Forget the Kardashians. The original lash influencers were Roman aristocrats, and their beauty habits were equal parts scandalous, strategic, and deeply unhinged. The desire to frame the eyes is not a modern invention. It is a primal instinct coded into human attraction—one that the Ancient Romans exploited with a ferocity that would make modern beauty editors wince. Here are five surprising truths about the lash game in the Roman Empire, and what they mean for your glam bag today.

1. Length Was a Direct Status Signal

In Ancient Rome, long eyelashes were a direct advertisement of leisure and wealth. Only the elite could afford the time and materials required to cultivate a dramatic lash look. Women used kohl (a mixture of soot and lead) to darken their lashes and make them appear thicker. The prevailing belief was that longer lashes protected the eyes from evil spirits—but everyone knew the real flex was flashing your lash line at the Colosseum.

2. The Materials Were Absolutely Terrifying

It was not pretty. Desperate for volume, ancient women experimented with applying hair from dead gladiators to their lash lines. No, that is not an exaggeration. There are historical accounts and strong cosmetic archeology evidence suggesting the use of human and animal hair. Fortunately, PHANSTA's medical-grade PBT fibers are rigorously sourced and, rest assured, 100% gladiator-free.

3. Pliny the Elder Was the Original Beauty Editor

The famed Roman author and naturalist Pliny the Elder literally dedicated entire chapters of his encyclopedic work to the improvement of eyelashes. His most bizarre recommendation? Applying a paste made from burnt flies (specifically, flies) to prevent lash shedding. It probably didn't work. A better alternative for modern lash retention is the PHANSTA Lash & Brow Serum, which uses clinically proven peptides, not insect ash, to promote natural growth.

4. The Cat-Eye Was Already the Ultimate Flex

Cleopatra may have been Egyptian, but her influence on Roman beauty standards was absolute. The sharp, winged cat-eye lash silhouette that we obsess over today has been the dominant 'I am in charge' aesthetic for over 2,000 years. The specific angle of the outer lash line—pointing towards the temples—is a biological signal of alertness and power that precedes modern civilization.

5. The Victorian Downfall (The Dark Ages of Lashes)

The fall of the Roman Empire led to a beauty dark age. Under Queen Victoria's reign, elaborate makeup, specifically false lashes, was associated with moral corruption and the 'fallen woman.' Lashes did not fully recover as a mainstream accessory until the early 1910s, when actress Seena Owen wore strips made of human hair on the set of 'Intolerance.' The lash has fought a long, hard war to get back to your waterline. Wear them with pride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did ancient Roman lashes actually look good?

By modern standards, highly unlikely. They were thick, clumpy, unsanitary, and probably caused significant eye infections. The concept of shaping the eye with fringe was there, but the execution was a health crisis.

What did Cleopatra actually use on her lashes?

Cleopatra famously used a mixture of kohl (galena, a lead-based mineral) and water to darken her lash line. It was highly toxic, but it created the dark, dramatic rim that became her signature. Do not try this at home.

Why did women stop wearing false lashes after Rome?

Religious and societal shifts. Early Christianity associated elaborate makeup with vanity and deception. It took the rise of Hollywood in the 20th century to fully resurrect the false lash as a mainstream symbol of glamour and transformation.

📚 Browse our complete library of lash guides →