How to Keep Your Face Gems in Place for a Long-Lasting Look

If you decide to use a professional adhesive over lash glue, Irwin advises reading the removal instructions carefully to ensure you don’t experience any skin irritation when removing the gems. 

Wait for the Adhesive to Get Tacky

Selecting an adhesive is only the first step. To ensure your embellishments stay put, Bryant explains that it’s extremely important to wait for the glue to become tacky before adhering gems to your face. “Wait about 20 to 30 seconds for the adhesive to get tacky,” she says. You can either apply the adhesive directly onto the gem or your skin — it won’t make a difference in longevity.

For the most precise application, Beia Beauty founder Brittany Lo recommends placing a dot of glue on the rhinestone then using tweezers to place it on your face. “Generally, the embellishments should last about 8 hours on the skin, but it depends on how heavy they are and if you are dancing and having a lot of movements while wearing them,” she says. 

Once the embellishments are secure, you can spritz on a setting spray, like the Urban Decay All Nighter Vitamin C Setting Spray, to lock in your entire look. Though some people suggest using hairspray to lock the adhesives in place, Irwin says to avoid doing so. “Hairspray will start to break the adhesive down — alcohol in the formula will counteract the glue.”

How to Safely Remove Makeup Embellishments

When it comes time to remove your face gems, don’t just pick them off — this could lead to irritation. If you use eyelash glue, try using a makeup remover or a facial cleanser to break down the glue. We recommend the Thayers pH Balancing Cleanser to gently wash away adhesive and makeup. If you used a stronger adhesive, follow the directions on the packaging to safely remove all remnants of the glue.