline. Press the cluster into the bonded area without allowing it to touch the eye surface.
Continue from the outer corner toward the inner corner. Leave a small gap at the inner corner if placing a cluster there feels uncomfortable.
KISS Falscara also instructs users to place wisps underneath the base of the natural lashes and slightly away from the waterline.
How Many Clusters Should You Use?
Start with about four to six lightweight clusters per eye. Add more only if you want extra fullness and your natural lashes still feel comfortable. The number depends on the width of each cluster and the look you want.
Avoid stacking heavy clusters on weak or very fine natural lashes. Extra weight, along with pulling during removal, can increase breakage.
Step 5: Press the Clusters and Natural Lashes Together
Once all the clusters are in place, use the applicator to gently clamp the cluster bases against your natural lashes.
Press the bonded bases rather than the lash fibres. This brings the adhesive surfaces together without crushing the lashes.
Avoid moving a cluster once it starts to set. If one is crooked, adjust it gently before the bond grips.
Step 6: Apply the Seal
Apply a small amount of seal to the bonded areas. Seal reduces the sticky feeling and helps hold the clusters in place.
Depending on the system, you may brush the seal underneath the clusters or apply it to the inside of the applicator before clamping. TAD Beauty recommends waiting one to two minutes before applying a thin layer of seal. KISS instructs users to apply seal under the wisps and then squeeze the lashes together.
Use a light layer. Too much seal can leave the lash bases stiff, shiny or clumpy.
How to Make Lash Clusters Last Longer
- Apply them to clean, fully dry lashes.
- Use a thin layer of bond.
- Keep the clusters away from the waterline.
- Avoid oil-based eye products around the lash line.
- Do not rub or pull the clusters.
- Follow the product instructions about water exposure after application.
- Use the recommended remover instead of peeling the clusters off dry.
Do not assume every bond-and-seal system has the same wear time. KISS says its standard Falscara system is designed for 24-hour wear, with longer wear available when used with its Overnighter product. Other brands give different wear instructions and claims.
How to Remove Lash Clusters Safely
Saturate a cotton pad with the remover recommended by the brand, or use an eye-safe remover named in the product instructions. Hold the pad over your closed eye for several seconds so the adhesive can soften.
When the bond loosens, slide the clusters away gently. Do not pull, tug or peel them off while they are still firmly attached.
KISS recommends saturating a cotton pad with Falscara Remover or an oil-free makeup remover, holding it over the eye for 10 seconds, then gently wiping or peeling away the wisps and adhesive.
Important Safety Precautions
Use only an adhesive labeled for false eyelashes or the eye area. The FDA classifies false eyelashes, eyelash extensions and their adhesives as cosmetic products. It also advises checking ingredients and using clean tools. Do not share lash products or applicators.
Stop using the product if you experience burning, swelling, severe redness, pain or vision changes. Seek medical advice if irritation continues. Never apply lash clusters in a moving vehicle, and keep the applicator away from the eye.