One of the questions we’re asked here regularly at Lady Lash about eyelash extensions is about the difference between silk, synthetic (also known as ‘acrylic’) and mink eyelash extensions. Having used all three of these materials for years, we’re very familiar with the difference, pros and cons of different kinds, and why you might choose one over the others. Please note, we no longer use the thicker, older style ‘acrylic’ lashes – they are not the best quality to we have phased them out.
Here’s a little rundown on each type, the pros and cons, and who they are most suitable for, to help you choose your next set of lash extensions:
Silk eyelash extensions: All of the lashes we use are man-made fibres (real silk would disintegrate within days) and not hold it’s curl. Silk lashes have a slightly more matte/natural black finish, and the ends are not quite so tapered as faux-mink. We use silk lashes in all of our volume sets because due to their texture, they fan out more than faux-mink.
Faux-mink lash extensions: At Lady Lash, we’re against animal cruelty, which we why we do not and never will use real mink fur for lash extensions. We use faux-mink lashes, which are man-made fibres, designed to imitate real mink fur. They are very glossy and black in colour and slightly more tapered on the ends. Some say they feel softer than silk but with new developments, we feel you can’t tell the different.
Flat Lash/Ellipse eyelash extensions: These are a relatively new development, whereby the cross section of the extension is flatter or more oval in shape than traditional eyelash extensions. The benefit is that they provide a thicker, more made up look without any extra weight (each fibre appears wider, though does not actually weigh more than a regular extension). They also last quite well due to their shape. They are not really suited to very natural looks, and are better for those who like a glamourous, darker look. Flat just refers to the cross section of the lash fibre, not the curl. They come in all the same curl types as other lashes.
Synthetic/Acrylic eyelash extensions: These are made from a polished synthetic material and are the firmest/sturdiest of all. In appearance, they are more obvious looking and harder than the mink or silk, and when applied quite thickly, very dramatic. They hold their curl extremely well due to their firmness, but due to this, don’t last as well on the natural lash. Some people don’t find them as ‘soft’ or ‘natural’ looking than silk or mink eyelash extensions, and the thickest type (normally 0.20mm in width) don’t have quite as good staying power as the silk and definitely not the faux mink or flat lashes. These lashes are often the type used party or weekend lashes, as they are cheap. Due to improvements in lash technology, we phased out this type of extension in 2015.