If you’ve ever used an eyelash curler or mascara to fan your lashes up, you’ll know this beauty hack can make you look so much fresher and more polished. 

There’s a way to keep the eye-opening effects of curled lashes for weeks without using tools and makeup every day. It’s called a lash lift! 

I’ve performed more lash lifts than I can count, and I’ve found each one rewarding because this procedure always makes my clients’ beautiful eyes stand out. 

Got questions? I’ve written the only guide you’ll ever need to read about lash lifts – what the procedure involves, possible risks, cost, how long it lasts, and what you must absolutely know before attempting a lash lift at home with a kit.

What Is A Lash Lift?

This procedure lifts your natural lashes and curls them upward for a pretty, bright-eyed look that lasts up to two months. Lashes are lifted from the root to show off their full length. 

These are the standout benefits of a lash lift:

• It enhances your own lashes. 
• It makes your natural upper lashes appear longer.
• You can customize your curl for effects ranging from natural to dramatic. 
• The effects last for several weeks.
• It’s low-maintenance. 
• It’s painless.
• It’s cheaper than extensions and less hassle than using an eyelash curler every day.

Your eyelash curler’s effects last a day at most, so you might be wondering how it’s possible to keep a flattering lash curl for several weeks. 

I’ll let you in on the lash lift’s secret.

This procedure uses a special solution and tools to create a lasting curl. Basically, I’ll fan your lashes over a silicone pad called a rod and then apply a softening solution that lets me reshape your lashes into your dream curl. Next, I’ll set the new shape. The finishing touch? I’ll apply nourishing oil to your lashes to keep them lush.

Pro Tip: Make sure to read my article about lash lift vs lash perm to understand the key differences between both treatments. Most salons stopped offering lash perms in favor of lash lifts.

You won’t be able to watch your lashes’ transformation (as you’ll need to keep your eyes safely shut throughout the procedure), so I’ll now break down the lash lift into more detailed steps to let you know what will be going on at every stage. 

Before getting started, we’ll chat about the type of curl you want. You and I will look at your eye shape and natural lashes to help us choose the curve that will bring out the best in your lashes. 

Once we’ve picked your perfect curl and cleaned all traces of makeup off your eyes, we’re good to go! 

How Lash Lifts Are Done

Once you know how to do a lash lift, it’s easy to incorporate it into your salon offering. With a few simple steps, you can achieve lifted, curled lashes that look amazing and last for weeks.

Step #1: Get Lashes Into Position 

I’ll place a silicone rod at the edge of each of your eyelids and curl your lashes over the rod, using a lash-friendly adhesive to keep them in the right position. 

Step #2: Reshape The Lashes

When all your lashes are positioned correctly over the rod, I’ll apply a softening solution to them. This solution allows the lashes to be reshaped to take on the rod’s curve. They’ll go from pointing downward or straight to curling upward. 

Step #3: Set New Lash Shape

The next step is applying a solution to the lashes to set their new shape. 

Step #4: Condition Lashes 

All that’s left to do is smooth nourishing oil over your lashes – then you can admire their newly lifted look. 

Step #5: Tint Lashes (Optional)

Many of my clients choose to combine a lash lift with a lash tint. I’ll apply an eye-safe dye to your lashes to make them look darker, thicker, and more defined. A lash-lift-and-tint combo gives your lashes both curl and color. 

How Long It Takes

A lash lift takes about an hour from start to finish. If you add the optional tint to your appointment, you can expect to add an additional 15 minutes.

Cost

Lash lifts usually cost around $100, but the price may range from $65 to $210. If you add a lash tint, you can expect to pay an additional $20 to $40.

Pro Tip: Check out my case study where I surveyed more than 200 lash salons to find out how much a lash lift costs.

The price you will pay varies based on a few things:

• The location of your salon
• The experience of your technician
• Whether you add a lash tint

Some high-end salons will charge up to 200$ dollars for a lash lift. Remember that price is not always the best indicator of quality. A less expensive lash lift from a reputable technician can often be just as good as a more expensive one.

How Long It Lasts

A lash lift tends to last between 4 and 8 weeks. Take good care of your lashes after the procedure if you want the results to reach the two-month mark. 

How long your lash lift lasts comes down to two factors:

1. How quickly your natural lashes grow. The faster they grow, the shorter the lash lift will last.
2. How well you look after your lashes. Proper aftercare will let you enjoy your lift and curl longer. 

You can’t control how fast your lashes grow, but you can treat them with TLC to give their curl extra life. 

How to Make Lash Lifts Last Longer?

Follow these dos and don’ts after your lash lift to keep the results longer. 

Lash Lift Aftercare: Dos 

Add these to your must-do list after your procedure:

• Do apply castor oil to your lashes daily to keep them healthy, strong, and lifted. 
• Do sweep a clean spoolie brush through your lashes every day to keep them separated and tidy. 
• Do sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase, which is gentler on your lashes. 

Lash Lift Aftercare: Don’ts

Remember these lash lift no-nos:

• Don’t get moisture near your lashes for 24 hours after your lash lift. You’ll need to avoid showering, washing your face, and swimming. Plus, keep steam, heat, and sweat away from your lashes. So, no intense workouts or hot yoga! 
• Don’t apply eye products or makeup within the first 24 hours of your lash lift. It’s okay to go back to your usual beauty routine after this period. 
• Don’t sleep on your face. 
• Don’t rub your eyes. 
• Don’t use eyelash curlers. 

Can I Do A Lash Lift At Home?

If you were to trust social media, you’d think you could easily do a lash lift on yourself at home. Believe the at-home lash-lifters at your own risk. 

If you perform a lash lift on yourself, you could wreck your lashes. 

As upsetting as it would be to end up with messy, fuzzy lashes when you were dreaming of creating a pretty curl, things can get so much worse when you do an at-home lash lift. 

Lash lifts are incredibly dangerous if performed by anyone who isn’t thoroughly trained in the procedure. 

Doctors warn that at-home lash lifts gone wrong can result in anything from eye irritation and lash loss to retinal burns and infections – and even blindness.

What Makes At-Home Lash Lifts Dangerous? 

I know from personal experience how much training, practice, and know-how it takes to perform the lash lift procedure safely and effectively. 

You need to be sure of your technique and timing when doing a lash lift, so this is not something you should try before being properly trained. 

Plus, you should never perform a lash lift on yourself. The procedure uses softening and setting solutions that need to stay out of your eyes. That’s why you keep your eyes closed during the procedure.

Just imagine trying to work with silicone rods and solutions without seeing what you’re doing, and you can understand why at-home lash lift attempts can turn into horror stories. 

Who Can Safely Perform A Lash Lift? 

A certified lash tech with experience in lash lifts can perform this procedure to minimize risks and create results worth flaunting. 

Lash techs at professional salons can do lash lifts safely and expertly using top-quality lash products and tools.

Do Lash Lifts Have Risks?

Certified, experienced lash techs will cut down your chance of risks, but you could still have a bad reaction to a lash lift.

You’re more likely to experience side effects such as blisters, rash, redness, dry or watery eyes, inflammation, or brittle lashes if you struggle with allergies, chronic dry or watery eyes, eye, or skin sensitivities, or if you have a history of eye infections or styes.²

Lash Lifts – Key Takeaways

A lash lift boosts your natural lashes to make your eyes pop. You can flaunt the eye-opening effects for up to two months if you take good care of your lashes after your procedure, especially during the first 24 hours afterward. 

Only have your lash lift done by a certified lash tech with experience in lash lifts, as this procedure can be risky when performed by untrained, inexperienced individuals. So, skip at-home kits! 

3, 2, 1… lash lift-off!

– Asako

References

1. Kristeen Cherney (Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, MD (2018). Lash Lifts And Your Skin, Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/lash-lift-side-effects (Accessed on 11 May 2022).