Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a stealth hand to apply just a few individual lashes along your lash line. Which is great news, because tucked in throughout your natural lashes, they're an easy way to make your eyes pop wide open. And unlike your standard pair of falsies, there is so much more control with individuals—plus, no need for a thick cat eye to help conceal the unwieldy strip. So, really the only skill you'll need is imagination on where you want to place them to make your lashes look fuller. The best thing about wearing individual lashes is that you can wear them with a soft, made-up eye or nothing at all.

If you are going to do eye makeup in addition to your lashes, start with a creamy pencil in bronze or black, and sketch back and forth with the pencil tip directly in the lash line. Then, apply mascara to your top and bottom lashes before setting your false lashes. Some people like to put lashes on then coat with mascara, but I like to start with mascara first so that I can coat my lashes evenly and generously. Individual lashes seem to melt in my mascara-coated lashes easily and the uncoated individuals add softness to the whole look.

Take your preferred eyelash glue and dollop a little bubble on the back of your hand. I'm using good ol' Ardell LashGrip Adhesive in Clear. With a pair of tweezers, take an eyelash bundle out of the tray (I'm using Ardell's DuraLash Naturals in Flare, Medium Black) and dip the little bulb in the glue and find a starting point. The best starting point for me is the bottom outer-corner.

Nestle the lash deep in-between your lashes, hold the gooey bulb against your skin right below your water line for at least five seconds. For a very soft look, use four lashes on the bottom evenly spaced out. Do not place any lash to close the the tear duct on the bottom—it will stick out like a sore thumb! Alternatively, for a full-lash look, pile them on. I only used about six individual lashes on the top and bottom. But because these are so light, it can be fun to go extreme.

There a several styles, lengths, and colors of lashes to choose from. Go for the the lashes that best resemble your own. Easier than you think and a fun way to subtly change the look of your eye—it's like putting a little mink coat on them before you hit the road.

—Stacey Nishimoto

Photos courtesy of the author. For more of Stacey's weekend makeup looks, check out her other stories part of The Selfie.