During the time I’ve been doing this column, only a handful of hacks have given me a genuine feeling of excitement - and this is one of them. I don’t have a full fringe, but I do have a long swept side fringe that moves about during the day. I’m keen to know if lash glue could keep it in place better than a spritz of my tornado-proof, maximum hold hairspray.
You simply apply lash glue to your face, wherever the ends of your fringe sits, and wait for it to become tacky after roughly 30 seconds. My local tube station is a wind funnel that terrifies everyone who uses it for the first time. It’s not ideal when wearing a skirt, but it’s a great place to test my new glued side fringe. As I traverse the steps, the wind starts to billow and my side fringe flips backwards, but then sinks back into place again. With new trends hitting our feeds every day and countless influencers working to decipher them for us, the overwhelm over which ones deserve our attention is real. Here’s what the experts make of this eyelash glue bang trick currently sweeping the app.
If you’ve ever dabbled with a fringe, you’ll know the agony of quaffing and styling your wispy bangs or Matilda Djerf-esque face framers, to perfection only for all your hard work to be ruined within seconds of venturing outdoors. Let’s face it, bangs are high maintenance-and more often than not, downright infuriating-no matter your hair type or style. Hence why any tips and tricks on achieving the perfect, intentional-looking fringe are greatly appreciated. But is this hack a homerun for fringe lovers? Don’t believe us? Please turn your attention to exhibit A... And exhibit B...
As we can see, users are applying their fave eyelash glues to their skin, before carefully pressing their fringes into it, to stop their bangs from moving and parting. So far, videos of fringe owners testing this hack have wracked up hundreds of thousands of views-all praising its effect-but should you try it?
Is applying eyelash glue to your skin safe? Since eyelash glue is designed to be used right by our literal eyes, you wouldn’t be amiss to assume that using it on your skin would be just fine, but Caroline Brooks, skin and beauty expert and founder of The Glass House, actually warns against it. Brooks explains: “Gluing your bangs to your forehead is a huge no-no. While this may be common, the hair and glue can irritate the skin, and block the hair follicles and pores-causing contact dermatitis and hair loss. Moreover, the glue can damage your skin and cause intense redness and allergic reactions.”
She adds that eyelash glues and adhesives contain chemicals, “Constant exposure can further aggravate the skin and cause allergic contact dermatitis or toxic conjunctivitis to name a few. I would recommend using eyelash glue where appropriate and to seek medical attention if the above concerns persist.”
Instead, Brooks suggests using, “hair sprays, hair clips and other accessories that won’t irritate the skin.” And it’s not just your skin’s well-being you need to be thinking of…
Can the eyelash glue bang trend damage your hair? Lisa Caddy, Consultant Trichologist at Philip Kingsley notes that sensitivity to glue might cause issues on the skin and advises that a patch test is done before application. Caddy then says that while the glue itself won’t damage your hair, that act of pulling the hairs back off the face when you want to brush it or cleanse the face may cause some snapping. Caddy also notes that removing the glue from the hair may be difficult as it most likely will not dissolve with shampoo alone.
In sum, the trend is visually striking and easy to test, but it raises legitimate concerns about skin irritation, allergic reactions, and potential hair damage from repeated pulling and difficult removal. The safety calculus leans toward avoiding direct adhesion of glue to the skin and scalp, and toward safer alternatives for securing bangs during everyday wear.
Practical guidance for those considering this hack
- Assess skin sensitivity: perform a patch test on a discreet area before applying near the forehead.
- Prioritize skin-friendly options: consider non-irritating accessories like clips, headbands, or light styling products designed for fringe control.
- Avoid direct skin adhesion: don’t glue bangs to the skin; focus on securing the hair lightly at the roots with gentle methods.
- Test in varied wind conditions: if you live in or travel through windy environments, simulate outdoor exposure to gauge effectiveness and skin reactions.
- Monitor hair health: pay attention to how often you remove glue from hair and whether brushing or washing dislodges the bond without damage.
For readers exploring this hack, remember that trends come and go, but maintaining scalp and skin health should come first. If you’re curious to try, proceed with caution and opt for safer, non-adhesive strategies to keep bangs in place during daily activities.
