Choosing the right curl for eyelash extensions

It can be a little overwhelming to choose one type of curl among many for eyelash extensions. But as lash artists, it’s essential that we know what to choose, as well as how and when to choose it.

A lot of the time we have to be – let’s just say – a little dictatorial to help our clients. Sometimes clients can be a bit aggressive and try to convince lash artists to do certain things according to what they think is right for them. What they want is certainly not the right option in many cases! That’s why it’s your responsibility to make a more informed decision to help your client.

You will have to take into account many factors such as personal style, appearance and the professional lash products that are being used. In this article, we will promptly go over on how different types of curl will fit, and when to use each of them, by considering all the aspects mentioned above. 

But first, let’s go over them a bit, shall we?

Types of curls

It’s always good to have an understanding of a wide variety of lash curls in your mind at all times, as you will never know who your next client is. You will need to think fast and think smart when it comes to choosing the right curl for your client, and to achieve this you must first get educated on all the most basic ones.

• J-Curl: this is the most natural one, but because it’s natural, it’s not very curled! This is not used very often due to that reason as well, but in very specific cases, the J-Curl works out best.
• B-Curl: offers a simple curl with a bit more lift than the J-Curl, and it’s therefore a bit more favored than the J-Curl.
• C-Curl: this curl is the most popular due to the open-eye effect it creates. It’s not too drastic as well.
• D-Curl: gives more lift and more visible lash lines, with more drama in their properties.
• L-Curl: as the name suggests, it gives the look of an “L” as well as providing more lift to the lash line.

Along with these are some hybrid curls that have been getting more and more popular:

• CC-Curl: more curled than a C-Curl but less than a D.
• LC-Curl: these are lashes with a straight base similar to a regular L-Curl, but curving like a C-Curl.
• LD-Curl: similar to LC-Curl except it curves into a D-Curl.
• There are also DD-Curl lashes, F-Curl lashes, G-Curl lashes, E-Curl lashes and more, but for the purposes of this article, we will only mention the most common ones. 

When to use each different curl type

As with how their name varies, the main functions of the various curls will also differ. We will go over all of the ones listed and give you a breakdown on each of them. The point is to try to portray a clearer perspective of when best to use a curl type, and when to choose one over the other. 

First, the J-Curl. As has been said, this is the most natural looking one out of them all, and being natural is being not very curled. Most clients prefer something more dramatic, more pop and lift when it comes to their own extensions. However, some clients have natural lashes that are straight or point downward, and this curl might fit them if they want a more conservative look.

The B-Curl offers a bit more lift and comfort. It’s suitable for those who don’t want the lashes to irritate their inner corner. The C-Curl is the most commonly used curl for its open eye effect formation. D-Curl is for those who want the most dramatic look! It gives the most lift and does not disappoint.

L-Curl has an interesting shape which some clients might like. The CC-Curl, LC-Curl and LD-Curl are more of a personal taste, however their dynamics work similarly to the ones before them. To use them effectively is to know how J, D, C, B and L-Curl lashes work.

There’s also the question of which diameter and length to consider when you’re trying to choose the right curl for eyelash extensions. Sometimes a different type of curl might not work with some natural lashes simply due to their shapes, which are related to their diameter and length. For example, some clients have weak lashes, so a curl that seems too long (for example, the M-Curl) or dresses a shape that’s too heavy will cause possible brittlement.

Ultimately, you will be the performer, and we only act as an additional guide. Keep on increasing your arsenal of curls and work with practitioners as well as other lash artists before reaching the final decision on how a curl will look on different clients. The outcomes may be somewhat dissimilar to what have been raised here, but the core thinking is the same: effective communication; being aware of context and the client’s own body type; and teaching yourself techniques and knowledge so that the right curl already pops into your mind as soon as the client walks in.