If you are vegan or looking to consume more cruelty-free products, then this blog is for you. I’m sure you have seen the long, wispy lashes of celebrities like the Kardashians and more. If you’ve ever wondered how they achieved those lash lengths, the answer is most likely: lash extensions. And, mink lash extensions, at that.
The short answer is: Eyelash extensions can be vegan. It depends on the type you get. Synthetic eyelash extensions are vegan, while 100% mink lashes are definitely not. There are also vegan adhesives, and non-vegan adhesives. We will discuss it all in this article here.
In the day and age of the almighty lash, we will also discuss 100% vegan and cruelty-options for increasing your lash length, so that you can feel good about yourself, and your lashes at the same d*mn time!
Types of Eyelash Extensions
There are many different types of eyelash extensions on the market right now. When you walk into an Eyelash studio, you should ask your technician what type of lashes they are using. To be extra safe, you can ask to see the box that they come in, as well as the adhesive. This way, you can be certain what type of lashes you will be getting.
Mink Lash Extensions
(Image Source: Fur Commission USA)
Mink lash extensions are 100% not vegan, and in fact, the mink industry is generally a pretty cruel industry. According to Unicorn Goods, “A mink's rich glossy coat in its wild state is brown and looks silky, but farm-bred mink can vary from white to almost black.”
The minks are raised in captivity and live in cages their whole lives. When their fur has fully matured for lash extension use, they are usually killed for their fur. The only minks that live are used for breeding purposes.
For the most part, fur farms have been in a steady decline. That is until eyelash extensions became popular again. Are you ready for this startling fact? “More than 36 million animals die on fur farms around the world each year. Thirty-one million (or about 90 percent) of these animals are mink.”
Yepp, that’s right ladies and gentlemen. The fur trade almost died with our generation, until we became obsessed with having lashes like Beyonce and Kim. Luckily, there are more natural options for long lashes, like ForLash!
Silk Lash Extensions
Silk lash extensions can be vegan, it just depends on the kind that you get. According to The Lash Professional, there are lashes out there that are 100% silk, made from boiling the cocoons of silkworms, however, these lashes are both hard to find and very expensive.
Most silk lashes on the market are actually synthetic silk, made from synthetic based silk fibers. These lashes are a little heavier than the mink lashes but are typically a mid-weight type of lash. Since these lashes are softer and more porous than mink or synthetic, they tend to hold on a bit longer.
(Image Source: My Cong)
The synthetic silk lashes are very versatile. They can create a natural look or a more dramatic dense look like the synthetic lashes. Since these lashes are lighter weight than many of the synthetic lashes, they are better for your lashes.
The synthetic silk lashes come in a variety of curls and lengths. Overall, they are better for a more natural look than the synthetic lashes, since they are tapered and do not look as “plasticky” as some of the other synthetic lashes.
Synthetic Lash Extensions
Synthetic lashes are great vegan options. Since they are made in a factory, you know that they didn’t use real minks or real silkworms in the making of your lashes. Synthetic lashes are made from a polished, acrylic material and are revered as the firmest and sturdiest lash extensions of all.
However, this comes with its drawbacks. Since these lashes are the heaviest of the bunch, they can pull at your lashes and cause them to fall out at a quicker rate. But, because of their thickness and shine, they are great options for a really dramatic and lovely look.
These lashes can be used for a natural look as well, although some people don’t find them as “soft” looking as silk or mink eyelash extensions. Overall, synthetic lashes are great for people with already strong and healthy lashes, and who are looking to create a more dramatic look.
Adhesive for Lash Extensions
Beyond the lash extensions, you need to be mindful of what glue your technician is using. Not all lash adhesives were made equally.
According to Elux Magazine, most eyelash glue is generally chock full of intense and harmful substances. Make sure to look out for glue that is non-toxic, free of formaldehyde, parabens, and synthetic fragrances if you can.
Additionally, a lot of eyelash glues are, unfortunately, tested on animals. Ask your eyelash technician if the glue that she is using is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. You can also do additional research online to find the glues that meet your curriculum.
Vegan Alternatives
People spend hundreds of dollars each month getting eyelash extension treatments, buying mascara and false lashes, and they have no idea if what they are getting is truly "vegan" or "cruelty-free". The only way to be absolutely certain is to go with a natural growth serum from a company that has a proven track record in producing high-quality vegan goods.
People have been loving ForChics ForLash Hair Growth Serum, a natural, vegan, and cruelty-free growth serum, that you only have to apply once per day! The results speak for themselves.
ForChics has created a targeted, conscientious, and data-driven formula that utilizes strong plant extracts to grow lashes the natural way. The formula has biotin, castor seed oil, as well as many other plant-based nutrients to condition and nourish your lashes from the outside in.
If you are vegan, or just looking to consume more vegan/cruelty-free products, then this serum is for you. Learn more about ForLash here.
