Beneath the Beauty: What Lashes Are Made Of
Every time you sit in the salon chair for a lash extension fill, you’re investing time and money in a product that, ideally, will enhance your lash line without hurting anyone else in the process. However, your lash extensions might not be cruelty-free, and you might not realize it.
Many lash extensions are made from synthetic fibers, but some are made from animal fur. We’ll cover what lash extensions are made of and tell you which are the most durable, the safest, and which ones are most like your natural lashes.
Before we start, let’s take a look at what your eyelashes are made of and how they function.
Human Lashes
Of course, you want your natural lashes to look amazingly long and fluffy, but unless you were gifted by the gods with doe-like lashes, you’re probably looking for ways to rev up your lash line.
Human lashes are usually between seven and 10 millimeters in length or about one-third the width of your eye. You can’t grow any more eyelashes than you have hair follicles, so if you want fuller, thicker lashes, you’ll need a lash-enhancing product, like extensions.
Human lashes are made up of a protein called keratin. Keratin is also what marks the majority of your hair and nails. Aside from keratin, your eyelashes consist of melanin, giving them color. Keratin keeps your eyelashes strong so they don’t break, but it doesn’t cause them to be stiff.
Finding lash extensions that look natural and aren’t stiff can be hard because most synthetic fibers can tend to be stiffer and heavier than natural lashes.
Let’s look at the most popular types of lash extension materials available on the market today.
Lash Extension Fibers
There are few different fibers that make up most lash extensions. They range in price and durability, and some aren’t cruelty-free (even one type that might surprise you).
Polyester
The vast majority of eyelash extensions you find in retail stores are made from polyester. Polyester is a man-made material that’s a type of polished acrylic. It’s cruelty-free and can be manipulated in many different ways to get different types of lashes.
The big problem with these types of extensions is that they’re heavy and not exactly natural-looking. In fact, they’re almost obviously artificial, and some users want to create more drama. They’re usually shinier than your natural lashes and much stiffer, which can make them uncomfortable to wear.
These won't be a good fit if you want fluffy or wispy-looking lashes. If you want a dramatic, over-the-top look that gets noticed, polyester lashes are your go-to, but they probably won’t be comfortable enough for everyday wear.
Animal Fur
Celebrities made them famous, but not without a lot of pushback from animal rights groups like PETA. Mink fur is the most popular for animal-fur eyelash extensions, with fox and sable furs trailing close behind.
Manufacturers of these types of eyelash extensions might say that their extensions are cruelty-free because animals aren’t killed or necessarily hurt to collect the fur. Usually, the used fur is collected after brushing the animals’ tails.
According to PETA, this is a false claim. Minks, foxes, and sables are wild animals that prefer living in their natural habitats. When they are captured, bred, and raised in captivity, they are often kept in deplorable conditions and not well-cared for.
Additionally, mink lashes aren’t durable and absolutely cannot keep a curl. If you get them wet, they’ll immediately straighten, which is why faux mink lashes are a safer and more popular option.
Silk (Get Ready for a Twist)
Silk eyelash extensions may seem like the perfect solution for cruelty-free lashes that look and feel like the real thing. After all, they’re effortlessly weightless, produce seriously amazing curls, and are great for creating wispy, fluffy looks.
There’s just one little wiggly problem: the silkworm. One hundred percent silk lashes aren’t cruelty-free because hundreds of thousands of silkworms are involved in creating just one pound of silk used to create these mass-produced extensions.
Surprised? If you’re shopping for true, cruelty-free products, check 100% silk off your list.
What’s a person to do? Go back to heavy polyester lashes? Forgo lash extensions altogether? No way. Enter Korean PBT Silk.
Korean PBT Silk
Korean PBT, also known as polybutylene terephthalate, is actually a type of plastic that is safe and 100% cruelty-free. Korean silk is the closest copycat to real silk and animal fur.
Korean PBT lash extensions are high-end and ultra-lightweight. They’re also incredibly durable, keeping their shape even if they get damp.
Korean PBT silk lashes can create numerous different lash styles, from fluffy and dramatic, to lowkey and classic. They’re also often used in creating hybrid lash styles. If you want them, you don’t have to look very far.
Lashify® Gossamer® lashes are all created from the highest grade of Korean PBT silk to help you create dramatic looks that you’ll feel good about wearing.
A Different Way To Do Extensions
If you’re tired of spending time and money with your lash tech, break up with them! Lashify gives you the ability to Be Your Own Lash Tech™ by giving you access to seriously amazing lashes that are applied effortlessly using Underlash Technology™ (underneath your natural lashes) and ultra-safe Bonds instead of dangerous glue.
It’s easy to get started (even if you’re a beginner) once you get the Control Kit™.
Take Control of Your Lash Materials
They’re your extensions. Make sure they match your lifestyle. The Control Kit gives you access to 100% cruelty-free Gossamer lashes and everything you need to easily apply them at home.
Each Control Kit contains:
Two Pairs of 100% Korean PBT Silk Gossamer Lashes
Whether it’s fluffy and dramatic or lowkey and classic you want, we’ve got you covered. Our Gossamer lashes come in numerous styles, lengths, and curls, so you can fully customize your lash experience.
To create a new look, try using one of our easy-to-follow lash maps, or check out this blog to learn how to create your own unique looks through lash mapping.
Fuse Control™ Wand
Maybe you’ve tried at-home extensions, but it didn’t work out. The application method of other brands usually involves tweezers, but Lashify developed an entirely customized tool to help you apply your Gossamer lashes easily.
The Fuse Control Wand is shaped to match the curvature of your eye, and the Petit Curv is a smaller version that works for smaller faces.
Glass Finishing Coat
Gossamer lashes are made to last. With proper care, you can wear your Gossamer lashes overnight and leave them in place for up to 10 days. Glass Finishing Coat helps seal the deal once you’ve attached your Gossamer lashes, giving you added confidence that they’ll stay in place.
Whisper Light™ Bond
Our Bonds don’t work like traditional lash glues. They contain zero harsh chemicals, toxins, formaldehyde, or cyanoacrylates. Instead, they’re formulated with biotin and Lavandula, two ingredients known for supporting healthy lash growth.
Our Bonds don’t fully cure, which allows them to bend and flex with your natural lash to avoid breakage. Your Control Kit comes with a full tube of Whisper Light, our most popular bond that keeps your Gossamer lashes locked down tight.
Wandom® Pair
When you’re applying your Gossamer lashes, it’s normal for the Bond to get tacky. That’s why you need Wandoms. Wandoms cover the tip of your Fuse Control Wand to prevent it from attaching to your Gossamer lashes and creating a sticky situation.
Samples
We love freebies as much as the next person. That’s why we include two in your Control Kit.
- Pre Cleanse. Our gentle yet effective pre-cleanser that can even double as a face wash.
- Melt Away. The easiest way to gently glide your Gossamer lashes off of your natural lashes is Melt Away, our dual-phase, oil-based makeup remover.
Everything you need comes neatly packaged in a protective case to keep all your lashy tools in one place and keep your delicate Gossamer lashes safe.
Cruelty-Free With Lashify
Your lash extensions don’t have to hurt any other living being. All Lashify products are cruelty-free, including our Gossamer lashes.
You can have amazing lashes that look and feel like your natural lashes without involving an animal. Lashify makes it possible with 100% Korean PBT silk lashes that are durable, lightweight, and safe for your natural lashes.
Break up with your lash tech and their animal fur lashes! Lashify protects your lashes and the animals you love.
Sources:
Anatomy, Head and Neck: Eyelash - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Cruelty Behind Mink Lashes|Peta.org
Is Silk Vegan? For Every Pound, 3,000 Animals Are Killed | PETA
Your Eyelashes Should Be This Long, Science Says - Scientific American
