Magnetic Lashes vs Cluster Lashes: Which Should You Choose?
Magnetic lashes suit you if you want a full set on in seconds, lashes you can reuse 30+ times, and no need for natural lashes to hold them. Cluster lashes suit you if you have natural lashes and want a lightweight, customised look that stays on for days. The real choice is reusable convenience or multi-day wear.
- Magnetic lashes are a full strip with small magnets in the band. They grip a magnetic liner, so there is no glue. You wear them for the day and take them off at night.
- Cluster lashes are small groups of fibres that you place under your natural lashes, one at a time. Our Fastbond press-on clusters are worn for 3 to 10 days, sleep included.
- Natural lashes decide a lot. Magnetic lashes work with few or no natural lashes. Clusters need some lashes to bond to.
- Effort is different, not less. Magnetic is a liner then one placement. Clusters are no liner but more placing.
- Not sure? Try Lucinda for magnetic, or Natural Volume for clusters.
We make both, so I have no reason to push you towards one. I put salon lash extensions on clients in my Balwyn North studio, and I have spent years designing lashes people can wear at home. The honest answer to "which is better" is that they solve different problems. Here is how to tell which problem is yours.
What is the difference between magnetic lashes and cluster lashes?
Magnetic lashes are a full strip that sits along your lash line and is held by small magnets gripping a magnetic liner. Cluster lashes are small groups of fibres placed under your natural lashes and held by a bond. One sits on the line and comes off daily. The other sits beneath your own lashes and stays for days.
Our magnetic lashes use six small magnets in each band, with a liner that carries iron oxide for them to grip. There is no glue, and the lash lifts off and goes back in its compact. Fastbond clusters are different. The bond is built into a clear, flexible band, so you place each cluster and press. There is no separate glue and no drying time.
| Magnetic lashes (6-magnet) | Press-on clusters (Fastbond) | Glue-on clusters (applied with a separate lash glue, not our clear band adhesive lashes) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it holds | Six small magnets grip a magnetic liner | A bond built into the band | A separate bond, then a sealant |
| Glue on your lashes | None | None (no cyanoacrylate) | Yes, brushed on yourself |
| How you apply it | Two thin layers of liner, then place the lash along it | Place each cluster under your natural lashes and press | Bond, place, seal, cluster by cluster |
| How long one application lasts | A day: day to night, off before bed | 3 to 10 days, sleep included | Varies by kit, often a few days |
| Reusable | Yes, 30+ wears per pair | Single application, up to 10 days | Usually single use |
| Natural lashes needed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Where it sits | Along the lash line, band over the liner | Under your natural lashes, no band on the lid | Under or between your natural lashes |
| Taking it off | Lift off, then cleanse the liner | Peel each cluster away slowly | Kit remover, then gentle peel |
| Extra product needed | Magnetic liner | An applicator tweezer helps | Bond and sealant |
Which lasts longer, magnetic lashes or cluster lashes?
Per application, clusters last longer: Fastbond press-on clusters are worn for 3 to 10 days, sleep included. Magnetic lashes are worn for a day and taken off at night, but one pair gives you 30+ wears, so they last longer overall. It depends whether you count by the day or by the pair.
If you love waking up with lashes already on, clusters win. If you like a fresh face at night and the same lashes again tomorrow, magnetic wins. Our guide on sleeping in magnetic lashes explains why we suggest taking them off before bed.
Which is easier for a beginner?
Both are beginner friendly in different ways. Magnetic lashes ask you to learn the liner: two thin layers, a short wait until the liner turns tacky, then the lash goes on in one piece. Press-on clusters have no liner, but you place several pieces and your hands need to be steady. Pick the skill you would rather learn.
- 1Choose magnetic if you can draw a line and want one piece, placed once.
- 2Choose clusters if you would rather skip liner and do not mind placing each piece.
- 3Watch the guide first. Our short videos show both methods.
The magnetic application guide breaks the liner step down further, and the Fastbond how-to page does the same for clusters.
Do you need natural lashes for magnetic or cluster lashes?
Clusters need natural lashes: they bond to your own lashes, so very sparse lashes give them little to hold. Magnetic lashes do not need natural lashes, because they hold to the liner on your lid, not to your lashes. If you have lost your lashes, through chemotherapy or alopecia for example, start with magnetic or clear band lashes.
Our guide to false eyelashes for chemo and cancer patients goes through that in detail.
Are magnetic lashes or cluster lashes damaging?
Neither should be when they go on and come off gently. The risks to know about are pulling, heavy lashes and adhesive reactions. Magnetic lashes use no glue on your lashes. Fastbond clusters carry the bond on the band, with no cyanoacrylate. Glue-on clusters use an acrylate-based bond, which has caused eyelid contact dermatitis in some people.1
Traction is the other concern. Steady pulling on a natural lash can lead to lash loss, and heavy synthetic lashes are the usual cause.2 Choose a weight that suits your natural lashes, and peel clusters away slowly with a finger supporting the lash line. Patch test any new cosmetic first.
What does each one do better?
What magnetic lashes do better
They are quick to put on once you know the liner, you can lift and re-set a lash that is slightly off, and you can swap looks in the same day. They also work when you have few natural lashes. The trade-off is that you are working with a liner and taking them off each night.
What cluster lashes do better
They are lighter on the lash line, sit under your own lashes with no band on the lid, and stay on for days without any nightly routine. Clusters let you decide exactly where the volume goes. The trade-off is that they need natural lashes, and a full set takes more placing.
Which should you choose?
Choose magnetic lashes if you have few natural lashes, want one reusable pair, or like to swap looks in a day. Choose Fastbond clusters if you have natural lashes and want a set that stays on for days with no liner to draw. If more than one fits, start with one and give it a fortnight before you decide.
| If you... | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Have very few natural lashes | Magnetic lashes | They hold to the liner, not your lashes |
| Want to wake up with lashes on | Fastbond clusters | 3 to 10 days of wear, sleep included |
| Want one reusable pair | Magnetic lashes | 30+ wears per pair |
| Dislike drawing a liner line | Fastbond clusters | No liner and no separate glue |
| Want to swap looks in one day | Magnetic lashes | They lift off and go back in the compact |
| Want volume only at the outer corners | Fastbond clusters | You place each cluster where you want it |
Still not sure? The lash finder asks a few questions about your eyes and routine, and our lash system guide compares all four of our systems side by side.
Our picks: magnetic lashes and cluster lashes
Three magnetic picks, then two Fastbond cluster picks. Each shows the lash on the eye and on its own.
Lucinda
5mm to 10mm with a flourish of natural volume. One of our most popular everyday magnetic lashes: natural, but noticeable.
Shop Lucinda
Estelle
7mm to 10mm in a fluttery, criss-cross wispy style on a very thin band. For a soft cat-eye lift that still looks like your own lashes.
Shop Estelle
Magnetic Lashes & Liner Kit
A pair of magnetic lashes in your chosen style, the magnetic liner and a mirror compact, so you have everything the first time.
Shop the kit
Natural Volume
8mm to 14mm with soft, natural fullness. Our most popular Fastbond style and the easiest place to start with clusters.
Shop Natural Volume
Wispy Hybrid
8mm to 14mm in a wispy, textured hybrid style. The salon wispy look, placed by you.
Shop Wispy HybridMagnetic lashes need a magnetic liner, and the Hybrid Magnetic Eyeliner Pen is a thinner formula that gives you control with the fine tip. For clusters, the Precision Lash Applicator Tweezer makes each placement easier. To cleanse the liner or any leftover makeup, the Ultra Makeup Remover Balm melts it away.
Hybrid Magnetic Eyeliner Pen
Precision Lash Applicator Tweezer
Ultra Makeup Remover BalmFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between magnetic lashes and cluster lashes?
Magnetic lashes are a full strip with small magnets in the band that grip a magnetic liner, so there is no glue. Cluster lashes are small groups of fibres that you place under your natural lashes, held by a bond. Magnetic lashes sit along the lash line and are reusable. Clusters sit under your own lashes and are worn for days.
Are magnetic lashes or cluster lashes easier for beginners?
Both are beginner friendly in different ways. Magnetic lashes need you to learn the liner: two thin layers, then the lash goes on in one piece. Press-on clusters need steadier hands and a little patience placing each one, but there is no liner to learn and no separate glue.
Which lasts longer, magnetic lashes or cluster lashes?
Per application, clusters last longer: Fastbond press-on clusters are worn for 3 to 10 days, sleep included. Magnetic lashes are worn for a day and taken off at night, but one pair gives you 30+ wears, so they last longer overall.
Can you wear magnetic lashes if you have no natural lashes?
Yes. Magnetic lashes sit along the lash line and grip the liner, so they do not need natural lashes to hold. Cluster lashes bond to your own lashes, so they need some to hold on to.
Do magnetic lashes or cluster lashes damage your natural lashes?
Neither should when they are put on and taken off gently. The risks are pulling, heavy lashes and adhesive reactions. Magnetic lashes use no glue, and Fastbond clusters have the bond on the band and no cyanoacrylate. Peel clusters away slowly and never tug a lash off.
Can you wear magnetic lashes and cluster lashes together?
Not at the same time on the same eye, but you can own both. Fastbond clusters suit a low-effort week, and magnetic lashes suit a night out because they come off in seconds and go back in their compact.
Which is better for a wedding or event?
For a long day, clusters hold for days, so there is nothing to touch up. For a single event where you want a bigger look and a clean removal afterwards, magnetic lashes are quick to place and easy to adjust. Whichever you choose, practise once the week before.
Ready to choose?
Start with the one that fits how you live. If you are still undecided, the lash finder will point you to the right system.
Related reading
- Can you do lash extensions at home? The DIY cluster lash guide
- Which lash system is right for you?
- The complete guide to choosing false lashes
- Can you sleep with your magnetic eyelashes on?
- Are magnetic eyelashes safe?
- The best false eyelashes in Australia
- Kim YJ, Chung JK. Bilateral eyelid contact dermatitis and toxic conjunctivitis due to acrylate-containing glue. Annals of Dermatology, 2014. PMC4135122.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eyelash Extensions. EyeWiki. Describes traction alopecia as natural lashes lost due to the traction of synthetic lashes.
This article is general cosmetic guidance about false lash systems. It is not medical advice. If you notice sudden lash loss, pain, redness or irritation, speak to your optometrist or GP.
