Want lashes that flatter your unique eye shape and match your vibe, without a trip to the salon? You're in the right place.
In this guide, we're breaking down how to lash map at home using DIY lash clusters. You’ll learn what lash mapping is, why it matters, and how to design your own custom lash look using TAD Beauty’s pro-level tools. Whether you're going for a soft, natural eye or a full glam cat-eye moment, this post will walk you through step-by-step instructions and creative DIY lash cluster maps so you can be your own lash artist.
Ready to master the art of lash mapping? Let’s get started.
What is Lash Mapping?
When you use DIY lash extensions you get to be the artist and create the best look to emphasize and maximize your own gorgeousness. You get to dip your toe into design by creating your own lash clusters extensions map. Good DIY lash kits will have clusters or segments that come in varying sizes. By artfully arranging these lengths, you can achieve various looks that can accentuate or camouflage whatever you’d like – such as an elongated open eye if yours feel a little small for example.
To start making a DIY lash cluster map you simply align the lash clusters in a specific order before you place them on your eyelid. Ideally, lash cluster mapping styles can be made to make the most of your allure and accentuate your unique beauty.
Is Lash Mapping Hard, or Can You Make a Lash Map DIY?
Knowing how to lash map isn’t rocket science. A DIY Lash cluster map is just a plan. You simply place your various lash clusters in a row in order to place them from the outer to inner corners on each eye. This becomes your lash cluster lash map. It’s super easy to change, as you don’t have to make an appointment to do it and it’s a breeze to apply.
How to Lash Map: Step-by-Step DIY Lash Cluster Map Guide
Let’s break down step-by-step how to analyze your eye and determine the best lash cluster mapping styles for you!
Step 1: Understand Your Eye Shape
In order to know how to map lash extensions, first assess your eye shape. Take a look at your eyes in the mirror, and consider:
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Are they round, almond, or narrow shaped?
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Do you have a double fold or a single fold like an epicanthal fold or monolid?
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Do you have hooded eyes?
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Are your eyes closely set or spaced far apart?
Assessing these features helps you know how to lash map so you can double down on your unique beauty.
Step 2: Choose Your Lash Style Goals
This is where you get to decide how to map lash extensions. The fun part of the lash cluster lash map is deciding where you want to place the longest lashes.
Do you want to make a narrow eye rounder? If so, then you’d place the longest length in the middle and not at the ends.
You’re making your own lash cluster mapping styles so if your goal is to look as natural as possible then the max length goes to the outside corners but it’s not the longest at the very outside edge- you’d want to keep the most outside corners short.
If you have an almond eyes and want to elongate the outer corners you’d place the max length closer to the ends.
If you have wide-set eyes close-set eyes: aim to place the very shortest at the inner to middle and place all your length towards the outside corners.
If you have wide-set eyes: the lash cluster extensions map you’ll use is to bring more length right before the middle and keep the outer lengths a bit shorter - think of a reverse cat eye.
Step 3: Mark Your Lash Cluster Lash Map
This is where you make your lash cluster extension map by moving segments to the sticky strip or arrange them on the packaging in the order that you want to place them.
If you don’t have a sticky strip you can use the sticky part of a post-it note and draw a curved line simulating the eyelid and mark the inner and outer corner for both left and right eyes. This is really a lash map DIY. Place your segments on the line in the order you’ll use them.
Step 4: Apply Lash Clusters According to the Map
Starting from the outside corner of your eye, place the first lash cluster. The most authentic looking lash cluster lash map will have you place not the longest length on the outside corner, but a shorter segment more closely matching the length you’ve chosen for the very first segment on the inside corner.
Then follow your DIY lash cluster map by placing the rest of your lash segments.
Unique DIY Lash Clusters Map Ideas to Try
The beauty of any DIY lash cluster map is that it’s low commitment and you can play with various lash cluster mapping styles with ease. Switching your looks as often as you change your makeup! It’s super easy to change your map once you know how to apply DIY lash extensions.
Let’s break down different popular lash cluster extension maps:
Natural Enhancement Map
Lash cluster natural maps are our favorite! If you want to create a lash cluster lash map for a natural “woke up this way” look then make sure you do not place your max length at the very outside corner.
Make sure your shortest lengths are at the inner and outer corners. Place your max length closer to the middle and shorten the next segment to match the shortest at the outside corner.
Cat-Eye Map
How to lash map extensions for a cat eye requires placing the max length at the very outside corner.
TAD Tip: You can make a more “natural or softened” cat eye by placing a slightly shorter length at the outside corner always and then the longest length next to it. Another feature of the cat eye is to map shorter lengths all the way across the lid until you hit the max length at the outer corner. Do not elongate along the lid but keep it short in order to create the most impactful cat eye.
Doll-Eye Map
The lash cluster lash map for the doll eye is also the map you’d use if you’d like to make narrow eyes look rounder. This is how to lash map the doll eye: you place the max length in the very center of the eye.
TAD Tip: Mark your true center right above the iris of your eye, not by dividing your upper lid in equal halves. This is where you put the longest length in your lash map DIY, then apply the next shorter lengths down from the longest. The key to the doll eye is that the middle is the longest.
Wispy Lash Map
To achieve a wispy lash map, you do not need to place the segments in a specific order. Instead, you need to choose a lash style that IS wispy, and complement the style with a cat eye or doll eye map.
Check out our newest addition: Bliss! Lash cluster mapping styles that are wispy are easy with these. These DIY extension lashes already have the wispy look designed into the lash clusters. She has a lighter, wispier look and feel than Dream.
Make sure you’re signed up for our email and SMS to be the first to see our new style launching this May: Wispy!
Both Bliss and Wispy produce a naturally wispy look without any additional thought or design required.
Volume and Drama Map
How to lash map for volume and drama is easy to do. You want to select clusters that are the fullest like Dream lash clusters. This style allows you to use more length right after the first shortest inner corner.
You want drama? Take the length all the way to the outer corner, but remember for an authentic design make sure the very outer corner is shorter than the one next to it.
Save Yourself the Time and Stress With Simple DIY Lashes at TAD Beauty!
It’s easy to create the look of professional lash extensions without the time commitment necessary for the salon experience and learn how to map lash extensions at home with TAD. You can switch easily between lash cluster mapping styles at your convenience at home.
TAD Tip: Check out our Pro Pack for a complete collection in all the lengths of every style to create limitless possibilities for your every mood and truly own lash map DIY!
What Makes Our Kits So Great?
Whatever lash cluster mapping style you dream up – whether it’s the full glam of the Dream collection or if you’d like to know how to lash map the soft, natural look of Bliss – our DIY lash kits give you the convenience of having the products and tools you need to complete your look whether it’s at home or on the go.
Our Legacy Kit allows you to choose between 3 lengths: Mini, Midi, or Maxi; and comes complete with all the essentials at a cost savings needed to create your own lash cluster lash map.
Quick Application Tips
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First start out with clean lashes by priming with TAD Prep Pad.
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Next, Apply the “For You” adhesive on the base of your lashes. Target the lashes primarily and not the skin or the lids. TAD Tip: You can also use the black “For Tad” adhesive on your lashes as well if you want a darker thicker look. Just apply with a micro swab at the base of your natural lashes. Also, you don’t want to take the adhesive all the way up to the tips of your lashes like you would with mascara, just “wiggle” it at the base. For visual learners check out this video. Wait about 30 seconds for the adhesive to get tacky.
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Apply “For TAD” black adhesive right above the base of TAD lash segments.
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Next, apply the lash segments from under the natural lashes and don’t overlap the segments.
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Lastly gently press the segments together with your tweezer or TAD precision press. You can apply the TAD pristine seal sparingly with the applicator or TAD Tip: you can coat the inside of your tweezer with the TAD Pristine Seal and gently clamp together to kill two birds with one stone.
Closing Thoughts on DIY Lash Cluster Map
Completing your own custom lash map DIY style is easy with a little thought to your own anatomy and what goals you’d like to achieve. Your lash cluster extensions map can change as often as you’d like.
It’s fun being your own lash artist once you know how to map lash extensions for your own custom look. Because your TAD extensions can comfortably last up to a week you want to keep your lashes healthy by cleaning them daily. Our Pure Cleanser is specially formulated for lash extensions and DIY lash clusters and can help improve your experience and keep your lids and eyes healthy and happy.
Don’t be afraid to be your own designer and get creative with all the lash cluster mapping styles you can imagine.