Category: Lash Extensions

Fans Before Mans

9/15/2025

Did you know there are different types of volume fans? Lash artists can pinpoint which to use immediately based on the clients natural lashes, manageability, and style they want. But how are you, the client, supposed to know which to book?

Below is a guide to the different types of lash extension fans and what lash artists use them for.

Handmade Fans

Handmade fans were first to arrive on the scene. With this method, the artist will create the fan by shimmying their tweezers so the lashes splay out evenly. This type of fan is the most customizable. The amount of lashes per fan, curl types, weight of lash extensions, and how narrow or wide to make the fan all play a part in determining the desired look. It is the most cost effective, but the on the downside, it is also the most time consuming.

Types of looks: Since these are so customizable, they will work for virtually all looks to create fullness and fluff. They're also great for layering and creating textured for wispy lashes. We can use handmade fans in every set on our menu except for classic lashes!

Recommended for:

Clients who struggle with retention-handmade fans wrap the natural lash, giving more surface area to bond.
Clients who have fine or sparse lashes. The lash artist has more control as to what lashes go on your natural lash, which means a look that will hold up better and allow your growth cycle to remain in optimal condition.
Clients who want an eyeliner look, fox eye, skyline, or looks that require a specific curl.

Not recommended for:

Clients who are limited on time
Clients who want an ultra dense look

Premade Fans

Premade fans are just what you'd think. They are lash extensions already made into a fan from the manufacturer. Because the lash artist doesn't have to spend time creating the fan, they can apply more premade extensions than handmade in the same amount of time.

Types of looks: Premade fans are great for creating density. Fuller volume and hybrid looks as well as mega volume sets are the preferred styles for these fans. Volume Express, Hybrid Boost, and Mega Volume are all styles on our menu using premade fans.

You can also swap handmade fans out for premades in any of our "spiked" looks. We love this options because spikes (or "closed fans," more about them in the next section) can take away from density. Using premades allows the artist to quickly add fans to the lower lash layer, which creates a defined lash line.

Recommended for:

Clients who go three weeks in between fills. At three weeks, there will be a significant amount of grown out lashes and new growth that will take longer to replace. Premade volume fans speed up the process.
Clients who get "spiked" or textured hybrid looks but want a darker lash line
Clients who want density
Clients who still struggle with retention. Although your retention may not be better with premades, you won't always be playing catch-up since the artist can get more on within the same time allotment.

Not recommended for:

Clients who want an eyeliner look, fox eye, skyline, or looks that require a specific curl.
Clients who want or need shorter length. Premades lengths are limited.
Clients who don't want added cost to their service.

Closed Fans

Also known as: bundles, wet lashes, or spikes. For this technique, we use the same lashes we do for our handmade fans, but instead of splaying them out, we create closed bundles that poke straight up.

Types of looks: The styles on our menu that use closed fans are our Spiky Half Set, Wet Lash, Spiked Hybrid, and Spiked Volume.

Recommended for:

Clients who like dimension and a wispy look
Clients who want length, but don't have strong natural lashes to support it
Clients who want a defined lash line

Not recommended for:

Clients who want density over length
Clients who want an ultra natural look

0 Comments

Wanting Less but Still Giving the Most

8/27/2025

0 Comments

So, you've pulled the trigger and switched from your full volume 13s to a wispy hybrid set, but when you look in the mirror, you feel your extensions aren't making your eyes pop the way they used to. They're not showing up in photos, and you feel like they're invisible after a little bit of shed. So, how do you embrace the clean-girl aesthetic while still feeling like your lashes are giving you that vibrant fresh face?

The problem with "natural" lash extension looks

What actually defines your eyes is your lash line. With volume looks, we do this by loading up the lash line with fans, which creates darkness and density at the lash line. However, it's going to create darkenss and density above the lash line as well. Although some clients can rock this look beautifully, many are starting to feel this look is too heavy and are ready for something more natural. The problem is, when we take out the fans to get a more natural look, we lose the darkness of the lash line.

The Solutions

Luckily, there are lots of new trending techniques out there that allow us to enhance the lash line without bombarding your natural lashes with fan & fluff. Here are some of our recommendations:

Winged Half Set

This set uses soft curls focused on the outer corner to give you a "liner" look." Not every lash is lashed, but the placement of those that are make the ultimate winged look.

Skyline Volume

We're still using fans to define that lash line, but each fan has varying lengths. Since not all extensions are reaching max length, you get much softer looking volume.

Spiked & Wet Lash Looks

Spikes or "closed-fans" can be used to create a ton of different looks. A spike mimics a classic lash, but with better definition, texture, and retention. To get a more natural but defined look, try spiked hybrid or wet lash (pictured.)

Soft Curls with Short Lengths

Going shorter and softer places the bulk on the lash line by concentrating the lashes to one area.

Anime Half Set

We use a new lash style called "laser cut" to create this look. These fans allow us to create the perfect anime spikes!

Hybrid Boost with Longer Classics

Hybrid boost are premade so we can get more fans on to enhance your lash line. Longer classics add wispiness and texture.

0 Comments

Calling all Lash Lovers...Borboleta Lash Serum was made for ALL lash clients...extension girls--that mean you, TOO!

3/24/2021

1 Comment

Hey 𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 clients! Did you know Borboleta 𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑢𝑚 was made for YOU too?

Let me share some of the benefits we’ve discovered that can combat those challenges some clients experience with lash extension:

> ʀᴇᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ

Everyone has different lash shed cycles. Some people cycle through their lashes quicker than others. Obviously, if you have a quick shed cycle, you’re lash extensions will shed with them, causing poor retention. With this product, clients natural lashes appear to retain better, leading to better lash extension retention!

> ᴡᴇᴀᴋ ʟᴀsʜᴇs

Lash extensions are not immune to the laws of physics. If a lash extension is too heavy for a natural lash, it will droop, twists, or even fall off. Some clients just have finer, weaker lashes, that struggle holding the weight of extensions. Borboleta’s lash serum contains 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛, 𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛, 𝑝𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠, 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑠, & 𝑝𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑘𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡 which conditions and nourishes for stronger, healthier lashes!

> ᴘʀɪᴄᴇ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ

Lash serum is price-pointed at only $65 by design! Knowing us lash lovers already spend a pretty penny on our extensions and lifts, they had hope this affordable price point would encourage clients to use it with their lash services.

> ғᴏʀᴍᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴ

Clients ask us all the time if their lash serum is ok to use with extensions. And the answer is 🤷‍♀️ We don’t know those products or what the manufacturers had in mind when they developed them. But we do know Borboleta’s; each ingredient was carefully selected as to not disrupt the lash extensions or break down the adhesive as other products may.

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

1 Comment

b l o g

Fans Before Mans

Handmade Fans

Premade Fans

Closed Fans

Wanting Less but Still Giving the Most

The problem with "natural" lash extension looks

The Solutions

Winged Half Set

Skyline Volume

Spiked & Wet Lash Looks

Soft Curls with Short Lengths

Anime Half Set

Hybrid Boost with Longer Classics

Calling all Lash Lovers...Borboleta Lash Serum was made for ALL lash clients...extension girls--that mean you, TOO!

La Vie Blog

Archives

Categories

Menu

Company

Support