More is better, but most is best. At least when it comes to head-turning lashes. When a client really wants to turn a look and turn up the drama, mega volume lashes are the way to go.
As a lash artist, this can be a challenging request, especially if you’re still working on improving your skills. Considerably voluminous than their predecessors, these lashes are super soft and fluffy, but also light enough to wear for a long time.
As you can see in the image below, each mega volume lash strand is made up to 20 individual lashes. That’s 4 times more than a standard 5D volume lash! It takes lots of practice to get good at applying them, but when you do, you’ll be the hottest lash artist in town: everyone will be flocking to you!
To help you get started in, this article we will go through:
- What’s considered a mega volume lash (and what’s not)
- Mega volume lash pros & cons
- Frequently Asked Questions about Mega Volume Lashes by Lash Clients
- Step by step: how to make a mega volume lash fan
- Dos & donts
- A must-have supplies for mega volume lashing
First, what are mega volume lashes?
The difference between mega volume and traditional volume is the number of false lashes used to create a fan and the diameter of these false lashes.
Although there is no clear cutoff number to distinguish mega volume lashes from standard volume lashes, generally speaking, each mega volume fan uses 6 to 20 false lashes with diameters between 0.03 to 0.05 mm, while a volume fan will use 2 to 5 false lashes with diameters between 0.05 to 0.07 mm.
Mega volume creates a much denser and darker look since it uses these lightweight fans with numerous extensions.
Mega volume lash pros
- A much fuller, darker lash line and a more dramatic look
- Mega volume fan wraps around each natural lash, which creates longer retention
- You can charge $250+ per set, great for extra profit
Mega volume lash cons
- Takes a lot more time to apply (2.5-4 hours)
- It takes a lot of time (and patience) to perfect the skill
- Can be hard to achieve symmetry and balance (but can be achieved with practice)
Frequently asked questions about mega volume lashes by lash clients
How long does it take to do mega volume lashes?
Typically, a full set of volume lashes takes approximately three hours to apply. But note that this very much depends on the number of natural lashes a client has as well as the skillset and lashing speed of the lash artist.
How long does a mega volume lash set last?
If applied correctly, mega volume lashes can actually last even longer than a classic lash set. Volume or mega volume lashes have more surface space to lash glue as they wrap around the natural lash instead of sitting on top of it. This, in turn, creates longer retention of up to 7-8 weeks.
Are mega volume lashes safe?
Just like any other lash set, mega volume lashes are safe to have and apply as long as they are applied correctly. When the right lash extensions (the right type, thickness, and length) and type/amount of glue are used, with proper placement and isolation, mega volume lashes are safe as any other lash extensions.
Why is a mega volume lash set so expensive?
It’s safe to assume that for most salons a mega volume lash set is the most expensive one on the menu. It is mainly because applying a mega volume lash set requires lengthy training, a lot of practice, and a high level of expertise. Mega volume lash sets are often only applied by a highly experienced lash tech. Not only that, but a set of mega volume lashes that takes twice as long to apply as a classic lash set.
Can anyone get mega volume lashes?
Without a doubt, mega volume lash extensions are for clients who are willing to go above and beyond and rock a super dramatic full lash look. This is not for the faint of heart! We often hear stories of clients asking to have their mega volume set removed a day after the treatment because they feel they are too dramatic.
Mega volume lashes are very much in, so there will be a lot of people asking for it. But as a professional lash artist, you need to examine if mega volume is a good choice for the specific client.
If a client is asking for a natural mega volume lash, they’re probably just looking for Russian volume or hybrid volume.
We find that a mega volume lash set generally looks a little too dramatic when it’s applied on clients with light-colored hair or elderly clients as the dark lash line creates too much contrast. You might consider using brown lashes for these clients for a more harmonious look.
Step-by-step: How to make mega volume lash set
How to calculate the safe diameter & weight for a mega volume set
Mega volume lashing doesn’t mean you can just attach 20 lashes on a natural lash. Even when you’re using 0.03 thickness! When choosing the right thickness of lash extensions for your client, you always need to consider their natural lashes and their thickness and length.
For thin and brittle natural lashes, it is recommended to use lash extensions of diameter 0.10mm (for Classic). When you translate that into a safe weight for mega volume lash fans, this is the recommended mega volume fan:
1 of 0.10mm = 10D fan of 0.03mm.
For clients whose natural lashes can take handle the weight of 0.15mm for classic extensions, this is our recommended fan thickness and dimension for the mega volume fan:
1 of 0.15mm = 8D fan of 0.05mm = 19-20D fan of 0.03mm.
Some clients with thicker natural lashes can handle 0.20mm for classic extension, so for them this is our recommended fan thickness and dimension for the mega volume fan:
1 lash of 0.20mm = 17D fan of 0.05mm = 20D+ fan of 0.03mm.
How to choose the right length for a mega volume set
When it comes to the lash length for a mega volume set, the general mapping technique works about the same, but avoid using lashes that are too long as this will create a way too heavy look on top of the dramatic mega volume. It can end up looking really too exaggerated, droopy or even sad as a result.
This may be a meme but we’ve definitely come across it in real life:
Take a look at these fantastic examples of short but effective mega volume sets for inspiration:
Step-by-step: How to make mega volume lash fan
Step 1. Prepare a strip of 0.03 or 0.05 lash extensions.
Step 2. Brush the lashes.
Step 3. Pick up the lashes from the pointed line (it is marked on the photo). Grabbing lashes too far from the lash roots can cause separation of the individual lashes.
Step 4. Place the lashes back on the tape.
Step 5. Wiggle the root around carefully to create a perfectly symmetrical fan.
Step 6. Pick up the fan and dip in a glue dot.
Step 7. Apply
How much glue to use for mega volume lash
One of the most common mistakes lash artists make is using too much glue. This mistake comes with an extra cost when you have spent a precious 5 minutes to fan out the most perfect bouquet of mega volume lashes.
The important tip is to dip only 1mm of the lash fan into the glue dot (compared to 2-3mm for the classic lash). The reason behind this is that if you were to over-dip your fan into the glue, the glue will close up the fan you created, which will ruin the fluffy mega volume effect.
Must-have supplies for mega volume lashes
What lash extensions do you use for mega volume lash
As we explained, 0.03-0.05mm thickness faux mink lashes are the go-to choice for a fluffy mega volume lash set.
How to choose lash extension glue for mega volume lash
When it comes to mega volume lashing glue, thin and fast drying are key. Here is why:
Why thin viscosity?
When using 10 to 20 strands of lash extensions, the root of the mega volume lash fan will inevitably be quite chunky already. If you use thicker lash glue, the stem of the lash fan will get even bigger and that’s NOT going to create a seamless lash life free of lash stickies! So choose very thin (almost watery) lash glue for mega volume lashing.
Why fast drying?
Mega volume lash fans are extremely fragile. We actually need to hold our breath until they are safely attached to the natural lash. Even just a bit of too much pressure on the tweezer can twist and ruin the perfect symmetry of the mega volume fan.
For that reason, we need a lash glue that can lock the shape of the perfect fan as quickly as it can. A slow drying glue has a much higher risk of losing the fan shape, so opt for a lash extension glue that dries within 0.5-2 seconds.
This is why our thin consistency Mach Glue with a drying time of one second is a popular choice for the mega volume lashing technique.
How to choose tweezers for mega volume lashes
Finding the right tweezers is absolutely crucial for creating a mega volume lash set. You will rely on them to create a symmetrical, well-distance-distributed fan, grabbing the fan safely, as well as placing and wrapping it on the natural lash. You can imagine how a set of right tweezers can make or break your mega volume lashing career.
These two types are the most commonly used tweezers for mega volume lashing:
S-shape
S-shape tweezers are the most popular choice because of their sharp end. With an ideal grip and the ability to use the tweezer at the tip, the middle, or both, you can work with any technique, from on the strip to the flower bouquet, and from pinching to even pre-made fans.
However, there are many different grips or curvatures that are slightly different from tweezers to tweezers. Know that there are no tweezers that fit all, we highly recommend you try different S-shape tweezers to find one that fits your hand.
Our bestselling S-shape tweezers are the MCS-15. They have received great feedback for having enough surface space to grab the maximum amount of lashes, which is great for creating a mega-volume lash set.
L-shape
L shape lash extension tweezers are generally tweezers with sharp 90-degree boots. This type is great to rest in your hand perfectly, grip the wide mega lash fans tight like a boot, and have the option of flexible tip techniques like the flower bouquet technique.
Our bestselling L-shape tweezers are the RV-1, which are great for the general fanning technique, as well as RV-speed, which is great for more speedy fanning skills for experienced mega lash artists.
In any case, to find out which tweezers will work best for you, consider what angle you like to hold them at and the grip you prefer for working comfortably.
5 must-have products for successful mega volume lash extension
Mach glue
Mach glue’s very thin consistency and rapid 1-second dry time make mega volume lashing so much faster and easier, making attachment a breeze and keeping your fans perfectly open. Not only that, but this glue has some of the best retention on the market and significantly helps to reduce the time and amount of work with your touch-ups.
Anti-allergy gel
Since it takes a much longer time to do a set of mega volume lashes, exposure to lash glue fumes is greater for both lash client and artist. Longer exposure to lash fumes can increase the risk of lash extension glue sensitivities and allergies. For the safety of your client and the artist, we highly recommend placing an open jar of anti-allergy gel next to the glue palette.
Shop here for Anti-allergy gel
Glue tape
Our lab study shows that glue drops on BL Glue tape stay fresh and perfectly round for 20 minutes, whereas glue drops on normal paper tape or a glue palette stay fresh for only 10 minutes.
This tape is a great product, especially for mega volume lash artists who usually require a longer application time. The longer-lasting freshness of a glue droplet means you are wasting much less glue and the consistency of the glue stays perfect for dipping the precious mega volume fan.
Extension base (lash bonder/primer for lash extension)
We’re sure you’ve experienced those super annoying tape strips under the lash extension that get all gooey and stop you from creating a perfect (or any…) fan. It’s really annoying, especially when you’re trying to do a mega volume set.
You can use BL Extension Base to save the day. Applying Extension Base to the base of the lash extensions along the tape strip weakens the stickiness of the bond, making it easy to fan & pick up extension lashes without any interruption.
Foam lash cleanser
Given the fact that mega volume extensions are super dense, they require thoughtful daily cleansing because a lot of dust and natural oils get stuck in there.
So, make sure you stress the importance of keeping the lashes clean when consulting your clients after the mega volume lash extension is complete. BL Lash Foam is a botanically infused oil-free foam lash cleanser. With a perfect bubble foam texture and a hint of citrus, it not only cleans any makeup debris in between dense mega volume lashes but also makes the daily lash aftercare routine therapeutic.
_So, there you have it, a solid guide to getting started as a mega volume lash artist. Using these tips, and with plenty of practice and trial and error, you will be making stunning mega volume lash sets. After all, you’ve done your work getting to where you are already, and it’s exciting to keep learning and improving. Especially when perfecting this skill can help bring in a lot more revenue for you and your business. And your clients will look like a dream!
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