It was during my sophomore year in college that I developed an interest in beauty. Before then, I didn’t know much about makeup application or false eyelashes. Sure, I had watched YouTube video tutorials by digital beauty gurus like Michelle Phan and Jen Chae, but purchasing false lashes and experimenting with different looks wasn’t something that I thought I would ever try… that is, until now.
Browsing online and looking at the reviews of different false lashes, I found a brand called Esqido (pronounced “es-ki-doe”) that produces handcrafted and cruelty-free mink lashes. Admittedly, it was Esqido’s packaging that attracted my interest because compared to competing brands, their minimalist and clean aesthetic stood out.
Each pair of Esqido lashes comes in a white box with a magnetic flap. The words, “The Signature to Your Masterpiece,” are emblazoned on the inside of the box and each pair of lashes comes with step-by-step instructions on how to apply as well as care for your lashes. Although Esqido lashes retail for $30 to $42 depending on the style, their mink lashes can be repeatedly re-worn.
On the site, there are a total of sixteen different upper lash styles organized by collection (Classic, Noire and Signature). I opted to try the following styles: Unforgettable, Amp It Up, Oh So Sweet, Lashlorette and Voila. Since their $10 Companion lash glue has received rave reviews, I had to try it as well.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Wearing False Lashes
Lashes are not one-size-fits-all. If you want recommendations on which lash styles will compliment the shape of your eyes, there is a “Find My Lash” quiz that will provide a selection of lashes based on your answers. Another feature that I thought was helpful was their face slider. Each lash style has its own product page with a close-up image of a model’s face.
In the middle of the image, there is a slider that you can drag to the left or right if you want to see how the lashes look before and after the model applies the false lashes. It gives you an idea of how the style looks on-person before you make a purchase.
1. Unforgettable
With the Unforgettable lash, the edges of the lash have a subtle lifting effect. I like to wear it as my go-to everyday type of lash since it’s not as dramatic as other lash styles like Big City Nights, which seem better suited for special occasions. The Unforgettable lash is ideal for a bare-minimum, natural look on days where I’m just wearing the Kat Von D lock-it featherweight primer and foundation with a bit of eyeliner as well as some gloss.
A before shot in which my almond shaped eyes are in clear need of some falsies!
2. Oh So Sweet
Just slightly more voluminous than the Unforgettable lashes, Oh So Sweet’s individual lashes crisscrosses with the next. If I want to change it up a bit, then I’ll alternate my Unforgettable lashes with the Oh So Sweet lash. It’s also ideal for dates where you want to achieve an understated, flirty look. When I wore this lash for a date during the day, I also dabbed on a bit of Sephora’s Ultra Shine Lip Gel in Baby Doll.
Related: Beauty I Tried: NYX Eyebrow Primer
3. Amp It Up
Like the name suggests, the Amp It Up lash is very voluminous and pairs well with a seductive, smoky eye. Each lash strand is positioned more tightly together and is longer in length which gives your lashes a very full effect and makes your eyes look larger. Going out with my boyfriend for dinner, I decided to try this lash and also wore my Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Sheer Candy Lipstick in Dewy Papaya. I’d also recommend trying a bright red lip with the Amp It Up lash to make an extra statement.
4. Lashlorette
The Lashlorette has a combination of both straight and crisscrossed lash strands that give off a sexy and irresistible wide-eyed look. This lash was fun to wear out for casual social outings with friends. I paired the Lashlorette lash with Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in White Nude. It could also be worn to more formal networking events but with subdued makeup.
5. Voila Lash
This lash has a subtle gradient in thickness and length along the cotton band. I didn’t have any special occasions to wear this lash but when trying it on, I put my hair up in a sleek bun and wore a touch of NARS lipstick in Sheer Dusty Rose. It’s fitting for a simple, sophisticated look when attending a gala, cocktail reception, wedding or dinner party.
From my experience using Esqido lashes, I found that they were easy to apply, soft and light as a feather. The falsies framed my eyes nicely and gave my naturally short lashes more volume. However, when comparing Esqido to Velour Lashes, another Canadian mink lash company, they do not offer as much variety in terms of lash styles. Esqido carries sixteen upper lash styles whereas Velour Lashes offers thirty. Examining the price point, Esqido mink lashes can range from $30 to $42 and Velour Lashes are similarly priced at $30 to $40 per pair depending on the style.
Proper care goes a long way and you can get a good number of wears using either brand as long as you keep them in their original containers after use and refrain from tugging on the lash when you’re removing it. Some online users have said that they were able to re-wear their falsies up to twenty-five times or more! You should keep in mind that the lash band of Velour Lashes are less flexible and a bit thicker than Esqido’s which can be difficult for false eyelash novices who are learning how to apply strip lashes for the first time.
All in all, I would say Esqido lashes are more beginner-friendly and my go-to favorite because they’re so light you won’t notice them during the day. Using their falsies has definitely upped my beauty game and I can’t imagine leaving the house without them!