A few years ago, Volume lashes and Russian Volume lashes gave lash technicians a way to apply more lashes safely. With a lash diameter of around .06 (weighing only .00005 g), we could apply 3-6 lashes to one natural lash and the weight would still only equal one classic lash (which weighs .00015-.00030). Plus, and this is a big plus, the fan created (either by the artist or the lash manufacturer) provided more support for the other lash extensions giving them longer retention. Hybrid lashes could be created mixing classic lashes with volume lashes. Lash technicians became bonifide artists and there was a rush of new clients wanting lash extensions. But for some girls, volume still just wasn’t enough.
For the client who feels like “more is more” when it comes to your flutter there is good news; dreams can come true. Lash manufacturers are creating extensions as small as .03 in diameter (weighing only .00002 g), meaning a well trained, experienced lash artist can apply up to 15 extensions on one natural lash! That’s right, there is no more “no” when it comes to density and volume. You will need to find someone certified in the technique (not just Russian volume) but basically, if you can pay, we can slay!
But, I wasn’t always a believer.
As a two time certified and licensed lash artist, working in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood since 2010, I have hundreds of sets under my belt. After watching tons of YOUtube videos and ordering masses amounts of product to try this “megavolume dream” technique, I decided that it was probably a lie to push product or artists were spending half a day applying these uber fine lashes. Not only that, but I was seeing horror sets coming in to have lashes removed after these sweet lash babies doled out hundreds of dollars to a lash hustler who didn’t have this technique down either. Now, I have seen everything from hair extension glue used to apply extensions to over the counter clusters passed off as Russian volume lashes but I had never seen the tragedies I was seeing with the new mega volume lashes. There were situations like chunks of lashes glued together from using a glue that dried too slow, natural lashes glued together from bases way too wide, or groups of lashes glued together and appearing as one lash from dipping too deep into the glue. Each client requesting removal from another salon brought me closer and closer to personally calling previous lash artists to ask “What the hell are you doing?” I just couldn’t believe people were turning out such bad work and actually charging for it. There are several lies told in the lash industry and I was convinced this one was the biggest. That is, until Sophia walked in.
Sophia looks and dresses like a supermodel, runs her own Fortune 500 company, maintains her lashes every two weeks, is always camera-ready and is kind and respectful to all of our spa staff. She books online, never questions my pricing and is always on time. Sophia has her stuff together like no one I have ever seen and is by far, my most intercontinental client. She first came to me for a volume fill where she had them done previously in Hong Kong.
The first thing I noticed was how fluffy her eyelashes were. Brushing them made them even fluffier and as I combed through them with my tweezers to check the application, I saw that they were beyond volume lashes. They were everything mega volume lashes had been promising they were and they were perfectly applied. Microscopic strands of lashes were connected neatly to form a thin base. The base was as thin as her own natural lashes and the fans were full and naturally imperfect, making them soft and whispy on the ends as a collective. I could see by Sophia’s lashes and her love for them that true mega volume lashes were not only possible, they were even better for the natural lashes long term. Here’s why:
1. Megavolume lashes take less lash glue than classic lashes. They are picked up and fanned out in groups of 10-15 and then barely dipped in a drop of glue to bring the base together before being applied to one isolated lash. The entire act from glue to lash line takes place in less than three seconds before the glue is dry. Less of the natural lash is covered in glue as opposed to a classic lash that is almost completely covered. Glue has weight too, so less glue means less weight.
2. The weight of mega volume lashes is distributed better than with classic or volume lashes. Weighing the same as a classic lash, less pressure is put on the entire lash and the weight is fanned out. Applied correctly by a skilled artist, the fan acts more like a cloud sitting lightly on a natural lash instead of an extended lever that the natural hair strand has to hold up from just the follicle area.
3. Clients can throw out all mascara. Most of my classic lash clients go mascara free but there are always a few who just can’t wing off the tube. Even great quality mascara made for lash extensions can be hard to clean when a girl is rushed. And, let’s be honest, when are we NOT rushed? Unclean eyelash lines can cause a build up of dirt and oil which will weaken the lashes and cause them to shed much sooner. With mega volume lashes, there is no need to ever buy another tube of mascara. Even between fills, the lash line still looks full.
After seeing Sophia’s lashes, I knew I wanted to do the kind of work she was getting in Hong Kong. I sought out the best Mega Volume certification programs and now I’m three times certified, well practiced and several clients in. With only 30 more minutes of service time, these gorgeous, fluffy lashes are well worth the additional expense for those clients who want more. Not only do I now believe in Mega Volume lashes, I wear them too!
