Where was fake eyelashes invented?

In 1911, a Canadian inventor named Anna Taylor patented artificial eyelashes. His invention included adhesive eyelashes, or strips of eyelashes, which were thought to be made of human hair. A few years later, German hairdresser Karl Nessler provided false eyelash services at his salon in New York. Eyelash extensions are cosmetic applications that improve the length, curl, fullness and thickness of natural lashes.

The extensions can be made of a variety of materials, including mink, silk, synthetic material, human or horsehair. The main method for applying extensions is to use a cyanoacrylate adhesive to apply the extensions to the natural eyelash 1 to 2 mm from the base of the natural eyelash, without ever coming into contact with the eyelid. False eyelashes were first patented in 1911 by a Canadian woman named Anna Taylor. The product was a strip of cloth implanted with small hairs, to make them look like eyelashes.

Four years later, hairdresser Karl Nessler began selling eyelash services in his salon. He said they were “a guard against the glare of electric lights. Lashes with volume are two to six thin eyelash extensions that are shaped like a fan to allow the appearance of fluffy and full lashes. There are different companies that provide training and certification to potential eyelash extension technicians.

Other beauty books, such as My Lady's Dressing Room (189) by Baronne Staffe and Beauty's Aids or How to be Beautiful (190) by Countess C also state that trimming eyelashes together with the use of Trikogene ointment benefits eyelash growth. Magnetic lashes work by placing the false magnetic eyelash between the lashes, thus interspersing the natural lashes with the magnetic lashes. Another well-known inventor of eyelash extensions is Maksymilian Faktorowicz, a Polish beauty guru and businessman, who founded the company Max Factor. Hybrid lashes include classic single eyelash extensions and blended volume fans for the ultimate in fluffy, textured lashes.

Although the practice of artificially lengthening eyelashes began in the late 19th century, the first patent for an artificial eyelash was not obtained until 1911. According to the beauty magazine Marie Claire, humans played with their eyelashes and beautified them in ancient Egypt, although it wasn't until the late 19th century that people discovered that they could lengthen them with human hair. However, false eyelashes were most likely invented as a beauty tool, given that throughout much of history (and to this day) long eyelashes were considered desirable. In the United Kingdom, the Professional Beauty Therapists Guild has accredited courses for the safe application of semi-permanent individual eyelash extensions.

Désirée Bruski
Désirée Bruski

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