If you find that your lash extensions are not holding a curl as well as you’d like, you may be considering curling them. But, of course, you’re wondering if it’s safe for your lashes and how to do it.
I’ve had many clients ask me this question over the years so I thought I would address it in a blog post.
Let’s get started!
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Can You Curl Eyelash Extensions?
You can’t curl eyelash extensions but you can curl the natural lash to which the extension is attached using a heated curler. Synthetic eyelash extensions already come with a preset curl that can’t be changed.
The only reason you would want to use an eyelash curler when wearing extensions is to curl your natural lashes for them to contour the curl of your extensions.
You can’t and shouldn’t try to curl the extension!
Most synthetic eyelash extensions are made from a thermoplastic fiber called PBT. The extensions come with a preset curl from the manufacturer. They use specialized tools and the perfect amount of heat to give the synthetic lashes their permanent curls.
This process can’t be replicated at home especially when the extensions are already applied to your natural lashes.
Since an image is worth a thousand words, let’s take a look at the process of curling your natural lashes when wearing extensions.
In this image, the dark lash represents your natural lash and the pale lash represents the extension.
What do you notice?
The extension has a more pronounced curl than the natural lash.
This gap between the extension and the natural lash is honestly barely visible. However, it is possible to curl your natural lash to reduce the gap as shown in the image below.
Be careful though!
You should never use a mechanical curler when wearing eyelash extensions. I’ll show you how to safely use a heated curler in this article.
How to Curl Lash Extensions
Here’s the only stepwise guide you need to follow when using heated eyelash curlers on extensions:
- Clean and wash your lashes.
- Comb them so that eyelashes aren’t stuck together or clumped.
- Let your lashes dry completely on their own (because wet lashes won’t retain the curl).
- Turn on the lash curler.
- Once it’s warm enough (some devices will show an alert when ready), bring the lashes in contact with the heating area. Make sure not to use the heated curler at the base of your lashes where the extension is bonded to the natural lash. For the silicone-pad model, press the lashes onto the pad. For the wand model, you should let eyelashes fall into the comb.
- Lift or twist the device based on the curls you want to create.
- Hold for three to ten seconds to lock in the curls.
- Repeat thrice if you want a longer hold for curls.
What Are Heated Curlers
Unlike mechanical lash curlers, heated lash curlers are perfect for curling natural lashes when wearing lash extensions.
These are electric curlers designed with brushes to gently heat your lashes. They are excellent for locking the curls for a few hours.
As these work softly on your lashes without any pressing or pulling like that of a mechanical curler, they are excellent for fragile fibers like lash extensions.
But, not every heated eyelash curler works the same way. You can choose from curlers made with silicone heating pads or wands in the price range of $6 to $32[1].
The former comes with the heating element on both sides and the latter with a comb at the tip that heats up.
You can see what a silicone heated eyelash curler and a wand-type of heated eyelash curler are on Amazon.
The best thing about such curlers is that most come with different temperature control settings. Some products even have LED lighting on one end to help you see lashes clearly while curling them.
You can decide on the temperature based on the strength, thickness, and size of your lashes. Some heated lash curlers also come with a comb to ensure your lashes aren’t clumped together.
However, keep in mind that even with this method, your natural lashes will go back to their original (straight) shape after 12 to 24 hours.
Hence, you must keep repeating the process whenever you need to re-curl your lashes. While these were designed originally for natural lashes, many people who wear lash extensions often use them too.
Heated lash curlers offer a safe and curvy alternative regardless of the curl type of your extensions. That being said, heated lash curlers are more expensive than mechanical or plastic ones.
Why You Shouldn’t Use A Mechanical Curler With Lash Extensions
Whether you ask your lash tech or Google, both will all tell you to strictly avoid a traditional eyelash curler when working on lash extensions. Mechanical curlers are metallic devices with rubber or silicone pads where your lashes touch the device.
The interesting thing is these aren’t even recommended for natural lashes as they can lead to eye infections and broken lashes in most cases.
But, why aren’t they good for extensions?
Mainly because it’s easy to pull or snag on lash extensions when you curl them with a mechanical lash curler.
Pro Tip: Find out the top 3 reasons why lash extensions can damage your natural lashes when poorly applied.
Truth be told, we lose about 3 to 5 natural lashes[2] per day. When you wear extensions, you will lose those extensions that are attached to those natural lashes.
But, if you’re losing any more than that, blame your curling habit because it’s weakening the roots of the extensions, leading them to fall prematurely.
Pro Tip: Check out our article on how long eyelash extensions last if you want to know more about this topic.
Moreover, if you aren’t careful enough to replace the rubber pads on traditional lash curlers regularly, there’s the added risk of chopping off[3] your extensions and natural lashes with it.
Another demerit of mechanical curlers is that you face the risk of burning the eyelids if you have a habit of heating the metallic eyelash curlers[4].
Why Lash Extensions Lose Their Curls?
If your lash extensions looked drop-dead-gorgeous in the salon but lost their curls after a few days at home, your lifestyle may be the culprit.
Lash extensions can lose their curls because of natural wear and tear to heat and many other reasons. While they are supposed to remain gorgeous for a month at the very least, there might be exceptions as given below.
#1 Material: Oftentimes when natural lash extensions such as those made from real mink get wet, they lose the preset curl and become straight.
Pro Tip: For a complete list of materials available for lash extensions, check out our eyelash extension types guide!
#2 Overheating: Cooking over high heat on the stove, grill, and oven[5] can de-curl your lash extensions or even singe them. This is because synthetic fake lashes are made from a thermoplastic fiber called PBT that loses its shape when overheated.
Don’t rush in to open the microwave oven when you’re wearing lash extensions.
Also, avoid blow-drying the hair too close to the extensions, especially in the hot air setting. Another thing is to avoid saunas for prolonged intervals too.
#3 Sleeping improperly: From rough pillowcases (think cotton, polyester, linen) to poor sleeping postures, you can end up smooshing lash extensions while sleeping.
This can damage their default curls besides making them fall out earlier than usual. Learn how to sleep with eyelash extensions in this article.
To prevent deranging the shape of fake lash extensions, choose to sleep on a non-abrasive surface or use silk or satin pillows[6].
You can also learn to sleep on your back rather than on your stomach.
#4 Lack of regular cleaning: When you fail to clean your lash extensions frequently, especially if you wear oil-based makeup, there are chances your false eyelashes may clump together with dirt, oil, and grime.
Pro Tip: Make sure to choose the best makeup for your lash extensions by reading my article here.
How to Uncurl Eyelash Extensions
You can’t uncurl synthetic lash extensions because they come with a preset curl from the manufacturer – This is a benefit since you don’t have to worry about them losing their curl over time.
If you find your lash extensions too curly, you should ask your lash tech to pick a softer curl next time you go for a refill. Alternatively, you could get a complete removal and have them re-done with a straighter curl.
FAQ
What happens if you curl eyelash extensions?
Synthetic lash extensions won’t change if you curl them because they come with a present curl. The natural lash, however, can be curled to follow the shape of the extension using a heated curler.
Should I curl my lashes before eyelash extensions?
No, you should not curl your lashes before getting eyelash extensions because the lash technician needs to see the natural shape of your eyelashes to determine the size, length, and curl of the extensions that will be best for you.
Are eyelash curlers bad?
Eyelash curlers can cause damage to your lashes if used incorrectly. Common mistakes lash extension wearers do is using a mechanical curler or applying the curler too close to the lash line.
The Bottom Line
Remember, you can curl the natural lash so that it contours the curl of the extension.
However, you can’t curl the extension hoping to increase the curl of the extension. If the extension is not curly enough, simply make an appointment with your stylist and she will cycle them out for curlier extensions.
The first thing to do is avoid the things that may pose a risk to your curls such as the heat of the oven or grill. If you’re wearing mink lash extensions, it’s nearly impossible to maintain the curl as they will turn straight whenever you wet them.
Lack of cleaning and poor sleeping posture also affects the curling retention of false eyelash extensions.
Have more concerns? Just let me know your doubts about curling lash extensions below and you’ll get a straight answer in a few hours.
Stay beautiful!
– Asako 🙂
References
- Jennifer Blair (2019). The Best Heated Eyelash Curler. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/consumer-reviews/sns-bestreviews-beauty-the-best-heated-eyelash-curler-20190823-story.html (Accessed on 2-2-2021)
- Reena Mukamal (2019). Why Are My Eyelashes Falling Out? Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/why-are-my-eyelashes-falling-out (Accessed on 2-2-2021)
- Janine (2014). This Lash Curler Cut Off a Woman’s Eyelashes. Retrieved from https://imabeautygeek.com/2014/07/17/lash-curler-cut-womans-eyelashes-beauty-psa/ (Accessed on 2-2-2021)
- Ellen Malone (2018). Why don’t my eyelashes curl? Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-my-eyelashes-curl-Ive-tried-an-eyelash-curler-for-over-a-minute-heating-the-curler-I-always-end-up-burning-my-eyelid-different-types-of-mascara-and-that-thing-with-a-spoon-but-theyre-still-poker-straight (Accessed on 2-2-2021)
- Reddit Writer (2020). Eyelashes lost their curl. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/eyelashextensions/comments/dkunej/eyelashes_lost_their_curl/ (Accessed on 2-2-2021)
- Asako Ito (2021). Can You Sleep With Eyelash Extensions? Avoid Lashes Falling-Out. Retrieved from https://divinelashes.ca/blog/sleeping-with-eyelash-extensions/ (Accessed on 2-2-2021)
Interested in learning more about lash extensions?
Explore my related guides & tutorials:
Best Makeup for Eyelash Extensions
Can You Wear Eyeshadow With Lash Extensions?
Can You Wear Eyeliner With Eyelash Extensions?
Can You Wear Concealer With Eyelash Extensions?
Can You Wear Eye Cream With Lash Extensions?
This was really helpful; thank you. Love the idea of getting a lash lift before extensions and I never knew U was the curliest.
I currently have really short and J curved lash extensions so I think I’ll look into getting an electric lash curler! Had it not been for this article I might’ve used it too close to the eyelid!
Thanks x
Very helpful! Thank you ????
Thanks Anna!