Have you ever wondered how lash technicians create flawless sets of eyelash extensions for their clients? It’s not just about applying the extensions skillfully; it’s also about the artistry of lash mapping. In this article, we’ll explore the technique of lash mapping and its significance in achieving stunning lash looks.
Lash mapping involves planning the lengths, curls, and thicknesses of extensions to create a customized set that suits each client’s eye shape, natural lashes, and desired style. It’s the key to achieving lash perfection.
Understand Different Lash Maps
Let’s take a closer look at some popular lash maps and their effects on the overall look:
Natural Lash Mapping
The natural lash map follows the client’s natural lash growth pattern, resulting in a subtle and natural appearance. This map works well for almond-shaped, round, upturned, and any face shape. However, it may not be suitable for hooded eyes, monolid, or downturned eyes.
Doll Eye/Open Eye Mapping
The doll eye or open eye lash map features longer extensions over the iris and dramatic drops on the inner and outer corners. It enhances the eye’s size and corrects downturned eyes. This map is recommended for almond-shaped, monolid, downturned, hooded, and wide-set eyes. Avoid using it for round and upturned eyes or a narrow face shape.
Cat Eye Mapping
Cat eye mapping involves shorter lash lengths until the pupil, followed by a significant length increase from the center to the outer corner. It creates the illusion of wider eyes and corrects close-set eyes. Cat eye mapping suits almond-shaped, round, upturned, downturned, monolid, hooded, and close-set eyes, but it may not be suitable for downturned or wide-set eyes.
Assess Your Client’s Features
Before you start lash mapping, it’s essential to evaluate various aspects of your client’s face and eyes to determine the most suitable lash style. Consider the following factors:
Eye Shape
Identify your client’s eye shape, such as almond, round, hooded, or monolid. Each shape requires a specific approach for lash mapping. Almond-shaped eyes are versatile and can accommodate various lash styles. Round eyes benefit from natural or cat-eye mapping. Hooded eyes require a curl that extends past the hood, while monolid eyes can explore doll-eye or cat-eye looks.
Eye Angle
Observe if your client’s eyes are straight, slightly upturned, or slightly downturned. Upturned eyes can benefit from cat-eye or natural mapping, while downturned eyes may require doll-eye or open-eye mapping.
Eye Spacing
Consider the spacing between your client’s eyes. Close-set eyes may need longer lengths toward the outer corners to visually create more separation. Wide-set eyes, on the other hand, can benefit from doll-eye or open-eye mapping.
Face Shape
Take into account your client’s face shape. Wide faces can handle more dramatic lash looks, such as cat-eye or natural mapping. Narrow faces may benefit from doll-eye, open-eye, or natural mapping.
Natural Lash’s Direction & Curl
Understand the direction in which your client’s natural lashes grow. Some have upward-growing lashes, while others have straight or downward-growing lashes. Choose the appropriate lash curl based on this information.
Natural Lash Strength
Assess the strength of your client’s natural lashes to determine the appropriate length and thickness of the extensions. It’s important to avoid overloading delicate lashes with heavy extensions.
Perfecting the Lash Mapping Process
Remember to consult with your client before starting the lash mapping process. Understand their preferences and be ready to provide professional advice if needed. Longer isn’t always better, and the lash style they desire may not necessarily suit them.
Once you have evaluated your client’s features, have a conversation with them about the look you plan to create. Explain any necessary adjustments to their requested style and the reasons behind those changes.
By following these guidelines and mastering the art of lash mapping, you’ll be able to create stunning sets of eyelash extensions that enhance your clients’ natural beauty.
Read more about lash extensions and stay updated with the latest trends and techniques on Ekilove.
