Why spend so much time in the morning curling lashes and applying mascara when you can wake up already looking ready to go? For many high school students, lash clusters are quickly becoming the shortcut to beauty, confidence, and even saving money.
Lash clusters are small groups of fake lashes you can apply yourself, instead of paying for a full set of professional extensions. Lash clusters are placed underneath your natural lashes, giving a more natural and lightweight look. They can last several days to a week depending on the glue, making them a quick and affordable alternative to salon visits.
For many people, the slowest part of their routine is curling their lashes and putting on mascara. “I think it makes everything 10x easier in the morning when you’re trying to get ready for school,” says Ariele Myers (‘27). “You don’t have to do mascara because that takes a long time.”
The different lengths and styles let students customize their look, whether they want something dramatic or a more natural everyday lash. “I don’t really like wearing makeup cause it doesn’t look good on me,” says Faith Highsmith (‘28). “But I love lashes…lashes are my makeup.”
This freedom to mix and match lengths makes lash clusters feel more personalized than traditional extensions. “When I do my lashes, I start off with a medium size on the outer corner,” says Jayda Townsend (‘27). “Then I work my way to my smallest size in the inner corner.”
It’s easy to be shocked at lash tech prices. Lash clusters can be as little as $10 while a professional set can be over $150: the difference is outrageous. Students can get the same salon look for a fraction of the cost. “Lash clusters online would be twenty dollars at most,” says Highsmith. “I think they’re definitely worth the hype.”
What started as a way to save money has now become part of a larger trend. “[I’ve only] started using them a while ago,” says Kayleana Howell (‘27). “I’ve been seeing them everywhere now.”
