My eyelashes are pathetically short and straight, so I rely on using a lash curler and mascara everytime I wear makeup.
Whilst mascara alone can make a difference in the length and curl of your lashes, your lashes usually uncurl soon after applying mascara, and there are a number of reasons for why that happens.
What Makes Eyelashes Drop After Mascara?
When you notice your lashes losing their curl, after applying mascara, it’s usually because of the mascara’s weight, moist and formula working against the curl you’ve just created.
Plus, your natural lash health also matters as weak and brittle lashes won’t hold a lifted shape, so they end up sinking with even a light layer of mascara.
If you overuse lash curlers or press your lash curler too hard, it’ll gradually weaken the lash shaft which will loosen the curl pattern of your lashes.
Wearing heavy lash extensions can also pull your natural lashes downward, especially if the extensions are too long or too thick for you natural lash line.
There are also environmental factors that can have an affect too. Humidity and tears add moisture, so your lash’s curl relaxes faster, and if you have dry eyes which make you want to rub your eyes, and that’ll also flatten your lashes.
Using harsh makeup remover formulas or rough cleansing can break down your lash’s curl over time, leaving your lashes looking straighter each day you apply your mascara.
How Mascara Formula Affects Lash Curl
The formula of your mascara can affect if your lashes will hold a curl, or it’ll drop. If your lashes and fine and straight, they’ll need a lightweight and drier mascara formula, while thicker lashes can handle a more creamy mascara formula.
Waterproof mascara formulas usually give you a longer lasting curl because the formula contains less water, so they don’t re-soften the curl you’ve created with your lash curler.
Always check the ingredients within your mascara formula too. Heavy oils, conditioning waxes and lots of humectants can add both slip and wight, which will pull your lashes downward throughout the day.
In contrast though, film-formers and flexible polymers can create a light “shell” around each of your lashes, which will help your curl to stay lifted throughout the day, without feeling crunchy.
The mascara wand type will also affect the curl of your lashes. Using a dense and oversized wand can end up overloading your lashes with product, which will make your curl droop. Whilst using a slimmer or curved wand will deposit a thinner and more even coat, to help keep your curl and lash definition lasting all day.
How Application Technique Can Change The Result
The way you’re applying your mascara affects how long your curl will last. If you use a lash curler too hard, or don’t use one at all, your lashes are less likely to hold their shape. So, always curl your lashes first, and then lock in the curl with thin coats of mascara, rather than one heavy layer that’ll weigh down your lashes.
You can use lash serums or a lash primer to help give your lashes grip and structure, but don’t over apply, as that’ll also weigh down your lashes.
For application, tilt your chin upwards, and look down into your mirror, pressing the mascara wand into the base of your lashes, and then wiggle upward, and hold the wand slightly outward and the outer corners to boost the lift even more.
How Humidity And Heat Can Affect Lash Hold
Humidity can affect how long the curl in your lashes is going to last. When humidity levels rise, the water in the air will seep into your lashes and mascara, making them more flexible and less able to hold their shape.
Heat exposure also has a role, as hot weather conditions, steamy bathrooms or blow-dryer heat can re-melt your mascara, weakening the curl retention of your lashes. If your eyelids get oily along with heat, your mascara will break down faster at the base, which is what holds the curl in your lashes.
On more hot or humid days, choose a waterproof mascara formula or a tubing mascara, and avoid using heavy, creamy lash products that tend to stay tacky. Ensure you let each mascara coat dry fully, and keep your face away from direct steam or hot air streams too.