Lashes Through the Years

Beauty rituals and enhancements have been around for as long as humans have. Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks were all known for various beauty rituals and these rituals have continued to evolve and expand over the years. At FlutterHabit®, we are proud to be at the forefront of continued lash innovation. Today, we’ll dive into the history of lash enhancements and the ways they have evolved into the current lashes we know and love today. 

Ancient Times

Although there are little to no verifiable records of lash extension techniques in ancient times, ancient cultures were known for eye and lash enhancements, using ingredients like kohl to create depth and drama at the lash line which gave the appearance of darker, fuller lashes. 

20th Century

While there are reports of many different attempts at lash enhancements between ancient times and the 20th century, many were unsafe or not widely used. In the early 1900s, two innovators changed the world of lash enhancements to usher in the first lash creation methods and lash products that are most similar to modern lash enhancements. Karl Nessler, a German hairstylist, patented a method for weaving eyelashes, and Anna Taylor, a Canadian inventor, patented artificial eyelashes that are very similar to today’s strip lashes. Anna Taylor’s eyelashes quickly caught on in Hollywood and became very popular with up-and-coming film starlets. 

1930s-1940s

As lashes grew in visibility, they received some backlash for being “racy” mostly due to their popularity among movie stars. During WW11 in the late 30s and mid 40s when everyone was conserving resources, beauty product sales slowed but did not stall. You may have heard of this phenomenon referred to as the lipstick effect. During times of economic hardship, affordable luxury spending does not stop, and in many cases, increases due to the correlation that exists between looking and feeling our best. 

1950s-1960s

The 1950s turned up the volume on lash production as new materials like plastics became popular to use when creating false lashes. Mass production once used for war materials turned once again useful for the purpose of consumerism as the economy shifted and lashes began to have their moment. Throughout the next two decades, lashes became bigger and more expressive than ever before and the first lash-stacking techniques emerged and were made famous by icons like Twiggy. 

1970s-1980s

As many trends often do, 70s eyelash trends swung the pendulum in the opposite direction of popular 60s looks. This ushered in softer, muted, and more natural looks with less focus on dramatic lashes. The 80s were a bit of a melting pot of styles as dramatic liner surged and rave culture celebrated brightly colored and dramatic enhancements in every form of self-expression while everyday looks stayed a bit more natural. 

90s-2000s

Heading into the 21st Century, lash enhancements exploded in popularity. Lashes became more than just gentle enhancements and leaned into helping wearers use them as a way to define their personal style. Lashes also could provide enhancements that mascara simply could not, allowing users to experience more drama, length, and style variety with false lashes. Basic strip lashes gave way to creative lash stacking methods, including the under lash method that inspired our Founder, Kasey to create FlutterHabit’s Original Lashes. 

Individual lash extensions were made popular in Asia the early 2000’s and quickly spread internationally for their comfort and natural appearance. 

Lashes of Today

Today, lashes have become a staple in the routines of many average beauty consumers. There are options for individuals who wish to apply temporary lashes at home. There are options for elaborate extensions that require frequent and pricey upkeep in a salon environment. Everything from high performance mascara, to lash lifts, to lash extensions and enhancements have steadily become increasingly popular. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the market for at home lash products and treatments exploded and there is no end in sight. However, not all lash extensions and enhancements are created equally. FlutterHabit is dedicated to providing a quality product to add length, volume, and fullness to your lashes. 

Why FlutterHabit?

FlutterHabit was created as a solution for individuals who want the results of salon quality lash extensions without having to make the time or budget commitment that traditional, individual lash extensions require. FlutterHabit’s at-home lash extensions are lightweight, easy to apply and last for up to 10 days making it easier than ever to add them to your weekly routine. They are also perfect for shorter wear like a special event or occasion. Whether you are tired of using mascara entirely or simply looking for an occasional new option, we have plenty of lash styles available for whatever look you desire without the budget or time commitment of a salon appointment. 

Ready to find your perfect lash? Take our lash quiz or browse our collections to get started!