What is a lash map?

Published September 21, 2026 · 5 min read

A lash map is the plan for a set of lash extensions. It divides the lash line into sections from the inner corner to the outer corner and assigns a length to each section, along with the curl and diameter the artist will use. Artists have traditionally drawn maps by hand on the under-eye pad or tape before starting a set, so the design is decided before the first lash goes on.

Reading a map

Most maps read from the inner corner outward. A sequence like 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 12, 11 means the shortest lashes sit at the inner corner, lengths build toward the outer third, and the very last section steps down slightly so the set tapers cleanly. The numbers are millimeters.

Alongside the lengths, a complete map records the curl (for example C, CC, or D), the diameter (for example 0.07 mm for volume fans or 0.15 mm for classic), and the style name the artist and client agreed on.

How the length profile shapes the eye

• Natural: lengths follow the client's own lash line with a gentle gradient, so the set reads as fuller rather than longer.
• Cat eye: lengths increase toward the outer corner, which lifts and elongates the eye.
• Doll eye or open eye: the longest lengths sit over the center of the eye, which rounds and opens it.
• Squirrel: the peak sits between the center and the outer corner, a softer lift than a full cat eye.

Why the map matters after the appointment

A saved map is the record of exactly what was applied. At the next fill, the artist can reuse it, adjust one section, or compare it against the client's retention notes. Without a saved map, every fill starts from memory or a photo.

LASHVAULT treats the map as the source of truth: the visual try-on is a rendering of the map, the technical map the artist prints is the same data, and the saved design lives on the client's record with the appointment it was used for.