Have you noticed those strikingly dramatic, spiky, and utterly captivating eyelashes gracing the faces of beauty influencers and anime enthusiasts alike? You’ve likely encountered the trend of manga lashes.
Inspired by the bold, separated, and textured eyes of manga and anime, manga lashes are a popular 2025 trend for adding playful drama to your makeup. This guide explains what they are and how to achieve the look.
What Exactly Are Manga Lashes?
Unlike traditional false lashes that focus on creating a seamless, full, and often uniform look, manga lashes embrace intentional separation and varying lengths.
The key characteristics of manga lashes include:
Spiky appearance: Manga lashes feature individual lash segments or extensions styled as separate, outward spikes, not blended.
Defined clusters: Lashes are typically applied or styled in noticeable clusters, creating a more textured and less uniform look.
Varying lengths: Like anime lashes, some clusters or individual lashes are intentionally longer.
Focus on the center: Often, the longest and most dramatic spikes are concentrated in the center of the eye, creating a wide-eyed, doll-like effect.
Less emphasis on density: Defined shape and separation are the main goals, with volume being secondary.
Think of it as a deliberate “piecey-ness” that makes your lashes look deliberately styled and eye-catching.
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How to Achieve the Manga Lash Look in 2025
There are several ways to achieve the coveted manga lash look, catering to different skill levels and preferences:
1. Using Individual False Lashes or Lash Clusters
The go-to method: This is a popular and effective way to create a customized manga lash look.
What you’ll need: The necessary tools include individual lashes or small clusters (various lengths), lash glue, tweezers, and mascara.
The technique:
Prep your natural lashes: Curl your natural lashes and apply a thin coat of mascara. This provides a base for the falsies to adhere to.
Choose your placement: Decide on your spike length placement; longer lashes are typically centered, shortening towards the corners.
Apply glue: Apply a small amount of lash glue to the base of an individual lash or cluster and wait a few seconds for it to become tacky.
Apply the lashes: Gently use tweezers to place each individual lash or cluster right at the base of your upper lashes.
Create spikes: Use tweezers to gently pinch and separate some of the applied lashes into distinct spikes. You can even angle some of them slightly for a more dramatic effect.
Layer (optional): Increase the dramatic effect by layering individuals on clusters or adding sparse lashes between them.
Blend: Apply another light coat of mascara to blend your natural lashes with the falsies.
2. Using Specially Designed Manga False Lashes
The easier option: Many beauty brands now offer pre-made false lash strips designed specifically with the manga lash aesthetic in mind.
What to look for: These strips will feature varying lengths, defined clusters, and a spiky appearance.
The technique: Apply these strips like regular falsies, ensuring a secure lash line fit. Tweezers can further define the spikes afterward.
3. Using Clever Mascara Techniques
For a subtle take: For a subtler manga look, try using mascara instead of falsies.
What you’ll need: A volumizing mascara and tweezers.
The technique:
Apply mascara: Apply 2-3 coats of your favorite volumizing mascara.
Create clusters: While the mascara is still slightly wet, use tweezers to gently pinch sections of your lashes together into small, defined clusters.
Separate and spike: Carefully pull clustered lash tips upward or outward with tweezers to create spikes; be gentle on your natural lashes.
4. Lash Extensions for a Semi-Permanent Manga Look
The long-lasting solution: For those who love the manga lash style, lash extensions applied by a professional can offer a semi-permanent solution.
What to expect: To achieve a longer-lasting manga lash effect, a professional lash technician will apply individual extensions of different lengths, strategically forming defined clusters and spikes that match your specific style request.
Why Are Manga Lashes Trending in 2025?
The popularity of manga lashes in 2025 can be attributed to several factors:
Anime and manga influence: The global popularity of anime and manga continues to soar, inspiring beauty trends and aesthetics.
Expressive eye makeup: Focusing on the eyes, manga lashes align with today’s trend of bold, expressive eye makeup.
Uniqueness and individuality: Manga lashes provide a textured, deliberately styled, and refreshing alternative to the seamless beauty aesthetic.
Versatility: While bold, manga lashes can be adapted for different occasions, from playful everyday looks to more dramatic evening styles.
Social media impact: TikTok and Instagram beauty influencers and creators have embraced manga lashes, showing their transformative effect.
Tips for Perfecting Your Manga Lashes
Practice makes perfect: If using individual lashes or clusters, be patient as it takes practice to get the placement and spacing just right.
Use quality glue: Investing in a good lash glue guarantees that your false eyelashes will remain securely attached and feel comfortable throughout wear.
Don’t overdo it: Start with a few well-placed spikes and build up the intensity as desired.
Consider your eye shape: Modify the length and position of your lash spikes to best enhance your specific eye shape.
Clean your tools: Regularly clean your tweezers and lash applicators to prevent bacteria buildup.
Gentle removal: Gently remove falsies to protect your natural lashes.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Inner Anime Character!
Experiment with fun and expressive manga lashes in 2025 using individual lashes, strips, or mascara for a unique, captivating, and attention-grabbing style.