Large eyes with clearly defined eyelashes are a focal point of all Insta pictures. Influencers on social media, celebrities and their followers are all donning false lashes to get the perfect eyes. It is becoming something of a necessity of all beauty routines. The popularity of these false lashes has made way for many options available in the market today.
From strip lashes to magnetic ones, consumers are spoilt for choice. However, the most coveted ones are the mink false eyelashes. The way mink fur can be used to make the long, full lashes completely natural makes them the choicest false eyelashes for most people despite the slightly higher price. While the mink false eyelashes are making headways (or eye-ways), there is a slight catch. Customers who are reaching out for the mink false eyelashes, either knowingly or unknowingly, to get the voluminous look don’t realize that these mink false lashes are available at the expense of semi-aquatic animal related to otters, weasels and ferrets.
While there is a debate whether this really true - there are many advertisers who claim that mink lashes are ‘cruelty free’ and ‘ethically sourced’, we try to ascertain if these claims by the advertisers and beauty product manufactures have some truth in it. According to major animal welfare organizations such as PETA, mink lashes can’t be cruelty free. With a lot of contrasting information, we will take a closer look at the facts to ascertain if mink false lashes are actually cruel.
What are Mink False Eyelashes?
Mink false eyelashes are made from the fur of minks. Minks are small mammals, similar to otters, weasels and ferrets. They are distinguished from other animals due to their shiny, luxurious fur. It is this glossy, lush fur that has made minks a target of exploiters for the production of fur coats, clothing and even eyelashes. Mink fur has the ability to create natural-looking lashes that are light, soft, fluffy and give the voluminous look.
So, what’s the Problem?
The problem is the way the fur is obtained from the minks. Though, producers claim that the fur is harvested from cruelty-free and ethical means, that is hardly the case. According to a report by the International Humane Society,
"85% of the fur in the market is produced by intensively farming animals in cramped battery-cages, denying them the chance to display their natural instincts. More than 100 million animals suffer and die at the hands of fur trade each year.”
Animal welfare groups claim that it is not possible to obtain mink fur in a completely cruelty-free manner.
- Minks are confined in small, cramped wire cages and kept in unsanitary conditions. Naturally aggressive and territorial, minks live near the water. By caging them up, they are denied the right to bathe, swim or burrow in their natural habitat. This is going against their basic rights.
- During harvest season, these minks are either killed or forcefully held down and then the hair is pulled out of their bodies. Despite popular belief that they are brushed to remove their fur in ‘free-range mink farms’, the minks are naturally frightened of human beings and this process would also probably scar them and cause them intense fright.
- Furthermore, once the fur has been removed from their bodies, they are killed in inhumane ways such as gassing or electrocution.
Though there is no way to say with certainty that all the mink farms mistreat the animals, there is a lot of evidence pointing to the fact that the way the minks are treated is far from ideal. Despite the uncertainty about these claims, are we willing to support an industry in which animals are treated in ways that they have to endure fear, stress and hardships? Is there a need to contribute to the suffering of animals just to achieve a certain look, especially if there are a variety of cruelty-free options that can give the same look?
Solution!!
There are many faux mink lashes and vegan false eyelashes in the market today, that can be used to get the same look that you are trying to achieve. These lashes are made from plastic-derived synthetic fibers and with advanced technology, they look far more natural-looking than they did before. We have our collection of Faux Mink lashes that are just what you're looking for, you can see our full collection here.
With so many cruelty-free options available, you can still sport the coveted wispy look.