Lash extensions: 1:1, Russian or Hollywood — which method suits you?

Three techniques, three completely different effects

The simplest way to understand the differences comes down to one key factor: how many artificial lashes are applied to a single natural lash. This ratio determines how full, defined and dramatic the final effect will be.

How to choose the right method — a lifestyle test

Choosing a method isn't just about aesthetic taste. The condition of your natural lashes, your lifestyle and how much time you want to spend on infills all matter. Here are a few questions to help you find your way:

• Do you like a "no-make-up" look? Classic 1:1 defines subtly — nothing will feel "too much".
• Do you have sparse lashes and want visible density? Russian Volume can visually thicken and fill them out.
• Getting ready for a wedding, a shoot, a special event? Hollywood gives an effect that needs no mascara.
• Are you physically active, do you swim a lot, or wear contact lenses? Every method requires some caution around water — ask your stylist about durability for your lifestyle.
• Do you have delicate or damaged natural lashes? This is the most important factor — your stylist will assess whether your lashes can support fans, or whether it's better to start with classic.

How the effects differ — and why it's not just about thickness

Many women think about choosing a method through a single variable: how dense do I want my lashes to be. That's an oversimplification — the differences between techniques are more complex and involve several dimensions at once.

1. 01

   Fan shape

   Classic 1:1 gives a clean line. Russian creates a fan — lashes fanned out, giving an impression of space and softness. Hollywood is the maximum number of layers on a single base.

2. 02

   Sense of volume

   At the same lash length, the effect can look completely different depending on how many lashes make up each fan. Russian with a 4D fan looks different from the same shape in 1:1 — it's fuller, more "plush".

3. 03

   Weight on natural lashes

   Paradoxically, a well-executed Russian Volume set with ultra-thin lashes can be lighter than a thick classic lash. The key is the weight of the individual lash used in the fan.

4. 04

   Infill timing

   Every method needs infills every few weeks, because natural lashes grow and shed in cycles. How often you need infills also depends on your own lash growth cycle, not just the technique.

How to care for your lashes after the treatment — whatever the method

How long your lashes last depends largely on aftercare. Every technique requires similar rules, though Hollywood and Russian can be a little more demanding due to the number of glue points.

• The first 24–48 hours — avoid water, steam (sauna, pool) and oil-based eye makeup.
• Cleansing — use only gentle foams and lash cleansing brushes. No oil-based products — they break down the glue.
• Brushing — brush daily with a spoolie, from root to tip, to keep the fans from sticking together.
• Sleeping — sleeping on your side or front can crush your lashes; satin pillowcases help.
• Makeup — ideally mascara-free, or only water-based products. Waterproof mascara and oil-based makeup remover are the glue's worst enemies.

When it's worth combining techniques or experimenting with change

Many women start with classic 1:1 and move to Russian over time — or the other way round: they try Hollywood for a special occasion and return to a subtler everyday variant. Techniques can also be mixed within a single treatment — for example, thinner lashes at the inner corners, denser ones in the centre and outer corner, for a "cat eye" or "doll eye" effect. This is a decision made together with your stylist, after assessing your lashes and deciding what eye shape you want to enhance.