Properly applied lash lifts look amazing. Lashes are lifted at the root and given an eye-opening curl for a pretty, polished look. If a lash lift has made your lashes frizzy, flat, or so curled they poke your eyelids, something went wrong. Here’s what might have happened and how to fix it.

Unsuccessful lash lifts are mostly caused by overprocessing or poor technique. Undesirable results include inadequately or overly lifted lashes. Lash lifts can be reversed or redone on lashes in good condition; results can also be left to grow out with the lashes’ natural growth cycle.

In this article, I will share everything that can go wrong with a lash lift, but more importantly, how you can fix it.

Let’s get started!

Why Your Lash Lift Went Wrong (and The Fix)

If your heart is pounding because you’ve just had a bad lift, relax. Your lashes won’t look like that forever, hun!

Let’s go over the top bad lift results, from lashes that fail to lift to those that get an exaggerated curl. Plus, we’ll look at how to save a lash lift gone wrong.

But before we get stuck into the bad and ugly of lash lifts, see the good – so you know what the results should look like. Here’s a lash lift gone right.

Lash Lift Nightmare #1: No Effect

You run to the mirror after your procedure and see… well, nothing different. Lash lift results are subtle, but your before and after pics shouldn’t look identical.

What Happened?

One of these culprits likely sabotaged your results:

• Dirty lashes. Lash lift solutions only work on squeaky clean lashes.
• Too much glue was applied to your lashes. The lifting solution won’t be able to do its job if lashes are coated in so much glue they’re gooey!
• The lifting solution wasn’t given long enough to work. The solution needs time to reshape your lashes, especially if they’re straight or thick.

Make it Dreamy!

If your lashes are in good condition, you can have another procedure about a day or two after your letdown lift.

Though, for ultimate TLC, give your lashes at least a month to recover before you process them again. 

When you have another lash lift, clean all traces of makeup, dirt, and oil off your lashes, don’t overdo the glue, and keep the lifting solution on long enough to raise your specific lash type.

Top Tip: Stop wearing waterproof mascara 48 hours before your lash lift, don’t wear makeup on the day of your procedure, and wash your lashes just before you have your procedure done.

Lash Lift Nightmare #2: Results Don’t Last

You’ve heard that lash lifts can last up to 2 months, but it hasn’t even been 2 days, and your results are already falling flat.

Even properly done lash lifts might not make it to the 2-month mark (these factors influence how long results last), but a good lift should keep your lashes lifted for at least a month.

What Happened?

Oh dear, your bubble bath might be to blame! If you got water, steam, sweat, or heat (or all three) near your lashes in the 24 hours after your procedure, this is probably why your lash lift didn’t last.

You must also keep makeup and products away from your lashes for a full day post-procedure.

Make it Dreamy!

After your next lash lift, take aftercare seriously for the next 24 hours. Longer-lasting results are worth the lifestyle tweaks you need to make for a day, no?

Here are tips for keeping your lifted lashes for as long as possible.

Lash Lift Nightmare #3: Lashes Are Too Curly

Sure, you wanted curled lashes, but this is ridiculous – your lashes are so curled they’ve gone loopy!

What Happened?

Overly curled lashes are usually down to overprocessing. Either too much lifting solution was applied, or the solution was left on too long.

Make it Dreamy!

If you’ve got resilient lashes still in good condition after their extreme curling, you can have a procedure done to reverse the curl. This procedure does the opposite of a lash lift: instead of sweeping lashes upward, the solution brushes lashes downward to relax the lift.

Further processing damaged lashes will cause more lash drama than you’re already dealing with. Rather give worn-out lashes about 6 weeks to grow out the lash lift on their own.

Apply nourishing oil to your lashes daily to make them healthier and more attractive, whether you have your lash lift reversed or leave it to grow out.

After your lashes are back to full strength, they’re ready for another lash lift – but make sure the right amount of solution is left on for the right amount of time!

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s a picture of a client of mine with just the right curl 😉

Lash Lift Nightmare #4: Lashes Are Too Lifted

Your lashes got a bigger boost than you’d bargained for, and now they look like they’re aiming for the sky!

A good lash lift will make people stare in admiration, not because they’re wondering how you got your lashes to stick up like that.

What Happened?

There are three possibilities for what went wrong and caused your eyelashes to be too lifted. The lifting solution was applied to the entire length of your lashes instead of only the bottom third. The silicone shield that helps lift lashes was positioned incorrectly. Or the most likely explanation: the shield was too small for your lash length.

Make it Dreamy!

Again, the fix depends on your lashes’ condition.

If your lashes are strong enough for another procedure, wait 24 to 48 hours, then have the lift redone or reversed.

Suppose your lashes look stressed out after their goofed-up procedure. Then moisturize them daily as you wait for a fresh set to replace the overly lifted ones.

When it’s time for another procedure, avoid a way-too-lifted result by checking that the shield is a good fit for your lash length and positioned correctly (as close to the lash line as possible). Plus, ensure the lifting solution is only applied where it’s needed.

Lash Lift Nightmare #5: Lashes Are Damaged

Lashes with split ends are a thing. And it’s not pretty. Neither are frizzy, unruly lashes.

What Happened?

The lifting solution was left on your lashes too long, or too much solution was used. The solution might also have been applied to your entire lash length. The excess solution or extra time allowed your lashes to be eaten away until they were weakened and vulnerable to breakage.

Make it Dreamy!

The only fix for damaged lashes is time for healing. And gentle care. Condition your lashes daily (or even twice a day) with a nourishing oil like coconut or castor oil. Another option is to apply a good lash growth serum to encourage your lashes to grow while they’re on the mend.

It will take willpower, but you’ll need to stick it out for about 6 weeks before you have another lash lift. That’s how long lashes take to complete their growth cycle. Waiting this time will ensure your next procedure is done on brand new lashes. Don’t make the same mistake twice: when you have another lift, keep your eye on the clock and how much solution goes onto your lashes and where.

How to Dodge a Lash Lift Gone Wrong

Plenty can go wrong if lash lifts aren’t performed with precision and skill.

Apply the lifting solution too generously or leave it on too long, and you could end up with damaged lashes or the type of curl that belongs to a cartoon character. Remove the solution too soon, and your lashes might get zero curl.

Take the stress and guesswork out of doing lash lifts by handing the responsibility to a certified, experienced lash artist. We’ve been trained and have tons of practice in getting lash lifts right every time, on every type of lash. So, we’ve got the techniques and timings down to a fine art.

Lash Lift Gone Wrong – Key Takeaways

The most common ways lash lifts can go wrong is by creating lashes that are too curly or lifted, damaging lashes, or producing results that are invisible or don’t last.

Your top fix is to let your bad lash lift grow out if your priority is keeping your natural lashes luscious (healthy lashes are beautiful, after all!).

Seeing the results of a messed-up lash lift every day for up to 6 weeks might be too much for you to handle. So, have the procedure reversed or redone if your lashes are in decent shape. Though, you might want to call in the experts this time around.

Stick with pro lash artists for all future procedures, and you’ll up your chance of only having lash lifts gone gorgeous from now!

I wanted to leave this article on a positive note. So let’s take a look at this beautiful lady’s lifted lashes!

– Asako