Eyelashes are a part of your body that you may have never given much thought to. You just know that they are there and that they grow out of the lash follicle. You also know that if you rub your eyes too hard or wear mascara, they can become damaged or fall out. Some people are lucky enough to have beautifully curly lashes, but you might be wondering why do my eyelashes point downwards? Keep on reading to find out the answer.
Why Do My Eyelashes Point Downwards?
When you look in the mirror, you might notice that your eyelashes point downwards. When this happens, it’s normal to wonder why they aren’t pointing upwards, like many other people’s eyelashes seem to do. The reason for this is simple: Downward-pointing lashes are a natural process that occurs as part of an average person’s facial growth and development.
There are many reasons why your eyelashes might point downwards instead of upwards or at an angle. For example, your genes may be responsible for the shape of your eyelashes. If one or both of your parents have downward-pointing lashes, then you’re more likely to have them as well.
Having Downward Eyelashes Isn’t A Problem
It’s important to understand that there is nothing wrong with your eyelashes pointing down if it’s a natural part of who you are. Eyelashes that point downwards are not a sign of illness, they just happen to be the way your eyelashes grow.
If you feel like there is no underlying problem for the direction in which your eyelashes grow, then don’t worry about it. Your eyelashes are an integral part of who you are and should be treated as such. You should not try to change the direction of your eyelashes by using creams or other methods because this could cause more problems than they solve (for example: redness).
If You’ve Always Had Downward Eyelashes, There’s No Need To Worry
You can relax if your eyelashes are pointing down. Though it might look like a problem, it’s actually normal for some people to have downward-pointing lashes. There is no reason to worry about this at all.
If you’d like to change the direction of your lashes, try using an eyelash curler when applying makeup or mascara. This will give them more lift and cause them to point upward instead of down.
If you have trichotillomania (a psychological condition that causes compulsive hair pulling), talk with a doctor about treatment options such as counseling and medication that may help diminish symptoms such as anxiety or depression that may be contributing factors in compulsion behaviors like pulling out your own eyelashes or eyebrows.
Medical Issues Affecting Your Eyelashes
There are a few medical reasons why you might have downward-pointing lashes. One of them is an eyelid infection called blepharitis, which causes the eyelid to swell up and become inflamed. This can cause your eyelashes to point down instead of up.
Another possible culprit is using an eyelash curler too often—it’s important to clean it regularly with soap and water or eye makeup remover so that bacteria don’t build up in the metal parts of the device over time. If you use an old one without cleaning it first, this could also lead to infections like blepharitis around your lash line due to bacteria transferring from the old tool onto your skin when you use it every day.
You May Have Trichotillomania
If you have trichotillomania, it may be hard to understand why your eyelashes are pointing down. After all, this is not a sign of poor hygiene or self-esteem issues.
The good news is that trichotillomania is not an indication of poor social skills or lack of self-esteem either. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), more than 80% of those who suffer from trichotillomania are women and most do not realize they have the condition until they try to stop pulling their hair out and see their eyebrows grow back in place.
Trichotillomania is a mental health disorder in which you pull out your hair without realizing it because you feel compelled to do so because of anxiety, stress or boredom.
Bacteria On The Lashes Or Eyelids Could Be Causing You Issues
If you’re growing fatigued of the daily struggle to keep your eyelashes pointing upwards, don’t worry, because it’s totally normal for some people’s eyelashes to go down instead. The most common reason for this is a build-up of bacteria in the lashes themselves or on the eyelids.
The best way to prevent this from happening is by regularly cleaning out your makeup brush, but if you’ve been a bit lax about that and are now looking at a downward-facing eyelash problem, there are solutions. An easy fix is using an eyelash curler after applying mascara.
This will lift up any lashes that have gone flat due to build-up from mascara/eyeshadow/etc., which should help them return into place and look normal again within a few days or weeks (depending on how quickly you can get through all those tubes of mascaras).
Using Eyelash Curlers Too Frequently
Using one of these metal gadgets on a regular basis could cause damage to your lashes, causing them to grow in a downward direction. If you’re concerned about the health of your lashes, it’s best to use an eyelash curler no more than once or twice per week.
Another option for getting rid of stubbornly straight eyelashes is finding another method for shaping them. There are a few that are worth trying instead of relying on an eyelash curler all the time.
You can use warm washcloths to curl your lashes as they dry after washing them in the morning and evening. This will help keep those beautiful curls looking fresh during the day.
Try applying castor oil at night before bedtime (with cotton swabs), then use coconut oil after showering in the morning while still wet from being out in cold weather out there.
Final Thoughts
There’s no reason to change the direction of your eyelashes unless they’re actually causing problems for you. Eyelashes are part of your body, so it’s best not to mess with them. If you have downward-pointing eyelashes, there’s no need to worry—that just means that was the way they were born.
If you do want to change the direction of your lashes—and if that works for you and makes you happy—go ahead and do it. Nothing wrong with that at all. But if you’re considering changing the direction of your lashes, think about why you want to do that. If it’s because of what other people say or if it will make a difference in your life, then don’t worry about it—just let them be.

Hi! My name is Gemma, and welcome to Miss Makeup Magpie. I share helpful articles to help you with beauty tips, tricks and tutorials.