Facelifts. Cheek lifts. Brow lifts. And now? Eyelash lifts! There are so many things that you can do to improve your appearance, and lifts are all the hottest trends. Of course, with a huge emphasis on the brows and lashes in the last few years, itโs not surprising that lash lifts are becoming extremely popular. But what exactly is a lash lift and is it a good option for you?
Hereโs everything you need to know:
What is a Lash Lift?
To put things simply, a lash lift is a natural procedure that helps to make your lashes fuller and thicker. You can think of a lash lift like wearing the best mascara you can find – but without the mascara.
With a lash lift, your lashes look full, long, and ready to go every morning without the use of makeup or extensions. The process of a lash lift is designed to alter the shape of your lashes, giving them a boost that looks completely natural.
How does a Lash Lift Work?
If you decide that a lash lift is something you may like, the first thing you will need to do is sign up for a consultation. A consultation is designed to give the technician an idea of what you are looking to achieve, and what lash style you would like to go with. Based on your answers, the technician will then select the type of curling rod that they will use to shape your lashes.
Once youโve made a decision on the style you are going for, itโs time to start your procedure. If youโve ever had lash extensions, you can expect your lift to feel somewhat like this. Just as when you get extensions, most technicians will have you lying comfortably on a bed, and your eyes will be closed for the entire procedure.
But donโt worry – youโre not the only one who might fall asleep! People fall asleep during procedures like this all the time! So donโt be too embarrassed if it happens – technicians are used to it!
Once youโre comfortable, your technician will follow the four key steps involved in the lash lift process:
Step 1: Lash preparation
The first step is preparing your lashes for the procedure. To do this, your lash technician will thoroughly cleanse the lash area, place a silicone pad over your eyelids, and then separate your lower lashes from your upper lashes.
Step 2: The treatment
Once your lashes are prepped and ready to go, the technician can now start the main procedure. During this process, your lashes will be lifted and the technician will apply different serums that will help to mold the lashes into shape. From there, your lashes will be curled onto a silicone rod and painted with an adhesive to help them set.
Step 3: Volumizer and Tint
Depending on the lash technician and what you decided during your consultation, a volumizer and tint may then be applied to the lashes to help enhance the lift results even more so.
Step 4: Clean and go
Finally, when all is said and done, the last step is to clean and brush your lashes. If this is your first time having your lashes lifted, the technician can teach you how to clean and brush your own lashes at home to extend the results for as long as possible.
The entire lash lift process lasts for approximately 45 minutes – and you donโt have to do a thing. Just lay down, close your eyes, and relax!
Types of Lash Lift
There are 3 main types of lash lift to choose from:
1. LVL Lash Lift
The most basic type of lash lift you can get is called the LVL, or Length-Volume-Lift procedure. In this treatment, a lifting balm, volumizer, and tint is applied to the lashes using a lash wand. This type of lift helps to add curl and volume to your lashes.
2. Yumi/Keratin Lash Lifts
Yumi Lash Lifts are one of the most popular and highly recommended types of lash lifts available. This type of lash lift uses a protein called Keratin within the treatment. This type of protein is found naturally within the body and helps to give strength and smoothness to our hair and nails. It can be used within the lash lift process to help strengthen and smooth lashes, while at the same time lengthening and lifting them.
Note: In some cases, LVL and Yumi/Keratin Lifts can be combined together in one procedure.
3. At Home Lash Lifts
There are some companies out there that offer at-home lash lift kits, but we never recommended these. As we mentioned above, lash lifts are better left to professionals who have been trained to prevent lash and eye damage.
Attempting to do such a delicate procedure on your own eyes (or your friends’ eyes) without proper training could be dangerous.
How long does a Lash Lift Last?
How long your results will last can vary greatly depending on how well you take care of your lashes. If you want to keep your lashes healthy and long, you need to follow all aftercare instructions provided to you at your appointment.
More specifically, your technician should tell you to avoid mascara, water, showering, and heavy exercise for 48 hours after your procedure. Exposing your lashes to any type of water following a lash lift (including sweat) can drastically reduce the effects of your lift, meaning the results will not last as long.
To keep healthy, happy, gorgeous lashes for longer, youโll also need to brush them out every morning and night, and apply a daily lash serum.
If you follow all proper after-care instructions, your lashes should last between 4-6 weeks or more.
Can lash lifts damage your eyelashes?
If you have your lashes done by a qualified professional, the chances of damaging your eyelashes is very small. Lash lifts are considered a relatively safe procedure. Having said that, like any type of procedure, there are always risks involved.
The most common side effects associated with lash lifts are usually related to irritations or allergies to the chemicals used within the perming process. Allergic reactions and irritations have also been known to be caused by the eye patches that are worn during the lash lift procedure.
Irritations and allergies can come in the form of blisters, rashes, redness, and inflammation. Many people also experience watery eyes during the process, but this usually fades quickly once the procedure is complete.
In some cases, if the procedure is not performed properly and chemicals are left on the lashes for too long, breakage and lash damage may occur.
Because the eyes are such a sensitive area, you should never have a lash lift performed by anyone other than a trained and certified professional. Leaving your eyes in the hands of an unseasoned technician could result in severe eye trauma.
What are the Pros and Cons of Lash Lifts?
Pro: They give you a more natural look.
Eyelash extensions can look great, but you can usually tell that someone is wearing them. Because lash lifts only use your natural lashes, they look more natural too. So if the natural look is what youโre going for, lash lifts might be the best option for you.
Con: They can only enhance your own natural lashes
While some people might like that lash lifts work with your natural lashes, others might see it as a downfall. When working with your natural lashes, the technician is limited in how much length and volume they can give you. If youโre looking for a more dramatic effect, other options like lash extensions may be more desirable.
Pro: They give your eyes a โpopโ
Lash lifts can take your eyes from boring to โbam!โ in just 45 minutes. This quick procedure makes your natural lashes look curlier, thicker, and lengthened, making the eyes look more open and alive.
Con: They arenโt a great option for short lashes
Remember above when we said that lash technicians are limited in what they can do with your natural lashes? This is especially true if you have naturally short lashes. While individuals with short lashes can still benefit from lash lifts, you might not get as much lift as you hoped for. If you have naturally short lashes, eyelash extensions might be a better option.
Pro: They are low maintenance
Unlike lash extensions where you have to get regular fills, once your 48 hours of after-care are up, lash lifts are extremely low maintenance. You donโt have to worry about them falling out or missing patches. Itโs a one and done process (for 4-6 weeks).
Con: They can damage your natural lashes
Because the process of lifting your lashes involves chemicals, thereโs always a risk of damaging your natural lashes. The solutions involved in the procedure can over-process your lashes if not monitored properly.
This is why it is extremely important that you only work with a certified lash technician for your lash lifts. A trained professional will be able to properly monitor how your lashes are reacting to chemicals, ensuring that they are removed from your lashes at the appropriate time and that no damage is done.
Pro: Theyโre a quick fix
When your lashes are looking dull, lash lifts are a quick and easy way to bring them back to life. You donโt have to set aside more than an hour of your day, and you can be looking your best for another 4-6 weeks!
Are there any alternatives to Lash Lifts?
Of course! Lash lifts are a great option for some, but they arenโt the right choice for everyone. The main alternative to a lash lift is lash extensions. Lash extensions are glued onto your regular lashes, allowing you to achieve as much volume and length as you like.
If you donโt want to have any type of procedure done, there are also things that you can do at home to achieve a similar result. Mascara, lash curlers, and glue-on extensions can all be used to enhance the look of your regular lashes.
Keep in mind, however, that these alternatives do not achieve long-lasting results, and need to be re-applied daily (if not more than once a day) to keep the effect.
Quick Questions
How much do lash lifts cost?
The exact cost of your lash lift will depend on your location and the technician that you use. You should, in general, expect to pay somewhere between $110-$175 per treatment.
Can you get a lash lift on short lashes?
Yes. Contrary to popular belief, you can get a lash lift with shorter lashes. With that being said, lashes must be at least 4mm in length to receive a lift. Anything shorter and you may need to look at alternative options.
How can I prepare for my procedure?
There isnโt much prep work that you need to do for lash extensions. With that being said, there are a few small things that you can do to prepare in the days before your treatment:
- Do not curl your lashes 24 hours prior to your treatment
- Do not wear contact lenses to your appointment (your eyes will be closed for a significant period of time).
- Remove any makeup before attending your appointment.
Will a lash lift ruin my natural lashes?
If done properly, no. Lash lifts that are done properly will not damage your lashes. In fact, the solutions used by professionals can help to strengthen your lashes.
What type of lash lift is the best?
Both types of professional lash lifts are good – it really just depends on what type of look you are going for. If you want a more natural, lifted look, the Yumi lift is probably the best. If youโre looking for a thicker and more dramatic effect, go with the LVL lift.
Can I get lash extensions with my lift?
Unfortunately, no. Youโll have to make a definitive choice as to whether or not you want extensions or a lift. Once youโve had a lift, your lashes will be too curly to add extensions.
I have sensitive eyes. Can I still get a lash lift?
If you have sensitive, watery eyes, your technician may suggest that a lash lift is not the best option for you. If your eyes are very watery, especially during the procedure, you run the risk of solutions and products getting into them. If you have sensitive, watery eyes, be sure to let your technician know before they perform your lift.
Is a lash lift painful?
No. Lash lifts should not be painful. You should experience little to zero pain during the procedure. If you are experiencing any pain, especially in the eyes, let your lash technician know immediately. You may be having an allergic reaction to the solutions being used.
In conclusion, a lash lift is a simple and easy procedure that can give your lashes a quick lift and boost. It can be used in place of mascara and curlers, making your lashes look fuller and longer for 4-6 weeks. With that being said, itโs important that you choose your technician carefully.
Lash lifts are not considered a dangerous procedure, but should only be performed by a trained technician to minimise any potential risks involved.
Lash lifts are a great option for anyone who has trouble applying mascara evenly.