What is a lash lift?
A lash lift is a process that involves altering the shape and color of your eyelash using a tiny curling rod and a lifting solution. In other words, it can be said to be a perm for your eyelash, curling your lashes right from its base to the tips.
This procedure usually requires the experienced hands of a professional because there are chemicals involved. But trust us, it isn’t as scary as we just mentioned; your eyes would be closed the entire time.
Scrubbing off mascara and the use of lash curlers are two procedures that can actually damage your eyelashes. Undergoing a lash lift procedure will enable your damaged lashes grow long and strong without any fear.
How does lash lifting works?
A lash lifting procedure generally takes between 45-60 minutes depending on the thickness of your natural eyelash.
Like we said previously, lash lift is a perm for lashes but it doesn’t make use of those harmful chemicals used to perm hair.
Before booking a session, it is advised you asked your technician some questions so as to be on the safer side. Ensure you are putting your eyes in the care of the right person.
These steps are generally how a lash lift procedure is done;
- The lash technician preps the eye area and determines the lash style, getting you ready for your session. It is usually advised to visit the lash studio makeup-free when you decide to have a lash lift procedure done.
- The lash artist also picks the suitable curling shield size to cover the lashes with.
- The lash artist goes ahead to place the shield which is usually silicone on the eyelids using a medically safe glue. The glue resembles the one that is used to glue on false lash extensions.
- Then, your natural lashes are combed upwards and glued at their tips to the silicone shield. This step ensures the lashes are shaped in place.
- The curling solution also called the perming solution is applied to the lashes. This solution softens the hair and it is allowed to stay on from anywhere between six to twelve minutes. This all depends on the thickness of the lashes and how well your lashes can hold a curl.
- After the allocated time elapses, a hardening solution known as setting lotion is put on the lashes. The function of this lotion is to harden the lashes back up and lock the shape in.
- The setting lotion is usually followed by a nourishing solution. The nourishing solution is used to add moisture back to the lashes, and, it contains keratin and sodium PCA. Aloe Vera, grape seed oil ad glycerin are the other moisture attracting ingredients the nourishing oil contains. This step is quite similar to adding conditioner to your hair after you must have bleached or dyed the hair.
Lash lift is a procedure that takes about an hour from the start to finish.
How long does a lash lift last?
Typically, lash lifts last between six to eight weeks. At the end of the 8th week, we advise the client to get a redo of the procedure. This is because, at eight weeks, the natural growth cycle of lashes would have kicked in, and new straight lashes would grow behind the lifted ones.
How much does lash lift cost?
Lash lifts cost $75 – $100 per session. And these prices depend on where you go to get yours done.
Can anything go wrong?
We can assure you that lash lifts are not painful at all. You might have come across some pictures of the procedure, and they may look hurtful and intimidating. Trust us, they are not. They are just uncomfortable because you have to lie still and close your eyes throughout the session.
As with anything related to beauty and wellness, we recommend you speak to an expert. Always ask the lash artist for a patch test of the solution to ensure your skin isn’t sensitive to the perming solution before opting for a full session.
Will a lash lift damage your lashes?
This procedure if done right should not damage your lashes. A certified lash artist that has done a lash lift in the past should be aware that the perming solution is added to the middle of the lash and the tip of the eyelash avoiding the eyelash bed.
Lash lift can be likened to coloring your hair. Dying your hair isn’t the best thing for your hair but as long as you do it in moderation it won’t hurt.
How do you maintain a lash lift?
In order to maximize the look you get from your session, we advise you don’t get your lashes wet for 24 hours after getting them done. The aim is to allow the bond set completely – just like you would do with a real perm.
Can you use mascara on top of your lash lift?
Mascaras can be used on top of your lash lift if that is the look you want. But the rule is to give the bond time to set before applying anything to the newly done lashes.
Do lash lifts work on any lash length and color?
In as much as the length of your lashes is 4mm long and above, you can have the lash lift procedure done. Since lash lifting requires the lashes to be glued to the eyelids before the curling solution is added, you have got to have something the lash artist would work with.
We also recommend a lash tint session when you get a lash lift done. The combination of both procedures gives a carefully balanced look which is pleasing to the eye.
With Lash lifts, there are serious risks to be considered. These risks can be made worse if you do not work with an aesthetician that have experience working with lash lift.
What is the difference between a lash lift and lash extension?
You might be wondering why you should ditch your lash extension for a lash lift session. We have all the juice why they are better than lash extensions.
Asides from the fact that lash lifts are surprisingly cheaper than lash extensions, they are also low maintenance. They do not require the user to be extra careful when washing their face, sleeping a certain way, or even applying makeup a certain way – which is something that you always have to consider with lash extensions.
Lash lifts are generally low maintenance but it is advised to keep conditioning them every night. The lashes have been processed and it would do you a lot of good to keep them nourished and conditioned. You can use coconut oil or any facial oil to achieve this.
Eyelash extensions near me
Unlock a world of different lash studios, eyelash tech, and eyelash extensions near you today when you use our ‘eyelash extensions near me’ tool.
Trust us, we have got the answer to your question of where to get eyelash extensions near me, strip lashes near me, and silk lashes near me.
But you have to take the first step now.
Eyelash club
At our eyelash club, our main goal is to educate people as they transition to the lash life. And it is no news that every member of our eyelash club gets access to resources and reviews of eyelash extensions, lash tinting, brow tinting, lash lifting and so on, all for free.
Join over 1,000 ladies that care enough about their eyelash game today by signing up now.
Adding a tint to your lash lift
Most salons offer a tint alongside the treatment, and pairing the two is the single most popular booking on any lash menu. The reason is that each solves a different half of the problem.
A lash lift creates shape by curling the natural lash upward from the root. It does nothing for colour, which is why pale lash tips can still disappear afterwards despite the improved curl.
A tint supplies that missing colour. Combined with a lash lift, the effect from a normal viewing distance reads much like a set of extensions, at a fraction of the cost and upkeep.
The two are performed in one appointment, lift first and tint immediately after, since lifted lashes take colour more evenly. Our guide to eyelash tinting covers the colour side in detail.
How to prepare for your appointment
Very little is needed, but a few small things make the lash lift take more evenly and last longer.
Arrive with clean lashes and no eye makeup. Mascara residue blocks the solution from reaching the lash evenly, and your technician will otherwise spend the first part of the appointment removing it.
Skip oil-based products around the eye that morning. Oil interferes with how the lash lift solution bonds, and it is the most common reason a result comes out uneven.
Remove contact lenses before you arrive or bring a case. Most technicians ask for them to come out as a simple precaution.
Mention any recent eye surgery, infection or irritation when booking rather than on arrival, so the salon can reschedule your lash lift rather than turning you away.
Aftercare in the first 48 hours
The first two days determine how long the result holds, and almost every disappointing lash lift traces back to something done during this window.
Keep the lashes completely dry for 24 hours. Water during this period can relax the newly set curl before it has stabilised, undoing the lash lift entirely in the worst cases.
Avoid steam, saunas, swimming and intense exercise for the first day or two for the same reason. Heat and humidity are as damaging as direct water.
Do not sleep face-down on the first night. Pressing a freshly set lash lift into a pillow is a reliable way to end up with a kink on one side.
After the first 48 hours the routine is genuinely minimal. Brush the lashes through occasionally and avoid oil-based removers, and that is the whole maintenance requirement.
Who suits a lift, and who should consider extensions
The treatment works with what you already have, so your natural lash length decides most of the outcome.
If your lashes are a reasonable length but grow straight down, a lash lift is close to transformative. Curling them upward opens the eye in a way mascara never quite manages.
If your lashes are very short, there is less to work with. A lash lift cannot add length, and the result may be subtler than the before-and-after photos suggest.
If you want visible length or density, extensions are the honest answer. Our classic versus volume comparison explains those options.
Eye health is worth weighing alongside appearance. The American Academy of Ophthalmology publishes guidance on lash treatments, adhesive and solution reactions that applies here too.
Common mistakes to avoid
Getting it wet too soon. The single most common reason a lash lift drops early, and entirely avoidable.
Choosing too strong a curl. An aggressive rod on short lashes can leave them looking crimped rather than lifted. A gentler curl usually looks more natural.
Booking too frequently. Repeating a lash lift before the previous one has grown out stresses the hair. Leave the full interval.
Using waterproof mascara afterwards. Removing it requires exactly the oil and friction that shorten the result.
Frequently asked questions
Does it hurt?
No. Your eyes stay closed throughout and nothing touches the eye itself. Most people find a lash lift restful, and some fall asleep during it.
Can I wear mascara afterwards?
Yes, after the first 48 hours, though most people find they no longer need it. Stick to a regular formula, since waterproof mascara requires oil-based removal.
How soon can I repeat it?
Wait until the previous result has grown out, typically six to eight weeks. Repeating a lash lift sooner risks over-processing the hair.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
Many salons will perform it, though some decline as a precaution. Hormonal changes can also affect how the lash lift takes, so results are less predictable.
What affects the price
A lash lift sits comfortably below extensions on any salon menu, because the appointment is shorter and there is no product bonded to each individual lash.
Adding a tint raises the price modestly, and almost every salon prices the combination below two separate bookings to encourage it.
Technician experience matters more than the products used. An experienced practitioner selects the right rod size for your lash length, which is the difference between a natural lift and a crimped one.
Compare the annual figure rather than one appointment. A lash lift repeated every six to eight weeks still costs far less across a year than extensions filled every two to three weeks.
How it differs from an old-fashioned lash perm
The two are often used interchangeably, but the modern treatment is a meaningful improvement on what came before.
Traditional perms wrapped lashes around a rod to create a rounded, sometimes overly curled result. A modern lash lift uses a silicone shield instead, which lifts from the root and produces a straighter, more natural upward sweep.
The solutions have also become gentler. That is why a lash lift can now be repeated every couple of months without the lash damage older perming methods were known for.
What to expect in the days after
The result looks its most dramatic in the first week and then softens gradually rather than dropping suddenly, which catches some people out.
Immediately afterwards the curl can look sharper than expected. Give it a day to settle before judging a lash lift, because the shape relaxes slightly as it stabilises.
Around the four-week mark you will notice new growth coming through straight at the base while the lifted lashes still curl. This mixed appearance is normal and is the usual signal that a repeat lash lift is due soon.
Some people find that their lashes feel a little drier than usual in the days afterwards. A lash conditioning serum applied at night helps, provided it is oil-free so it does not shorten the result.
If the curl looks noticeably uneven between eyes after a few days, contact the salon. A good technician will happily adjust a lash lift within the first week or so rather than leaving you to wait the whole cycle out.
Conclusion
A lash lift is the lowest-maintenance way to open up the eyes without adding anything to them. Nothing is bonded on, nothing needs daily upkeep, and the result grows out naturally rather than requiring removal.
It works with the lashes you have rather than replacing them, so set expectations by your own length. Pairing it with a tint is what turns a subtle improvement into an obvious one, particularly if your lash tips are pale.
Keep them dry for the first day, choose a curl that suits your lash length rather than the strongest available, and a lash lift will give you six to eight weeks of genuinely effortless eyes.
