Quick answer: The game-changing hack is applying pre-glued, drugstore press-on lash clusters (Nikol uses Ardell) underneath your natural lashes instead of on top. Built up by size and paired with a quick tightlining trick, they add fullness and dimension that looks natural even on mature eyes — no salon, no lash damage, and usually under $15.
Key takeaways
- The hack: place affordable pre-glued press-on lash clusters under your natural lashes, not on top.
- Tightlining the upper lash line first removes gaps and adds the depth that makes the lashes blend.
- Build clusters by size (8, 10, then 12 mm) from the inner corner outward to design a custom, natural line.
- Drugstore clusters run about $13–15 and remove gently with a cleansing balm or oil.
- Ideal for mature or wispy lashes that want dimension without heavy strip lashes.
Hey ladies — this one is simple, affordable, and honestly a little bit of a game-changer. In this tutorial Nikol shares the drugstore lash trick she keeps coming back to, then walks through exactly how she layers it over her everyday face for a look that feels elevated without any salon visit.
What is the game-changing drugstore makeup hack?
The hack is pre-glued press-on lash clusters — the kind you can grab at the drugstore. Nikol reaches for Ardell clusters (she keeps Naked Natural, Naked Soft Volume, Wispies Natural, and Wispies Volume on hand), which come with the adhesive already on them and are sold in graduated sizes like 8, 10, 12, and 14 mm. The twist that makes it a hack: instead of laying a full strip on top of your lashes, you tuck small clusters underneath your natural lash line. That adds darkness and fullness without the heavy, obviously-fake feeling of a strip, which is why it reads as natural on mature and wispy lashes.
How do you apply press-on lashes under your natural lashes?
Here is the step-by-step Nikol follows in the video:
- Do your everyday base first — eyeshadow, mascara, and the rest of your face — so the lashes are the finishing touch.
- Tightline the upper lash line with a dedicated dark waterproof eyeliner, keeping that one pencil just for tightlining and sanitizing and sharpening it after each use.
- Add a soft line under the lower lash line with a separate everyday eyeliner to balance the eye.
- Open a set of clusters (they are labeled for the left and right eye and sorted by size).
- With tweezers, place the shortest cluster at the inner corner, right at the base of your lashes but off the waterline, tucking it under your natural lashes.
- Build outward, stepping up in size toward the arch (roughly 8 to 10 to 12 mm), then tapering back down near the outer corner. Layer an extra cluster anywhere you spot a gap.
- Gently squeeze — sandwich your natural lashes and the clusters together — to lock everything in.
- To remove, melt the adhesive with a cleansing balm or cleansing oil so nothing tugs.
Keep the longest pieces off the very outer tips if you wear glasses, so they do not brush the lenses.
Why does the tightlining step matter?
Tightlining means running a fine line of waterproof eyeliner along the upper lash line to erase any visible gap between your lashes and your lid. On its own it makes the eyes look more defined, but here it does double duty: it creates a band of depth that the press-on clusters blend into, so the finished lash line looks seamless and fuller rather than stacked. Nikol calls the technique a little controversial, but she used it constantly on set — and always with a clean, sanitized pencil around the delicate eye area.
What was Nikol wearing in this everyday look?
The lashes go over a soft, wearable base. In this video Nikol had on Creme Brulee eyeshadow, Volume Up Mascara, Dark Chocolate waterproof eyeliner, a light-to-medium BB Cream, Just Peachy color corrector, and concealer in Light. On the lips she wore Cameo waterproof lip liner with NikRay lipstick, topped with a clear Dior lip oil. Her cheeks were the Classic Beach Glow trio — blush, highlighter, and a touch of bronzer — and her brows were set with a milk chocolate brow mascara. Nothing fussy; the press-on clusters are what take it up a level.
The bottom line
You do not need extensions or a salon appointment to get a fuller, more polished eye. A few dollars of drugstore press-on clusters, placed under your lashes and grounded by a quick tightline, deliver that elevated look in minutes — and come off gently at the end of the day. It is proof that smart beauty is about knowing the right trick, not the price tag.
Ready to build out your eye essentials? Shop Nikol's Lashes, Mascara, and everything for the Eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the drugstore makeup hack in this video?
The hack is applying pre-glued press-on lash clusters underneath your own lashes rather than on top. Nikol uses affordable Ardell clusters from the drugstore, building them by size along the lash line for a fuller, natural look that is easy to customize and comfortable to wear all day.
Do the press-on lashes go on top of or under your natural lashes?
They go underneath your natural lashes, close to the base but off the waterline. Placing them under adds darkness and dimension without the heavy, fake feeling of top-applied strip lashes, which is why they read as natural even on mature or wispy lashes.
What is tightlining and why does it matter here?
Tightlining means running a fine line of waterproof eyeliner along the upper lash line to erase any gap between your lashes and lid. It creates depth that blends with the press-ons, so the finished eye looks fuller and more defined. Use a dedicated, sanitized pencil around the eye.
How do you make press-on lashes look natural?
Work in graduated sizes: start short at the inner corner, go longer toward the arch, then taper back down at the outer edge. Layer extra clusters only where you see a gap. Keeping the longest pieces off the outer tips also helps if you wear glasses.
How do you remove press-on lashes safely?
The lash adhesive lifts off gently with a cleansing balm or cleansing oil, so it will not tug or damage your natural lashes. Always sanitize and sharpen any eyeliner used near the eye. If you have sensitive eyes, patch-test the adhesive first and stop if you notice any irritation.
