Lash Extension Volumes Explained

There are two core names in lash extensions: classic and volume. Classic means bonding 1 extension to 1 natural lash, while volume means attaching a fan of several fine extensions to a single natural lash.

Classic (lash-by-lash, or Japanese) extensions

With classic extensions, one extension is added to each of the client’s own lashes. It’s especially popular with clients whose lashes are naturally full but who want to add length and build a pretty curl or a specific effect. Classic sets typically use 0.10, 0.12, or 0.15 lashes (and sometimes 0.07).

It’s sometimes called Japanese lash extensions, since the lash-by-lash technique was first developed in Japan. You can read more about the history of lash extensions here.

Volume extensions

2D volume

2D volume means bonding two extensions to one natural lash, so the lashes look almost twice as full. Even at double the density, the result still reads natural and the eyes keep an everyday look.

2D volume most often uses 0.10 and 0.07 lashes.

3D volume

3D volume is popular too, though the lashes look a little less natural here. Still, plenty of clients want exactly that. If you’re going for a dramatic, bold, memorable look, this is the one.

3D volume uses 0.07 and 0.05 lashes.

4D volume

4D volume attaches four extensions to one natural lash. Thanks to the extra density, the lash line looks flawless for a long time: even if a few fans shed, the gap is covered by its neighbors and the line stays even.

4D volume uses 0.05 and 0.07 lashes.

5D and mega volume

There’s also 5D and mega volume, where 5 or more extensions are attached to one natural lash. Modern ultra-fine, weightless extensions make this possible without harming the natural lashes, but you have to calculate the maximum volume correctly based on the density of the client’s own lashes.

Thicknesses used: 0.05 and 0.03.

Keep in mind that different volumes look different depending on how many natural lashes the client has.

To make it easy on clients, put together photo examples of your own work in each volume. It’s much simpler for them to choose that way.