If you’ve ever struggled in front of a mirror with a sticky strip of lashes (only to watch a wonky wisp fall off well before the end of the night) you’ll be curious about our senior beauty editor’s latest discovery: a kit of cluster lashes that claim to stay put for up to a week. But do they live up to the promise? From sudden showers to scrubbing off a smokey eye, she put them through their paces to find out
Now, let me preface this by saying: I have an aversion to fake lashes. Which, arguably, makes me the perfect person to test DuffBeauty’s 'Ultimate Lash Kit'. Too many times I’ve been betrayed by a faux flutter (strip or cluster) left leering suspiciously at any brand promising easy application or long-wearing results. I’ve spent longer trying to glue lashes on than doing my entire face, only to end up peeling them off in frustration (or worse: fishing one out of my cocktail half-way through the night).
Enter Danish brand DuffBeauty and its Extended Lash method. It is an under-lash cluster system designed to give salon-worthy results at home, and hold strong for up to an entire week. As any beauty editor worth her salt, I had no choice but to investigate.
Below, my unfiltered experience from first impressions to final verdict. Spoiler: even I was surprised by the results.
How do Duffbeauty's 7 day lashes work?
So, how do they work? DuffBeauty’s Extended Lash system uses the under-lash method. This means the clusters are applied beneath your natural lashes rather than on top, giving a more seamless, natural finish (no visible band or tell-tale edge in sight). You start by brushing on a thin layer (thin being the key word here) of the brand's Pro Bond, then press the lightweight clusters into place with the applicator before sealing everything with, the appropriately named, Pro Seal. The whole process takes around 10 minutes (I timed myself) tops, and with a bit of practice it feels far less fiddly than your average strip lash.
Once cured (avoid steam, water, or face-planting into your pillow for at least six hours), the lashes are locked in and ready to take on daily life. And I mean every part of daily life: showers, workouts, even my overly enthusiastic double-cleansing routine. With a bit of care, last up to a week.
The first impression:
As previously mentioned, I am not a fake lash fan. I’ve poked myself in the eye one too many times to be one. And, when faced with a multi-step kit and professionally serious names – Pro Bond, Pro Seal, Pro Remover – even the most seasoned beauty debonair could be forgiven for feeling daunted. But, after carefully reading the instructions (as anyone raised on Ikea flat-packs is trained to do), I felt surprisingly well-prepared to tackle my first application.
For context, DuffBeauty’s Extended Lash system promises salon-worthy results that last up to seven days, all from the comfort of your own bathroom mirror. The clusters are designed to be ultra-lightweight and virtually undetectable, using an under-lash method to create a seamless finish. Ambitious claims... And exactly the sort of thing that tends to set off my beauty editor scepticism.
The experience:
The first time you try this, expect it to be a little fiddly. I wouldn’t recommend attempting it on a Monday morning before an important meeting. But once I’d carefully followed the instructions, I managed the full application in around 10 minutes and was rewarded with deliciously fluttery results. At the office, it actually took some prompting for my colleagues to notice I was wearing anything at all which, in my opinion, is the ultimate compliment. For reference, I used the clear glue and the black-brown 3D clusters in the shade 'Lite (Brown)'.
That said, the first try wasn’t without a few hiccups. There was a slightly sticky sensation, even after sealing, which I chalk up to using too much Bond. Placement also matters more than you think. The clusters should sit about one to two millimetres above the waterline. I went a bit too close the first time and could feel them every time I blinked. Lesson learned: less glue is better, and precision pays off.
Sleeping in them? My first attempt ended in a slightly glued-shut gaze, again thanks to an overenthusiastic Bond moment. Nothing a quick rub couldn’t fix. By my second round, I used a lighter hand and slept through the night with no issues at all.
The lashes held up remarkably well. Even after an oil-heavy facial (not recommended, by the way) only one cluster budged. The rest stayed in place, which felt like a solid result for something promising up to a week of wear. I also appreciated the range of cluster lengths in the kit, which made it easy to customise the look. You can keep it soft and natural, or opt for something suitably dramatic depending on the occasion.
The tried & tested take-away:
Years of wearing contact lenses probably gave me an advantage here. I don’t flinch when something gets close to my eyes, which made application less intimidating. That said, I did find it tricky to figure out the perfect amount of Bond and the ideal placement at first. Once I got the hang of it, the process was surprisingly straightforward.
And the results? Genuinely impressive. The lashes held through showers, oily skincare, and a full night’s sleep after all. I wouldn’t commit to wearing them weekly, but for special occasions, they’re a very worthy alternative to a professional lash lift or extensions. They give you the flutter without the faff.
So yes, against all odds, I’m a lash convert. And yes, I will be wearing them to my friend’s four-day wedding in Greece. Because, frankly, no mascara stands a chance in that humidity.
