Lash lifts are great for making your eyes pop, but sometimes they don’t deliver the results you had hoped for. In this article, I go through exactly what you need to do if your lash lift has turned out too curly.
What Is A Lash Lift?
A lash lift is a beauty treatment where a lash artist will apply a lifting solution to your lashes and shape them up into a curled position by taping them over a flexible rod or soft pad laid across your eyelid.
Once the solution has been processed and the lash artist removes the tape, your lashes will be lifted and curled right away and remain that way for several weeks.
At the beginning of your lash lift appointment, your lash artist will assess your natural lashes to see the length, thickness, and natural curl.
This will help them decide what type of curl to achieve with your lash lift. The goal of your lash lift is to create a lifted, curled look that flatters your face and looks natural.
Lash lift results typically last 4-6 weeks. Many people report results lasting even longer with the proper aftercare.
You can expect to see some of the lift and curl relax over time, but it usually takes about 6 weeks before you have shed all of your lifted lashes and are back to normal.
Why is my lash lift too curly?
There are two reasons why lash lifts get too curly. Either the perming solution was left on too long or too much of the solution was used. You can fix this by reversing the lash lift by applying the perm solution again or simply wait until your lashes grow out.
If you do a lash lift at home, it’s very important to keep track of the time as well as the amount of solution you use. Always make sure to read the instructions carefully and don’t think that the longer you leave on the product, the better a result you’ll get.
You can always reapply the perm solution again if you didn’t feel that the lash lift worked.
How to fix To a Lash Lift that Is Too Curly
1. Reapply the perming solution (Fastest way)
Lash lift solution should not be applied for longer than 5-10 minutes. If you have applied the lash lift at home and notice right away that your lash lift is too curly, you should reapply the perming solution.
This is the fastest method to fix an over-curled lash lift at home, but you should only do this if your lashes are not damaged.
Make sure you follow the instructions carefully and it is vital that you don’t get any of the perm solution into your eyes.
Instructions
- Clean your lashes
- Place a cotton pad or protective pad underneath your eyes
- Apply the perm solution using a spoolie brush on your lashes. Comb your lashes downwards instead of up.
- Leave the solution for about 45 seconds
- Remove the perm solution with a cotton pad.
You should then apply an oil to your lashes such as castor oil or coconut oil. This will help moisturize them and keep them healthy.
If you have had your lashes done professionally, discuss with your lash artist your expectations. Explain your concerns and ask for them to apply some more of the perming solution.
Chances are only some of your lashes are overprocessed, so your lash artist can brush the perming solution through your lashes with a spoolie and relax the lashes that are too curly.
2. Use oil (For damaged lashes)
If you think your lashes could do with a break from chemical treatments, the best way to fix an over-curled lash lift is to apply a moisturizing oil. This is a natural way to restore your lashes’ original shape and can help prevent lashes from falling out.
You should use high-quality oil such as 100% pressed castor oil or coconut oil.
Instructions:
- Dip a q-tip or spoolie brush in your preferred oil of choice.
- Gently rub the q-tip or spoolie against the lashes in a downward motion. Avoid any contact with your eyes.
- Leave on overnight.
- Clean your lashes in the morning using a damp cotton swap.
You should be able to see results within a few days.
3. Get a Keratin lash lift
If your lash lift has curled too much and you aren’t having any luck with either of the other two options, you can always get a keratin lash lift to fix any issues you may have.
Do some research on salons or spas in your area to find somewhere that offers this particular type of lash lift.
Keratin lash lifts are different than traditional lash lifts because they use Cysteine and heat to curl your lashes.
This means that it is safe to use on top of a fresh lash lift because it won’t damage your natural lashes.
A keratin lash lift will smooth out any kinks, frizziness, or overly curly sections of your lashes and should help you achieve the look you were hoping for in the first place.
For more detailed information on lash lift reversals, check out my post – How To Reverse A Lash Lift (At Home And Salon).
How To Tell If Your Lash Lift Went Wrong
Lash lifts should leave you with an effortlessly lifted, voluminous look. Your lashes should look gently lifted from the root, but should not be overly curled.
Here are some ways to tell if your lash lift went wrong:
Your lashes are too curled
As mentioned above, one of the main ways that you know a lash lift went wrong is if your lashes are too curly or frizzy after your appointment.
Your lash artist should assess your natural lashes during your appointment and make a determination of how long to leave the lifting solution on to achieve the ideal look.
Because processing time is variable for everyone, you can end up with overly curled lashes if your lashes are left to process for too long.
Your lashes are not curled enough
Although it’s common for lashes to get over-processed, there is also the possibility for your lashes to not have much curl at all after your lash lift.
Everyone’s lashes respond differently to the lifting solution of a lash lift, so it’s difficult to determine the exact right amount of time for processing.
If the solution is not left on long enough, you may not get as dramatic of a curl as you were expecting or your lashes may not lift at all.
If this happens, it’s important to discuss your dissatisfaction with your lash artist and see if there is anything they can do to help you get the look you want.
Your lashes are brittle and breaking
If you notice that your lashes feel very dry and brittle or are breaking off after your lash lift, that is another sign that your lash lift went wrong.
Lashes are very sensitive and sometimes the lifting solution is too harsh for them.
The treatment can sometimes strip away the natural oils in your lashes and make them feel and look this way.
Ask your lash artist how you can care for your lashes to help them soften and regain some moisture.
Reasons Why A Lash Lift May Go Wrong
There are many factors that could contribute to your lash lift going wrong.
It’s important to be mindful of things like preparation and aftercare instructions to make sure you are set up for the best possible results.
Here are some common reasons why a lash lift might go wrong:
Lashes Are not properly prepared
Although there isn’t much preparation required before a lash lift, there are a few steps that you should take before you arrive at your appointment.
Your lash artist will likely ask you to stop wearing mascara for a few days before your appointment, arrive at your appointment with a clean face, and avoid oily skincare products.
Doing these things before your appointment could mean that your lash lift could go wrong.
Lashes Are over or under processed
Everyone’s lashes require a different amount of processing time.
While lash artists do their best to make sure they process your lashes for the right amount of time, it isn’t a perfect science.
If your lashes are processed for too long or not long enough, you could end up with a lash lift gone wrong.
You have an Allergy or sensitivity to lash solution
If you have sensitive skin or eyes, there is a possibility that you could have a reaction to the solution used during your lash lift.
If this happens, your lash artist will have to wash off the solution and rinse your eye area which means you will not be able to complete the lash lift.
Can You Undo A Lash Lift?
If you are unhappy with your results and want to undo your lash lift, you can ask your lash artist to apply a solution to your lashes to undo the effect.
Usually, they can either apply more of the lifting solution or a different product that will calm down the lift and minimize or completely reverse the result.
If you don’t have access to a salon or would prefer to try to undo your lash lift at home, applying water or oil at home can also help undo the lash lift.
Check with your lash artist to see what they recommend.
Can You Reverse An Eyelash Lift At Home?
You can’t fully reverse an eyelash lift at home, but you can use water or oil to help calm down your lift and potentially even reverse it.
There is a reason why you are encouraged to avoid water and oily products in the first 24 hours after your lash lift, but if you are looking to reverse it you can use these things to your advantage.
If you get your eye area fully wet with a warm, wet compress or soak your lashes in coconut or castor oil you can counteract the lash lift solution.
It may not fully reverse the lift, but can usually make enough of a difference to make your lashes look like they did pre-lift.
Do Lash Lifts Ruin Your Natural Lashes?
Lash lifts do not ruin your natural lashes unless you do not follow the appropriate care instructions.
Make sure you prepare for your lash lift and follow the aftercare instructions you are given by your lash artist to keep your lashes healthy and strong.
It’s also important to not get lash lifts too frequently and care for your lashes with a growth serum used as directed to maintain the health and length of your lashes.
How Often Can You Get A Lash Lift?
It is not recommended to get a lash lift any more frequently than 8 weeks apart.
Any sooner than that, you run the risk of re-lifting lashes that have been lifted during your previous treatment and damaging your eyelashes.
Most lash growth cycles are about 6 weeks, so it’s recommended to wait an additional 2 weeks to be 8 total weeks between treatments.
Can I Use Eyelash Curler After Lash Lift?
You should not use an eyelash curler after a lash lift.
Ideally, you should not need an eyelash curler because your lash lift should give you the volume you want, but it’s important to resist the temptation to manually curl them because that could damage or break your eyelashes.