Lash Fill vs. Full Set: How to Know Which Appointment You Need
From hybrid to volume and full sets to refills, there’s a little lash lingo to know when it comes to lash extensions! We’re here to “fill” you in—pun intended! 😉 When booking a lash extension appointment, you have the option to get a full set or a refill. But what’s the difference? Today we’re breaking down lash fills vs. full sets! The main difference is in the name; a fill refills the sparse areas while a full set is a brand-new set of extensions.
Choosing the right appointment depends on a few factors, like your retention, natural lash shedding, desired look and what can be completed in the appointment window. Your stylist is the best person to make the final call.
What Is a Full Set of Lash Extensions?
A full set of lash extensions is your introductory, starter set. This means if you’re new to extensions, you’ll want to get a full set of lashes the first time you visit The Lash Lounge. When you get a full set, we fully cover and customize your lash line with extensions based on the application you select! From classic to volume lashes, a stylist will apply between 60–120 extensions on each eye to your natural lashes.
A full set of eyelash extensions typically takes around 2–3 hours to apply. This timing can vary slightly based on how many natural lashes you have, the application method and the lash look you choose.
A full set may also be recommended for returning guests with too few extensions remaining for a fill to fully restore the look. Sometimes a full new set is the best way to get your lashes back to exactly the way you want them.
How Can You Get Custom Lash Extensions?
Here at The Lash Lounge, we don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach to lash extensions. Stylists use our exclusive lash design technique that draws upon your natural features, eye shape and your own personal preferences to create your lash canvas.
Before your first application, your stylist will take you through a personalized consultation. During this time, you’ll flip through our Lash Catalog to see examples of all your options. You’ll also share a little about the lash design you have in mind, as well as your lifestyle. Your stylist will also look at your natural lashes, too, all to determine the very best move for you—whether that be a full set or a refill.
We’ll always choose the route that’s safe for your natural lashes and gives you a lash look you LOVE. ❣️
Once you’ve finally got your first full set, you’ll want to keep your new lashes looking fresh and full…that’s where a lash fill comes in.
What Is a Lash Fill?
A lash fill is a maintenance appointment. Your stylist’s goal for a refill is to maintain fullness by replacing extensions that have shed naturally, swapping any long or overgrown eyelash extensions with new extensions, and adding extensions to new lashes that have grown in since last time.
A refill typically includes 25–45 new extensions applied per eye to really nail that fullness factor! If more always equals better for you, discuss upping the ante with your stylist and if adding extra lashes is possible.
We recommend coming in for a lash refill every other week as part of your lash maintenance schedule since most of us lose about 20% of our natural lashes every two weeks.
Keep in mind: just because it’s been two weeks doesn’t mean you’re automatically a candidate for a refill. Sometimes there are too few extensions remaining to adequately refill the gaps. If you’re wondering whether you need a lash fill vs. Full set of lashes it all depends on how many lashes are remaining when you come in for maintenance.
How Do I Know If I Need a Lash Fill?
So, how do you know if you need a refill or full set? A fill is the right appointment when your lashes meet a few key conditions. You likely need a lash fill if you still have good retention and your stylist can restore your desired fullness. It’s important to remember that fill appointments are designed for maintenance, not full rebuilds, so there needs to be a good foundation to start.
You’re likely a good candidate for a lash fill if you have:
- Healthy retention: Most of your extensions are still in place and your lash line looks relatively full
- Normal shedding: You’ve lost some extensions that are part of your natural lash cycle, but not an excessive or unhealthy amount.
- Consistent routine: You’re coming back for a refill within the recommended two-week timeframe.
- The same lash style: You want to maintain your current lash look rather than change to a different style.
- Restorable fullness: Your stylist can bring your set back to its original look within the standard fill appointment window.
Every stylist evaluates your lashes before every appointment, so even if you’re unsure if you need a fill vs full set lashes, they’ll let you know what they recommend and why.
When Might You Need a New Full Set Instead?
Sometimes a fill isn’t the right call, and your stylist will ALWAYS tell you if that’s the case. You might need a full set if:
- Significant shedding has happened.
- Too few extensions remain, and the lash line is sparse.
- Too much time has passed between appointments.
- You want a different style of extensions.
- The desired look can’t be achieved in the scheduled time.
If your stylist recommends a new full set, it’s not a reflection of something you did wrong, but instead the most effective way to get your lashes back to exactly how you like them. 💜
How Lash Shedding Affects Your Appointment
Your lashes are always changing, growing and shedding. Understanding your lash growth cycle and your lash shedding helps to understand what’s happening between appointments, and what that means for your appointment itself.
The Natural Lash Cycle
Each lash goes through a growth phase, a resting phase and a shedding phase on a continuous cycle. Your extensions will shed right along with your natural lashes as part of this process.
Why Extensions Shed
Because extensions adhere to your natural lashes, they naturally fall out as the natural lash sheds. This is expected and healthy and not a sign of bad application or poor aftercare habits. Be on the lookout for roughly 20% of your natural lashes (and extensions) to shed every two weeks.
Why Retention Varies
Every guest has different lash cycles, lifestyles, aftercare routines and skin types. All of these factors play a role in retention, with some guests retaining extensions for three weeks, and others shedding after 10 days. Neither is wrong, everyone is just different!
How Shedding Influences Your Appointment
The amount of shedding that has happened between visits directly determines whether you’re a match for a fill or a full set. More shedding means more replacing, and at a certain point that work exceeds what a fill appointment is designed to accomplish and leans into new full set territory.
Why Appointment Time Matters
Fill appointments are scheduled with one specific purpose in mind: maintaining existing extensions. They aren’t designed to build a new set of extensions but instead replace what’s been lost between appointments. When a LOT of shedding has happened, the work needed to revive your set can exceed what the appointment time allows.
When that’s the case your stylist might recommend you start fresh with a full set vs a refill. We prioritize your lash health, and the quality of your final look, so we will never rush through a fill that won’t bring back the beauty of your original look.
How Many Lash Fills Before a New Set?
Honestly, there is no universal number that works for everyone (although we wish there was). How many lash fills before a new set is needed looks different for every guest because it depends on a range of factors, such as:
- Retention
- Natural lash cycle
- Aftercare habits
- Appointment consistency
- Style goals
- Stylist’s expert opinion
The best way to make sure you get the most out of your full sets is to stay consistent with your refill schedule and practice great aftercare habits. We have an entire page dedicated to aftercare tutorials, making it easier than ever to use the right products and techniques to protect your investment.
Prioritize Lash Extension Upkeep
So, once you’ve gotten your first full set, it’s all about maintenance and lash refills to keep those sets looking like the first day you got them! Not only does a regular refill maintenance schedule help to keep your sets looking fresh, fills also improve your retention and reduce the likelihood of needing a completely new full set.
What’s the easiest way to maintain that full lash look you’re totally obsessed with and keep up with your refill appointments? One word: MEMBERSHIP. 🤩
Our custom membership program is just the ticket for keeping those regular refill appointments scheduled and accessing additional perks, like 10% off all products and additional services. (Flawlessly threaded brows, here we come!)
All you have to do is choose the lash membership that’s best for you based on your preferred application method! Here are the membership options to choose from:
- Classic Membership
- Volume Membership
- Mega Volume Membership (at select salons only)
Another benefit of having a membership—other than your fabulous lashes, of course—is a drastically simplified beauty routine that showcases your stunning eyelash extensions all day, every day!
Get The Perfect Eyelash Extensions for You
We’re all about eyelash extensions and customization here at The Lash Lounge, whether it’s your very first full set or 100th refill. No matter what number visit you’re on, each and every appointment will always begin the same way; with a personalized consultation. Our stylists are ready to help make recommendations for the best service for your specific lash wants, needs and goals.
If you want more of a natural lash look or you feel like going all out and ultra-glam, our expert stylists will work with you to design your dream lash look. Remember, start with a full lash set, then experiment, rock and repeat with a lash fill—all under the care of our expert stylists who have your best YOU in mind! Get your lash game on today. ⬇️