If you’re thinking about getting a lash lift, you want to know what the benefits and drawbacks are.

I’ve been lashing clients for over 10 years now and here I wanted to give you my honest opinion about the pros and cons of lash lifts, so you can make an informed decision.

Let’s get right into it!

Lash Lift Pros and Cons

Pro: It Makes Your Eyes Look Bigger

One of the best things about a lash lift is that it opens up your eyes and makes them appear larger.

This is because the lash lift gives your lashes an upward curl, which creates the illusion of wide-open eyes.

If you have hooded eyelids, have natural lashes that point downwards, or simply have small eyes (heck I do! Curse my Asian eyes…) a lash lift can be a game-changer in terms of giving you a more open-eyed look.

Con: It Can Damage Your Natural Lashes

If not done correctly, a lash lift can damage your natural lashes.

This is because the chemicals used in the lash lift process can be harsh on your lashes. To give your natural lashes that nice upward curl, a perming solution is applied to them.

If the perming solution is left too long on your lashes, you get what’s called “overprocessing”.

The result?

Damaged, dry, and brittle lashes that can even fall out.

So make sure you go to a reputable and licensed lash technician who knows what they’re doing.

Pro: Low Maintenance

This is one of the main benefits of lash lifts. Who would love beautifully lifted lashes for 6 to 8 weeks without any particular maintenance to do?

I know I would!

That’s exactly the promise of lash lifts. They are a great option for those who want long-lasting results without the need to maintain their lashes day.

Con: Doesn’t Work on Small Lashes

Although it is possible to get a lash lift with short eyelashes, the procedure won’t make a miracle if you have very short natural lashes to start with.

As opposed to eyelash extensions where you can add length, volume, and curl to your lashes with the help of extensions attached to your natural lashes, a lash lift only works with what you have.

Therefore, if you have super short lashes (or even worst, no lashes at all!) a lash lift is not going to do much for you.

Pro: You Can Wear Mascara

Some women ditch the mascara after a lash lift, but a lot still like to use it. That’s because using mascara with a lash lift adds more definition to your lashes and makes them look even more luscious.

With some other lash enhancement treatments (i.e. lash extensions), you have to be very careful when applying mascara. However, since a lash lift doesn’t add anything to your lash line, there’s really nothing to worry about.

Con: Can Cause an Allergic Reaction

Because chemicals are used to curl your natural eyelashes, there is always a risk of an allergic reaction.

If you have sensitive skin or eyes, make sure to do a patch test on your skin before getting a lash lift.

A patch test is painless and only takes a few minutes. Your lash technician will apply a small amount of the chemicals used in the lash lift process to a small area of your skin (usually behind your ear) and wait 24 to 48 hours to see if you react.

Pro: It’s Affordable

Lash lifts are a more affordable option than lash extensions. They usually cost around $100, whereas a full set of classic lash extensions costs $164 on average.

Moreover, they last very long. My clients only come back every 6 to 8 weeks to re-do their lift because that’s how long the results last.

I’ll use my crazy math skills here… $100 / 60 days (2 months) = $1.67

So you can have beautiful, lifted lashes for less than $2 a day. Count me in!

Pro: No Touch-Up Needed

Once you have your lash lift, that’s it! No touch-ups are needed to maintain your results.

On the other hand, lash extensions require touch-ups every 2 to 3 weeks, which means they can be quite high-maintenance.

Talk about a time-saver!

You don’t need to plan a few hours at the salon every couple of weeks. Although, most of my clients enjoy their time at the salon. It’s their “alone time” where they can just relax and enjoy some alone time.

Pro: Appointment Is Short

A lash lift appointment only takes 45 minutes to 1h. Most experienced lash technicians can even do it easily with practice.

Be wary of anyone promising very short appointment times. The perming solution needs to sit on your lashes for the required time to work its magic!

Pro: Works Great for Straight or Downward Pointing Eyelashes

Do you have stubborn eyelashes that will stay straight no matter what you do?

I have probably tried every lash curler on the planet and I never could get my lashes to stay curled.

That’s until I discovered lash lifts!

Lash lifts are great for straight or downward pointing lashes because they provide long-lasting curls using perming chemicals that are difficult to achieve with an eyelash curler.

FAQ

The Bottom Line

As you can see, I ran out of “lash lift Cons” at the end of my list. And that’s because there aren’t that many.

In my opinion, lash lifts are a great alternative to lash extensions and offer many benefits with very few drawbacks. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for longer, fuller, and lifted lashes.

I hope this article has helped you understand the pros and cons of lash lifts so that you can decide if this is the right treatment for yourself.

Do you have any questions or comments? Leave them below and I’ll be happy to answer them.

– Asako