Choosing the right lash glue is just about as important as choosing the right pair of false lashes. I’ve been using the original Duo Eyelash Adhesive (both black and clear; $9; Sephora) that comes in a squeeze tube since I started wearing falsies. They perform alright but I really just do not care for the messy application and awful scent at all. Not to mention that I seem to always squeeze out too much product every time!
Earlier this year I made a switch to using a new “brush-on” type where the glue is packaged in a tube with a brush attached to the inside of the cap. In short, it’s a total game-changer! No more squeezing the glue onto the Q-tip, no more over applying, and no more off-putting scent!
Common features
I have 3 of the brush-on type from different brands to share with you today — Duo Brush-On Adhesive, Dolly Wink Eyelash Fix Glue, and D.U.P Eyelashes Fixer EX. They pretty much work the same way and the differences in their performance are generally minute but still distinct. I’ll start off with common features among them:
- They are brush-on type. The brush is very delicate, thin, and extremely precise making application a breeze. You will never over apply the glue again.
- They come in a similar user-friendly and travel-friendly tube. The small tube is safe and easy to carry around. You don’t have to worry that you will accidentally squeeze the glue out!
- However, the opening of the tube can get messy really easily from the wand pulling in and out. The excess seems to get caught and can dry up around the opening. Make sure you clean it properly after each use.
- They are non-scented! Yay!
Differences
♦ Color and formula
The Duo Brush-On Adhesive (Duo henceforth) and D.U.P Eyelashes Fixer EX (D.U.P henceforth) both have a pearlescent pink liquidy texture, although the Duo is significantly more fluidy.
The Dolly Wink Eyelash Fix Glue (Dolly Wink henceforth) is creamy white in color and is considerably thicker in texture than the other two.
♦ Packaging design
It’s a tie between Dolly Wink and D.U.P when it comes to the cuteness factor! I love Dolly Wink’s polka dots but I also love D.U.P’s floral design!
The Duo one is rather simple but still looks modern in a way.
♦ Application and dry time
The Duo and D.U.P apply fluorescent blue on the lash strip but will turn clear when the glue becomes dry and tacky. It is like a timer in a way to let you know that the lashes are ready to put on. The D.U.P has a faster drying time than the Duo. With the D.U.P, you can put on your lashes and they stay in place almost instantly (great for when you are in a rush!). For the Duo, you will have to wait about 5-10 seconds.
The Dolly Wink goes on white (does not turn blue) and dries clear. It takes the longest time to dry, I’d say around 30 seconds.
♦ Staying power
I find the D.U.P having the strongest hold and lasting throughout the entire wear.
The Dolly Wink comes second and the Duo has the weakest hold. With these two, the ends of the lashes seem to come off easily but since their brush applicator is so precise, it is relatively easy to touch up/re-apply more glue onto the ends without having to remove the whole lashes. I’d try applying a little more than necessary on the ends of lashes, though, to ensure stronger and longer hold.
♦ Ease of removal
The Duo and D.U.P are the easiest to remove. You can easily lift the glue “gunk” off the lashes from one end to the other. There is very little to none of the glue residue left on the lashes.
The Dolly Wink one is trickier to remove since it tends to leave quite a bit of the glue remnant on the lash strip.
♦ Availability
Duo Brush-On Adhesive: $9 at Sephora
Dolly Wink Eyelash Fix Glue: $14.99 at Amazon
D.U.P Eyelashes Fixer EX: $17.49 at eBay (not affiliated or sponsored)
I hope you find this comparison post helpful! Do you wear falsies? What lash glue do you use?
Oooh! Thanks for the reviews, Jaa! I’ve always used the squeeze-tube DUO as well, but I feel like it goes bad SO fast — like I’ll only ever get 2-3 uses out of a tube before it starts to separate and smell even worse.
Seeing as I never wear my falsies out of the house anyways, I might just have to try one of these brush-on versions instead next time! ;)
It’s so gross when it separates! LOL! Especially the black one!! Eeww haha. The brush-on version is superb for in-house photoshoot! :D
I am thinking to wear falsies for the holidays! I’ve never worn them. I was so close to buy the ones from Urban Decay. I used to ignore the scent but since I realized that the cause of my migraines was from the hairgel. I am staying away from products that have parfum as an ingredient.
If I am going to pick, I’d choose the brush on adhesive from DUO because it’s cheap and easy to remove. hehe!
I can’t use most hair gel, or spray, either! They tend to give me a bad headache as well! I think the Duo one is great, just apply a little extra on the ends and you should be OK! :D
Whoa, this is so amazingly detailed, Jaa! I never really wear falsies, so I don’t even have a tube of glue lying around. The couple of times I did wear falsies, I think I used the glue that came with them. Lame, I know!
LOL those “default” ones are the worst! ;D
I know! It’s just that I don’t wear falsies often at all, so so far I haven’t felt the need to hunt a tube of better glue down ;)
I see! Yeah, there’s no point in buying the glue if you are not wearing falsies. Haha. Oh I tried the Givenchy mascara yesterday and it was LOVE! Might have to go back and redeem more! ;D
I strongly support this initiative!
Awesome review and comparison, Jaa! When I was in beauty school and working as a mua I always used DUO.
I think everyone starts off with the Duo! It’s the most basic one and sold everywhere! :)
Wow! I didn’t know they had these. I usually don’t wear fake eye lashes but this would be a great product to have if I did.. much better than those glues included with the (cheap) lashes I got for Halloween. xD
Oh if you are not wearing lashes on a regular basis, I’m sure those lashes will work just fine! I mean, it still gets the job done right? ;D
Ive never seen the DUO with the brush here:( Ill keep an eye out next time Im at spehora though.. I recently found a tip that has helped me SOOOO greatly with wearing false lashes – to apply the glue straight to your eye where you want the lashes to be placed. OMG..game changer….Im afraid of false lash applications no more!! I tried the ardell glue with the thin brush and that was horrid was lack of a better word. The packaging on the dolly wink and DUP are definitely super cute and i’m a sucker for packaging but theyre not available locally so Ill probably pass on those. THnx for the review Jaa!
I’ve heard of that tip many times but have yet to try it! Will experiment next time! Thanks for reminding me, lol!
I can’t see myself using falsies in the near future but I’ll keep this in mind!
You already have such beautiful long lashes! No need! ;D
This is helpful. I am about seeking for a new eyelash glue and thinking about the huda beauty eyelash glue, it is so expensive to splurge for just an eyelash glue. I’m gnna try DUp next..thanks
I dont wear falsies but this review is handy for those who wear falsies
as always pics ….I mean u r just perfect Jaa
Hehe thanks so much as always, Krithi! :)
This is actuallly incredibly useful for me!! I’m investigating some falsies (for the first time) for the makeup look I want to do for my ballet recital at the end of the year. I have Duo and Dolly Wink available to me here, so it’s nice to hear the comparison! Obviously there are other things available to me via the mighty power of the internet, but for the lashes themselves I really want to see them in person…
Say,. as a falsies wearer… do you have a particular set you would recommend if I want to try and achieve a bit more of a doll/little girl/doe eye effect, without veering into that creepy porcelain doll territory (you know, those falsies that are just one thick black sheet of curved plastic)?
I actually haven’t tried that many brands of falsies so I may not be much of help. However, I really do like the ones by Dolly Wink, D.U.P, and Eyelure. They are much more comfortable to wear than other brands I’ve tried. Mink lashes are supposed to be really nice, too, but they are just too expensive for me right now. :)
i have never worn falsies before but this is a super helpful post though!
It might come in handy one day! :D
Great comparison! I only wear falsies like 3x a year, so I’m not overly particular about which glue to use. Been relying on an old DUO forever but maybe it’s time to replace. I don’t like having to clean up the tube though – we have to clean so many things already!
True that! How long have you had the DUO one? Have you smelled it lately? Still smells good? Just wondering! LOL!
Hey Jaa, thanks for this great review. I like the D.U.P. Eyelash Fixer the best. You might also be interested in trying Diamond Eyelash Fixer too if you haven’t already.
Oh I have not! Thanks for the recommendation! :D I did check our your ebay store and saw that you’re selling Dolly Wink falsies! I love them! I’ll have to make a purchase with you soon. :)
I swore by DUP lash glue in japan, they last me an entire 24 hours *minimum* despite crazy nights or doing outdoor activities. And they come off breezy :3 moving to America I ran out :(( and was seeing if anything here compared to it without being ~too~ expensive ^^; so thank you for this!!