If you’ve got less-than-luscious lashes, you’re not alone.
Me personally, I have the eyelashes of a small child. Actually, my kids probably have longer lashes than I do — which is so unfair. I don’t even want to talk about the gorgeously long lashes my husband was blessed with.
You can probably understand why my ears perked up when the beauty world started buzzing about lash lifts.
It’s not just people like me, either. Even folks with lengthy lashes are excited about this beauty treatment. After all, it’s supposed to be a relatively low-maintenance solution to make lashes look better and shave a little time off your morning routine.
Even celebrities are getting in on it. Haven’t you ever wondered how celebs and influencers alike looks so amazingly wide-eyed in their makeup-free #nofilter pics? There’s a chance that a lash lift had something to do with it.
If you’re curious about lash lifts, read on. I did the homework for you on the process and the results. And dare I say, it’s — wait for it — eye-opening.
What is a Lash Lift?
A lash lift is basically a perm for your eyelashes. Yes, it smells like a regular perm, too. It maybe gave me flashbacks to my Mema sitting under one of those bonnet hair dryers at the salon.
Essentially, the process curls each lash from root to tip. Just like the hair on our heads, our eyelashes have a natural shape to them. A lash lift alters that shape with a lifting solution — the perm stuff — and a tiny silicone curling rod. Yes, chemicals are involved and it’s your eye area, but it’s not as scary as it sounds. Just make sure you have a licensed professional performing the treatment, and you’ll be fine.
So, how long does a lash lift last?
The exact amount of time that your lash lift will last is dependent on how quickly your eyelashes grow, but expect results to last around four to six weeks. Some people might even see results last for as long as eight weeks.
In order to get the best results, you should avoid mascara for 48 hours following the treatment. Your lashes should also go untouched for a full 24 hours, so that means no makeup or even water should come into contact with your lashes during that time. This ensures that the lift sets correctly.
After you make it past the initial don’t-touch-me phase, you’re free to fully enjoy the treatment’s results — and you’ll definitely find yourself skipping the eyelash curler.
What’s it Like to Get a Lash Lift?
What’s it actually like to get a lash lift, though? Like I said, there are chemicals involved, but it’s definitely not as scary as it sounds.
You’ll start by having a consultation to determine what you’re hoping to achieve. This dictates which size curling rod to use.
When you actually sit in the chair for the process, your lash technician will begin by cleaning your lashes. Then comes the curling rod, which is actually a rounded piece of silicone that they adhere to your top eyelid, right at the base of your lashes.
Lash technicians also apply a shield to your eye area, to protect it. Lashes are then curled over and stuck to the curling rod with an adhesive, and once the technician ensures everything is positioned correctly, it’s go time. They will apply the lifting lotion followed by a setting lotion — see, it really is a perm — and then clean everything off in the end.
Expect the whole process to take around 45 to 60 minutes.
