For anyone who wants a low-maintenance lash routine, professional lash extensions or a lash lift may seem like the best option. You won’t have to fumble around with applicators or wince in discomfort from too-heavy lash strips. But what if there were a DIY lash extension system that’s lightweight, gentle on sensitive eyes and delivers salon-worthy results —without the hours-long appointment? Enter the Lashify Control Kit.
As a New York City-based beauty writer, I’ve tested countless lash solutions — yet everything from eyelash growth serums to salon extensions has irritated my eyes and damaged my naturally short, flat lashes. I tried Lashify’s system for a full week and documented my experience below. Spoiler alert: I’ve since ditched glue-on strip lashes for good.
What is Lashify?
Lashify’s DIY lash extension system is unlike salon extensions or glue-on strip lashes. It works differently — most notably, the lash clusters (a.k.a. Gossamers) are applied to the underside of your natural lashes for a seamless look. Designed specifically for sensitive eyes, Lashify’s formulas are ophthalmologist-tested, hypoallergenic and free from common irritants like formaldehyde, cyanoacrylate and latex.
Made of pure Korean PBT silk, the Gossamers are lightweight and feathery, reducing stress on your natural lashes. Since they're applied a few millimeters away from the waterline, they allow your natural lashes to breathe and grow. They're also secured with a flexible adhesive (a.k.a. Whisper Light Bond), which cushions them and moves naturally with your lashes. Plus, Lashify is vegan and cruelty-free.
Ultimately, Lashify claims not to damage your natural lashes as long as you apply and remove them properly (meaning no tugging, rubbing or picking). After wearing them for a full week, I didn’t notice any lash fallout beyond the normal shedding cycle.
How to prep for application
To get started with the application, you’ll need a Control Kit, which includes:
- Fuse Control Wand, an ergonomic lash applicator tool
- Pair of Wandoms, protective pieces that slide over the tip of the wand to keep it from getting sticky
- Two Gossamers of your choice
- Whisper Light, a dual-sided lash bond, in both clear and black
- Water Poof, a waterproof finishing coat that cleans up any residual stickiness, repels water and works with the bond for longer wear
- A built-in mirror
Pros
- The lashes are high-quality
- The application process is quick and easy (once you learn it)
- It's sensitive eye-friendly — no irritation or damage to your natural lashes
- There are dozens of lash styles, lengths and even colors to choose from
- You can choose how long to wear the lashes (officially, up to 10 days) and remove them at any time
- It’s okay to get them wet
- They are reusable (unofficially)
Cons
- It’s expensive to get started
- It takes some time to learn the technique
- Lashify’s vocab can be confusing when you're first starting out
- Bond has a scent that takes a while to get used to
The Control Kit costs $125 — admittedly a splurge, but once you take the plunge, the upkeep isn’t too bad. Replacing the Gossamers, Whisper Light or Water Poof ranges from $18 to $34. Plus, the kit comes with a sleek storage box to keep your Gossamer collection organized.
When ordering your kit, you first choose the color, lash style and length, followed by the wand style — either Classic or Petite. The Petite wand, as described on the website, has a reduced curve for a better fit on flatter profiles, small eyes or monolid eye shapes. If you need help finding the right style and length, you can take a quick quiz on the website that will help you find the perfect lashes for your eye shape. I started with a mix of the 10mm and 12mm (they have as short as 10mm and as long as 20mm) Amplify Gossamer Lashes to create a more natural look, with longer lashes toward the outer corners of my eyes.
Once I received my Control Kit, I spent about ten minutes unboxing it, exploring the different components, and getting familiar with everything. I found it surprisingly easy to learn.
Helpful Lashify Tools & Accessories
Lashify Lashicurl™
Lashify Black Magic Cleansing Puff
Lashify Lash Pad
Lashify The LED Infinity Mirror
How to apply Lashify, step by step
There are a lot of resources out there to help you master Lashify, many of which you can find on Lashify’s website. These include video tutorials, a Facebook group and even scheduling one-on-one training sessions with a pro, which are offered in-person at the Lashify Melrose Boutique in California and as complimentary video consultations. In-person classes range from $50 to $75 and include application by a pro or a detailed application tips if you already own a Control Kit.
The Gossamer lash sets come pre-mapped, making it effortless to figure out where to place each one on your eye lash. But here’s how I applied my Lashify lashes for the first time:
- Step 1: Prep your lashes. You can use Lashify’s Pre-Cleanse, or you can just wash your face like I did; wait for your lashes to dry completely.
- Step 2: Apply a light coat of black Whisper Light to the underside of your lashes from the roots to the ends. Let it get tacky (you can use a clean finger or the Fuse Control Wand to feel it).
- Step 3: Apply a second light coat of black Whisper Light by wiggling the applicator close to the roots of your lashes, approximately where you will be applying the Gossamers (about one to two millimeters from your waterline). Let it get tacky.
- Step 4: Apply a third coat of clear Whisper Light by using the side of the applicator to dab across the roots of your lashes, approximately where the Gossamers will go (again, about one to two millimeters from your waterline). Let it get tacky.
- Step 5: Pull out a Gossamer from the cartridge with your fingers. Place it on your hand with the lash fibers going upwards. Use the Fuse Control Wand to pick up the tip of the Gossamer, all the way across. Skipping a few lashes on one of the corners of your eye, place the spine of Gossamer on the underside of your lashes, about one to two millimeters away from your waterline.
- Step 6: Repeat Step 5 until you get close to the other corner of your eye, skipping the last few lashes. Be sure to overlap the Gossamers a little bit, so there are no gaps.
- Step 7: Use the Fuse Control Wand with the Wandoms to press and seal the Gossamers onto your lashes. If the Wand gets stuck to your lashes, do not suddenly pull it away. Instead, gently blink until it’s free.
- Step 8: Apply a light coat of Water Poof to the spines of the Gossamers, using the tip of the applicator. Let it dry and you're done!
To make things even easier, I referenced this Lashify video tutorial, which takes you step-by-step through the whole application process, complete with tips and tricks:
Even though there are more steps involved with Lashify than with glue-on strip lashes, I would say that Lashify is an overall easier process. If you regularly use mascara, applying the Whisper Light and Water Poof won't be difficult for you. I was also surprised by how easy it was to apply the Gossamers. As long as you wait for the bond to get tacky, they should latch on instantly!
“Lashify is not hard to use, it’s just different,” says Jill Medicis, an in-house lash expert and VP of Education and Marketing at Lashify. Here, she shares her three golden rules for easy application:
- Look down into a mirror while applying. This allows you to clearly see the underside of the natural lash.
- A little bond goes a long way. The less bond you apply, the better the lash will adhere. If you apply too much bond (and it looks wet), the lash won’t adhere.
- Let the bond get tacky before applying. This will make application easy and the lashes will latch on like Velcro.
My first time using Lashify, my hands weren’t totally steady and the spines of the Gossamers were a little crooked, but I don't think anyone could really tell. I thought it looked natural, which is what I was going for. However, I did have some trouble with my lashes on the outer corners — they naturally crisscross with some of my bottom lashes and they got stuck together after I applied the Whisper Light. To fix the problem, I simply used a little bit of makeup remover on a Q-tip to detach them and for my second application I skipped those last few lashes when applying the bond.
Medicis told me that as people practice and get better at using Lashify, they will figure out how much bond they need to use to get the longevity they want. If you want to get even more advanced, you can learn how to stack Gossamers. (Some people wear a more natural looking Gossamer during the week and then stack on a bolder Gossamer for the weekend.)
Another great thing is you can use Lashify with salon extensions, too. “If you are someone who truly loves their lash extensions but hates the idea of gaps or waiting for a fill, you can use our system to do your own at-home lash fill,” says Medicis. “Gossamers are so lightweight that they can still be placed on the underside of the lash, over existing lash extensions, without causing any additional damage.”
How to maintain Lashify lashes
One of the things I personally loved most about using Lashify is that I didn't have to totally change my routine. I had no problem working out or sleeping with these lash extensions on. But, in case you're side sleeper like me, it helps to sleep on the very edge of your pillow so that they don’t get crushed.
It’s also okay to get the lashes wet — you can shower, wash your face or go for a swim. To make my lashes last as long as possible, I just made sure not to get any of my skincare products directly on them. To wash my face, I used a washcloth to help wet my skin and I avoided applying any cleanser on my lashes. You can also use Lashify’s Black Magic Cleansing Puff to make things a little easier.
On the second day wearing my lashes, I took them for a test drive (or should I say test swim?) at the beach. I swam in the ocean all afternoon, then I spent the evening hanging out in the pool. They didn’t fall off! Pro tip: Medicis advised me that I should allow my lashes to fully dry prior to any touch ups after getting them wet.
Another great thing about Lashify is that you can still wear eye makeup with them, including eyeshadow and eyeliner. However, I didn’t feel the need to wear any — the lashes looked gorgeous enough on their own. But take note that the brand does not recommend using mascara with Gossamers.
“Lashify provides the volume and length users look for in mascara, but without the clumps or the mess,” says Medicis. “If you are searching for a mascara-like look, we recommend trying one of our thicker-fibered Gossamer styles or even stacking the lashes.” Medicis adds that you can use a traditional lash curler, but it probably won’t make much of a difference. Instead, she recommends using a heated lash curler, like Lashicurl, if you want to add more curl to your lashes.
How to remove Lashify lashes
Lashify sells an oil-based make-up remover called Melt Away, which Medicis believes is the best way to remove your Gossamer lashes. “I like to shake it up, put some on a cotton round and hold it over my eye,” she says. “I allow 30 to 60 seconds for the bond to break apart and the lashes glide right off. Once all the lashes are removed, I make sure to come in and gently glide the cotton round across my natural lash to remove any excess bond.”
If you don’t have Melt Away on hand, you can use Lashify's portable Release when you’re on-the-go or another make-up remover. I used my favorite: Pond’s Cold Cream. I gently massaged it on my lashes and let it sit for a minute or two until the Gossamers freely slid off. Then, I rinsed and used my regular face cleanser.
How long do Lashify lashes last for?
If you are looking for longevity, it depends on the type of bond and how much you use. When you first start out, you may get two to three days out of your Gossamers. But once you get better at applying the bond, your lashes can last three to five days. Officially, they're designed to last up to 10 days and Medicis says that some users have even been able to wear them for two full weeks.
If you want your lashes to last longer, you can try Lashify’s extra strength bond, which is called Bondage. However, your lifestyle, your lash maintenance and your genetics play a big role in how long your Gossamer lashes will last (oily lids dissolve the bond faster). Mine lasted three days, which was pretty good considering my newbie status.
Can you reuse Lashify lashes?
“Gossamers were made for one-time use due to their delicate nature which prevents damage to the natural lash,” says Medicis. “However, about 80% of our customers use isopropyl alcohol to clean their lashes. We call this ‘lash laundry.’”
I tried this out for myself and I can confirm that reusing Lashify Gossamer lashes is possible. Although after round two, the Gossamers started to break apart and I had to pull out a set of fresh ones.
How to clean Lashify lashes
Cleaning the lashes for reuse was surprisingly easy. After I safely removed them, I soaked them in 90% isopropyl alcohol for about 30 minutes. Then, I used a clean makeup brush to gently scrub off any leftover residue and left them out to dry completely before I reapplied them. I was thrilled to get three more days out of them.
Is Lashify worth it?
The bottom line: Applying Lashify was so easy and the results were absolutely stunning.
Anyone can wear them and they are great for all occasions, from the office to vacation. I also loved the product presentation — just holding it in my hands felt so luxurious. But most importantly, these lash extensions didn’t irritate my eyes or damage my natural lashes. In fact, they felt very comfortable — I barely noticed they were there. Hands down, Lashify was the best experience I’ve had so far on my lash-enhancing journey — I think it’s absolutely worth the money.
Additional reporting by Cameron Jenkins.
