the comprehensive k-lift course
100% online, 100% authentic, 100% value... learn everything there is to know about korean lash lifts
learn lift + extensions
learn the vira perm point and the hottest new lash styles of 2026: the hybrid of lash lift and extensions to create hyperrealistic lash styles
learn bottom lash lifts
my megu's newest online course... learn the popular add-on in South Korea ♡ add bottom lash lifts to your menu today
Type:
My Megu Gentle Solution + Silk Protein
My Megu Courses ♡
Type: Course
Shields and Rods Guide for Korean Lash Lifts
Type: Course
lift + extensions mini mastercourse
Blog Posts
What's Actually in Your Lash Lift Solution? A Full Ingredient Breakdown
Choosing a lash lift solution goes beyond thioglycolate vs. cysteamine. Learn why ingredient philosophy matters for results, lash health, and your technique.
Learn more
Why Your Lash Lifts Look Crooked During Growout (It's Not Overprocessed)
Why Your Lash Lifts Look Crooked During Growout (It's Not Overprocessed) You just got a lash lift. For the first week, they look amazing—lifted, fluffy, exactly what you paid for. Then around week 4, you notice something: your lashes look a little wonky. Maybe they're bent at odd angles. The outer corners seem to point inward. Some look crispy or frizzy. Your first thought? "Did my lash artist mess up? Are my lashes overprocessed?" The answer is almost certainly no. What you're experiencing is called the awkward phase, and it's a completely normal part of lash lift growout. Once you understand what's happening, you'll see it's actually a sign that your lift was applied correctly. Let's break down what's really going on with your lashes—and why that crooked look doesn't mean damage. What the Awkward Phase Actually Is The awkward phase is a 4–9 week period where your lashes gradually shift shape as new, unlifted hair grows in from the root. During this time, the originally lifted portion of your lash moves upward along the hair shaft, creating bends and angles that look uneven or "crimped." Think of it like this: when your lash lift is applied, your lashes are curved at the base (closest to the lash line). That curve is tightest at the root where the hair is most moldable. As your natural lashes grow about 1/8 inch per week, the lifted portion slowly migrates away from the lash line, while fresh, straight hair pushes up from below. This creates a visible bend where the lifted and unlifted portions meet. Your upper lash line experiences this effect most noticeably because those lashes sit closest to the shield during the lift, which means they get the strongest curve at the base. The upper layer doesn't have lashes above it to support its shape, so it's naturally more prone to shifting during the grow-out phase. This is especially true if you sleep on your side or face—lashes are soft and moldable when you're resting, and consistent pressure can train them into new angles. Why It Looks Worse on One Side If your awkward phase is more pronounced on one side, look at where you sleep. Your lashes literally learn the position you rest them in night after night. If you favor sleeping on your left side, expect the left side of your upper lash line to show the most dramatic bending and wonkiness. The lashes get compressed under the pressure of your head and face, creating that slightly crooked appearance. Even if you sleep on your back most nights, occasional side-sleeping can create these patterns. And the outer corners are especially vulnerable because they have less support and more freedom to move. This is why aftercare matters so much during weeks 4–9. Consistently brushing your lashes back into place and avoiding sleeping positions that crush them can minimize how dramatic the awkward phase looks. What Overprocessing Actually Looks Like (And It's Different) Here's the critical distinction: overprocessing happens immediately, not weeks later. If your lash artist over-processed your lashes during the service, you'd know within the first 24 hours. Signs of actual overprocessing include: Lashes feel brittle or crispy to the touch (not just the appearance, but the actual texture) Breakage when you gently touch or brush them (hair snapping off, not bending or falling out naturally) Obvious gaps in your lash line (missing lashes, not just bent ones) Frizziness or frizzy texture throughout the lashes A burnt or chemical smell lingering after the service If you're in week 4 of your growout and your lashes look bent but feel normal, are intact, and don't break when you touch them? You do not have overprocessed lashes. You have the awkward phase. Those are two completely different things. An experienced lash artist can also tell the difference immediately. If overprocessing happened, it would show up right away—not weeks later during growout. And a good artist will adjust the curl strength or processing time on your next appointment if you mention concern about the growout phase, rather than blame you or dismiss your observations. How Sleep Position Affects Lash Lift Shape Your sleep position is one of the biggest factors in how dramatic your awkward phase becomes. Let's be specific about what happens: If you sleep on your side or on your face: The lashes on that side get compressed nightly. Over 8 hours, they're being pressed into a new shape. Your lashes are made of keratin, which is pliable—especially after a lash lift when the protein structure has been temporarily altered. That consistent pressure trains your lashes into a bend or curve that mirrors the position you're sleeping in. When you wake up, the bend stays there until it sheds out with new growth (usually 6–8 weeks). If you sleep on your back: You'll experience the awkward phase, but it's usually more even across both eyes and less dramatic overall. The solution? Protect your lashes while you sleep. Use a silk or satin pillowcase (it reduces friction and helps lashes keep their shape), sleep on your back when possible, or apply a nourishing coating—like vaseline, silk protein treatment, or lash serum—before bed to protect the lashes while they're compressed. How to Minimize the Awkward Phase You can't eliminate the awkward phase entirely—it's a natural part of growout—but you can make it less noticeable: Avoid sleeping on your lashes. Sleep on your back if possible. If you're a side sleeper, try using a face pillow that creates space for your lashes, or a silk eye mask that keeps lashes off your face. Brush your lashes daily. Use a clean lash spoolie to gently brush lashes back into the lifted direction. Do this in the morning and evening. The more consistently you do this, the more the lashes "remember" their shape and the less dramatic the bends look. Apply protective treatments. Use a lash lift aftercare serum, silk protein treatment, or even vaseline before bed. This protects the lashes and helps them stay nourished as they grow out. Healthy lashes are less prone to dramatic bending. Avoid eye makeup. The process of removing mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow add weight and friction to your lashes during the growout phase, which can exacerbate bending and shifting. Give your lashes a break or remove the eye makeup gently. Don't rub your eyes. This is self-explanatory but critical. Rubbing creates pressure and changes the shape of your lashes. If you're itchy, use a clean spoolie to gently comb through instead. Consider a softer curl on your next appointment. If your awkward phase was dramatic, mention it to your lash artist on your next visit. Ask for a softer or more subtle curl. Yes, this sacrifices some length, but the growout phase will look far more seamless. It's a legitimate trade-off, and a good artist will understand and adjust accordingly. When to Redo Your Lash Lift Most lash artists won't redo a lash lift during the awkward phase. The standard is to wait until approximately 80% of your natural lashes have grown out (usually around 8–10 weeks). This prevents over-processing and protects the health of your lash line. If you're at the 4–6 week mark and your lashes look wonky, it's almost always the awkward phase, not a failed service. Patience is your best tool here. The lashes that shed will be replaced with fresh, unlifted hair, and the overall look will smooth out naturally. The Bottom Line Your crooked or bent lashes during growout are a sign that your lift was applied correctly—strong enough to hold a visible curl as it migrates upward. Overprocessing would show up immediately with brittleness, breakage, or texture changes. What you're seeing is your lashes doing exactly what they're supposed to do during the natural regrowth cycle. Stay consistent with aftercare, protect your lashes while you sleep, and brush them back into place daily. The awkward phase is temporary, and understanding it helps you manage expectations and feel confident in your lash lift decision. Learn more about lash lift aftercare Explore our professional lash lift products and serums Discover the chemistry behind lash lift solutions Enroll in our beginner lash lift course to master technique Understanding the awkward phase is just one part of mastering lash lifts. Whether you're learning to apply them or helping clients navigate growout, education makes all the difference. Explore our lash lift resources and products to deepen your knowledge.
Learn more
Magical Lift vs Gentle Solution: Ingredient, Processing, and Skill-Level Breakdown
Magical Lift and Gentle Solution were both designed for the Korean Lash Lift technique — but they process very differently. This guide breaks down ingredient chemistry, neutralization speed, protein vs nourishment philosophy, and which system fits your skill level.
Learn more