Your Step-by-Step Guide to Cat Eye Lash Mapping

How to Perfect the Style That Every Client Wants, and When You Might Want to Suggest Something Else.

What is a Cat Eye Lash Map?

Lash mapping isn't just a technique; it's a testament to our expertise. It ensures that our lash sets are symmetrical, professional, safe for the natural lashes that they adorn, and are tailored to our client specifically. Whether you're a newbie in the lash scene or a seasoned pro, you've likely had clients request the ever-popular cat eye lash mapping style. But what is it, and how do you map this iconic look?

Who is a Cat Eye Lash Map Best For?

The cat eye style is all about that irresistible flick at the outer corner of the eye. It elongates the eye and adds a dash of drama that's both stunning and timeless, which is undoubtedly why it’s so popular among our clients.

Surprisingly though, despite its popularity, the cat eye style isn't a one-size-fits-all lash mapping style. On the wrong client, it can make the eyes look sad, or can create an illusion of extra space between the eyes. With that in mind, a cat eye lash map is a dream come true for:

• Close-set eyes. The cat eye style can create an illusion of more space between the eyes, so if your client’s eyes are quite close together, this extra length in the outer corners can just balance out their look a little bit.
• Very round eyes. While a doll eye would create a startled look for clients with very round eyes, a cat eye lash map will soften the roundness and give them a more doe-eyed appearance.
• Upward-growing Lashes. Clients with naturally upward-growing lashes will look absolutely stunning with a cat eye style as their lashes will be able to carry the extra comfortably without drooping and making their eyes look sad.

That being said, don't worry if your client has straight or downward-growing lashes! While regular curls might not do the trick, switching to M or L curls can provide that extra bit of lift. Lastly, remember that we’re never trying to ‘correct’ anything on our client’s faces – each and every one of our clients is beautiful, and has unique features. By crafting a lash look that complements those unique features, we will be accentuating their natural beauty and making them feel their absolute best.

Who is a Cat Eye Lash Map NOT Ideal For?

A Cat Eye Lash Map isn’t super ideal for clients with a very wide set of eyes as it will create the illusion of a lot of space between the eyes. For those clients, it would be better to consider a squirrel lash map so that they have the extra length in the outer corners, but it’s not as pronounced as a cat eye lash map. 

For those clients who have downward growing lashes or downturned eyes, a cat eye lash map can make their eyes appear sad, which isn’t really what we want to achieve with a set of lashes. That being said, if you’re clever with your curl selection you can give them the lift they need to not walk away with a sad appearance, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

How To Map A Cat Eye Lash Style

Start by marking the midpoint of the eye to ensure symmetry across both eyes, and make a mark at the first and last lash too so that you have even segments to start working with.

As a cat eye lash map has its longest lengths toward the outer corner, we need to split our outer section in half, and then in half again. That second section closest to the outer corner will be your longest section.  

TOP TIP! You’ll notice that we said ‘closest to the outer corner’ and not ‘the last section’. That’s because we need to take care of those lashes in the outer corner which tend to be finer and shorter than throughout the rest of the eye. While we're going for that sweeping flick, we also want to protect those delicate lashes. Overdoing the length here can lead to droopy, sad-looking eyes, and nobody wants that! As well as that, in the worst cases, it can lead to the natural lashes twisting and falling out prematurely, which can damage the follicle for good. 

In the outer corners, it’s advisable to drop down to 8 or 9mm lashes, so keep this in mind and divide that section into smaller equal sections, enabling you to do this.

It’s up to you and your client how many lengths you use and how large your sections are, but consider that having bigger sections which sweep gradually into your longest length will make for more of a swooping flick in the outer corners.

Which Lash Curls Should You Use With A Cat Eye Lash Map?

You can really use any curl with a cat eye lash map – go classic with C and CC, mix curls to your heart’s content, or push the limits a little bit by using M curl lashes or even L curl. M and L curl will be great choices for those clients whose lashes grow downwards or who have downturned eyes as they will give that extra bit of lift in the outer corners. 

Other Lash Mapping Style Tips to Consider

Like with your other four basic lash mapping styles, a Cat Eye can be used as a base for any trending lash style. Due to the shape of it, it lends itself really well to an Angel Lash set, so if you have clients who live for a natural lash look but can’t help but be drawn to that cat-like flick, suggest an Angel!

So there you have it, arguably the most requested lash style of all time in a nutshell. Perfect this, and you’ll make a lot of clients veeeeery happy!