Celebrities sporting lush eyelashes have always been in vogue, but now false eyelashes have gone from special-occasion adornment to a must-have, everyday accessory.
With demand soaring, the market for false eyelashes is booming and is projected to reach more than $1.5 billion in the next five years in product alone.
Salon owners and makeup artists spoke to ABC News' "Nightline" about their growing industry as well as the different kinds of false eyelashes in the market and gave a demo of the process.
Tirzah Shirai started Blink Bar, an eyelash-extension specialized salon in Los Angeles, to cash in on the booming market.
"I just couldn't find anyone in L.A. that was doing eyelash extensions that looked really natural and didn't damage the lashes and would look good on camera," she told "Nightline." "I really saw a need."
With a seemingly endless list of options -- from "Coquette" and "Temptress" to "Vixen" -- Shirai said her salon stocked more than 300 types of different eyelashes.
"One big thing is customization," she said. "We really take a different approach to really bring out and enhance the natural beauty that every woman possesses."
When a customer is getting an eyelash extension done, the style is chosen first, followed by the material, Shirai said.
Synthetic lashes are considered to be for beginners. Hollow, feather lashes are known for being light and weightless. Matte lashes, Shirai said, are also popular.
"We have a lot of models who come in, who shoot all over the world, and they'll use the matte lash because the photo shoot that they're doing that day may not call for any makeup at all. And so, the matte really looks like it's your own natural lashes," she said.
The entire process takes about two hours and costs between $120 and $350.
Instead of relying on traditional advertising, Shirai uses social-media influencers to promote the brand.
"It is so worth it because when I want to go outside and not wear any makeup, boom, my lashes are there. So it's like my number-one accessory right off the bat," said Alexis Joy, a social-media influencer for Blink Bar.
"The first time that I got lashes was life-changing for me," she said, as she got the "Cat Eye" lashes at the salon.
"We live in a social-media-driven environment these days. I think everybody wants to look good for those selfies," said Sephora makeup artist Jeffery English. "I think that they're not necessarily a trend, [but] maybe the new standard."
English showed "Nightline" his so-called "Wall O' Lashes," an array of temporary eyelash options as he gave a step-by-step demonstration.
What is the Difference Between Strip Lashes, Cluster Lashes, and Lash Extensions?
Strip Lashes
Strip lashes are a pre-made band of lashes that are applied with a removable adhesive.
lash extensions
These are worn for a special occasion or during the day but are not to be slept in. Strip lashes are meant to be an enhancement that can get applied every day, but also must be removed every day.
They can range in volume and length depending on the desired look and material they are made with.
lash extensions Cluster Lashes
Cluster lashes are little sections of a strip lash or a group of lashes that are glued together in a cluster with a thick base.
These can give you more of a natural look compared to strip lashes but are still very heavy to the eyes. These also should not be worn for more than a day and should not be slept in.
Be cautious: some salons will advertise they do lash extensions but will glue cluster lashes to their clients using unsafe adhesives. At Skin Renew Day Spa, we have our clients’ health and best interest in mind. Only the best professional-grade lashes and adhesives are used by our lash technician.
