Your Guide to Face Glue: What It Is and How To Use It

If you’re a makeup enthusiast, we’re willing to bet you already have some makeup glue in your bag (looking at you, lash glue). But there are other types of makeup glue that may be worth adding to your routine. Face glue is one such example. Unlike lash glue, face glue doesn’t actually contain adhesives (because, generally speaking, you should steer clear of putting glue on your face). It can, however, help ensure your makeup stays put from sunup to sundown.

Here, we’ll discuss what face glue is, what it does, and explain how to use it. We’ll also give you a refresher on two other types of makeup glue—lash glue and brow glue—that you can use for long-lasting makeup looks. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about using makeup glue in your routine.

What Is Makeup Glue?

Makeup glue can take several different forms. Lash glue, for instance, is an adhesive used to help secure false lashes to your lash line. Brow glue, meanwhile, typically refers to a long-lasting brow gel that helps tame your arches and keep your brow hairs in place. There are also gripping makeup primers that act a bit like face glue (though they don’t actually contain glue). These formulas provide a sticky, tacky surface for your makeup products to adhere to and help ensure long-lasting wear.

The terms makeup and face glue may also refer to skin-safe makeup adhesive glues used in theater and for special effects makeup. These formulas contain adhesives that allow stage makeup and prosthetics to stick to the skin. For our purposes, however, we aren’t focused on these types of adhesives. Rather, when we talk about makeup glue, we’re referring to everyday products that enhance the longevity of your makeup looks.

What Is Face Glue?

As we mentioned, depending on the context, face glue can be an actual glue used to adhere something to your face, or it can refer to makeup products with “glue-like” properties, helping the rest of your makeup stay in place. When we say face glue at NYX Professional Makeup, we’re talking about The Face Glue line.

The line stars The Face Glue Gripping Primer, an innovative formula that contains polyglutamic acid and antioxidant-rich maple syrup extract. When applied before makeup, the hydrating primer helps lock makeup into place for up to 24 hours. It’s also transparent, non-sticky, and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores).

The primer is complemented by The Face Glue Setting Spray. This long-lasting spray creates a waterproof shield over your makeup, helping ensure your look stays in place no matter what the day throws at you.

How to Use NYX Professional Makeup’s The Face Glue

Using The Face Glue for makeup that lasts is super straightforward. Follow the three steps below for an ultra-long-lasting makeup look.

Step 1: Start with The Face Glue Primer

Remove the cap from your long-lasting makeup primer and dispense a small amount onto clean, dry skin. Use your fingertips to spread the hydrating formula over your face in a thin, even layer.

Step 2: Apply your makeup

Next, apply your foundation, concealer, and other makeup products as desired.

Step 3: Finish with The Face Glue Setting Spray

Once you’re satisfied with your makeup application, mist your face with The Face Glue Setting Spray to help lock everything in place.

What Is Brow Glue?

Brow glue can refer to any strong-hold brow gel that can be used to help tame, shape, and hold your brows into place. These formulas can be clear or tinted, and may be used alone or alongside other brow products (such as brow pencils or pens). At NYX Professional Makeup, we have The Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler. This long-lasting brow glue comes in four tinted shades (plus one clear gel) and delivers up to 16 hours of non-sticky hold.

How To Use Brow Glue

If you’ve ever used brow mascara or brow gel before, you’ll find that using brow glue is pretty similar. Here’s what you’ll want to do:

Step 1: Shape your brows

If it’s been a while since you last shaped your brows, consider carving out a few minutes to do so before getting started on your eyebrow makeup. Use tweezers to remove any stray hairs from around your browline, then (carefully) trim your brows so the hairs are uniform in length.

Step 2: Fill in your brows

Next, use a brow pencil or pen to fill in any sparse areas and define your arches. We’re fond of the Micro Brow Pencil, which boasts a fine tip for drawing thin, precise lines (bonus: it’s waterproof!). If you prefer brow pens, try the Lift & Snatch! Brow Tint Pen.

Step 3: Apply brow glue

Once your brows are shaped, tamed, and filled in, use The Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler to keep your arches in place. Simply choose a shade and use the included spoolie brush to brush the gel through your brow hairs and help set them into your desired shape.

What Is Lash Glue?

Lash glue is one type of glue makeup that actually contains (skin-safe) glue. It’s an adhesive designed to help secure false lashes—either strips or individual lashes—to your lash line to help create the appearance of fuller-looking fringe. Most lash glue that you’d buy at the store can be removed with makeup remover. Professional lash glue—like for lash extensions—usually lasts a bit longer or requires specialized products to remove.

How To Use Lash Glue

The application of lash glue can vary depending on the formula you’re using. Before applying false lashes, we recommend reading (and re-reading) the instructions on your lash glue to get a better idea of how to use it safely. If you don’t want to use glue but still want to rock false lashes, here’s a breakdown of how to apply our Jumbo Lash! Vegan False Eyelashes.

Step 1: Line your upper lid with lash adhesive

First, trace your upper lash line with the Jumbo Lash! 2-in-1 Liner and Lash Adhesive. This unique formula doubles as an eyeliner and an eyelash adhesive and wears for up to 24 hours.

Step 2: Add a second coat

After lining both eyes, apply a second coat of the aforementioned adhesive eyeliner. Be sure to have your lashes prepped and ready to go—you want to apply them within a few seconds of swiping on your liner.

Step 3: Apply your falsies

Use your fingers or a lash applicator to carefully adhere your false lashes to the adhesive liner. Once your lashes are set, they’ll stay put for up to 12 hours. Removing them is a breeze, too: Simply peel off the lashes and remove the liner with makeup remover (store them somewhere safe—each lash strip can be reused up to 15 times).