Singer, rapper, flutist, and overall fucking badass Lizzo started a new beauty trend at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards: Biodegradable false eyelashes made from hemp-derived fiber. This isn’t just an incredible fashion statement made by the body-positive queen, but it also sheds light on the fact that falsies are often made from animal products, such as mink fur. So, these new hemp lashes are fully welcomed.
Lizzo’s use of hemp-derived lashes garnered the most attention, despite boasting flawless makeup and glistening accessories at the Emmys, and people want to know how they can get some, too. Glamour reports that Lizzo’s makeup artist Alexx Mayo chose the lashes earlier this year as he prepared her look for the Emmys. He used Velour Beauty Cloud Nine Lashes, which are made from vegan plant fibers, 90% biodegradable, and sold at makeup superstores Sephora and Ulta.
Mayo posted Lizzo’s look on Instagram, and the designer gave Velour Beauty a shout-out for their hemp-derived “falsies” lash line. The team behind Toronto-based Velour Beauty announced they were the world’s first hemp-derived lashes this past February.
While it may sound odd for eyelashes, hemp is one of the most durable fibers and has positively impacted the beauty world. For one, the hemp-based eyelashes last longer than traditional falsies—you can wear them up to 20 times if cared for properly, as opposed to maybe five or six times out on the town. Furthermore, most fake eyelashes are irritating as fuck (and that’s an understatement), but the company says these hemp ones are comfortable.
Velour Beauty’s Plant Fibre Lash Collection is “a lash collection that is entirely plant-based! All components of this lash, from band to fibers, are derived from plants,” the company writes on its site. “The fibers are so fluffy and natural-looking, you’d never know they were hemp-derived. Our Plant Fibre Lashes are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, can be reused up to 20+ times, and come in 100% recyclable packaging.” By being cruelty-free, the company stays away from materials like mink fur, which is a trend that should have been left behind over a decade ago, if we’re being honest.
Velour Beauty offers at least three styles of hemp-derived lashes in its affordable Plant Fibre Lash Collection: Second Nature, Cloud Nine, and A New Leaf. “You get the same Velour quality, lightweight lashes handmade on premium bands for all-day wear and comfort, but you don’t have to compromise quality for sustainability,” the company’s site says. “With a fluffy natural-looking texture, you’d never know they’re entirely plant-based.”
Lizzo often wears Velour Beauty hemp-derived lashes, which can be seen on the Instagram accounts dedicated to her makeup looks. Dramatic lashes are part of her aesthetic. The hemp lashes are undoubtedly a multi-pronged statement about uses for hemp and environmentally-friendly beauty alternatives. Lizzo’s done many things right in her career, but the power of her message has never been off—hemp eyelashes included.