Your Guide To Russian Volume Lash Extensions

Mascara's great, but nothing beats getting a fresh set of fluttery lash extensions. According to Divine Lashes, lash extensions are semi-permanent synthetic or natural fibers attached to your real eyelashes using lash adhesive to create a fuller, thicker look. In recent times, lash extensions have become a beauty appointment essential, not just because they make your I-woke-up-like-this look so much better, but because they are convenient for makeup-free days and available in several options suitable for every eye shape and style. These options can range from fluttery and wispy to more voluminous, bold looks, and a great way to achieve the latter is by a type of lash extension known as Russian volume lash extensions.

As per Bela Beauty College, Russian volume lash extensions, which were created by Russian lash technicians Olga Dobronravova and Irina Levchuck, are ultra-fine, thin, synthetic lash fibers that are attached to one natural lash in multiples, creating a fuller, fanned-out effect. If you've been considering switching up your lash game by trying this popular technique, here's your all-in-one guide on everything you should know about it.

When you think of lash extensions and how they are applied, you're likely picturing regular or classic lash extensions, the most common application method. Classic lash extensions are done by attaching individual lash extensions to your individual natural eyelashes, one at a time, using lash adhesive, per School of Glamology. Attaching them this way creates a fluttery, your-lashes-but-better look. Russian volume lash extensions, however, are applied by attaching a group of synthetic or natural lashes, called a "fan," to an individual natural eyelash, creating a spread-out look and adding more volume. To make these lash fans, your lash technician will pinch several individual lashes together at their base to spread out their tips. The base of the fan is then dipped into some lash adhesive and applied to one of your natural eyelashes.

The lashes used in this technique are made from faux mink and are ultra-fine and lightweight. Their fineness and low weight make them easy on your natural eyelashes, allowing your lash tech to apply fans of up to 8 lashes on one natural eyelash without weighing it down. In addition, according to Flawless Lashes by Loreta, the fans can contain as little as two individual lashes placed in a V shape to as many as ten lashes for a more voluminous effect.

As we said earlier, mascara's great and all, but there's only so much it can do when you have sparse or short eyelashes. Where short lashes can not adequately frame your eyes, even with a lengthening mascara, people with sparse lashes want a fuller effect to compensate and add more definition to their eyes. Classic lash extensions attached to individual natural eyelashes in a 1:1 ratio might work for people with short but full lashes or who want a subtle look. Still, Russian volume lash extensions are the best bet for a full lash look for sparse lash folks.

According to BL Lashes, Russian volume lash extensions are also great for people with fine or brittle eyelashes who want to go fuller. But overall, this lash technique is excellent for anyone who wants voluminous and dramatic lashes. Be sure to talk to your experienced and licensed lash tech before getting it done, and conduct a patch test to check for allergies with lash adhesives.

While Russian volume lash extensions are perhaps the OG of volume-adding lash techniques, there are other excellent volume-adding methods that frame the eyes in different ways. One of these newly-created approaches to lashes is American volume lash extensions, a hybrid version of Russian volume lashes. The difference between the two is that where Russian volume lashes mostly use lashes of uniform length to create a neat, even topline, American volume lash extensions are done using lashes of different lengths. As Secret Lash Paris explains, this creates a wispy, textured, and slightly messy look compared to their Russian counterparts' uniform, neat look.

There are also mega volume lash extensions, a version of lash application similar to Russian volume lashes but typically longer, per Lash Affair. As more fans made with lashes of a longer length are used, mega volume lash extensions are mostly fuller and more dramatic than Russian volume lash extensions. Still, the Russian volume should be your go-to if you're a more into uniform lash looks. But for a bolder or wispy effect, the mega volume and American volume options are available for you.

From the pinching of the lashes to the application of the fans on your natural lashes, getting Russian volume lash extensions done is an intricate process, one that Landing Strip Lash Bar says can take quite some time to perfect and, as such, must only be carried out by experienced and skilled lash technicians. In addition, the intricate nature of making the fans by hand and applying them on your natural lashes makes this technique more time-intensive than classic lash extensions. For an idea of how much time you'll be spending with your lash tech, Nouveau Lashes says to expect to spend at least an hour and a half for a set.

In addition to the intricate nature of applying Russian volume extensions and the fullness of the lashes, your technician's level of experience and the salon's location can also affect the cost. Still, on average, you should expect to spend between $200 and $400 for a full set.

According to the Australian Beauty School, you can expect your freshly done set of Russian volume lashes to last anywhere from four to six weeks. Your lash extensions will last even longer with regular infills every two to three weeks to cover patchy areas that appear when your real eyelashes fall out. Since the lashes are applied in groups called fans and are super lightweight, Russian volume lash extensions last longer than many other types of extensions, giving you more volume and value for your money. But to help them last that long, you must take aftercare seriously.

After getting your lashes done, Landing Strip Lash Bar advises you to avoid getting water or steam on or around them. This means no swimming, no saunas, and no sweat-inducing activities. You should also avoid using oil-based cosmetics like cleansing balms and mascara around the eye area, at least within the first 24 to 48 hours. This is because water and oil can weaken the lash adhesive, so you must give it time to dry completely.

With the number of lashes in each fan on your real lashes, it is normal to worry about your lash extensions damaging them. However, Flawless Lashes by Loreta confirms that the ultra-fine, lightweight nature of the lashes means the fans can lay on your eyelashes without weighing them down or causing them to fall out. Instead, they stimulate your natural lashes to grow faster when applied correctly. But as much as they are lightweight and don't cause fallout of your natural lashes, it's imperative that you get them done with an experienced, professional, and skilled lash technician.

Getting volume lashes is an intricate process; if done incorrectly by applying them on your actual eyelid and not the eyelashes, it can cause eyelash loss and irritation of the eye area. It can also shorten the lifespan of your lashes, and you don't want that if you're spending that much on lash extensions.

Damage to your natural eyelashes might not be a significant concern when done correctly, but allergic reactions to the lash extensions or adhesive should be. Lash adhesive can contain certain chemicals which irritate the eye. Therefore, as PMUHUB notes, it's crucial to conduct a patch test 24 to 48 hours before the lash appointment. If there are no odd reactions like itching or redness during the patch test, your lash tech can go ahead with the application. It is also essential that your lash tech is hygienic in their lash process, as infections and germs are easily transmissible during application.

You might also want to reconsider getting Russian volume lashes if you prefer convenience when it comes to your lash extensions, as this set demands your full attention and care. Compared to classic lash extensions, Russian volume lash extensions can be more difficult to maintain. In addition to being more expensive than many other lash types, Grace's Lashes says they need to be cleaned using a foam cleanser and gently curled upwards with a spoolie brush regularly. Also, avoid sleeping on your face to prevent crunching or breaking your lashes.

Want to know our biggest advice when it comes to lash extensions? Whatever you do, do not remove them yourself. You could be too rough and rip some of your natural lashes off, damaging your lashes and potentially causing permanent lash loss. Instead, follow blow LTD's advice and only get your Russian volume lash extensions removed by a professional lash technician, preferably the same one who applied them. The removal process is pretty simple, as an adhesive-dissolving cream is used so it doesn't run into the eyes, and it only takes about 10 to 15 minutes, according to Australian Beauty School. Easy-peasy.

From eliminating the need for mascara and eyeliner to lasting pretty long while stimulating lash growth, Russian volume lash extensions are at the top of our go-to's at the salon, and we can't wait for you to try them.