The desire for longer, fuller eyelashes is a long-standing human preoccupation. Today’s fake eyelashes are a popular cosmetic enhancement, typically consisting of synthetic or natural fibers temporarily applied with a special adhesive to the natural lash line. This simple application creates the illusion of a more open and dramatic eye, fulfilling a beauty standard sought after for millennia. The modern strip lash is the culmination of historical attempts to achieve this amplified look.
Early Precursors and Historical Desire
The pursuit of enhanced lashes traces back to ancient civilizations, where eye makeup served both aesthetic and spiritual purposes. In ancient Egypt around 3500 B.C., both men and women used materials like kohl and malachite to darken and thicken their lashes and brows. The Romans also valued long lashes as symbols of youth and morality, with women using burnt cork or coal to achieve a more pronounced look.
The 19th century saw more direct, though often rudimentary, attempts to create artificial lashes. Reports circulated in the 1880s of a gruesome Parisian beauty technique that involved sewing human hair directly into the edges of the eyelids using a needle and thread. This dangerous and crude method for creating a “dark fringe” was a precursor to the modern, safer strip lash.
The 1916 Invention and Its Creator
The creation of the first modern, film-ready fake eyelashes is generally attributed to the demands of early cinema. In 1916, director D.W. Griffith was shooting his silent film Intolerance and insisted his leading actress, Seena Owen, needed eyelashes so long they would appear “supernatural” and “brush her cheeks.” To fulfill this vision, Griffith ordered his on-set wigmaker to craft the cosmetic accessories.
The physical creation involved a wigmaker, possibly the German-born inventor Karl Nessler, who had patented an artificial eyelash method in 1902. The wigmaker meticulously wove strands of human hair through a fine-gauze fabric base. This delicate strip was then attached to Owen’s eyelids using spirit gum, a strong adhesive commonly used in theatrical makeup. This custom-made piece, designed purely as a specialized movie prop, marked the first widely documented use of a false eyelash strip resembling what is used today.
Commercialization and Popular Adoption
While the 1916 creation was a specialized Hollywood accessory, the transition to a mass-market product involved key figures in the cosmetic industry. Max Factor, a pioneer in Hollywood makeup, played a significant role in popularizing false eyelashes in the 1930s and 1940s. Factor developed more refined lashes made from human hair, moving away from cruder materials, which offered a more natural look.
The post-World War II economic boom and the influence of Hollywood stars propelled false eyelashes into the mainstream public. Initially a tool for actresses to achieve a glamorous gaze like Greta Garbo, they became accessible to the general public as they were mass-produced. The true explosion in popularity came in the 1960s, a decade defined by bold, theatrical eye makeup. Iconic figures like British model Twiggy embraced the dramatic, spidery lash look, solidifying the false eyelash as a fashion accessory. Application methods and materials continually evolved, shifting from custom-made pieces to affordable, pre-packaged strip lashes made of synthetic fibers, making them an accessible staple in the modern beauty routine.