Eyelash Extensions Styles: How to Choose for Your Eye Shape (2024)

If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Makeup
Eyes
Lashes

Faith Xue

Faith Xue has worked in digital beauty for 10 years and is currently Bustle Digital Group's executive beauty director. She was Byrdie's editorial director for seven years.

Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on June 06, 2024 12:17PM

Reviewed by

Ashley Rebecca

Reviewed byAshley Rebecca

Ashley Rebecca is an NYC-based makeup artist and a regular contributor for Byrdie covering makeup, skincare, and haircare.

LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Eyelash Extensions Styles: How to Choose for Your Eye Shape (4)

When it comes to beauty, we're all about treatments that allow us to have a more low-maintenance everyday routine. And luckily for us, with lash lash extensions, even those of us who are not naturally blessed with sky-high lashes can experience the joys of rolling out of bed looking wide-eyed and awake. It's the ultimate in I-woke-up-like-this beauty; the very essence of doing a bit of high-maintenance legwork for the low-maintenance lifestyle and look. But just as there is diversity in appearance and eye shapes, lash extensions are not a one-size-fits-all business.

“Every client has unique eye characteristics that are best suited to certain types of styling, curl-types, and lash lengths,” says celebrity lash expert Courtney Buhler. Lash expert, Clementina Richardson adds, "Everyone's perception of beauty and 'natural' are different. For example, for round eyes, a cat-eye effect is used. However, there are some clients who like to keep their eyes rounded, so changing the shape would not be necessary," says Richardson. "When styled correctly, the eye shape can be changed, but depends on how skilled the artist is."

Both experts agree that when it comes to lash styling, a consultation and understanding of the client's lifestyle is key. Read on for their tips on how to choose the right style for you based on your eye shape.

Meet the Experts

Courtney Buhler is a celebrity lash expert and the founder of Sugarlash Pro based in Edmonton, Canada.
Clementina Richardsonis a celebrity lash expert and founder of Envious Lashes in New York City and Miami.

Why You Should Consider Your Eye Shape

Richardson says, "Although there are many different styling options to choose from, the shape commonly requested is the cat-eye, which gives the look of an almond eye shaping." She says that another popular style is more natural shaping, which is otherwise known as the 'open eye look', and gives the client a rounder eye appearance.

Before we get into the best lash extensions for your particular eye shape, though, familiarize yourself with the basics of the most popular eyelash extension styles. By understanding each style's hallmark characteristics, you'll be able to tell what you want (and don't want) when you walk into the lash studio.

Eyelash Extensions Styles: How to Choose for Your Eye Shape (5)

Natural: Keeps your look subtle by adding length and thickness to emphasize your own lashes, similar to your best mascara days.
Natural lift or sweep: This creates a lifted, more elongated, and open look to the eye with a somewhat uniform lash length—this is a great option for downturned eyes.
Cat-eye: Concentrates all the length on the outer corner for an elongated, feline effect while the middle and inner corners of the eye are treated to shorter lashes.
Rounded or doll-eye: Centers the longest lashes in the middle of the eye for a rounded, wide-open look—not recommended for round eyes as it will make them appear rounder.
Staggered: Alternates between short and long lash lengths for a spiky appearance.
Doe Eye: For a youthful, wide-awake appearance.

Best Lash Extension Style for Each Eye Shape

01of 05

Almond Eyes

Almond eyes are the most common eye shape. They are twice as wide as they are high, making them the most proportionate eye shape that can support nearly any lash styling.

"This shape is the most ideal and most requested look," says Richardson. "When you have almond eyes, there is more versatility in terms of shaping. Clients can go round or cat-eye."

"I would recommend you ask for a more standard C curl, which is not too curly or loose. You really have creative freedom here depending on what look you want!" says Buhler, who recommends professionals use a cat-eye on clients who want to elongate their natural shapeor "an open eye on those looking to brighten up their features.”

02of 05

Hooded or Monolid Eyes

Hooded eyes—or monolids—are eyelids without a crease. A hooded lid can appear very heavy, even appearing to "swallow" the lash line underneath it. "You’ll want to open up hooded lids and break through a heavy lash line," says Buhler, who recommends L and L+ lashes. "These are specialty lashes that have a flat base and severe curl that shoots out from under the lid, lifting the lash line, making the eyes appear bright and fresh.”

Clients with hooded eyes should ask for the longest lengths of the lash to be placed to a mid-outer eye and for your technician to use the curliest lash available. "The curliest lashes available are a D/L/and L+ curl. This more dramatic curl allows for the eye to really open up!" says Buhler.

Byrdie Tip

The two most common types of lash extensions are Classic and Volume lash extensions. Classic sets resemble a mascara look whereas Volume extensions are more of a dense and dramatic look.

03of 05

Round Eyes

“Round eyes are very open and alert, but if styled incorrectly, they can end up looking surprised," says Buhler. For clients who have this eye shape, she recommends asking for less of a curled lash, with the longest length toward the mid-outer eye, like the cat-eye style. "In lash terms, this is a B curl lash. This helps shape the eye to more of that almond shape.”

To tone down the alertness, Buhler says to ask the lash technician for shorter lengths in a looser curl (like a B curl). "This relaxes the eye shape, giving the appearance of [an] almond shape," she says.

04of 05

Downturned Eyes

If you have a downturned eye shape, then the outer corners of your eyes are lower than the inner corner. "For downturned eyes, a forced cat-eye or natural shaping is the best lash style," says Richardson.

05of 05

Upturned Eyes

An upturned eye shape also called "cat-eyes" is the opposite of downturned eyes. Here, the outer corner of the eye is higher than the inner corner. Richardson says that upturned eye shapes can benefit from the cat-eye style, as upturned eyes can also lean more almond in shape.

Aftercare

Richardson tells her clients not to get lashes wet for 48 hours as the adhesive needs that long to cure. And after that, "Don't use mascara as that causes unnecessary manipulation to the eye area causing premature fall out of both the extensions and the client's natural lash," says Richardson. "And no rubbing the eyes because that will result in balding."

Lash health should be a top priority when getting lash extensions as the foundation of your lashes improves the hold of your lashes. Richardson recommends a lash serum because, for lashes to last, a strong base (of your natural lashes) is needed. This helps to prevent lash extensions from damaging your natural lashes as well. "Conditioning serums are great for lash wearers to use in between appointments to keep them looking their best," says Richardson, who recommends her Luxuriating Lash Conditioner, which contains a blend of natural and botanical ingredients to help keep lashes healthy. "Serums help to create both density and length, and the stronger the lash foundation, the better the hold."