Your client comes to your studio and asks you for the perfect lash look.
For all lash artists, you can’t immediately answer “okay” and just attach extensions to their natural lashes in an unplanned way. This is when you communicate with your client (communication is always the key) and choose the right lash map to use. Indeed, the lash maps are always necessary in every lash session, regardless of which level you are on.
Lash maps are kind of diagrams that plan the lengths, curls, and thicknesses and their placement to achieve a particular lash style. Lash maps are usually drawn on gel pads and placed under your clients’ eyes so that you can follow them and create the perfect symmetry between two eyes while applying the extensions. Here are the top 5 popular lash maps you should know to step up your lash game.
1. Cat eye lash map
Perhaps this is the most popular lash style among lash fans thanks to the exotic and sexy appearance it can bring to our faces. This lash style is shorter in the inner corner and gradually shifts to longer ones in the outer eye corner, which elegantly creates an elongated and lifting effect. This feature creates the illusion of a winged liner and makes your eyes look like feline-eye eyes, which is why it’s called cat eye style.
There is no one exact lash map for a cat eye lash look, as each way of mixing lengths, curls, and thicknesses can create a different type of cat eye. Therefore, this can be a breeding ground for new lash ideas. However, if your level hasn’t reached that much, take these types for reference:
- Classic cat eye lashes: considered the most natural looking and simplest type, and only one individual extension attaches to one lash.
- Hybrid cat eye (wispy cat eye): a sexy twist on classic and volume techniques, which can create “spikes” with classic lash extensions and the fullness of volume fans.
- Volume cat eye lash: usually use 2D to 6D fans to create a full and dramatic look
- Extreme cat eye: a new and trendy lash style that features extreme long and angled L curl lashes at the outer corner. This means extreme cat eyes can intensify the effects other cat eye types give out: more mysterious and sexy with a much thinner-looking face.
We highly recommend using flat curl such as J, B or C mixed with extreme curls (D/L/M) on the outer corner for the most perfect cat eye lash look.
Cat eyes are best suited for those who have round or close-set eyes, as they can balance your eye shape. The elongated effect and sharp contours even slim down the round faces.
More about cat eye lash map: Cat eye eyelash extensions – Things you need to know
2. Doll eye lash map
Have you ever dreamed of having adorable eyes like the girls’ from Barbie World? If you have, then no style is better than dolly eyes.
Dolly lash extensions feature longer extensions in the middle of the lash set, and they become shorter at the two corners. This makes your eyes look bigger and rounder, more dramatic, and more prominent, which can draw attention without going overboard.
Doll eyes can be achieved by both classic and volume techniques for different dolly lash looks. The most popular techniques used are usually:
- Classic doll eyelash extensions: for girls loving natural style
- 2D volume eyelashes: for those prefer voluminous lash look but have naturally thin and weak eyelashes.
- 3D volume eyelashes: 3D fans attached on one natural lash for achieving a dramatic result.
In addition to these three techniques, mega volume, hybrid, and trendy wispy effect is also becoming preferred by many lash fans. If you want to find out more about doll eye techniques, read our blogs:
The lengths used for a doll lash set often range from 13mm (in the middle) to 7mm (on the corners) in extreme curls such as C, CC, or even D curl.
You can save our doll eye lash map for reference:
Image source: Thousand lashes
With its eye-opening effect, this style is a great choice for small eyes or hooded eyes, which will brighten up and visually enlarge your eyes. In contrast, people with naturally rounded and close-set eyes should avoid doll eyelash extensions if they don’t want to look a bit alarmed and fake.
More about doll eye lash map: Capture every attention with doll eye lash extensions
3. Kim K lash map
Kim K is one of the most preferred lash maps used in the lash world. Named after a famous American public figure, Kim Kardashian, the Kim K lash style is one of a few lash styles that can stand the test of time as they magically flatter the wearer.
Kim K is a smooth mixture of classic lashes and volume lashes; therefore, they are also called wispy hybrid eyelash extensions. It means there is a layer of out-growing individual lashes (called spikes) and a fan layer, which is voluminous and fluffy. These key features really make your eyes pop.
Kim K is applied in a “V” shape – longer extensions in the middle and shorter toward the corners. However, you will feel like the difference in lengths is not as great as those in doll eyes. Usually the spike lashes are from 9 mm to 12mm, and volume fans go between 7mm to 11mm.
If your eyes are not naturally big and round, Kim K lashes are always highly recommended for both daily and special occasion looks.
More about Kim K lash map: How to make the most sought-after Kim K eyelash extensions
4. Squirrel lash map
Another lash style that can steal attention is squirrel lash extensions. This style intends to mimic the natural curvature and appearance of a squirrel’s tail, which gives you a soft, wispy, and flared lash look.
Lash maps sometime can make you confused because sometimes they look quite the same. The key to the squirrel lash map is that the short lashes should go to the inner and outer corners of the eyes, and the longest should be applied under the arch of your eyebrow. You’ll find it has a slight cat eye effect, but not as dramatic.
In addition, squirrel lash extensions can open up your eyes without making them as round as doll eyes. The best curls to use for a squirrel lash set are C, D, CC, and DD; B curl and J curl are also quite common for those who love a natural look. The shortest extension you can choose is 6-7 mm in length, and the longest is about 12-13 mm.
Image source: The You
Looking at this squirrel map above, I guess you can feel which eye shapes are the best candidates for squirrel eyes.
- Close-set eyes: the elongated effect of squirrel eyelash extensions can balance this type of eye shape can create an illusion of a more wide set.
- Too high brow arch: Because the outgrowth of the lash set lies under the high brow arch, squirrel lashes can camouflage this imperfection on your face.
- Downturned eyes: squirrel lashes are a perfect choice for an effortless lifting effect.
Besides, people with almond-shaped eyes and round eyes can also suit this lash style.
More about Squirrel lash map: Squirrel Eyelash Extensions – Everything You Need to Know
5. Fox eye lash map
You should’ve heard it many times if you are a lash artist. In fact, so many people come to the lash studio and ask for fox eyelashes for a bold and striking look.
Place short lash extensions in the inner eye corner, then gradually increase the length toward the outer corner. Finally, end the lash set with some shorter lashes, and you’ve finished!In fact, fox eyes can look quite similar to cat eyes, and many of you might confuse the two for some time.
The key to differentiating this from other lash maps is the type of curl used for each style. While when applying cat eye eyelash extensions, the selection and mixture of curls vary widely, as we’ve mentioned above, fox eyes go best with L curl (although M curl, C curl or B curl is still okay). The difference in lash curls used makes the cat eye seem more feathery and fox eye look more uniform.
Image source: Beauty Stack
Fox eyes are used for almost all eye shapes, but especially have a pronounced effect on round and almond-shaped eyes. Since fox eye eyelash extensions are L curl lashes, monolid or hooded eyes can benefit a lot from this lash style.
More about Fox eye lash map: Fox eyelashes – The ultimate guide
Final thoughts on lash maps – powerful tools for lash artists
So many lash maps you must know as a lash artist, but it’s what adds excitement to your lash journey. And believe me, when you’ve mastered all these lash styles and find them easier, you’ll become addicted to lashing and enjoy the masterpieces you’ve created.
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