Types of Lash Extensions & How to Choose the Best Style for You

Eyelash extensions are a great way to add volume, length, lift, and drama to your lashes without having to apply mascara every day. The lashes come in all different shapes, application styles, lengths, curls, and thicknesses to achieve different looks, from super natural to ultra glamorous. If you’re interested in getting lash extensions but aren’t sure where to start, we’re here to help! We’ll go over all the lash shapes, styles, curls, lengths, and materials you can get and explain what kind of look they give you. We also spoke with licensed estheticians and makeup artists for tips on how to choose and care for your lash extensions. Read on to find out more!

The Different Lash Extension Styles

Classic: Most natural look
Volume: Full and dramatic look
Hybrid: Blend of a voluminous and natural look
Staggered: Wispy and textured look
Mega volume: Very full, bold, and glamorous

Section 1 of 8:

Lash Shapes

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Natural As the name implies, the natural lash shape is the most natural-looking eyelash extension you can get! This shape follows the natural contour of your lashes, with smaller extensions added to the inner corner and progressively longer and thicker lashes added towards the outer corner. This creates a subtly lifted and voluminous look.^{[1]
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- Best eye shape: All eye shapes
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Cat eye The cat eye lash shape elongates the eye to create a dramatic and sultry look. It’s achieved by applying long, thick lashes to the outer corner of the eye with a sharper taper as the lashes get closer to the middle and inner corner of the eye. It gives the same effect as a winged eyeliner look.^{[2]
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- Best eye shape: Round, close-set, protruding, almond, upturned
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Open eye The open eye shape gives you a wide, doe-eyed look. The longest lashes are placed at the center of the eye, and shorter lashes are added to the inner and outer corners. This can help your eyes appear bigger and brighter.^{[3]
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- Best eye shape: Round, downturned, almond
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Doll eye Doll eye or dolly lashes are meant to mimic the sweet, wide-eyed look of a doll. With this shape, the lashes are kept long and about the same length along the middle of the eye while the corners are kept slightly shorter. Like the open eye shape, this can give you bigger-looking eyes.^{[4]
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- Best eye shape: Round, downturned, almond, wide-set
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Squirrel The squirrel lash shape is like a cross between the cat eye and open eye shapes. The longest lashes are added just past the center of the eye and in line with the arch of the brow. The lashes gradually taper off towards the inner and outer corners. This creates a wide-eyed and sultry look.^{[5]
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- Best eye shape: All eye shapes

Section 2 of 8:

Lash Application Styles

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Classic Classic lash extensions provide the most natural look, with a subtle increase in volume and lift. They’re applied by attaching a single lash to each natural lash you have. This is a great option for people new to lash extensions, as the classic style is the lightest option and is great for an everyday look.^{[6]
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- Best eye shape: All eye shapes
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Volume The volume style is meant to add fullness and depth to your lashes. With this technique, around 2 to 6 extensions are added to each natural lash you have. The individual extensions are bundled into a fan shape and secured to your lash to create a fuller, more dramatic look.^{[7]
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- Best eye shape: All eye shapes, especially wide-set and protruding
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Hybrid The hybrid style is a blend between classic and volume lashes. This means that single extensions and bundles of 2 to 6 extensions are added to your natural lashes. The result is a natural, wispy, and voluminous look that’s fuller than the classic style but not as dramatic as the volume style.^{[8]
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- Best eye shape: All eye shapes
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Staggered The staggered style, also called wispy or textured, uses varying lengths of extensions to give you a fluttery and voluminous look. The application process involves creating fans of multiple extensions in longer and shorter lengths. The fans are then attached to your lashes in an alternating pattern, creating fluffy spikes along your lash line.^{[9]
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- Best eye shape: All eye shapes, especially small eyes, hooded eyes, and deep-set eyes
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Mega volume Mega volume lashes, also called Russian volume lashes, are an even fuller and more dramatic version of volume lashes. It involves a similar process, where 10 to 20 extensions are bundled together in a fan shape and added to each lash. The resulting lashes are heavier, but they definitely give you a bold and striking look.^{[10]
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- Best eye shape: All eye shapes, especially wide-set and protruding

Section 3 of 8:

Lash Curl Types

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There are different curl types, from the subtle J to the dramatic D. Lash extensions also come in different curl types, which are categorized by letter. The most popular is the C curl lash, as it mimics the curl you get from using an eyelash curler. Below are the most common curl types that you can choose from and what they look like:^{[11]
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- J Curl: A very subtle and natural-looking curl that provides a little lift and mimics the curve of the letter “J.”
  - Best eye shape: Most eye shapes (almond, round, etc.)
- B Curl: Slightly more curly than the J curl and provides a bit more lift.
  - Best eye shape: Almond, round, deep-set, close-set eyes
- C Curl: The classic curled look, which mimics the shape of the letter “C.” It adds noticeable lift and drama.
  - Best eye shape: Almond, round, deep-set eyes
- CC Curl: A slightly curlier version of the C curl with a more rounded shape.
  - Best eye shape: Downturned, almond, round, wide-set eyes
- D Curl: A dramatic curl that provides lots of lift. It mimics the curve and roundness of the letter “D.”
  - Best eye shape: Downturned, almond, round, wide-set eyes
- L Curl: Adds extra lift to the lashes. L curls are shaped like the letter “L,” with a flat bottom and a sharp transition to an angled lash.
  - Best eye shape: Monolid and hooded eyes, and people who have straight lashes
- L+ Curl: A slightly curlier version of the L curl.
  - Best eye shape: Monolid and hooded eyes, and people who have straight lashes.
- M Curl: Adds more lift to the lashes, similar to the L curl. It starts with a flat bottom but has a more gradual curve to a straighter lash.
  - Best eye shape: Monolid and hooded eyes, and people who have straight lashes

Section 4 of 8:

Lash Lengths

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Lash extensions usually range from 6 to 15 mm long. You can also choose how long you want your lash extensions to be, which can help you achieve the look you like. In general, shorter extensions give you a more natural look while longer extensions give you a bold, dramatic look.^{[12]
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- 6 to 9 mm: Short and natural-looking
- 10 to 12 mm: Medium and natural-looking, as if you’re wearing mascara
- 13 to 15 mm: Long and dramatic
- 16mm+: Very long and extra dramatic

Section 5 of 8:

Lash Thicknesses

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Lash extensions come in different thicknesses, from 0.03 to 0.25 mm. The thickness of an eyelash extension refers to its diameter, with a wider diameter giving you a thicker lash. And the thicker the lash is, the more volume and drama you get. Your eyelash technician adds lashes of different thicknesses depending on the style you want, but you may be able to tell them which thicknesses you prefer.^{[13]
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- 0.03 to 0.07 mm: Thin and light-weight for a very natural look. These are often used in bundles to create the volume, hybrid, staggered, and mega volume styles.
- 0.10 to 0.12 mm: Medium thickness and medium weight, giving you a touch of drama. They are often used in the volume, hybrid, staggered, and mega volume styles.
- 0.15 to 0.18 mm: Thick and bold for a more dramatic look. Since these lashes are heavy, they’re often attached to a single lash, like in the classic or hybrid styles.
- 0.20 to 0.25 mm: Very thick and dramatic, and the heaviest weight. These are best for seasoned extension wearers who have very healthy lashes, as they’re quite heavy.

Section 6 of 8:

Lash Materials

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The most common lash extensions are synthetic, faux mink, and faux silk. While eyelash extensions were primarily made out of animal hair in the past, most lash technicians today use extensions made from synthetic materials. The most popular types are synthetic, faux mink, and faux silk, which differ in the look they give you.^{[14]
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- Synthetic lashes: These lashes are the most popular choice. They’re made out of plastic (polybutylene terephthalate) and have a stiff and sturdy texture. They’re very shiny, hold their curl well, and give you a dramatic look.
- Faux mink lashes: These lashes are made out of plastic and meant to mimic the look of mink fur, which was a popular choice for lash extensions. They are very fine, lightweight, soft, and silky, so they give you a more wispy and natural look.
- Faux silk lashes: These lashes are like a medium between synthetic and faux mink lashes. They’re softer and more lightweight than synthetic lashes, but not as fine as faux mink. So, they can give full, dramatic lashes that are still quite natural-looking.

Section 7 of 8:

How to Choose Eyelash Extensions

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Think about the look you want. The shape, application style, curl, and length of your eyelash extensions all impact the look you get, from very natural-looking lashes to ultra-glamorous and dramatic. Think about the look you want to achieve and the styles you like to wear. If you’re getting lashes for an occasion, like a wedding or vacation, think about what lashes would complement you best, too.^{[15]
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- For instance, if you want a more natural, everyday look, a natural shape with a classic or hybrid application style and a softer curl (B, C) is a great option.
- If you want a more dramatic and bold look, a cat eye or open eye shape with a volume, hybrid, or staggered application style and a rounder curl (CC, D) is a great option.
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Consider your eye shape. Certain lash shapes, styles, and curls can complement different eye shapes better than others, helping to open up your eyes and make them appear brighter. So, take a look at your eyes to see what shape you have! For instance, the cat eye shape can emphasize round eyes beautifully, while the doll eye shape can open up more downturned eyes.^{[16]
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- While lash styles can look great on certain eye shapes, that doesn’t mean certain styles look “bad” on your eye shape, or that you have to get the style that complements your shape the best. Ultimately, the look you want to achieve is most important!
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Examine the health, length, and thickness of your natural lashes. The lash volume and length that you get are often determined by the condition of your natural lashes. For instance, healthy and naturally long and thick lashes can carry longer and thicker lashes, as well as more voluminous styles. Damaged or sparse and thin lashes work best with shorter, thinner, and more lightweight lashes and styles.^{[17]
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- The curl of your natural lashes also affects the curl of the extensions you can wear. For example, curly extensions typically adhere better to naturally curly lashes, while flatter lashes (L, M) may be harder to attach.
- To keep your lashes healthy, licensed esthetician and skincare professional Alicia Ramos says to avoid overusing mascara and harsh eye drops, which can damage the strength of your lashes. She also suggests gently washing off your eye makeup and combing through your lashes before you go to bed.^{[18]
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- To help grow longer lashes, Ramos recommends using a lash serum like Babe Lash or Grande Lash MD.^{[19]
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Consider the upkeep of the lashes you want. As you shed your natural lashes, your lash extensions come with them. So, over time, your lashes can begin to look uneven and sparse, which means it’s time for a new appointment to get your lashes filled. If you’re looking for an everyday set that’s low maintenance, classic and hybrid styles are likely your best bet. In general, voluminous styles require more touch-ups.^{[20]
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- For the most part, lash extensions last for 6 to 8 weeks.
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Choose a natural lash color or a vibrant color. Lash extensions come in lots of beautiful hues, so think about what color you want them to be, too. Black is often the standard choice, but you can also match the extensions to your natural lash color, whether that’s brown, blonde, or gray. Extensions are also available in fun colors like blue, pink, purple, green, and orange, so consider going for a bold splash of color if that’s more your style.^{[21]
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- There are lots of fun designs you can do with colored lashes, from a full set of several vibrant colors to a single pop of color amid a set of black lashes.
If you’re not sure what type of lash extensions to choose, simply consult your lash technician at your appointment! Lash technicians are trained to examine their clients’ natural lashes, eye shape, and lash health to determine what shapes, styles, lengths, and curls look best on them. Based on what they suggest, you can work with them to get the look you want.^{[22]
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Section 8 of 8:

How to Care For Eyelash Extensions

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Avoid getting your lashes wet for 48 hours after your appointment. According to Ramos, it takes lash extensions about 2 days to fully set and adhere to your natural lashes. She says water can break down the glue and cause the lashes to fall off, so it’s important not to get them wet in the first 2 days of getting them.^{[23]
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Alicia Ramos
Skincare Professional

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- For instance, you may want to avoid washing your hair for 48 hours after getting your lashes, and be very careful when washing your face.
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Clean and comb your lashes daily. To keep your lashes looking full and beautiful, Ramos recommends cleaning them daily with an eyelash extension cleanser.^{[24]
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Alicia Ramos
Skincare Professional

Expert Interview} Once your lashes are dry, brush through them with a spoolie to keep them neat, separated, and curly.^{[25]
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Avoid using oil-based products, like face washes and makeup removers. According to makeup artist Nini Efia Yang, oil weakens and breaks down the glue that secures lash extensions to your lashes. So, she definitely recommends using water-based facial cleansers, makeup removers, and makeup products while you have lash extensions in to keep them in great condition.^{[26]
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Nini Efia Yang
Makeup Artist

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Avoid curling your lashes or putting on mascara. Anything that pulls on your lashes can weaken the glue and cause the extensions to fall off prematurely. So, avoid curling your lashes, wearing mascara, and rubbing at your eyes. Plus, you shouldn’t need to do anything to your lashes—the whole point of getting extensions is to give you a curled, mascara-ified look without using products!^{[27]
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Wear an eye mask to bed and aim to sleep on your back. It’s important to look after your lashes when you head to bed, too! Licensed esthetician Melissa Jannes recommends sleeping with an “eye mask that has a little bit of a hollowed out part over the eye,” which “protects the extensions from brushing up against [your] pillowcase.” If possible, she also says to sleep on your back as it is “the best way to not lose your eyelash extensions.”^{[28]
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Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

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Book touch-up appointments every 2 to 3 weeks. While lash extensions usually last for 6 to 8 weeks, you’ll notice some of your natural lashes and extensions falling out before then. This can create an uneven look, so it’s important to refill your lash line with new extensions about every 2 to 3 weeks.^{[29]
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- Licensed aesthetician Daniel Vann explains that lash extensions are rarely a one-time thing—he says they require constant maintenance and care to keep them looking great. So, ensure you have the time (and money!) to keep up your lash lifestyle.^{[30]
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