The styles
Seven ways to shape a lash line
Any of these can be applied as a classic, hybrid or Russian volume set, which controls how full it looks rather than the shape itself.
01
Natural, or open eye
Follows the shape your lashes already grow in, with a gentle rise through the middle. Nothing is exaggerated. It looks like you have simply been blessed with very good lashes.
Suits: everyone, and the safest first set if you have never had extensions before.
02
Doll eye
The longest lashes sit through the centre of the eye and shorten towards both corners. It opens the eye upwards and makes it read rounder, bigger and wide awake.
Suits: almond and close set eyes. Usually avoided on very round or prominent eyes, where it can emphasise the roundness.
03
Cat eye
Short at the inner corner, sweeping steadily longer towards the outer, so the eye stretches sideways into a soft winged shape. The effect of eyeliner without the eyeliner.
Suits: round, prominent and close set eyes. Handled carefully on downturned eyes, where extra length at the outer corner can pull them down further.
04
Fox eye
A sharper relation of the cat eye. The inner corner stays very short, the length climbs faster, and the outer edge finishes on a distinct lifted flick. Elongating, a little editorial, and the most requested style of the last few years.
Suits: round, prominent and wide set eyes. Best approached with care on downturned eyes.
05
Squirrel
The clever one. Length builds like a cat eye but peaks just before the outer corner, then eases off slightly. You get the lift and the elongation without anything dragging the eye downwards.
Suits: hooded and downturned eyes especially, and a flattering choice on almost anyone.
06
Angel eye
Soft, rounded and deliberately airy. Lengths are varied gently throughout so the set looks feathered rather than uniform, giving a light, fluttery finish with no hard edge anywhere along the lash line.
Suits: anyone wanting something romantic and soft rather than sharp. Lovely for weddings.
07
Wispy, sometimes called Kim K
Deliberate spikes of longer lashes set against a shorter base, repeated along the lash line for texture. Full and glamorous up close, still soft from across a room. Usually built as a hybrid or volume set.
Suits: most eye shapes, and a good pick if you want impact without a solid block of lash.
Style names vary from studio to studio, so if you have seen a look you love, bring the photo. We will tell you exactly what it is and whether it will work on your eyes.