Downward-Pointing Lashes? Here's What You Need to Know If Extensions Alone Aren't Cutting It
- Mai Takei
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
Lash Up Extensions — Mai Lashes Brisbane's Go-To Treatment for Downward-Pointing Lashes
For clients with straight, downward-pointing natural lashes, getting extensions alone often doesn't deliver the result they're after.
When natural lashes grow downward, extensions tend to separate from them rather than blending together. Viewed from the side, the natural lashes fall into the line of sight, the lift effect is lost, and clients are left wondering whether they're even wearing extensions at all.
That's exactly the problem that Lash Up Extensions was designed to solve.
This treatment works by applying 55 fans per eye first, then following with a lash lift — lifting the added volume together with the natural lashes for a seamless, natural finish.
For clients struggling with downward-pointing lashes, this is the combination treatment we recommend first.
One important point: Lash Up Extensions uses LED glue.
Because the lash lift solution is applied after the extensions are already in place, traditional cyanoacrylate-based glue poses a real problem — contact with the lifting solution causes significant retention loss. With LED glue, the adhesive bond stays stable even after solution application, which is what makes this treatment possible in the first place.
For Clients Who Want Even More Volume:
The Lift-First Approach
For clients who want more volume than Lash Up Extensions provides — say, a fuller set of around 70 fans — there is another option:
Performing the lash lift first, then applying extensions afterwards.
"If there's already a treatment that does extensions then a lift — why not just do the same thing with more extensions?"
You might wonder.
The reality is, once the volume of extensions goes beyond a certain point, performing the lift afterwards becomes very difficult — and the results suffer.
▼ There are two main reasons for this:
① Attaching lashes to the rod becomes difficult
During a lash lift, natural lashes are adhered to a silicone rod. With a high volume of extensions already in place, there is simply too much bulk to lay the lashes neatly and precisely — making clean placement very difficult.
② Perming solution penetrates unevenly
With dense extensions in the way, Solution 1 and Solution 2 struggle to reach the natural lashes evenly. The result is inconsistent curl — patchy lift, weak areas, and an unpredictable finish.
For this reason, when a client wants more volume than Lash Up Extensions provides, performing the lift first and applying extensions afterwards is the more reliable approach.
Rod Size Selection: A Key Consideration When Lifting First
For a standalone lash lift, you'd typically choose a rod size based on the desired curl. But when extensions will follow, opt for a slightly larger rod than you normally would.
Over-curling at the lift stage makes it harder to apply extensions cleanly — the lashes become difficult to control and the finished result can look uneven. When combining with extensions, keep the lift moderate: enough to lift naturally from the root, without working against the extension application.
Why Both Treatments Are Only Possible with LED Glue
The same technology underpins both treatments: LED glue (LED-cured adhesive).
Standard lash extension glue is cyanoacrylate-based — it cures through contact with moisture in the air. Applying extensions with this type of glue and then following with lash lift solution is technically possible, but contact with the solution (particularly Solution 1) causes the glue to whiten, degrade, and lose retention significantly. This has always been one of the persistent challenges with combination treatments.
LED glue, on the other hand, is a photo-polymerising adhesive that cures instantly when exposed to specific wavelengths of LED light. Because it doesn't rely on moisture evaporation, it is far less susceptible to chemical interference from perming solutions — meaning retention stays stable even after solution is applied.
LED glue also offers greater control during application. Placing extensions precisely on lashes that are already curled and lifted requires a more forgiving working time — and LED glue delivers exactly that.
Both Lash Up Extensions and the lift-first approach are treatments that only became possible thanks to LED glue.
Which Treatment Is Right for Your Client?
Lash Up Extensions | Lift → Extensions | |
Order | Extensions (55 fans) → Lift | Lift → Extensions |
Best for | Clients wanting a natural lifted look | Clients wanting higher volume and drama |
Finish | Seamless, natural integration | Fuller, more defined volume |
FAQ
Q. Can Lash Up Extensions be performed on clients whose lashes don't point downward?
A. Yes, it's technically possible — but this treatment delivers the most noticeable results for clients with straight, downward-pointing lashes. For clients whose lashes already grow upward, a standalone lash lift or extensions alone is often the better recommendation.
Q. Is LED glue very different to use compared to regular glue?
A. The curing mechanism is different, so there is a learning curve. Regular glue is affected by humidity and temperature, while LED glue cures on demand when you apply the LED light — which actually gives you more control during application. That said, understanding the correct exposure time and distance is essential to using it well.
Q. If I do the lift-first approach, how long does the lift last?
A. You can expect a similar longevity to a standalone lash lift — generally around 4 to 6 weeks, though this varies depending on the client's natural lash condition and aftercare. Scheduling the lift touch-up alongside the extension maintenance appointment tends to work well.
Q. Where can I learn this technique?
A. Through Lash Advance's in-person advanced training. The program covers everything from correct LED glue handling to the practical application of combination treatments.
Reach out via Instagram DM for details: @lashadvance
For Lash Artists Looking to Learn This Technique
Lash Advance offers in-person advanced training, mentoring programs, and one-on-one consultations for lash artists interested in mastering these techniques. Reach out via Instagram DM to discuss options or make an enquiry.
📷 Instagram: @lashadvance
Recommended Products
Our lash trays — compatible with flat lashes, handmade fans, and volume lashes — are a favourite among artists for both Lash Up Extensions and the lift-first approach. Highly recommended if you haven't tried them yet.
🔗 ▶ Shop here ◀
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