Truth bomb: not all lash lifts turn out the way you want. In fact, there are a few reasons your lash lift may have fallen short of your expectations.

As a lash artist, you might have experienced this before. Your lash lift was an epic disappointment. The lashes look the same. You were expecting ta-dah but got nuh-uh. No lift. No curl.

It leaves you wondering: Why didn’t my lash lift work?

Your lash lift letdown was likely because of 1 of these 9 reasons:

• Reason #1: You worked on dirty lashes.
• Reason #2: You didn’t assess the lashes.
• Reason #3: You used expired products.
• Reason #4: You applied too much glue.
• Reason #5: You didn’t give aftercare instructions.
• Reason #6: You worked on damaged lashes.
• Reason #7: You used a shield too small for the eyelashes.
• Reason #8: You overprocessed the lashes.
• Reason #9: You applied the lifting solution to the entire lash length.

I’ll try to help you figure out what went wrong during your lash lift, so you’ll know what to watch out for next time.

Consider this your lash lift troubleshooting guide – let’s go!

Reason #1: You Worked on Dirty Lashes

Lash lift solutions only work well on clean lashes.

Lashes might look clean, but even traces of makeup, muck, oil, or skin cells can stop the solutions from lifting and curling properly.

Secrets to success! Waterproof mascara shouldn’t be worn 2 or 3 days before the lash lift, regular mascara shouldn’t be applied the day before, and lashes should be thoroughly (yet gently) washed just before the procedure. 

Reason #2: You Didn’t Assess The Lashes

Lashes aren’t all the same. So, lash lifts must be personalized.

Thick, strong, super-straight lashes need more contact time with the lifting solution than fine lashes. If you remove the solution too soon, it won’t have a chance to break the lashes’ protein bonds and let them be reshaped from straight to curled.1

Secrets to success! All boast-worthy lash lifts start with a lash assessment. This is when you devise a game plan for lifting the specific lashes you’ll work with.

Reason #3: You Used Expired Products

Lash lift products past their prime can’t deliver flawless results. Expired products just don’t have the power to lift lashes and keep them curled for weeks.

Be aware that the products have 2 expiry dates:

• #1: For the unopened product (recorded on the product).
• #2: For the opened product.

Secrets to success! Take note of the expiry date for the unopened product. Then, when you open it, write this date on the product, too. Don’t use the product beyond these dates. Plus, close the lid as quickly as you can while using the product to limit the amount of air that gets in.

Reason #4: You Applied Too Much Glue

A lash lift can’t happen without glue. This sticky stuff keeps lashes in the right position, separated, and neat. But being too generous with the glue can sabotage your lash lift, as a thick sticky coating on lashes can stop the lifting solution from working as it should.

Secrets to success! Go easy on the glue – apply only as much as you need to stick lashes in place. Plus, wait for the glue to dry before you apply the lifting solution. And throw out any glue that’s expired.

Reason #5: You Didn’t Give Aftercare Instructions

You applied your lash lift perfectly, and the results were incredible. But your client phoned you the next day to say her lashes had fallen flat. Turns out, she’d swiped on waterproof mascara and celebrated at a pool party shortly after her procedure.

Oops! You forgot to tell her to keep her lashes away from makeup (especially waterproof mascara) and water for 24 hours after her lash lift.

Secrets to success! Make sure your clients know post-lash lift dos and don’ts. Give your clients an aftercare instruction card to help them remember the rules for making results last.

Reason #6: You Worked on Damaged Lashes

If your client’s lashes are brittle, dry, or damaged in any way, a lash lift probably isn’t the best option.

This is because the chemicals in the lifting solution can further damage already compromised lashes.

Secrets to success! If your client’s lashes are in bad shape, suggest they take a break from lash lifts and focus on rebuilding the health of their lashes with a good lash serum. Then, once their lashes are healthy again, they can come back for a lash lift.

Reason #7: You Used a Shield Too Small for the Eyelashes

If the shield you used was too small, it will over-lift the lashes and create an unnatural curl.

Secrets to success! Make sure to measure the natural lashes and choose a shield that is the appropriate size. This will ensure a more natural-looking lash lift.

Reason #8: You Overprocessed the Lashes

Overprocessing the lashes happens when you leave the lifting solution on for too long. This will cause the lashes to become weak and too curly.

Secrets to success! Follow the instructions on the product and do not leave the solution on for longer than recommended. This will help to prevent overprocessing and damage to the natural eyelashes.

Reason #9: You Applied the Lifting Solution to the Entire Lash Length

The lifting solution should only be applied to the root of the lashes, not the entire length. We generally recommend applying it to the bottom one-third of the eyelash.

Applying the solution to the whole lash will over-process the lashes. It is also unnecessary since we are really lifting the base of the lash, which will give the illusion that the entire lash is lifted.

Secrets to success! Only apply the lifting solution to the root of the lashes (the bottom one-third). This will help to prevent overprocessing and damage to the natural eyelashes.

Why Didn’t My Lash Lift Work? – Key Takeaways

I hope you had an “aha!” moment while reading this article and now know why your lash lift didn’t work (or didn’t work how you’d imagined it would).

Perhaps you worked on dirty lashes, removed the lifting solution too soon, used expired products, or forgot to share aftercare rules. Or maybe you selected the wrong shield size, overprocessed the lashes, or didn’t realize the lashes were damaged.

Let your mistakes make you smarter, sharper, and more sussed to boost your chances of future lash lift success!

References

1. Kristeen Cherney – Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, MD (2018). Lash Lifts And Your Skin. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/lash-lift-side-effects (Accessed on 14 July 2022)