You might have gotten a lash lift or done one yourself and feel that something is incorrect. Does it feel that your lashes are too lifted? Why would this happen, and how can it be fixed?
Your lashes may be too lifted because the shield size the lash tech used was too small. Your natural lash length determines the proper shield size. Redo the lash lift with a bigger size shield to fix this problem.
In this article, I’ll cover the most likely reasons that make a lash lift too lifted, and most importantly how to correct it so you don’t walk the streets with a permanently surprised look on your face 😉
Why Did Your Lash Lift End Up Being Too Lifted?
The most common reason I have seen is that the lash tech used a shield that was too small.
So what is a shield anyways?
A shield is the silicone body on which the lashes are glued before the perm solution is applied. The precise shape of the shield is created to lift the natural lashes.
Lash lift shields come in various sizes, depending on the company that manufactures them. Usually, you will be able to find small, medium, and large shield sizes. A few companies out there cater for sizes in between to personalize the result even more.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here is what a typical shield looks like during a lash lift treatment.
Natural lashes can vary between 3mm and 18mm in length, which is quite a vast range. Most women fall into the normal range of 8mm to 11mm. The small-sized shield or the medium size would be perfect for this length.
The sizes of the shields that correlate with eyelash length are:1
- Super-small to a small shield: can be used on eyelashes varying from 9mm to 10mm
- Medium: Can be used on eyelashes ranging from 11mm to 12mm
- Large to extra-large: Can be used on eyelashes varying from 13mm to 14mm
How Do You Choose The Right Size Shield For A Lash Lift?
There is a perfect way to ensure the shield you are using is correct. It might be a bit time-consuming, but measuring the eyelash against the shield’s size will ensure that the result is perfect.
Here is a step-by-step guide to making sure a technician is using the correct size or if you are doing this by yourself.
- Step 1: Place the shield as close to the hairline as possible.
- Step 2: Comb the hair up against the surface of the shield.
- Step 3: The tip of the lash hairs should be just up the end of the shield and not go over the edge.
- Step 4: If the hairs go over the edge, you will have to go up a shield size, or if the strands only come up to half of the shield, you need to use a smaller one.
Some learn better with visual cues, so if you are one of them, look at the video.
How to Fix Lashes That Are Too Lifted?
Luckily, you are not stuck with unwanted results for a few weeks until the product fade. There are ways to better the outcome.
Option 1: Redo Your Lash Lift With A Bigger Shield
It would be best to first wait 24 to 48 hours before doing anything. This time gap gives the lash lift time to set and the glue to bond to the hairs better and might even relax a little to provide you with the result you need.
Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Redoing a lash lift will be up to the aesthetician to decide whether your eyelash hairs will be able to sustain another round of chemicals.
If so, she might first have to establish what caused the problem in the first place. It might be:
- The incorrect shield size
- The beautician put on the solution too high up the lash
- The positioning of the shield was wrong.
In the case of too lifted lashes, it is probably the shield size that is wrong. Thus they will size up the shield and redo the lash lift, starting by cleaning the lash, placing the correct shield size against the lash, and brushing the lashes up against the shield.
She will then apply the product again, but for only half the time as recommended.
Why?
Because you don’t want to over-expose your lashes to the perming solution.
The waiting time should be for 4 to 5 minutes maximum. By reapplying the solution, it will most likely straighten out the lash with just enough of a curl to give you the better result you wanted from the start.
Option 2: Reverse Your Lash Lift
When you are choosing to reverse your lash lift, the technician will have to assess the quality of your lashes and if they will be able to withstand another round of chemicals.
There are two possibilities:
- Your lashes are in good health (yeah!). We can proceed.
- Your lashes will not withstand another round. We should wait.
If you should wait…
You will have to wait 4 to 6 weeks to try and do a lash lift again, as repetitive treatments on your lashes can damage the hair texture and growth.
Pro Tip: During this time, I would advise that you use castor oil, coconut oil, or any eyelash serum twice a day that may soften your curl and keep your eyelashes healthy and protected until you are ready to try a lash lift again.
If you can proceed…
I will usually brush down on the lashes with a mini mascara brush or something similar. Then I will apply the first step of a reverse kit to your lashes and brush them for an average of 30 seconds – 1 minute, after which I will remove all of the product.
The product will slowly straighten the lashes and remove the previous lift.
Lastly, I will add the moisturizing agent but I will leave this product on the natural eyelash. I will send the remaining product home with the client to nourish their lashes, or they can use a serum or oil ³twice a day.
How To Avoid A Too Lifted Lash Lift
To avoid any fixes for your lash lift that is too lifted, you might want to research the practitioner you wish to use. Go for someone who has experience doing lash lifts and has a portfolio to showcase their work.
They will ask you about your eyelash history and what type of skin you have. A great technician will also do tests on your skin to ensure the product they use will not cause irritations.
Experts do not recommend that you try a lash lift at home. Instead, choose a reputable practitioner to do it for you. You can work with your technician to establish what you want out of your appointment.
Final Thoughts
The lash lift is too lifted because the shield used during your treatment was too small for the length of the natural lashes. Using a bigger shield that correlates to your eyelash length will give you a better result.
A lash artist should measure your natural eyelash against the different shield sizes to establish which one would fit your lash and give you the best result.
An aesthetician can either redo your lash lift with the correct size shield or reverse your lash lift to fix your too-lifted lash lift. The decision is up to the client on which one they prefer, but the professional will have to evaluate the lashes first.
With all that being said, I wanted to leave this article on a positive note :). Here’s a lash lift before and after picture of a beautiful client of mine.
As you can see, the lashes are not too lifted. Just lifted enough 🙂
– Asako
References
- SugarlashPro shield description. Retrieved from https://sugarlashpro.com/products/lash-lift-shields?variant=40338195742907 (3 June 2022)