Ah, Christmas parties. The glitzy, sparkly season is upon us, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already mentally assembling outfits, makeup looks, and (most importantly) a way to keep everything looking effortlessly chic in minimal time. Enter: party lashes that are as fab as professional extensions, without the price or commitment.
I have so much love for House of Amor, I should probably work for them (edit: I don’t work for them, just love them unreasonably much), and their QuickLash Clusters are pretty much a way of life for me, and a huge part of my ‘high maintenance to be low maintenance’ weekly routine.
There are so many styles to choose from, from super subtle to full-on drama mode, and their ‘What The Fluff’ style are my festive season pick. I genuinely get asked about my lashes and nails fairly often, in the office, on the school run or on a night out, and I’m not into gatekeeping from the girls. So let’s take a look at these amazing at-home lash extensions, plus a bonus mention of their Quick Nails – because why stop at fabulous lashes when your nails could look like they’ve had the VIP treatment too?
Why Skip the Lash Extensions?
Let’s be honest: lash extensions are gorgeous, but they’re also pricey and can be a bit of a commitment. As someone with a full-on career, and small children at home, as much as I love a good professional pamper, I just don’t have the time to maintain things like professional gel nails and lash extensions by visiting them any more.
Once they’re on, you’re committing to infills, post-care rules, and avoiding any adventurous eye rubbing (harder than it sounds). For me, this year’s focus is all about at-home hacks that make me look party-ready with zero salon bookings.
Introducing House of Amor QuickLash Clusters
Here’s the deal: the What The Fluff QuickLash Clusters are designed to give you fluffy, full lashes that look so good they match professional lash technicans. These clusters are customizable, letting you layer up to create anything from a subtle lift to a dramatic, doll-eyed look – perfect for any Christmas event from office parties to New Year’s Eve soirées. They’re also weightless, which is a game changer for comfort, especially when you’re in for a long night.
The best part? Applying them is as simple as swiping on a coat of mascara, especially if you’re using them with House of Amor’s Bond & Superstay. This dynamic duo is a lash game-changer: Bond gives your lash line a little extra grip for the clusters, while Superstay seals them in place for a look that stays put through all the festive cocktails and beyond.
Once on, you have a week plus of wear – possibly more, only mine come off for the sacred Sunday night bath-and-a-glass ritual that keeps me sane. It’s also possible to wash and reuse them (so far I’m shamefully too lazy to do this part).
A pack of these is £10.99, and you get 3-4 sets from each pack, which works out at £2.74 a set, compared to around £60 for salon lash extensions, with £40 for infill appointments. It’s a no-brainer, especially when they look this good.
How to Apply Your Christmas Party Lashes Like a Pro
If you’re a lash newbie, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered with a step-by-step guide to flawless, fuss-free application. Here’s how to get that professional look at home:
- Prep Your Lashes: Start with clean, dry lashes. A quick swipe of micellar water can help if you have any makeup residue hanging around. Use a lash curler to give your natural lashes a good lift.
- Apply Bond: The Bond is your friend here. Use the brush to apply it to your natural lashes as if you’re applying a thin coat of mascara. Think of it like priming a wall before painting – it gives the clusters something to hold onto.
- Attach the Clusters: Now, this is the fun part. With tweezers or your fingers, gently place the lash clusters along your lash line, under your own lashes, starting from the outer corner and working inward. You can mix and match cluster sizes depending on how dramatic you want your look to be. I like a winged out look, so I use two 14mm extensions on the outer edge, a 12mm in the middle and a 10mm on the inner corner.
- Seal with Superstar: Once your lashes are in place, gently brush the Superstar over the clusters. It works as a topcoat, holding everything in place and giving a little extra gloss.
And if you’re even too lazy or time-pressed, for that, House of Amor have a line called ‘Lazy Girl’ lashes that are pre-glued.
For those who steer clear of strip lashes because they find them difficult to apply, these are also a game-changer. Although it may seem a little weird applying these cluster underneath your own lashes, I promise it’s actually far less fiddly than applying strip lashes on top.
It takes under five minutes, and offers a much better look with no weird pinging up at one corner after a few dirty martinis. They look every bit as good as professional lash extensions, for comparative pennies and a few minutes of your time.
Lash Looks to Try This Christmas
To make things even easier, here’s a mini menu of lash styles for different festive occasions:
- The Office Party: For a natural, subtle lift, use just a few clusters at the outer corners of your eyes. Pair with soft, neutral makeup for a polished look.
- The Festive Brunch: Try a few medium-length clusters across the entire lash line, giving your eyes a soft, flirty frame that’ll pop in holiday photos.
- The NYE Glam: Go all-out with a mix of medium and longer clusters across your lashes for that doe-eyed, night-out vibe. Add a touch of glitter eyeliner to really turn up the festive drama.
Finishing Touches
If you’re like me, party season means you need nails that can keep up. So, while we’re on the topic of instant glamour, I had to mention House of Amor’s Quick Nails. They’re an absolute lifesaver for getting those salon-quality manicures and pedicures without the wait or fuss.
The Quick Nails come in a variety of colors and shapes, from classic nudes to festive reds, so you can switch up your nail look as often as you like. Application is genuinely as easy as pressing them on, and they stay in place surprisingly well. With the right prep – that is, using a cuticle remover and an orange stick to push back, then buffing the nails with a gentle emery file, followed by a swipe with the alcohol wipe provided in the pack, we’re talking two weeks of wear.
Whether you’re heading to a Christmas gathering or just want a little midweek pick-me-up, these nails are an easy way to add a touch of extra sleek to your look. I especially love the subtle style ‘Everyday Elegance’ – a very wearable mid-length almond shaped French polish – or ‘Rouge’, a moody Chanel style muted berry tone.
There’s also help for toes. I actually held off using these for a while, just oddly convinced they’d never stay on, but I was so wrong – as two weeks in Thailand rocking their ‘Snow Queen’ pedicure proved beyond a doubt.
Beauty Game-Changer
Beyond just lashes and nails, House of Amor really nails (pun intended this time) the ethos of effortless beauty. They’re making it so much easier to look and feel your best without overextending your time or budget.
Plus, everything from their QuickLash Clusters to Quick Nails is designed with real life in mind – and by “real life,” I mean the type where you’re trying to do your makeup in five minutes between work Zoom calls and school runs.
Not only do their products look fabulous, but they also feel fabulous – no stiff lashes poking you every time you blink, and no heavy glue smell lingering. It’s beauty made easy, and the quality is solid.
For those looking for an stress-free, quick Christmas beauty routine – saving on time and cost, without compromising the glam – these are honestly a must-try. Because December shouldn’t be about trying to book your calendar around salon appointments. Instead, you can get ready in a rush and still know you’re looking and feeling amazing.
Happy holidays, and may your lashes be as full as your Christmas spirit!
