False Eyelashes: How a Hollywood Invention Became a Beauty Staple

Introduction

False eyelashes have become a staple in beauty and fashion today. From everyday wear to red carpet events, false lashes allow people to enhance their eyes and achieve a more dramatic look. While strip lashes and individual lashes were once only seen on movie stars and celebrities, advancements in design and materials have made false lashes accessible and easy to apply for all. Their popularity continues to grow as people use false lashes as a way to express their personal style. Social media has also fueled the false lash craze, with influencers and celebrities showing off their favourite rite lashes. Overall, false eyelashes are now a mainstream beauty trend that allows people to transform their eyes and put their best face forward. Their versatility and customisation make them an exciting way to complete any makeup look.

Early Attempts at Fake Eyelashes

In the early 1900s, women began experimenting with fake eyelashes made from various materials to enhance their eyes and achieve a more glamorous look. These early versions of false lashes were rudimentary and often uncomfortable to wear.

Some women attempted wearing strips of fur along their lash line to give the appearance of fuller, darker lashes. However, fur lashes were quite heavy and awkward. The fur strands would clump together and irritate the eyes. Despite efforts to trim and shape the fur into a more tapered lash form, these fake fur lashes were largely impractical for everyday wear.

Others tried fashioning false eyelash strips from feathers, believing this material would be lightweight and easy to apply. However, feather lashes proved flimsy and lacked the volume and density of real eyelashes. The feather strands would fray and fall apart quickly. Keeping feathers adhered along the lash line was also tricky with the available cosmetic adhesives.

Though creative, these early artificial lashes using animal materials were uncomfortable and offered an unnatural look. But they marked the beginning experiments with fake eyelashes that would eventually evolve into more usable and realistic versions. The desire for fuller, longer lashes continued to drive innovations in the cosmetic industry.

Hollywood's Influence

In the early days of Hollywood, film actresses sought ways to make their eyes stand out on camera. Thick, dark, dramatic eyelashes became a coveted look that conveyed an alluring femininity and mystique. Stars like Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and Clara Bow often wore false lashes in their films during the 1920s and 30s.

As these glamorous actresses graced the silver screen with lush, fluttering lashes, false eyelashes started gaining broader appeal and acceptance. Though wearing makeup had previously carried a stigma, Hollywood made the use of cosmetics more fashionable and desirable. The movie industry served as a trendsetter, popularising false lashes as a way for everyday women to emulate the sultry, smoky eye looks of their favourite rite starlets.

During Hollywood's Golden Age, false eyelashes became a standard part of makeup kits for actresses. Applying individual lashes by hand was a tedious process that could take over an hour. False lashes were still mostly reserved for the studio sets at this time. But the allure of larger-than-life lashes on the big screen fueled interest and imagination. Women dreamed of batting their own set of perfectly fanned-out falsies. As Hollywood boomed, so did the appeal of false eyelashes in the cultural consciousness. 

Max Factor

Max Factor played a pivotal role in popularising false eyelashes in the 1930s and 1940s. As a pioneering makeup artist in Hollywood, he worked closely with movie stars to create glamorous looks onscreen.

In the 1930s, Max Factor developed a new type of false eyelash that was made from human hair rather than stiff materials like feathers. These new lashes looked more natural on camera and helped actresses like Greta Garbo achieve a sultry, seductive gaze.

Max Factor's lashes soon became essential for actresses of the era. Stars would have custom lashes made to suit their eyes. False lashes allowed actresses to have perfectly coiffed, fluttering eyelashes in every scene - even when crying or in action sequences.

As Max Factor gained fame as the makeup artist to the stars, his false lashes gained popularity too. Women visiting Hollywood would return home wanting to emulate the glamorous movie star look. Max Factor helped make false lashes an integral part of fashionable makeup for the first time.

During WWII, Max Factor had to cease production of false lashes due to rationing. But after the war ended in 1945, he resumed production. False lashes saw another boom, now becoming an everyday accessory for women rather than solely an onscreen trick. Max Factor had transformed false lashes into a mainstream fashion accessory.

Post-War Boom

The post-World War 2 period saw a major boom in the false eyelashes industry. As economies recovered and women re-entered the workforce after the war, cosmetics became more widely available and affordable. Movie stars like Marilyn Monroe popularised the over-the-top eyelash look of the 1940s, influencing fashion trends.

False lashes allowed regular women to emulate the glamorous Hollywood eye makeup style at home. Entrepreneurs and companies responded to this new demand by mass producing strip lashes and individual lashes. Product innovations like curved bands and improved glues made false lashes easier to apply and more comfortable to wear. The postwar economic prosperity meant women had more disposable income to spend on beauty products.

Department stores began carrying false lashes and lash adhesives for the first time. Magazines and advertisements pushed false lashes as an easy way for any woman to look like a movie star. Their popularity continued to climb throughout the 1950s and 1960s, cementing false lashes as a mainstay of the cosmetics industry. The postwar period transformed fake eyelashes from an obscure novelty item into an affordable beauty must-have. 

Modern False Lashes

False eyelashes saw a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s thanks to makeup trends emphasising bold, dramatic eyes. Thicker, more natural-looking false lashes became widely available and acceptable for everyday wear. Now false lashes are a staple makeup product for many people.

Modern false lashes come in a huge variety of styles, lengths, and materials. Synthetic (vegan) and faux mink (also vegan) lashes are common, providing a light, flexible feel. Synthetic fibers are affordable, while faux mink offers a more natural, fluffy look. 3D and 6D lashes feature layers of crisscrossing lashes for major volume. Individual lashes allow precise placement and a customisable look. Dramatic styles include extra-long lashes, crisscrossed or stacked lashes, and bold cat-eye flares. More natural styles focus on soft, wispy fullness and a seamless band that hugs the lash line. Lash bands also come in clear, black, and coloured variants.

Lash glue has improved as well, with latex-free and waterproof formulas that provide secure hold throughout the day. New application tools like lash tweezers and curlers allow for easier, more precise application. False lashes are now accessible for all budgets and desired looks. 

Impact on Fashion

False lashes became a makeup staple and impacted eye makeup trends in several key ways. As lashes grew in popularity, makeup artists began experimenting with more dramatic eye looks to complement the falsies. Thick, bold eyeliner and dramatic smoky eyes became trendy, as the false lashes framed and balanced these heavy eye makeup looks. The 60s ushered in thick black liner and false lashes as a signature look for fashion icons like Twiggy and Brigitte Bardot.

Over time, false lashes allowed for more creativity and exaggeration with eye makeup. Coloured mascara and graphic liner art became popular experimental looks. False lashes also paved the way for more avant-garde runway makeup that played with extreme proportions, textures, and shapes. Now false lashes come in endless styles, lengths, and colours - from natural to over-the-top dramatic. They allow anyone to customise  their eye makeup and transform their eyes for any occasion. False lashes have had an undeniable impact on expanding the possibilities for eye makeup artistry and self-expression.

Celebrity Influence

False eyelashes continued to grow in popularity thanks to celebrity influence. As film stars like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sophia Loren flaunted bold, dramatic lashes on and off screen, they inspired everyday women to emulate the look. False lashes allowed regular people to achieve the dazzling eyes of their favourite celebrities.

Magazines and media fueled this by constantly photographing stars wearing false lashes and praising the transformative effects. Iconic faces like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot were rarely seen without lavish false eyelashes, cementing the association between glamour and fake lashes. As more celebrities adopted bold lashes as an essential part of their beauty routine, false lashes shook their novelty status and became a mainstream makeup staple.

False Lash Innovations

False lashes have come a long way since their early beginnings in the film industry. Today there are numerous options for enhancing and dramatising the eyes. Some key innovations in false lashes include:

Magnetic Lashes - These lashes utilise tiny magnets to allow easy application and removal without glue. The magnets are embedded into the lash band and adhere to a thin magnetic liner applied along the lash line. Magnetic lashes provide a temporary option without the hassle of glue.

Lash Extensions - Lash extensions are semi-permanent lashes individually glued to existing lashes for a natural, dramatic look. They are applied by a trained technician and last around 2-3 weeks before needing fills. Lash extensions provide length, thickness and curl without the need to apply strips daily. However, there are known issues with lash extensions affecting natural eyelashes over time. It can harm natural lashes so when extensions are not work there is less natural lash for the day to day look.

Mink Lashes (not vegan) - Mink fur (this is animal fur) is now used by many lash brands (not used by LZRD LASH) to create softer, lighter lashes. The fine hairs and delicate bands result in an extremely natural lash extension or strip. However, mink lashes are more expensive than synthetic options. They are also made from animals which are farmed for the sole purpose of removing their fur for a variety of fashion beauty purpose. Please note reader we do not support the use of these lashes however they are still very common in the global eyelash market.

Coloured Lashes - Bold, creative colours like neon pink, purple and blue are now available. Coloured strip lashes and extensions allow for customisation and self-expression. Wearing a bright lash is an instant way to make a beauty statement.

Cluster Lashes - Cluster lashes feature multiple shorter lash strips bunched together for an extremely voluminous, bold look. They maximise fullness towards the outer corners of the eyes for added drama. Clusters are often used by makeup artists for photo shoots, weddings and special events.

The options for false lashes today are endless thanks to innovative techniques and materials. Lashes can be customised to match one's style, comfort and desired look. The variety ensures lashes will continue gaining popularity as a way to transform eyes and make a lasting impression.

Conclusion

The history of false eyelashes is intertwined with the rise of the film and beauty industries. While early attempts were made as far back as the 19th century to enhance one's lashes with mascara or primitive falsies, the invention of modern false eyelashes is credited to makeup pioneer Max Factor in the 1920s and 30s.

As Hollywood developed into the epicentre of global glamour and beauty trends, Max Factor's false lashes became synonymous with the silver screen sirens of the day like Marilyn Monroe. The postwar economic boom allowed false lashes to spread from movie sets to mainstream culture. Over the decades since, false lashes have continued to evolve with new materials and application methods while retaining their allure as an iconic cosmetic product.

From classic Twiggy-style lashes to fluttery, doll-like lashes to the dramatic drag queen lashes of today, false eyelashes remain an impactful way for people to transform their look. Their popularity endures thanks to celebrity influencers and social media. While individual styles come and go, false lashes seem here to stay as a beauty staple that allows wearers to put their best face forward.