Lash CreateLash curl types, from soft to dramatic.
The curl decides how much lift a lash gives and how open the eye looks. Get it right and a set comes alive, get it wrong and the prettiest length falls flat. Here is every curl, shown side by side, with the eye each one suits.
Length gets all the attention, but curl is what makes a set lift. The same 11mm lash in a soft B curl and a dramatic D curl gives two completely different looks, one quiet and natural, one wide awake and bold. Curls are named with letters, and the letter tells you how much the lash bends, from almost straight up to a sharp lifted kick.
Below is the full curl family in order, from the straightest to the most lifted. Each one shows the shape of a single lash, so you can see exactly how the bend grows as you move along the alphabet.
The lash curl chart
Almost no curl. A lash lift look that adds length and darkness while staying very natural.
A soft bend at the tip. The most natural true curl, lovely for a subtle, classic finish.
A touch more lift than a J, still understated. A go to for a natural set with a little more open.
The everyday favourite. A clean open lift that flatters most eyes and reads as polished and pretty.
Bold and lifted, the tip curls up and back. Great for drama and for making short lashes look longer.
Straight at the base then a sharp kick up. Lifts hooded and downturned eyes and suits glasses wearers.
Lash Create includes all six curls, from the natural I and J through to the lifted D and L, so you can match the curl to the eye.
Which curl suits which eye
There is no single best curl, only the right curl for the eye and the look. A few reliable rules:
- Straight and downward lashes need a stronger curl, a C or D, so the lash lifts up rather than pointing down.
- Hooded eyes love an L curl, because the straight base lifts up and back and clears the lid instead of hiding under it.
- Downturned eyes lift with a D or L curl, especially toward the outer corner where you want to fight the droop.
- Already curled natural lashes often sit best in a softer J or B, so the extension follows the lash rather than fighting it.
- Glasses wearers suit an L curl, which lifts up and away so the lashes do not brush the lens.
Curl, length and map work together
Curl is one of three decisions, alongside length and placement. A map tells you where the length goes, the curl tells you how it lifts, and mixing a couple of curls across a set adds real dimension. To see how it all fits together, read our step by step lash mapping guide, browse the shapes in lash mapping styles, and learn the numbers in our lash mapping chart. If you are choosing a curl for a particular eye, our guide to the best lash style for your eye shape goes deeper.
Try curls before you commit
Reading a curl chart helps, but seeing a C next to a D on your own eyes settles it instantly. Lash Create lets you switch curls on a photo of the real eyes in a tap, so you can compare a soft B against a dramatic L before a single lash goes on. It is the fastest way to land on the curl that actually suits the face in front of you.
Pick length for the shape and curl for the lift. The two together are what make a set look designed rather than simply applied.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different lash curl types?
Lash Create offers six curls, from straightest to most lifted: I, J, B, C, D and L. An I curl is almost straight, a C curl is the everyday classic, a D curl is bold and lifted, and an L curl has a straight base with a sharp upward kick for hooded and downturned eyes.
What is the most popular lash curl?
The C curl is the most popular and versatile. It gives a clear, open lift that suits most eyes and reads as a polished everyday look. The D and L curls are the next step up when a client wants more drama or lift.
What lash curl is best for hooded eyes?
Hooded eyes usually want a stronger curl, a D or L, so the lash lifts up and back and clears the lid rather than disappearing under it. The straight base on an L curl is especially good at lifting a heavy lid.
What is the difference between a C curl and a D curl?
A C curl is a clean, classic open curve that gives natural lift. A D curl is more dramatic, with the tip curling further up and back for a bolder, more wide awake look. A D curl can also make short natural lashes look longer.
What is an L curl used for?
An L curl has a straight base and a sharp lift at the tip. That shape is perfect for hooded and downturned eyes and for anyone who wears glasses, because it lifts up and away rather than forward.
How do I choose the right lash curl?
Match the curl to how open the eye is and the look you want. Straighter curls like I, J and B read natural, C is the everyday workhorse, and D and L give lift and drama. You can also mix curls across a map, and previewing them on a photo is the quickest way to choose.
Compare curls on your own eyes.
Download Lash Create and start mapping with any curl now.