Table of Content
How to achieve a Successful Lash Lift for Monolids
The Best Types of Lash Lift for Monolids
Have you ever performed a lash lift on a client with monolids and found yourself thinking,
"It didn't lift as much as I expected…?"
This is a common challenge, but with the right approach, it can be overcome.
Even though there are many designs for lash lifts, it is especially important to be careful with clients who have monolids.
Clients with monolids come in for a lash lift for various reasons. Some common ones include:
"I have ingrown lashes that poke my eyes, but I don't want them to be lifted too dramatically."
"My lashes are long and block my vision. Even when I use a lash curler every day, they droop because of my heavy lids."
Particularly for clients who come in with various concerns, delivering high-quality results is essential — you want to ensure they leave feeling satisfied and confident.
The key is to use rods with a thick base that lift the lashes without impacting the eyelid. These rods are particularly effective for clients with monolids.
The Difference and Effects of Curl and Straight-Up Designs in Lash Lifts
Lash lifts can be broadly divided into two main designs: Curl Design and Straight-Up Design.
1. Curl Design
What comes to mind when you hear "curl design"?
This design is perfect for clients who want to achieve a soft, cute appearance.
To put it simply, when viewed from the side, it has a rounded shape similar to the letter "C" in the Roman script, making it suitable for clients with monolids.
Additionally, depending on the client's home care, one of its standout features of the curl design is that it tends to maintain a neat and aligned appearance for several weeks post-treatment, with less lash misalignment compared to the straight design.
2. Straight-Up Design
Now, let's explore the straight-up design. Unlike the curl design, this style does not feature a rounded shape. Instead, it focuses on emphasising length, giving a more sophisticated and cool impression.
The straight-up design lifts the lashes straight from the roots, making the lashes appear longer and creating a striking effect. This design is ideal for clients who prefer a mature look.
However, it is generally not suitable for clients with monolids.
Understanding these differences can help you tailor your lash lift services to meet specific desires of your clients, ensuring they leave with the look they love.
Choosing the Best Rods for Monolids: Design Decision Guide
Even within the category of monolids, the condition varies depending on the heaviness of the eyelid and the length of the lashes.
The consistent challenge lies in lifting the lashes without them touching the eyelid.
Consider a client with heavy monolids who wants to emphasise the length of their lashes.
If you opt for straight rods solely to emphasise length, you may end up with disappointing results!
Why doesn’t the straight-up design, which lifts the lashes from the root, work in this scenario?
When you lift the lashes from the root without accounting for the eyelid covering the lash line, the lifted lashes will be pushed down by the eyelid when the eyes are opened. This results in a less noticeable and less impressive finish, diminishing the desired length emphasis.
The degree and thickness of the eyelid covering vary from person to person, but based on salon experience, it's more effective to choose rods with a rounded base and straight tips. This approach avoids the eyelid while still providing an effective lift to the lashes.
Reverse placement of the Furby Rod ↓
If the eyelids are not that heavy ↓
Sharing the Final Look During Consultation
Have you ever had an experience where you had a specific look in mind but couldn't communicate it well and ended up disappointed?
I certainly have.
This is a story about eyelash extensions, but it illustrates the point well. It was when I first came to Australia and knew nothing about eyelashes.
I went to a lash salon that a friend recommended.
As soon as I arrived at the salon, after a brief greeting, I was shown a paper with three design options and asked to choose one. I selected the "natural" option and proceeded with the treatment.
When I saw the results, the extensions were excessively long and looked anything but natural. I expressed that it wasn't what I had in mind, but ultimately, I gave up.
At that time, I thought if I had communicated better about the look I wanted, my usual makeup routine, or if the technician had asked more questions during the consultation, the disappointing result could have been avoided.
For both the technician and the client, it's crucial to align on nuanced terms like "natural" or "cute" during the consultation.
How to Approach Lash Lift Consultations
When you perform lash lifts, what kind of consultation do you usually have with your clients?
If you're only asking about the overall look they want or whether they prefer a curl or straight design, there's a high chance of a mismatch between your expectations and theirs.
For instance, if a client says, "I want a natural look," can you select the right rods based on that information alone? If you decide, "Alright, let’s go with curl rods for a natural finish!" the client might find the result too lifted or not lifted enough when they see the final look.
Everyone’s definition of "natural" is different. I, too, struggled with aligning my vision with the client’s expectations due to insufficient consultation in the beginning.
▼Key Points to Discuss During a Lash Lift Consultation:
How often do you usually wear eye makeup?
Is this lash lift for a special occasion?
Do you apply mascara every day?
To better align expectations, show them a few photos or have them hold a mirror and indicate how much lift they want.
By delving into these details, you can significantly improve the alignment of your ideal image with that of the client, guaranteeing a more satisfying and personalised outcome.
Choosing Designs that Suit Individual Eye Shapes and Eyelid Types
In today’s digital age, platforms like instagram are brimming with information about lash lifts. As a result, clients may come to you with specific requests like, saying things like, "Use this rod!"
However, caution is necessary here!
It's highly unlikely that a client's eye shape will be an exact match to the one in the Instagram photo.
If you proceed with the requested rod without carefully observing the client's eyes, the result may not match their expectations. It's essential to first thoroughly assess their eyes and propose a design that suits them best.
Everyone's eyelids and eye shapes are unique. As a lash artist, it's vital to identify the best shape for each client by evaluating factors such as their eyelid type, eye shape, lash growth direction, lash density, and any asymmetry between the eyes. This careful observation and customization will ensure the best results for each client.
Popular Lash Lift Designs for Monolids and Their Features
From my experience working with clients who have monolids or hooded eyes, the most popular design is a curl at the base with straight tips.
While some clients prefer a straight design, for those with significant eyelid coverage, I often use a design with a rounded base to lift the lashes while avoiding the covered part of the eyelid.
⬇Why avoid lifting the lashes directly from the covered part of the lash line?
If you lift the lashes from the part of the lash line covered by the eyelid, the lashes will be pushed down by the eyelid when the eyes are opened, resulting in a look that doesn't emphasise the length at all.
By avoiding the eyelid and lifting the lashes, you create depth and make the lashes appear longer. This technique ensures a more flattering and effective lift for clients with monolids.
Tips to Avoid Mistakes in Lash Lifts for Monolids
Let me share a story of a mistake I once made.
A client had heavy eyelids from the inner corner to the centre of the eye, but only slight thickness from the centre to the outer corner. She had super long lashes and wanted a lifted look. With limited experience at the time, I chose a rod that lifts the lashes from the root.
The Result
From the inner corner to the centre of the eye, the lashes were pushed down by the eyelid, making them appear unlifted. The client could also feel her lashes touching her eyelid, which was not the desired outcome. 🥲
Determined to improve, I studied more about lash lifting techniques. When the client returned, I carefully examined her eyelid, paying close attention to how much skin overlapped. This time, I successfully avoided the issue by lifting the lashes in a way that bypassed the heavy eyelid from the inner corner to the centre, achieving a sleek lift with a straight design.
It’s crucial not only to look at the eyes from the front and side but also to check how much the skin overlaps, especially for clients with monolids or hooded eyes.
Will the Results Be the Same if You Use the Same Rods on Both Thick and Thin Monolids?
The answer is NO.
Why is it different? It all comes down to the "weight” of the eyelid.
If you use rods that are commonly used for thick monolids on clients with thin monolids, the result will have more depth, and the length of the lashes may not be emphasised. If a client with thin monolids requests, "emphasise the length as much as possible," they might end up dissatisfied with the results.
Even within the category of monolids, there are various types. Therefore, before selecting the rods, visually and manually check the thickness of the eyelid.
For clients with hooded eyes, the situation is slightly different. They may have overlapping skin but with visible lash roots when viewed from the front.
These clients, compared to those with downward-facing lashes, tend to show the lift more easily. Thus, you must pay careful attention to the selection and placement of the rods.
If you perform the lift in the same way as you would for someone with downward-facing lashes, avoiding the skin thickness, you might end up over-lifting the lashes.
When performing lifts for clients with monolids or hooded eyes, thoroughly observe the weight of the eyelid and the growth and condition of the lashes. Lift the lashes while avoiding the eyelid. By doing so, you can help your clients achieve a look that lets more light into their eyes, allowing them to shine brightly every day.
Aftercare and Precautions for Lash Lifts
Many clients think they know about lash lift aftercare but often have misconceptions.
First and foremost, avoid getting the lashes wet, exposing them to steam, or sleeping face down immediately after the treatment.
For more detailed information, please refer to our blog post:
▼Requests from Lash Artists!
After a few weeks, clients might feel their lashes are starting to droop and reach for a lash curler. This is something we definitely don't want them to do!
Just like hair, lashes are naturally more fragile after a perm. Using a lash curler on already delicate lashes can cause breakage. Make sure to communicate this to your clients, as this habit could be the cause of their lash breakage!
Additionally, for those who use mascara daily, we recommend using a type that can be easily removed with warm water. Waterproof mascara requires rubbing to remove, which can also lead to lash breakage. It’s important to convey this to clients to help them avoid damaging their lashes.
How to prevent eyelash damage
When considering eyelash damage, it is also important to know what kind of salon you should go to and how often.
Why Choosing the Right Salon Matters
Let me share a personal experience with you.
(This was when I still had zero knowledge about lashes.)
When I first came to Australia, I had a lash lift done at a home salon. I was ignorant at the time and thought, "As long as my lashes are lifted, it's fine!" So, I went ahead with the treatment.
The next time I wanted a lash lift, I went to a different salon for a consultation. The lash technician there told me,
"Your lashes are too damaged, and you have breakage. I absolutely don't recommend doing the treatment today. Could you come back in a month?"
When I looked closely at my lashes, I saw that some were indeed broken and the ends were slightly crinkled.
It was then that I finally understood the importance of where and who does your lash treatments.
What if the technician had outdated knowledge and didn't keep up with the latest techniques?
It’s not just about lash lifts; with so much information out there, it’s crucial to discern what is best and whether to take certain advice at face value. Proceeding without understanding this can be quite scary.
Especially in Australia, one can become a lash artist without a national qualification.
Therefore, we as professionals must continually update our knowledge so that clients can make informed choices based on where and who will perform the treatment.
By choosing the right salon and technician, your lashes are treated with the latest, safest techniques, reducing the risk of damage and achieving the best results.
Frequency of Lash Lift Treatments
It's best for clients to return every 6 to 8 weeks for lash lift treatments.
The exact timing can vary slightly depending on the client's lash growth cycle and the results of the previous lift. However, the most important thing is to avoid using a lash curler once the curl starts to lose its shape. If clients notice that their lashes are beginning to straighten and it bothers them,