65 years of Eylure

Fake Lashes, Faux Lashes, Falsies, False Eyelashes, whatever you choose to call them… they are popular. I’d say 50% of my friends use them religiously when they go on a night out. But did you know, eyelash extensions have been around since 1916, so although we all think they are part of today’s fashion they have in fact been intensifying the eyes of us ladies for years!

The invention and use of false eyelashes began in 1916 when director D.W. Griffith was making his film Intolerance. He wanted actress Seena Owen to have lashes that “that brushed her cheeks, to make her eyes shine larger than life“. The first false eyelashes was made of human hair woven through fine gauze by a local wig maker.

In this post, I’m going to tell you about Eylure lash extensions. Eylure lashes were first developed by a partnership of makeup artists and costume designers, David Henry and Eric Aylott, who began making lashes as well as wigs, beards and moustaches for some of the biggest names in the film industry. Their Eylure lashes proved popular with some many Hollywood leading ladies such as Elizabeth Taylor (famously creating her look at Cleopatra), Marlene Dietrich, Joan Collins, Ingrid Berman and Sophia Loren.

Eylure lashes were revered for creating an instant effect on camera, far better than any other makeup product. Little did they know at that point that they were on the verge of perfecting the biggest news in beauty enhancement since the discovery of the lipstick! Word spread quickly throughout the film industry and their eyelashes were in high demand, so in 1948 they decided to make their famous lashes available from retail shops.

By the 1960s Eylure had become established as a must-have item when the emphasis for false lashes changed from film to regular, everyday wear – becoming a beauty essential. Since then Eylure has continued to rise in popularity and is now firmly established as a celebrity favourite.

Eylure became part of the Original Additions portfolio in 1991. From a background on stage and screen, the Eylure brand has been at the forefront of eye enhancement for over 65 years now. They have expanded their range over time to offer everyone the very best tricks of the beauty trade. To celebrate their 65th anniversary they have launched a vintage style lashes collection! The collection includes four special edition anniversary lashes inspired by the pop culture of the 60’s. The four styles are called ‘London Calling’, ‘King’s Road’, ‘The Chelsea Look’ and ‘Queen of Mod’.

In the UK, your best bet for Eylure shopping is Boots or Superdrug! As a student I receive 10% discount in Superdrug with an NUS Extra card so I always head there first for my eyelash purchases. I took some snaps of the Eylure lashes available from both Boots (below left) and Superdrug (below right) in the Nottingham stores – as you can see the choice is huge! In Boots I didn’t spot any of the 65th year anniversary collection available but all products were on offer at buy one get one half price. Funnily enough in Superdrug, the same offer was available! So get down to either of those stores now to stock up on your lashes.

All four special edition styles are priced at £5.25 and come in iconic retro packaging, very swinging sixties! I purchased the King’s Road lashes which are full with volume and length – I chose these as they were the most similar to the usual style I go for on nights out. The Queen of Mod lashes are statement full lash-look whilst The Chelsea look is more of a flirty style, perfect for Made in Chelsea fans. Finally London Calling offers a choppy length for a more feline finish. Be quick to snap up your choice of Royal Britannia lashes soo

My tips for applying lashes!

• Firstly cut the false lashes to the size of your own lashes – I usually snip from the inside lash as those are the shorter but if I’m not in the mood for big lash flicks then I snip from the outside

• Next, ensure the lashes are curved so they fit along your lash line better – sometimes they are too straight so I usually wrap the lash around my little finger and hold it for a few seconds.

• Thirdly, apply the glue to the lash. Leave for 2-3 minutes then reapply another layer of glue.

• Whilst your waiting for the glue to get sticky, prep your own lashes. Applying false eyelashes works best when you’ve already got a little mascara on your eyelashes.

• By now 5 minutes will have passed, the perfect amount of time for your double layered lashes to be applied!

• Everybody has different techniques for getting them on your lashes – personally I recommend using the other end of a pair of tweezers to press the corners down.