Lash Lift 101: Everything You Need to Know About the Procedure, Aftercare, and Maintenance.

When we look at someone, eyes are the first thing that draws our attention. Even in Ancient Egypt, more than 6,000 years ago, people used cosmetics to enhance their eyes. Today, various options empower the modern woman to achieve the same, from getting double eyelid surgery to simply wearing contacts to make the pupils appear larger, to getting a lash lift, eyelash extensions, or putting on eyeliner. These procedures and tools offer a range of temporary, to semi-permanent, to permanent methods to help them look more awake and ready for the day.

What is a lash lift?

With so many options, it’s important to identify which treatment can bring out your natural beauty while subtly elevating your eyes. Enter the Lash Lift. They are the subtle and silent hero that opens up your eyes by lifting your lashes from the base to make them appear longer and fuller. Lash lifts typically last four to six weeks, though it may vary depending on how fast your lashes grow. 

Why get a lash lift?

Mornings can be a hassle, and getting your eye makeup right can take more time than you’d like. Lash lifts are an excellent investment for anyone looking to skip the frustrating juggle of mascara, eyelash curlers, and falsies. Not only does the lift last for under two months, but it can also prevent lash breakage and accidental lash removal that can occur through daily makeup application and curling.

The natural shape of your lashes may be straight or even downward, making it difficult to appreciate their full length. A lash lift lifts them from the base and curls them into a ‘C’ shape, providing a more feminine look that is suitable for any lash length. Research shows that long lashes help widen the eyes and evoke caretaking tendencies from those around us. They enhance perceptions of naivete and honesty, even if we may not be conscious of these responses.

Even without fully grasping the science behind longer lashes, denying the beauty and life they inject into even the dreariest and most tired face is hard. Lash lifts are popular with women but are suitable for both genders, as they harness your lashes’ natural length and volume. The Keratin Lash Lift treatment goes beyond an aesthetic refresh to help nourish lashes. The solution has a protein that can help strengthen the bonds that promote lash growth. This allows you to wear non-waterproof mascara on your lashes without removing the curl’s effect.

Investing in a lash lift can save you time, reduce the risk of lash damage, and add a youthful, feminine touch to your appearance. With the added benefits of promoting lash growth, it’s a great option for anyone looking to enhance their natural lashes without relying on makeup or falsies.

Understanding the Lash Lift Process

• Consultation

Like any procedure, lash lifts begin with a pre-consultation with your lash specialist, who will get to know your preferred eyelash shape and look. During the appointment, your specialist will assess your lash health to advise on how effective the treatment will be. 

• Cleansing

The esthetician will clean your lashes to remove any makeup, impurities, and bacteria to protect against infections, preparing your lashes for a hygienic procedure. At this point, you can remove your contact lenses for additional comfort.

• Separation

To focus on your upper lashes, your specialist will separate them from your lower lashes by sticking them down into the skin. 

• Lifting

The esthetician will use a lifting solution and adhesive to brush the lashes upwards onto a silicone curler to achieve a ‘C’ shape. They will hold the lashes in place for 10-15 minutes before cleaning off the lifting solution. Then, the esthetician will apply a settling solution for another 15 minutes to keep the lashes in shape.

• Optional Enhancements

For those who want an extra pizzazz when batting your lashes, you may get a lash tint for a darker look even without applying mascara. Wake up with darker and fuller lashes for weeks without having any clumpy product on your lashes. 

• Clean and Brush

After the procedure, the esthetician will clean the lashes and surrounding areas, and then brush the lashes to show off your brand-new thick, full, and lifted lashes. The entire lash lift process takes around 45 minutes from start to finish.

Making a lash lift last long

Now that your lashes are fresh, you can follow some simple do’s and don’ts to make the lift last longer. Avoid applying mascara and using eyelash curlers for the next few days to maintain the shape of your lashes. Eyelash curlers can cause lash breakage, while the rubbing action and chemicals that help remove mascara also can disfigure the newly shaped lashes. Other activities that can affect the shape of your lashes include sleeping with your face pressed against the pillow, getting them wet or using a sauna within the first 24 hours of your lash appointment.  

To protect your lashes from the inside out, certain foods you can eat can help strengthen and promote lash growth. Nuts are an easy snack to add to your diet and are rich in Vitamin E, amino acids and fatty acids that help to treat hair growth in general. For meal times, consider the addition of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon that also protect your bones, brain function and eyes.

Following these simple steps can help to make your lash lift last long, but is getting a lash lift the right procedure for you? Let’s dive into how lash lifts compare to lash perms and lash extensions, so you have a sense of which option is best for your desired look and achievable with your natural lashes. 

Lash Lifts vs Lash Perm

For those looking to enhance their lashes, lash lifts and lash perms are two popular options. While these treatments share many similarities, they differ in terms of the techniques used, the results they produce, and their potential impact on the health of your lashes. Let us take a closer look at the differences between lash lifts and lash perms, including their unique benefits and drawbacks. This will give you a better understanding of which treatment is best for you.

Lash Perm

Lash perms have been around for longer and used to be the go-to option for ladies looking to have a more feminine look. The esthetician will use a silicone rod to shape the lashes into a tight ‘C’ curl that lasts until your lashes fall out naturally – around 4 to 6 weeks. To make the lashes more malleable for the desired curl shape, they will apply a perming solution onto the lashes. he esthetician will apply the perming solution to the full length of the lashes since they need to curve into a ‘C’ shape. However, perming solutions work by breaking down the protein bonds in the lashes to make them easier to shape. If left on for too long, they may overprocess and damage your lashes. The results can also cause your lashes to become dry and frizzy.

Lash Lift

On the other hand, a lash lift uses a more gently curved silicone rod for an ‘L’ shaped curve. It is more suitable for those with shorter lashes as the tight curve of a lash perm can make them appear shorter. As the name implies, lashes are lifted from the base during a lash lift to show off their entire length – making them appear fuller and longer. To make the lashes more malleable for the desired curl shape, a perming solution is applied onto the lashes. For lash lifts, the solution is only applied to the base of the lashes since only the bottom half needs to be treated for a lift. The difference in the placement and quantity of perming solution application makes lash lifts the healthier alternative to perming.

When deciding between a lash perm and a lash lift, it is important to consider your natural lash length and your desired look. For those with shorter lashes, a lash lift is recommended to awaken your eyes with lesser damage to your lashes. For those with longer lashes, a lash perm can help to achieve a more dramatic look since the lashes are long enough to look good even with a tighter curl. Either way, finding a salon that can take care of your lashes with treatments and oils that protect against the perming solution’s adverse effects is crucial. In both treatments, the lashes will last as long as the natural growth cycle of your lashes.

Lash Lift vs Lash Extensions 

Lash extensions are a common antidote to short, straight and sparse lashes. The process involves attaching artificial lashes to each individual natural lash to make them appear fuller, thicker, and more dramatic. Lash extensions can have vastly differing results based on the level of drama and thickness you are looking for, all while selecting a style that matches your eye shape. Your lash technician will put protective shields on your eyelids before isolating individual lashes using tweezers to attach an artificial lash to each lash. The lashes are attached using a permanent adhesive 0.1m away from the root of your eyelash and will fall off when your natural lashes fall off. 

Compared to lash extensions, the results of a lash lift appear more natural as it accentuates your natural lashes and can be further enhanced with a tint. For those with shorter lashes, even a lash lift might not allow you to get the look you want, so extensions might be the way to go. Although both procedures follow the life cycle of your natural lash, expect greater maintenance for lash extensions. 

When lash extensions fall off with your natural lashes, it leaves apparent gaps in the thickness of your lashes, so you will need to get infills at least once a month to maintain your desired look. For lash lifts, on the other hand, you can redo them every two months since they will still look natural when the lifted lashes fall off. 

When deciding between lash extensions and lash lifts, consult your lash technician to understand if your natural lashes can be lifted and tinted to achieve your desired look. If not, lash extensions are the perfect alternative for adding volume for a little extra flutter.

Dr Lash, your choice lash technician

Getting a lash lift has risen in popularity in recent years because it is the option that is more affordable, requires the least aftercare, has the slightest damage on your lashes and appears the most natural. It is the secret to looking refreshed even if you have had to pull long nights and early mornings. The process is so smooth that you might even find yourself dozing off during an appointment. 

Once you’ve decided to get a lash lift, the next step is to ensure that you’ve got experienced lash technicians working to achieve your vision. Although lash lifts are a safe procedure, using solutions around the delicate eye area is a process that needs to be done with absolute care for both safety and aesthetic reasons. Trying DIY methods with the lifting solution can be extremely dangerous if done by an amateur. 

Beyond conducting the process safely, a good lash technician should also be able to recommend looks based on your eye shape, natural lashes, preferences and lash health. Their value also lies in taking good care of your lashes during the treatment through serums and masks while offering advice on how to maintain lashes even after the appointment. 

At Dr Lash, all our services begin with a pre-consultation to understand your needs and end with a follow-up call a few days after your appointment to check in on your lashes and questions you may have. With 4 branches across the island, getting better lashes with us is convenient and accessible. 

Book an appointment with us over Whatsapp at +65 9230 0732 or fill in our contact form here.