A Beginner’s Guide to Lash Tray Terminology
By The Lash Store HQ – Australia’s Leading Lash Experts
Thinking about becoming a lash extension artist? One of the first things you’ll need to master is lash tray terminology — and let’s be honest, it can get a little confusing. With all the talk of curls, diameters, lengths, and volumes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
That’s why we’ve created this easy-to-follow guide to help you decode lash tray terms like a pro.
Handmade vs Premade Lash Fans: What’s the Difference?
There are two main types of lash artists: those who handmake their fans and those who work with premade fans. Handmade lash artists create each fan during the appointment using individual lash strands. While the lash trays themselves are more affordable, the client is paying for the extra time and skill involved in crafting each fan.
Premade lash artists, on the other hand, use fans that are pre-fanned and ready to apply straight from the tray. These trays are more expensive to stock, but they save significant application time, meaning the client is paying for the convenience, speed, and consistency of a ready-made product.
Before starting your lash journey, it’s important to decide what kind of artist you want to be. Do you love the artistry of building each fan by hand? Or do you prefer the efficiency and reliability of premade fans?
Both methods can produce stunning lash sets — it all depends on your style and workflow.
At The Lash Store HQ, premade lash fans are our best-selling product — loved for their precision, speed, and flawless results.
Lash Extension Materials: Why PBT is the Gold Standard
At The Lash Store HQ, we specialise in high-quality premade lash fans made from Korean PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) — a premium thermoplastic polymer known for its lightweight feel, deep black pigment, and long-lasting curl retention.
While you may hear about lashes made from mink or silk, these natural fibres often lose their curl quickly, they also come from animals, which many clients refuse to use due to animal cruelty or religious beliefs. That’s why we only recommend using PBT lashes for professional results.
Understanding Lash Volume
Classic Lashes is when 1 lash strand is applied to one natural lash strand
Volume lashes are when you’ve used 2 or more strands to create a fan.
- Volume = number of strands in a fan
For example:
- 3D = 3 lash strands per fan
- 5D = 5 lash strands per fan
- 10D = 10 lash strands per fan
Lash Diameters: Choosing the Right Thickness
-
Diameter = thickness of each strand
Lash thickness is measured in millimetres, typically 0.07, 0.05 and 0.10 for premade volume lashes.
- Thinner diameters (e.g., 0.05) are ideal for high-volume sets — they’re lighter and create a fluffier appearance.
- Thicker diameters (e.g., 0.10) offer more definition but should be used for smaller volume fans.
📏 Examples:
- 4D fans in 0.10: Defined and structured, yet safe for most lashes
- 8D fans in 0.05: Fluffy, light, and lash-safe
At The Lash Store HQ, we stock premade fans in 2D–12D volumes and diameters of 0.05, 0.07, and 0.10, so you’ll always find the perfect match.
Lash Lengths: From Natural to Dramatic
Lash extensions range from 7mm to 17mm and are selected based on your client's natural lashes, eye shape, and lifestyle.
Here's a general guide:
- Cute and petite: 7-11mm
- Natural look: 8–12mm
- Defined but wearable: 9 -14mm
- Bold and voluminous: 9–17mm
Remember to always begin with shorter lengths like 7,8, or 9mm for inner corners, and never skip lengths, as this helps maintain a smooth lash line.
Lash Curls: Lifting, Curling & Styling
Lash curls are labelled by letters, each indicating the shape and degree of curl:
- C Curl – Natural lift
- D Curl – Curled
- L Curl – Sharp lift
- Slanted L – Creates a fox-eye or winged effect
The curl you choose can drastically alter the lash design. Start with 1 curl and only expand if you have a demand for it. 👑 Fun Fact: D Curl remains the most popular choice among our lash artists across the globe.
Shop Lash Trays at The Lash Store HQ
We offer an extensive collection of lash extension trays, including:
- 2D–12D Premade Fans
- Premade Hybrid
- Premade Wispy
- Premade Spikes
- Premade Wispy
- Coloured Fans
- Diameters: 0.05, 0.07, 0.10 - Curls: C, D, and L
All lashes are made from premium Korean PBT and designed for easy pickup, strong retention, and flawless application.
Plus, all our liquids are AICS-registered, meeting Australian safety standards.
Want to Level Up Your Lash Game?
Join one of our in-person or online lash training courses taught by Betty, founder of The Lash Store HQ and an industry leader with over 10 years of experience.
📍 Training and retail store:
24B Kiewarra Street Kingsgrove NSW 2208
🕒 Shop instore Open
Mon–Wed 9-7pm | Thurs-Fri 9-5pm | Sat 9 – 2pm
📩 For course info:
courses@thelashstore.com.au
Explore. Learn. Lash.
The Lash Store HQ – Your One-Stop Lash & Brow Destination.