FULL SET VS. PARTIAL, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
October 7, 2022
Believe it or not, a Partial Set has very little to do with how your set of lash extensions looks, and everything to do with how long they last. Can you guess which of the photos below is a Full Set and which is the Partial? Scroll to find out!
P A R T I A L S E T ( 9 0 M I N U T E S )
F U L L S E T ( 2 . 5 - 3 H O U R S )
SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
A little shocking huh? One might expect the longer, darker lashes to have been the full set instead! So what IS the difference then?
To get this started, let’s imagine a hypothetical scenario: You are considering trying out lash extensions, and you’ve seen something called a “Partial Set” on the service menu. The price is lower than a full set, and BONUS, the appointment time is shorter which makes you think to yourself, “maybe that’s what I should book since I’m not sure if I will like the look of lash extensions on myself.” So you go ahead and book the appointment, consult with the artist, end up LOVING the way they look after all, and decide to book your first fill appointment. You arrive for your fill appointment about 2-3 weeks later but there is a problem: The lash artist tells you she may not have enough time to re-create the beautiful set she gave you the day of your initial Partial Set. How can this be!? Well, the problem is, Partial sets are not designed for upkeep. They are more of a once-and-done or “temporary” solution for lashes.
LONG STORY SHORT:
The term “Partial Set” refers strictly to the amount of time spent on your lashes and has very little to do with overall look and design of your set.
IN THE WORLD OF LASH EXTENSIONS,
TIME = COVERAGE.
The more time spent on applying extensions, the higher percentage of coverage the artist can achieve on your lash line - And the more coverage you achieve, the longer your lashes will “look good” between fills or more effectively, the longer you can go between fills.
Picture it this way: Say we put 100 extensions on one eye and only 50 extensions on the other. Now picture each eye shedding 10 extensions within a week. Which eye are you likely to notice more gaps on? The eye that started with only 50 extensions, right? This is your basic difference between a Partial and a Full Set. Consider the graphic above for a visual example of this.
Note: Notice how both sets look equally as full in the beginning. This is due to the fans being larger in the Partial Set to compensate for the lack of time. More on this later..
BUT I JUST WANT NATURAL LOOKING LASHES, WHAT DO I DO?
LASH EXTENSIONS ARE EXTREMELY VERSATILE. IF YOU FELT LIKE YOUR PAST EXTENSIONS WERE TOO DRAMATIC, THE ISSUE WAS NOT THE AMOUNT OF COVERAGE BUT RATHER, HOW THEY WERE APPLIED.
This is simply solved by having a discussion with your lash artist. Showing some example images of lashes that you like is always helpful so we can really dissect what it is you like about those particular images and what you hope to achieve with your set. Natural looking lash extensions are achieved by adjusting the size of the volume fans used (see above image), how wide they are, the curl, the length, and how they are mapped. Lash mapping refers to not only the shape of the set (such as cat-eye, round, etc), but also which layers receive what lengths, curls, etc. But that is all a different conversation for a new day ;) What we’re trying to say is, lash extensions are EXTREMELY versatile and if you felt like your past extensions were too dramatic, the issue is NOT the amount of coverage but rather, how they were applied.
SO WHAT IS YOUR SOLUTION?
Do any of the following scenarios apply to you or someone you know? Let’s take a look and see what your solution would be.
S C E N A R I O
You’ve had lash extensions previously, but felt like they were a little too dramatic
You are considering getting lash extensions but you’re not sure if they are for you because they seem like they are too dramatic.
You wish there was something between the look of lash extensions and a lift and tint of your natural lashes
You are worried whether or not extensions will make your life easier or if they will fit into your lifestyle.
You want the convenience of extensions for an upcoming event or vacation, but the time commitment and cost of a Full Set is just too much for what you want them for, and so you think you’ll just suck it up with strip lashes instead.
S O L U T I O N
Book a Full Set with an artist who is capable of doing “natural looking” sets with “texture” (key words). Bring in photos for examples of what you like.
Same as scenario 1.
Same as scenarios 1 & 2.
Read our FAQ to know what to expect. Call for more information, or book a consultation to have your concerns addressed in person.
Book a Partial Set!
THE FINAL BREAKDOWN
F U L L S E T
What is it: 80-100% coverage of the lash line.
Great for: Long term wearers who are looking to ditch mascara, and daily heavy eye makeup.
Keep in mind: Can look as natural or as dramatic as you want (assuming your natural lashes can support this). Maintained with 60 - 90 minute fill appointments every 2-3 weeks.
Downside 1: Can be considered to much of an investment those looking for a short-term solution to the convenience of extensions.
Downside 2: Can end up looking too dramatic if your lash artist isn’t advanced enough to fully control or customize your extensions.
P A R T I A L S E T
What is it: 45-65% coverage of the lash line.
Great for: a short-term commitment like before a big event, wedding, or vacation without the large, up-front investment of a Full Set.
Keep in mind: Can look natural to full - it’s all up to communication and the abilities of your lash artist.
Downside 1: Cannot achieve a mega volume look with a Partial Set.
Downside 2: You’ll have to come in very frequently for fills. Otherwise, to get to a point where you could go longer between fills, you would need to schedule another partial set to reach the point of “full coverage” on your lash line.