CLUSTER LASHES VS VOLUME LASHES

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Everyone has a different preference. Surprisingly, most people don’t know the difference between cluster and volume lashes. Both types are “individual” eyelash extensions and have multiple lashes in a fan, but there’s a big difference when it comes to the look and health of your eyes.

WHAT ARE CLUSTER EYELASHES?

Cluster eyelashes are pre-made fans with multiple eyelashes on them, as you can see from the picture above.

The problem with most cluster lashes need to be applied closer to the eyelid by gluing the entire false eyelash next to each other on both your real lashes and the eyelid, therefore they don’t shed off together with your own real human eyelash.

As our lashes grow at different stages(There are 3 stages of hair growth in the cycle, from actively beginning growth from the root to hair shedding. These are known as the Anagen phase, Catagen phase and Telogen phase.), the natural hairs cannot shed at the end of their cycle causing your eye to become a breeding ground for infection.

There is a lot of adhesive involved in cluster lashes and in many cases touching the skin and blocking the follicle, so new eyelashes are unable to grow which can cause in-growing hairs or premature lash loss.

This can lead to a type of permanent hair loss if done repeatedly.

So ladies stay away from cluster eyelashes.

CLASSIC LASHES VS VOLUME LASHES

Classic lashes are going to give you the mascara look.

Each individual eyelash is going to be thicker in diameter compared to the volume lashes. 

Classic lashes are most widely used in a diameter of 0.12 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.18 mm.  

Therefore, if you want to go for longer lengths with the lash extension, the weight of the lashes adds up so the natural lashes must be thick and long as well to have the ability to be able to support it. 

So even if someone has a large amount of natural lashes, but when their lashes are very short and thin, they will be limited on the intensity of the lashes that they can achieve with classic eyelash extensions.

Volume Lashes (Russian Volume)

Volume Lashes or sometimes also known as Russian Volume, similar to cluster lashes, are multiple eyelashes attached to one eyelash. However, volume or Russian volume lashes are much safer than cluster lashes as they are applied to individual and isolated eyelashes. There are usually 2-6 false eyelashes placed on every natural lash for volume sets, depending on the desired look. These lashes are very light compared to cluster lashes and they don’t weigh down or damage the natural lash.  

Volume lashes range in diameter from 0.05 mm, 0.07 mm, and 0.10 mm, whereas Russian Volume lashes can go to 0.03mm in diameter.

The Eyelash Therapist uses a different type of eyelash tweezers to create a fan like shape and then apply glue to the bottom of the lashes before sticking it onto the real lashes.  Depending how many strands were grabbed by the tweezers it will be X-D for example 2D, 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D, 7D, 8D, 9D.

Volume lashes or Russian Volume gives a much fuller and cleaner look than cluster eyelashes and also tends to bond better to last longer compared to cluster lashes because each volume lash creates multiple pockets of adhesive that form beam like shapes along the lashes.

Do beware of pre-made volume fans lashes too as they don’t wrap around your lashes like regular volume lashes made on the spot during the eyelash procedure because they have already been glued together prior to application. Many of the eyelash extensions parlours are using pre-made ones to save time and cut cost. So don't be fooled especially when you need to have your eyes closed during your eyelash extensions treatment.

When the fans lashes are made on demand during the eyelash extension procedure, the benefits are much more as they are able to wrap around the natural lash when you are applying them which also bond much better. It will also not cause too much glue to be on your lashes.  

Attaching a pre-made fan causes the extensions to sit on top of the lash instead of enable it to wrap around your real lash to give a natural look and it will also drop off much faster.