If you’re planning on getting lash extensions, it’s important that you know all about the different eyelash extensions styles and types.
That kind of knowledge will allow you to figure out your own personal preferences. It’ll also help you communicate them effectively to your lash technician.
To get you ready, here is our complete guide to lash extension styles.
EYELASH EXTENSION STYLES FOR DIFFERENT EYE SHAPES
Your eye shape can have a huge impact on which style will suit you best. Here’s a quick explanation of the main eye shape categories, and how to choose the right extension styles for each one. If you’re not sure about your eye shape, have a look at our guide to the best lashes for your eyes.
Almond Eyes
Those with almond eyes can rock just about any eyelash extension style they like. Cat eye style lashes will enhance a natural almond shape. More rounded styles like doll eye or open eye extensions will give almond eyes a slightly more rounded eye shape, for when you’re in the mood for a softer look.
Wide-Set Eyes
With wide-set eyes that have a lot of space between them, lashes can help create the illusion that your eyes are a little closer together. It’s important to focus on styles where there is some length or volume near the inner corners. For example, reverse cat eye style extensions, which are quite unusual, are most flattering on wide-set eyes.
Close-Set Eyes
If you have close-set eyes it means that there’s very little space between your eyes. You’ll look best with extensions that help extend your eyes on the outer corners to provide some balance.
Ask for a style that’s long and dense near the outer corner of the eye while keeping things short and light in the inner corner. This includes cat-eye and squirrel eyelash extension styles.
Down-Turned Eyes
Downturned eyes usually look best with squirrel style eyelash extensions, or with cat eye extensions that are not overly long at the outer corners. These lash styles pull the eyes up at the outer edges where they start to droop.
Overly long lashes at the outer corners, on the other hand, can end up curving downwards and emphasizing your eye shap in a way that doesn’t necessarily flatter.
Small Eyes
Small eyes do best with softer, wispy lash mapping styles that don’t overwhelm the eyes. Stick to thinner classic or hybrid techniques, and avoid overly long or thick extensions. It’s best to keep the inner corner lashes a little shorter, to open up your eye . The rest of the length distribution depends on other facets of your eye shape.
Hooded Eyes
If you have a hooded eye shape, always stick to shorter, lighter lashes near the inner corner. You can rock all kinds of length distribution styles. If you want to camouflage your hooded crease, try the squirrel or open eye lash style.
If you want a more dramatic or voluminous look, opt for wispy or staggered application techniques. Anything too uniformly heavy can overwhelm your eyes.
Deep-Set Eyes
Those with a deep-set eye shape should focus on fluttery lash styles that won’t shadow the eyes. The shape itself doesn’t matter too much, but you may want to stay away from heavy volume or Russian extensions, as well as very thick glamour lashes.
Staggered, wispy, and natural lashes often look best. You may also want to try L or D curl lashes. They have a more dramatic curve that can stick out more nicely from the deep-set lash line.
Protruding Eyes
With a protruding eye shape, the most important thing is to choose the right curl style. A lot of sources suggest straighter J or B curl lashes, but we disagree. C, D, and L-curled lashes are best because they pull upwards rather than projecting forward, to flatter your eyes better.
Avoid thick classic lashes. If you want drama, opt for volume or hybrid lashes, instead.
Upturned Eyes
Upturned eyes are very trendy right now, so it’s very hard to go wrong with lash extensions. Cat eye and squirrel extensions will emphasize your eye shape, for an eye-catching fox eye look. If you want to tone down your eyes instead, give open eye or natural eyelashes a try, instead.
Round Eyes
Round eyes are large and impressive. Eyelash extension styles like doll and open eye will emphasize your natural eye shape. A cat eye style will balance it out , for more of an almond shape. You really can’t go wrong, and you can even change things up from week to week.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT EYELASH EXTENSIONS?
Here are a few more factors you should consider when talking to your stylist about the kind of lash style you want.
Eyelash Extension Length
When it comes to eyelash length, extensions can go from 5 mm to 18 mm in length. In practice, most technicians don’t go shorter than 8 mm or longer than 15 mm. When deciding which length to try, consider the following:
- The length of your natural lashes
- The size of your eyes
- How much lid space you have
- How dramatic of a look you want
A great set of lash extensions will include a lot of length variation. By varying the length, a technician can create a much more lush and voluminous look, not to mention specific lash style shapes.
If you’re new to extensions, you have smaller eyes or minimal lid space, or your lashes are naturally very short, it’s better to start in the 8-12 mm range. Once you get used to wearing lashes, you can go a little longer.
If your eyes are large, your lashes are naturally long, or you have a lot of space between your brows and lash line, you may want to go longer right from the start. If you do go longer, it’s better not to overdo the volume on your lashes. Otherwise, the extensions can feel too heavy.
Eyelash extension styles vary based on the length distribution. There are a lot of different shapes, like cat eye, doll eye, open eye, squirrel eye, and more.
The best eyelash extension style for you depends on your eye shape, so take that into account when speaking to your lash technician.
Aside from length distribution and shape, there are a few other factors to consider, like lash length, volume, materials, and curl types.
Terminology isn’t always consistent across salons and suppliers. Always verify things with your lash technician to make sure you’re on the same page.
