Monday 8 December 2014

Helen Dowsley Favourites False Lashes



When it comes to creating make-up products there are few people do it better than a Make-up Artist. From Max Factor to Make-up Forever, Louise Young to Charlotte Tilbury; Make-up Artists are more often than not at the heart of a beauty brand. 

Colour, texture, feel. These are just a few of the elements which are part of developing a make-up product. Make-up Artists work with products day and and day out, seeing how the products perform and wear under every condition and on every skin type and tone; so it is understandable why so many turn to developing their own ranges.

The problem with false lashes is that so many are utterly rubbish. That may sound harsh but over the seventeen years I have been working as a Make-up Artist I have applied a lot of pairs of false eyelashes and some are just dire. 

The problem is that unlike many make-up products it is impossible to tell how they are going to fair until you actually use them; cheap ones aren't necessarily any worse than luxury ones. Strip lash bands can be hard and fairly inflexible and ping off at any given opportunity. Quality aside, another issue with the majority of false lashes is the ethics behind them... more about this very soon I promise.

I came across HD Lashes at the beginning of the year whilst I was researching a piece I was writing and got in touch. What began as a simple post about lashes became something much bigger and so when Helen, the Make-up Artist behind the range generously sent me quite a few packs of her lashes to try out, I couldn't wait to see how they faired.

Amongst the packs Helen sent me were a multi-pack of Favourites lashes and ever since I first tried these lashes I have been more than a little bit obsessed, incorporating them into so many make-ups; including the wedding of one of my best friends.


Favourites are full length strips of criss-cross fibres attached to a solid band designed to give an eyeliner effect. The lashes lengthen and flare towards the outer corners in a manner which helps to create the illusion of an almond shaped eye. Favourites lashes add volume and definition to create a smouldering eye that adds drama and impact to any make-up. 

The lashes are handmade (by a small independent husband and wife team in south east Asia) using synthetic fibre and are incredibly light-weight. Five years in the making, these lashes are pretty special as I am sure you can see from the image above; incredibly natural looking even for an impact lash.

Favourites lashes are priced at $12.00 AUD (around £6.50) or are available in bulk-packs of 10 or 20 pairs for $50.00 and $100.00 respectively (approximately £27 and £54). Unfortunately the lashes are currently unavailable in the UK so international postage charges will apply.


Helen Dowsley is world renowned Make-up Artist who's CV reads like a Who's Who. Her client list includes Kylie Minogue, Rihanna, Lily Allen and Jackie Onassis and her work has been seen on X Factor, Australia's Got Talent, Australian Idol and Next Top Model. Helen began life as a nail technician before training as a Make-up Artist under the guidance of the legendary Richard Sharah.






Main Image: Helen Dowsley Ethical False Lashes
Body Image: Laura Jane Sessions - Organic Make-up Artist

2 comments:

  1. I'm still yet to fall in love with a particular lash style or brand of lashes... I will keep looking! Also keen to find a 'natural' and vegan glue that works well! Rach xx

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    1. Hi Rachel,
      Lashes are tricky things aren't they?!?
      I really like all of the lashes I have tried from this range. They stay well although make sure you push them on well.
      Glue wise, truly natural is a push but there are sombre almost natural ones - Jane Iredale do a lash glue however I think you can only buy it with their lashes sadly.
      This one is vegan but I haven't retried it as yet. Love the lashes though :) http://www.georgiebeauty.com/georgie-clear-faux-lash-adhesive/
      Hope this helps
      L x

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