Lash lifts subtly enhance your lashes by lifting them at the root and fanning them out. This procedure creates a natural, polished look – the no-makeup makeup vibe. It’s the perfect beauty hack for minimalists. You love the idea of an eye-opening lift and curl, but you want to maximize your lashes’ wow factor. You’re bursting to know: how can I make my lash lift more dramatic?
You can make your lash lift results more dramatic by using a smaller shield to shape the lashes, lifting both the top and bottom lashes, applying a thickening treatment, or tinting the lashes. Lengthening the lashes with lash growth serum before the procedure will also give more striking results.
During the decade I’ve been lashing, I’ve found that every client who steps into my salon for a lash lift wants a specific result. Some want to change their lash look slightly, and others are raring to dial up the drama. So, it’s a good thing lash lifts are customizable! Results range from understated to attention-grabbing.
Keep reading to discover 6 secrets to boosting lash lift results.
6 Ways to Make Your Lash Lift More Dramatic
Let’s first go over the lash benefits you’ll get from even a basic lash lift:
- Lashes are lifted from the root to trick the eye into thinking you’ve got longer lashes than you do!
- Lashes are curled upward to open up the eyes.
- Lashes are fanned out for a pretty, polished look.
Now, here’s how to bump up the va-va-voom:
- #1: Apply lash growth serum before your procedure
- #2: Use a smaller shield
- #3: Lift your top and bottom lashes
- #4: Have a thickening treatment
- #5: Tint your lashes
- #6: Wear Eye Makeup
Must-know! You can intensify lash lift results, but you’ll never get the incredible length and fullness that lash extensions create.
Alright, let’s see how you can get the most from your lash lift!

#1: Apply Lash Growth Serum Before Your Procedure
A lash lift works with the lashes you’ve got, so bigger results depend on longer, thicker natural lashes.
A growth serum can help your lashes reach their full potential before they’re lifted. They’ll get healthier, glossier, longer, and stronger – and create a more impressive “after.”
Must-know! You must apply lash growth serum consistently for it to work, and you’ll only start to see results after at least a month (with full results after about 3 months).
Another way to get your lashes to shine after their lift is to apply a DIY lash serum made of nourishing oil for a few weeks before your procedure.
#2: Use a Smaller Shield
Lash techs lift and curl lashes against a tool called a shield. Shields are made from flexible silicone and come in different sizes for different effects.
The smaller the shield, the tighter the curl. So, ask your tech to use the smallest shield that will work with your lash length for a bigger lash makeover.
#3: Lift Your Top and Bottom Lashes
For double impact, don’t stop at your upper lashes; lift your lower lashes too!
Lifting your top and bottom lashes works wonders to make your eyes look bigger, brighter, and rounder.
#4: Have a Thickening Treatment
Have a lash lift with a thickening treatment to bring out the best in your lashes and make them showier.
Many procedures add a volumizer1 or strengthening keratin protein boost to the mix (or both) to make lashes look extra amazing.
#5: Tint Your Lashes
The ultimate way to level up your lash lift look is to have your lashes tinted.
Your lashes will be dyed to darken them and make them stand out (think of a tint as clump-free mascara that lasts for weeks!). Tinted lashes can also look longer because sun-bleached tips become visible.
Lash tints are wildly popular – so much so that many salons combine them with every lift or offer special lash-lift-and-tint packages.
Must-know! Lash tints are most dramatic on blonde or light-colored lashes. The difference won’t make you ooh and aah as much if your lashes are already dark.
#6: Wear Eye Makeup
Dig into your makeup collection to play up your lash lift to your heart’s content – line your eyes with eyeliner for more definition, slick on some mascara for extra length and fullness, and smooth eyeshadow onto your lids as a look-at-me finishing touch. You decide how big and bold to go with your makeup. You’ll start with a flawless lift and dream curl, so you can’t go wrong!
[Suggestion: Link to Can I Wear Eyeshadow After Lash Lift when it’s live]
Must-know! Wait a day after your lash lift before applying eye makeup; only use oil-free, easy-to-remove makeup; and gently remove your makeup with a mild, oil-free cleanser before you get into bed.
2 Things You Should Never do for More Dramatic Results
Now for things not to do for a head-turning lash lift.
Here are 2 things that might seem like lash-lift-boosting hacks but will backfire if you try them:
- #1: Wearing false lashes with a lash lift
- #2: Using an eyelash curler after a lash lift
Here’s why you want to avoid falsies and eyelash curlers after a lash lift.
#1: Wearing False Lashes With a Lash Lift
Falsies add length and fullness to your lash line, but they also weigh down on your natural lashes, weakening their lift and curl.
You also risk messing up your lash lift when you apply and remove the false lashes.
#2: Using an Eyelash Curler After a Lash Lift
Think an eyelash curler will turbocharge your lash lift? Back away from the curler! No good can come from combining this tool with a lash lift.
Using an eyelash curler after a lash lift won’t enhance your results; it will ruin them. What’s worse, it will increase your risk of lash breakage and loss.
Key Takeaways
If you’re a fan of understated beauty, you’ll likely go for a no-frills lash lift. However, you might want max impact. In this case, you’ve got plenty of options for powering up your procedure!
Grow and strengthen your lashes with serum, choose a tighter curl, lift your top and bottom lashes, have a thickening treatment, tint your lashes, or dress up your eyes in makeup – or do all 6 for W-O-W results. There’s a lash lift to delight every lash lover!
What do you think – go big or subtle? Let me know in the comments!
– Asako
References
- Meg Walters – medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP (2022). How Long Does a Lash Lift Last? Plus, What to Expect from Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-a-lash-lift-last (Accessed on 2 September 2022)
If I curl my lashes BEFORE having a lash lift (not afterwards) will this boost the results of my lash lift?
Hi Meischa,
I advise my clients to stop using curlers with lash lifts. That’s the hole point! No need to add that mechanical stress to your lashes.