If you are a fashion-forward gal of today, eyelashes ought to be a part of your makeup essentials. But while shopping, does the considerable amount of vocabulary confound you? Can you make sense of and distinguish between mink lashes, vegan lashes, faux lashes, sable lashes, and a gazillion other types of lashes?

In my case, it definitely did, that’s why I rummaged through the internet and gleaned some of the basic points to help you stay clear of clutter and know exactly what is what in the eyelash world. Here you go:

Mink lashes

As people started becoming more environmentally conscious and started incorporating that into their lifestyle choices, mink eyelashes plunged into controversies and have been largely canceled. Mink lashes are made from the fur of Mink. Minks for those of you unaware are mouse-like creatures and they were farmed and poached for their hair to be supplied to commercial entities. Fortunately, sanity prevailed, and people have turned to non-cruel alternatives for their lashes. Mink hair lashes were (we are going to use ‘were’ as they aren’t sold anymore although some crooks might still be selling these) preferred because they were extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear and rendered an almost natural look. Given that they required a tenuous process of sourcing and polishing, they were expensive too.

Faux Mink lashes

Faux mink is a vegan alternative to mink lashes with all the qualities of the original. They are lightweight, natural-looking, and comfortable to wear. They do not only replicate the look and feel of mink lashes but even have an edge over mink lashes. Real mink lashes trigger allergic reactions to human skin because of being animal-derived but since faux mink lashes are synthetic and sanitized multiple times during manufacturing, they do not cause any allergies. Besides, real mink lashes lose their curl after contact with water while faux lashes maintain it. If you want some wispy, fluttery lashes to create natural as well as gorgeous looks, you can check out Ola! Candy’s online store for their 3D Faux Mink lashes.

Sable lashes

Sable is another lash type that is made from animal fur. Sable is a Russian or Siberian mammal that is traded for its fur. Its fur makes extravagant coats. Sable lashes are even softer than mink lashes and are the thinnest of all the lash types. They are ideal for people with really thin and sparse eyelashes who struggle with finding their lash match, but they come with an environmental cost, so better choose wisely.

Human hair lashes

The term itself is self-explanatory. Human hair lashes are made from bunching up human hair. If you are wondering if they pluck the hair out of humans’ bodies to turn them into lashes, that’s now how it happens. The hair for natural hair lashes is majorly sourced from three countries: India, China, and Indonesia. These are hair that people donate willfully in temples for religious reasons. In terms of look, they are the most natural as you would guess as they are made from human hair only. They are also non-allergic, hence non-reactive to human skin.

Synthetic lashes

Synthetic lashes are artificial lashes made from acrylic. They require the least maintenance of all the lash types as they are made from plastic, and they hold their curl really well. They are thick and dramatic enough. You won’t need to top them with mascara or anything. Just pop them on and you are set for the party. The downside is that they are slightly uncomfortable to wear. Since they are heavy, you would feel them weighing down on your eyes. Additionally, they are not suitable for natural looks. While those with dense lashes can still make them work, people with sparse eyelashes would look out of place.

Silk lashes

Do not be deceived that you are buying silk when getting your hands on a pair of silk eyelashes. They are made of synthetic silk. Synthetic silk is a man-made fabric that mimics the texture and sheen of silk. They are made just like synthetic lashes, the only difference being them being finer and taper. Silk eyelashes are most versatile in terms of styling. They can be made to look natural as well as thicker and more dramatic. They come in different curling styles and lengths. They are also softer and more convenient to wear. Since they are light, they are going to endure for long too.

 

Which one to pick?

Well, honey, that’s for you to decide. There are a whole lot of considerations that you need to account for making the right choice. For instance, what’s the kind of look you are going for, do you prefer natural-looking lashes, or are you up for a dramatic bold look, and most importantly what conscience are you leaning toward, do you prefer luxury beauty at any cost or want to make an environmentally conscious beauty decision?

My personal recommendation would be to avoid anything that endorses animal exploitation. There is no dearth of alternatives that can help us make that decision. Anything from faux mink lashes to silk lashes, and human hair lashes are good to go for.