The Great Debate: Shine or Subtlety?

As lash artists, we know that every detail matters—curl, length, thickness, and yes, even the finish. When it comes to choosing between matte and glossy lash extensions, the visual outcome can completely transform your set. But in 2025, with shifting trends and client expectations, what will truly enhance your artistry?

Let’s break it down. 

1. Visual Impact Under Different Lighting Conditions

Lighting is everything. And the way lash extensions reflect or diffuse light can drastically affect how they appear, on camera and in person.

Glossy Lashes:

• Shine brilliantly under studio lights and direct sunlight

• Create a high-drama, almost wet-look effect

• Can reflect too much light in selfies, sometimes appearing overly artificial

Matte Lashes:  

• Absorb light, offering a soft-focus effect that looks smooth and velvety

• Blend effortlessly in natural daylight and under phone cameras

• Ideal for no-filter, real-life beauty aesthetics

In short, glossy lashes are made for glam shoots, while matte lashes win under everyday lighting.

2. What Do Clients Actually Prefer?

Client perception is evolving.

Glossy finishes once reigned supreme for their ability to create sharp, defined lash lines. However, in today’s aesthetic landscape shaped by TikTok, Pinterest, and clean beauty movements, clients are gravitating toward a more natural, lived-in look.

What we’re hearing from lash artists: 

"Clients are asking for lashes that don’t scream extensions. They want something natural but noticeable."

Matte lashes offer just that:

• "Rich but soft" appearance

• Mimic the texture of real lashes

• Less likely to look fake or plastic in close-up photos

Of course, some clients still crave high-shine, show-stopping lashes, particularly for weddings, photo shoots, or editorial looks.

Key Insight:

• Day-to-day clients prefer matte for subtle sophistication

• Special occasion clients still go for glossy for maximum drama 

3. Application Techniques, Thickness & Outcomes: How Finish Impacts Performance

Let’s go beyond just aesthetics — the finish of your lash extensions doesn’t just affect how they look, but also how they perform.

Matte Lashes: Tailored for Soft Volume & Precision

Matte lashes pair best with smaller thicknesses like 0.02–0.05mm, allowing lash artists to create dense, mega-volume sets without weighing down the natural lashes. The soft, non-reflective finish also helps avoid the “overdone” or “plastic” look.

Different lash styles work better with different finishes.

Matte Works Best With:

• Wispy lash sets

• Natural volume or hybrid sets

• Soft, "your lashes but better" looks

• Gen Z "clean girl" and "quiet luxury" aesthetics

• Current favorite trend of American girls

Why Lash Artists Love Matte:

• Less stickiness between fibers → easier to fan
  

• Velvety texture → mimics real lashes more closely
  

• Gentle definition → perfect for natural sets and luxury looks
  
  

Outcome:

A soft-focus, plush lash line with balanced density. Matte lashes create an airbrushed finish that doesn’t overpower facial features, making them ideal for everyday wear and clients who want lashes that feel invisible but still elevate their eyes.

Pro Tip: Matte lashes with ultra-thin diameters (0.02–0.03mm), like Lii Lash Cashmere Silk, are perfect for building structured mega-volume fans that stay light, flexible, and long-lasting.

Glossy Lashes: Made to Stand Out

Glossy lashes, in contrast, shine best when used with thicker diameters, such as 0.07–0.10mm, especially for strip lash effects, spike styling, or editorial makeup. The reflective surface gives a dramatic, high-gloss finish that immediately grabs attention.

Glossy Works Best With:

• Strip lash effect sets

• Manga lashes with bold spikes

• Bold cat-eye and editorial looks

• Glamorous, Instagram-ready styles

For lash artists who love versatility, matte lashes can be an all-day, everyday staple. Meanwhile, glossy lashes are best used strategically for impact.

4. Which Finish Will Dominate in 2025?

Market Insight:

• Matte lashes dominate in markets driven by clean beauty and minimalist glam – especially in Gen Z and millennial audiences.
  

• Glossy lashes remain a favorite among Black and Latina clients in the U.S., who often prefer bolder, high-shine finishes that contrast beautifully with their skin tone and makeup styles.
  
  

Client Feedback:

“I love when my lashes pop. Glossy gives me that instant glam without doing anything else to my face.” – Lash Client, NYC

“Matte lashes feel lighter, and I don’t feel the weight. They give this expensive-but-subtle look I adore.” – Client, LA

If 2024 was about bold expression, 2025 is about softness with a natural look.

Forecasted trends: 

• Matte lashes aligned with clean beauty, minimalist glam, and luxury that doesn’t shout

• Clients choosing styles that feel good and photograph well without needing filters

• Brands like Lii Lash are expanding matte lash lines like Cashmere Silk, designed for lash artists who want lightness, softness, and control. Cashmere Silk is stirring up the American lash artist community with 90% matte, especially a super small thickness of 0.02mm that not many brands can do, light, soft, and easy to create mega volume lashes without causing customers' eyes to be heavy. 

Final Thoughts

The verdict? Both matte and glossy have their place in a lash artist’s toolkit. But for 2025, matte finishes offer the edge in terms of market trend, wearability, and natural beauty.

Whether you choose a subtle, velvety matte or an eye-catching gloss, your finish should always serve your client's vision. 

Ready to explore matte lashes that perform?

Discover Cashmere Silk by Lii Lash, ultra-light, ultra-natural matte lashes that redefine softness in lash artistry. 

With brands like Lii Lash offering diverse lash finishes, ultra-thin diameters, just 7-Day Production, Super-fast global delivery guaranteed, and Lightning-Fast Lead Time Without Sacrificing Quality, it’s easier than ever to craft the lash look that suits every face, every style, and every trend of 2025.

More than lashes. It’s your signature look.