What Are Eyelash Extensions Made Of?

A Guide to Lash Extension Materials

When it comes to eyelash extensions, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing the right material. With so many brands and marketing terms floating around, it can feel overwhelming — especially when many materials are actually more similar than they appear. Learn here what Are Eyelash Extensions Made Of?

At The Wink Lab, we love educating our Lash & Brow Artists and our clients so they can make informed decisions. This guide breaks down the pros and cons of eyelash extensions and the most common lash materials so you can choose what fits you best.

What Are Eyelash Extensions Made Of?

All lash extensions — regardless of the name — are made of PBT, a high-quality synthetic fiber. What differentiates them is the manufacturing process:

• How thin the tips are

• How soft the fiber feels

• How black or matte the finish is

• How light the lash is on the natural lash

Here are the most common “categories” you’ll see:

• Synthetic Lashes

• Mink (Faux Mink) Lashes

• Cashmere Lashes

• Silk Lashes

Spoiler: they are all synthetic, but each offers a different finish and feel.

Pros & Cons of Eyelash Extensions (General)

Before diving into materials, here are the overall pros and cons of getting lash extensions:

⭐ Pros

• Saves time daily — no mascara needed

• Customizable — choose length, curl, styling

• Waterproof + gym-friendly

• Boosts confidence instantly

• Long-term safe when applied by trained artists (like our team at The Wink Lab)

⚠️ Cons

• Maintenance — refills every 2–3 weeks

• Can be damaging only when done incorrectly by non professionals

• Cost — it’s a beauty investment

• Requires aftercare  — washing 2 or 3 times per week, rinse them daily and is recommended to avoid high temperature steam on fresh sets)

  
  

Mink (Faux Mink) Lash Extensions

Important: These do NOT come from animals — they’re synthetic.

“Mink” is a marketing term for a softer, lighter version of standard synthetic lashes.

Pros

• Soft finish

• Lightweight

• Natural, fluffy look

Cons

• Often more expensive without offering additional benefits

• Term is mostly marketing, not material-based

  
  

Cashmere Lash Extensions

Cashmere is known for being extremely soft and lightweight.

Pros

• Very soft and comfortable

• Ultra-black finish

• Thinner tips for a wispy, natural look

• Lighter on the natural lash → great for volume work

Cons

• Slightly more expensive

• Not as durable as firmer synthetic fibers

  
  

Silk Lash Extensions

Silk lashes also fall under the soft-synthetic category.

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable

• Soft, semi-matte finish

• Natural-looking

Cons

• Often priced higher

• Durability varies by brand

• “Silk” is sometimes just a marketing label

  
  

How to Choose the Best Lash Extension Material

Ask your artist to help you choose the best option for you

We will customize material, curl, length, and weight based on your natural lashes — this is one of the reasons our results stay healthy and full long-term.

The Wink Lab Difference

At The Wink Lab (West Chester + Phoenixville), we use only premium PBT fibers that are lightweight, safe, and selected based on the health of your natural lashes. Our techniques focus on:

• Safe weight selection

• Natural, flattering designs

• Premium adhesives + supplies

• Proper isolation

• Thorough 1.5-hour refills

• Full set takes at least 2.5 hours and that’s intentional. We never rush your appointment — we take our time to protect your natural lashes and give you the most beautiful, long-lasting results.

• We always look for the long-term lash health

Ready to Become a Lash or Brow Artist?

If you’ve been thinking about starting a career in the beauty industry, or you’re ready to level up your skills, The Wink Lab Academy in West Chester is the perfect place to begin. We offer hands-on Eyelash Extensions, Brow Training, and Lash Lift/Keratin Lift classes designed for beginners and working artists who want real, practical experience. Our small class sizes, professional kits, live model practice, and step-by-step support ensure you graduate confident, prepared, and ready to take clients.Enroll today and start your journey toward a rewarding, flexible, and financially powerful beauty career with The Wink Lab.

Learn more about our classes here and take the first step toward your beauty career: