What’s The Real Difference Between Mink Lashes, Silk Lashes?
WHAT’S THE REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINK LASHES , SILK LASHES , AND
Lash Extension?
Type Of False Eyelashes
If you’re like me, having mink lashes extensions connect you with “Flawless” on a personal level. You savour your extra ten
minutes of sleep in the morning, rock the no-makeup look with confidence, and know that though lash extensions do not
make the man, they do make you feel like a bit of a bombshell. But if you’re like me you’ve never thought twice about what
your lash extensions are made of.
Silk, faux mink, and real fur lash extensions are the most prevalent in the lash industry today, and differ from one another
in texture, appearance, and weight. Understanding the variations between lash types and knowing what type of lash
extension best suits your needs will not only make you an informed and responsible consumer, it’ll help you and your lash
artist design the lash set you need to wake up every day looking and feeling flawless.
MINK LASHES
Surprisingly, most mink lashes aren’t made of mink, but of a synthetic material called PBT (or Polybutylene terephthalate).
PBT is a polyester product, used in the production of swim and athletic wear, toothbrushes, and—of course—lash
extensions.
3D Mink Lashes
Mink lash PRO (faux) mink lashes are known for their natural, semi-matte appearance that resembles the look of natural
lashes, and remarkably lightweight body. Mink lashes are modelled after real mink fur, so they’re the thinnest type of
synthetic extension available. As a result, they’re often used in volume sets. Most of the extension body is tapered, so each
lash weighs up to 30% less than a silk lash. Sought out for their incredibly natural look, mink lashes are ideal for those
looking for extremely natural lash sets, people who have very fine natural lashes, and for traditional volume and mega-
volume sets.
SILK LASHES
Silk lashes, like mink lashes, are made of a PBT material. What separates silk from mink lashes, however, is not their material, but their
weight, finish, and overall shape.
Silk lashes have a much shorter taper than mink lashes—meaning the body of the lash stays thicker for longer—as well as a
luxurious semi-gloss appearance. Because silk lashes have a thick, full body, they work best in dramatic lash sets, and are
the most common lash type used in classic sets (traditional lash sets with one lash extension per eyelash). If you’ve ever
had classic lashes, chances are you’ve had silk lashes.
REAL FUR LASHES
While most of the lash extensions used in the industry are made of PBT, some luxury mink lashes providers offer extensions
made of real mink fur. Because these lashes are made of real fur, they’re arguably the softest, and most natural-looking
extensions you can get. Mink Lashes is velvety soft, and tapers into a long, slim, and incredibly fluffy lash. Because real
mink lashes obtain their curl through perming (before they’re applied), they relax as time goes on, and will likely require
extra curling at home.
Real mink lashes extensions are more of a luxury service, and are not offered by all lash artists. They’ll also cost you much
more than a synthetic lash set, and be warned! If you have animal allergies, these lashes may not be for you.
FLAT LASHES
Flat lashes are the newbies to the lash market, and so are not often talked about in the synthetic vs. real debate. Like other
synthetic lashes, flat lashes are made from PBT, however, their unique flat base sets them apart from any other lash type.
Most lash extensions have a circular base, but flat lashes, as the name suggests, have a flat base. This gives flat lashes a
much thicker appearance than silk or mink, and offers the most dramatic lash look of any Mink lash extension.
Because of their shape, flat lashes cannot be used in volume sets. However, they can be added into hybrid sets
(lash sets made with a mixture of volume fans and individual lash extensions) to create a textured lash look that’s
fluffy and dramatic.
When thinking about what you’d like to get out of your lash set, speak with your artist about which type of lash extension is
best for you. Not only will your synthetic and natural lashes impress her, you’ll know exactly what she’s saying when she
recommends a blend of silk and flat classic lashes and why.
For more lash extension tips, try Can you apply strip lashes over lash extensions?
