Flirting With Eyelashes; From Hollywood to Now

A half-empty coupe of martini stained with red lipstick, the smoke of a cigarette, the chatter of people getting drowned by the sound of Louis Armstrong’s newest jazz single, and a red velvet booth that serves as the seat for a couple having a first date. The woman wears silver fox fur around her shoulders, with creamy pearls, partly covered by her blonde locks teased into finger waves, but the thing that draws everyone in the room towards her are her mesmerising eyes. Elongated by long, dark, and beautiful eyelashes that accentuate her doe-eyed stare. She knows the importance of her eyelashes. She knows how to curl them, how to flutter them at her date as she takes a drag of his cigarette. Like many other women, she has perfected the art of communicating through her eyes, specifically, through her dark alluring eyelashes. But what is this seductive art? And how does she achieve it? Read more here in Flirting With Eyelashes; From Hollywood to Now

Image on the left: Josephine Baker, Murray Korman, 1936, vintage bromide print – National Portrait Gallery, London

Since the beginning of time, people have used their eyes to say what words can’t. Shakespeare once referred to eyes as “the window of the soul,” as they reveal our deepest emotions and thoughts without uttering a single word. The eyes are also a powerful communication tool, for example, when someone is not being truthful, they often betray feelings via their peppers.

“ The eyes, chico, they never lie!”

Al Pacino as Tony Montana in Scarface.

However, it didn’t take long before women realised they could use this to their advantage. From ancient Egyptians to the present day, women have been using makeup and eyelashes to accentuate their eyes and amplify the allure and mystery from within their gaze. 

For instance, in Ancient Rome, women would use burnt cork and soot to darken their eyelashes and eyebrows to create a more striking appearance and communicate their morality, as it was believed that excessive indulgence in sexual pleasures caused eyelashes to fall out. Having long, full lashes was a sign of chastity and purity.

Yet for a different take, in the Renaissance, women pluck their eyelashes and eyebrows to accentuate their foreheads. 

In the Victorian era, women started using Vaseline, among other oils, to help their eyelashes grow and curl. Women in royalty painted their eyelashes and eyebrows red with elderberry juice to display their social status. Scary to believe, but in the 19th century, Parisian women took things to the next level as they surgically sewed human hair into their eyelids.

Eyelashes had become a form of communication; but how? All praise to Anna Taylor, because of her they also became a form of seduction. In 1911, this young Canadian entrepreneur made the first legal patent for disposable eyelash extensions in the US and Canada. In her concept, tiny human hairs were embroidered into a curved strip of fabric, forever changing the history of eyelashes; the eyelash extension was born.

By the 1920s, these eyelashes had become a symbol of glamour and femininity in Hollywood’s Golden Age. This most unusual piece of hair in our body became an even more essential storytelling device in film noirs (1940’s) during this era.

In a time when Hollywood heavily regulated the moral guidelines presented in movies and how women were sexually portrayed, studios became creative on how to present their infamous femme fatale characters.

What they couldn’t say with tight dresses, nudity, or sexual language was said by big eyes with long and dark fluttering lashes and furtive direct stares. After all, Aristotle did refer to the eyes as “the organs of temptation.” 

Take, for example, Rita Hayworth in Gilda and Lauren Bacall in The Big Sleep. In these iconic Hollywood films, the flutter of eyelashes accompanied by the ignition of a cigarette became a powerful tool of seduction.

When the men light the cigarettes for them, the women leant in with an almost languid elegance, their lips parting just enough to let the smoke curl in. As they inhale, their eyes remain locked on the men’s, glowing with unspoken desire.

The slow, deliberate drag on the cigarette is followed by a sensual exhale, where every puff seems to carry a hidden message. It’s in these moments, when their eyes remain fixed in a knowing, direct gaze, and their eyelashes take a life of their own, a true power dynamic unfolds, loaded with both invitation and defiance. The understated yet powerful sexuality, where the women hold the power and gaze, stunned the prudish society of the time.

Fast forward to the 1960s, and the notion of sensuality evolved with icons like the British models Twiggy and Penelope Tree. Unlike the sultry allure of femme fatales like Hayworth and Bacall, these women brought a fresh, youthful energy that emphasised wide, expressive eyes.

Twiggy’s signature look featured thick lashes and bold eyeliner, creating a doll-like appearance that became emblematic of the decade. Her style represented a shift toward a more playful and androgynous form of femininity, challenging traditional beauty norms.

Similarly, Penelope Tree captivated audiences with her striking, otherworldly gaze, using her eyes to convey a sense of rebellion and avant-garde spirit. Both Twiggy and Tree’s iconic looks reflected the cultural shifts of the 1960s, embracing freedom, individuality, and experimentation.

This era marked a departure from the classic Hollywood glamour, showcasing a new generation that wanted to show their youth and innocence. A wide-eyed look and ‘spider-like’ lashes that not only expressed beauty but also personality and attitude.

In present day, if there is a group of people who know a thing or two about personality and attitude, it is drag artists. In this realm, eyelashes are more than just a beauty accessory. These performers use exaggerated, bold, and dramatic lashes to create striking looks that amplify their characters on stage.

Just like the glamorous women of the past, today’s drag artists harness the power of their eyes to communicate emotions and seduction. With each flutter, they captivate audiences and challenge traditional gender norms, making eyelashes a powerful tool for self-expression.

Today, with the rise of social media and beauty influencers, eyelashes have become a prominent feature in the makeup world. From mascaras, lash lifts, lash techs, fake eyelashes, and lash curlers, the eyelash industry has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry. 

In 2018, Lashify appeared on the scene and revolutionized the lash game. It was the first to offer DIY lash extensions, offering a professional, customizable lash experience from the comfort of one’s home. Gone are the days of spending hours and hundreds of pounds at the salon.

Thanks to the Lashify Control Kit and innovative system that combines lightweight Gossamer lashes, a unique bonding formula, and precision tools, anyone can achieve stunning, salon-quality lashes in minutes. Empowering users to take control of their beauty routine, delivering bold, captivating lashes without the hassle.

The brand continues to revolutionise how we communicate through our lashes, blending innovation with artistry to create unforgettable eye looks.

In an inspiring new collaboration, Isamaya Ffrench, the creative force behind ISAMAYA Beauty, and Sahara Lotti, the visionary founder of Lashify, have joined forces to redefine the world of false lashes and challenge traditional beauty standards.

“I am thrilled to collaborate with LASHIFY, a brand that shares my passion for innovation and pushing the boundaries of beauty. Together, we have created something truly extraordinary — a new product that totally transforms your face and empowers individuals to express themselves in new and exciting ways. I wanted to create an exciting and completely new product to push the limits of what we understand as makeup today. Use the EDGE lashes on their own for a soft feline liner, or stack them up for a dramatic wing that mimics a graphic eyeliner effect.”

 Isamaya Ffrench

The limited-edition kits include a sleek, silver chrome ISAMAYA-branded Control Kit, paired with essentials like Whisper Light Bond™ and Water Poof™ sealer for easy, long-lasting application. The EDGE lashes offer daytime elegance, while the bolder EDGE X lashes bring a luxurious, statement-making vibe. Lashify’s new Cushion Wand™ in Silver, crafted from Japanese stainless steel, is a standout addition to the Luxe Kit, blending function and beauty in one stylish tool.

As we step into the future of beauty, Lashify continues to honour the legacy of Old Hollywood glamour while embracing modern innovation and social media make-up lovers. The same captivating allure once created by the flutter of lashes from stars like Rita Hayworth and Lauren Bacall can now be achieved with a simple application at home.

Just as those timeless icons used their eyes to seduce and communicate on screen, today’s beauty enthusiasts can craft their own narratives with Lashify’s cutting-edge products. From sultry sophistication to bold artistic expressions, the art of the eyelash remains a powerful tool for self-expression. Whether in a smoky jazz club or in front of the mirror, the eyes still tell the story. 

Through images on our screens, we have been able to enjoy the glamour of Hollywood stars and get style inspiration from their iconic looks. So, if that inspires you, then this November, Gainsborough’s House, Picture Perfect: A Century of Fashion Photography from the National Portrait Gallery is the place to be. 

From the classic Hollywood film noir era to the Beatles, the “Swinging Sixties,” Twiggy, and present-day UK drill rapper Stormzy in an Adidas tracksuit, the gallery is hosting an exhibition that will take you on a stylish journey through 100 years of fashion.

Stormzy by Olivia Rose 2016 | National Portrait Gallery, London

The exhibition takes a look at the photographers and models who’ve shaped both British and global culture. It’s a deep dive into the people and trends that made waves, changed the game, and left their mark on the world of style. A history and evolution of fashion and beauty, as intricate and captivating as the story of eyelashes themselves.

Marsha Hunt by Horace Ové 1968 | National Portrait Gallery, London

Curated in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, the show is a component of the Inspiring People project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Art Fund and will be on display from November 16th (2024) to April 20th (2025).  

Find out more at Gainsborough.org

Lashes available at lashify.com

If you enjoyed reading  Flirting With Eyelashes; From Hollywood to Now, why not try Glitz; Tales of Hollywood’s Golden Era

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