Great question. I mean, you put so much effort into your lashes; you dress them up, you keep them clean, you nourish them, but what even are they?
Well, wonder no more, because to save you a trip to the library (would a librarian know about eyelashes… hmm… not sure… anyway…) we’ve put everything you need to know in one place: right here.
So read on to find out what makes a natural lash and how those gorgeous false lashes that you wear compare.
Your natural lashes are just like hair anywhere else on your body. They start out as tiny roots, grow into full strands and after a certain amount of time they fall out. This is all perfectly natural, so don’t worry if you’ve spotted a stray lash on your pillow this morning: the lash growth cycle is circular, so they’re always being replenished!
If you want to know more about this, you can learn about the three key lash growth stages in our blog here.
Eyelashes exist to protect your eyes from dirt and debris and also to act as a bit of an early warning system - that’s why if you tickle your lashes it will trigger your blink reflex, it’s the body’s way of protecting the eye against something that might be about to collide with it!
Just like your hair, lashes are at their best when they’re clean, well-nourished and healthy. Simple things like cleaning off your make-up before bed, being gentle with them when curling and avoiding heavy glues can make a big difference (our LinerBondTM is a great alternative to glue if you’re wearing falsies).
False lashes are made from a selection of different materials, all of which are designed to make them similar in appearance to your natural lashes. Whilst some do contain human hair, the most common are:
Plastic Lashes: These are the most basic lash option, commonly made from a plastic fibre called polished acrylic. They tend to be thicker and heavier than natural lashes, which can make them hard to match and uncomfortable to wear.
Mink Lashes: made from real fur taken from the tails of minks, they are much lighter and match better with human lashes, but the process isn’t particularly nice if you’re a mink. If you’re looking for a cruelty-free product, this is one to avoid.
Synthetic Silk Lashes: synthetic silk is the ultimate, cruelty-free, substitute for mink. It is designed to be finer and lighter than other artificial fibres, producing a falsie which is more comfortable to wear and which blends more effectively with your natural lashes. As the material is synthetic, it is also durable, giving you a high number of wears.
As you can probably tell, we believe synthetic silk is amazing, which is why we use it in all of our false eyelashes.
If you want to give it a try, our starter kit has got everything you need. Go on, we got you 😊
