How to choose the right eyelash extensions for your clients

Eyelash extensions aren’t just a trend anymore – they’re part of a healthy beauty lifestyle. Now that they’re here to stay, choosing the right lash extensions has become a lot more important than it might at first seem.

There are many different types of eyelash extensions, and they differ from one to another. That’s why to answer the question of how to choose lash extensions, you must  first have to go through many hoops!

As lash artists, we know that what our clients want and ask for isn’t always exactly what’s right for them. This truth has been confirmed across various other fields as well. That’s why we should educate ourselves and know better than to simply follow everything that we are asked to do, which can potentially backfire.

Become familiar and comfortable with your clients. Carefully analyze their general appearance and choose lash extensions that will look most natural for them! If you’re not too sure, here’s a breakdown of all the necessary elements that make up an eyelash extension.

With our analysis, we hope that you’ll be able to effectively choose lash extensions that are suitable for your clients.

Choose lash extensions by length

Choosing lash extensions by length is one of the first things you need to note as a lash artist. This should not be taken lightly, as choosing the wrong length can do unexpected damage to the clients’ natural lashes

To choose lash extensions by length is to pick between the wide range of lengths available for eyelash extensions. For most salons, this range will be from 9 mm to 15 mm. Choosing the correct length for your clients will depend greatly on the type of natural eyelashes they have: if what they have are long, thick lashes, opt for longer extensions –  and if they have more sparse ones, go for the opposite.

Try to determine if their natural lashes can support the weight of the extensions that you’re applying, which tends to go hand in hand with the length. If your clients have weak natural lashes, you can recommend them to wait or use a lash serum.

See more Lash extension size guide

Choose lash extensions by curl

Once you’re done with considerations on length, it’s time to think about curl types. If you’re a trained lash artist, then you already know about the different types of curls. In any case, here’s a summary – there are five basic curls, known as the J, B, C, D and L curls.

The J Curl presents the least amount of curl and most natural one of the bunch, but it isn’t commonly used. The B Curl on the other hand is the most common one for straight lashes, with a slight curl. C Curl is the most commonly used curl: it’s dramatic and curly, noticeable but not too drastic!

The D Curl is for those with a bit more of a dramatic natural curl who want to pump up that drama! It’s very visible and will give the most lift, so it’s definitely something to consider. The L Curl, is just a C and/or D Curl with a flatter base. It’s more suitable for clients with hooded eyes.

Choose lash extensions by diameter

The diameter of the lash extensions is just as important to consider as the length. You can determine this by first taking measurements of the clients’ natural lashes. The rule of thumb is matching the diameters.

You can go slightly thicker than natural to give off a more dramatic look, but it shouldn’t be overdone. Overall, although this aspect is important, it might be the easiest one to assess.

Choose lash extensions by eye shape

Every client has their own unique set of eye characteristics, which means requirements for lash extensions will also be different. It’s important first to determine the shape type of your clients’ eyes, see if they are almond, upturned, downturned, hooded, protruding or round.

For example, almond eyes are wide and high, and also the most common eye shape. These can support basically any style of lashes. C Curls are especially good for these types of eyes. Hooded eyes, on the other hand, can be very heavy and sometimes even hide the lash line. L Curls are great for hooded eyes as they will make the eyes appear more pronounced.

Rounded eyes are a bit hard to style for, since they are expressly alert. You will need shorter extensions and a looser curl such as a B Curl in order to easen the alertness presented, while also beautifying the eyes in return.

There are more things to consider that will only surface in practice. However, with the breakdown above, you should be able to easily choose lash extensions that will really satisfy your clients!

One last thing – remember to communicate! It’s crucial that your clients receive the best service, one that most benefits them and what they pay for.