Lash Lifts Give You Picture-Perfect Eyelashes in Minutes—Just Don't Ignore These Expert Tips

For as long as I can remember, I've struggled with the natural texture of my lashes. It's not that I don't appreciate them—I love how long and voluminous they are. What makes my lashes difficult to manage is their tendency to grow in different directions. In fact, I spent a good chunk of time googling the best tips and tricks for curling, setting, and adding definition to the lashes, hoping that they'd stay put for my desired eye makeup looks. More often than not, they would fall within minutes and take their usual form, even with the help of mascara. After deciding against wearing lash extensions, I was introduced to a treatment that completely transformed how I thought about my natural lashes: the lash lift treatment.

My lash technician sat me down, broke down the process step-by-step, and listed the ways in which the treatment could give my lashes the length, definition, and lift I had tried in vain to achieve without the right tools. Minutes later, I was reclined in a chair with my eyes closed, allowing the technician to work her magic. After 45 minutes, I opened my eyes to reveal the luscious lashes of my dreams. While I'm not usually someone who is easily swayed by any trending cosmetic treatment, I'm convinced lash lifts are the best kept secret for unlocking the potential of your natural lashes without depending on extensions and mascaras.

To gain better understanding of how lash lifts work and what you can expect from the treatment, I reached out to celebrity lash and brow expert Clementina Richardson, founder of Envious Lashes. Keep scrolling to learn more about the lash treatment and gain insight on helpful tips, tricks, and products for creating long, luscious lashes, including my favorites I've used on my own lashes post–lash lift.

What is a lash lift?

I like to think of the protective bony socket around (the orbit) the eye as a frame that further defines my lashes. The purpose of a lash lift treatment is to make bare, natural lashes even more visible. "A lash lift and tint is designed to curl or lift the natural lashes upward," Richardson says. "This makes the lashes visible from the front, which frames the eyes." A lash lifts differs from other popular treatments, like lash tint and extensions, because it chemically alters the texture of the lash hairs from root to tip using ingredients such as thioglycolate, a reducing agent that breaks the disulfide bonds in keratin. By breaking these bonds, keratin molecules that make up your lashes become less rigid and resistant to being reshaped.

Now that we've confirmed that there are chemicals involved in the lash lift process, it's natural to ask if there are negative side effects. While a cocktail of keratin-altering chemicals does make contact with the lashes and skin, Richardson assures me that there are measures taken to ensure the skin remains without irritation. However, it's always helpful to know what to avoid. She shares that clients who have difficulty closing their eyes over long periods of time might want to reconsider a lash lift. In order to receive one, you should be able to lay down comfortably for up to an hour, the average length of the treatment. It's also worth noting that not all natural lash lengths will benefit from the treatment. Richardson explains that those with lashes shorter than four millimeters should avoid getting lash lifts.

The Lash Lift Process

If you have any hesitation about receiving a lash lift because of your hair type, rest easy in knowing that lash lifts can work for everyone. Richardson does add that, depending on the hair type, the process may be lengthier or pose more of a challenge to create the desired results. Before doing a lash lift, Richardson does a consultation with her clients to assess the eye shape, lashes, and bone structure to determine the rod size and preferred finished look. "A lash lift can create a cat-eye look or just a lifted, natural look. This depends on the client's eye shape and preference," she explains.

For the treatment itself, you'll lay back and close your eyes and keep them closed for the entire process. Your technician will place pads beneath the eyes and rods on the lids for your natural lashes to be molded against. Next, the technician applies the keratin treatment on the lashes, leaving the product on for a short period of time before removing it. A second product is applied to the lashes to set them in place and give them the lifted effect. Richardson finishes her lash lifts by applying tint. If you've previously gotten your hair chemically straightened, you'll probably be familiar with the strong smell of the lifting agent, a cocktail of three chemical creams.

Post-Treatment Care

Now, you've gotten your lash lift… What's next? Post-treatment care is crucial for making sure your lash lift lasts. Essentially, you'll be following classic post-perm dos and don'ts. "The clients should wait 24 hours before getting their lashes wet. Then, they can go ahead with their regular [cleansing] routine," Richardson says. No changes to the products you use on your lashes are required after getting a lash lift, but it's always a good idea to use gentle cleansers, oils, and serums that are safe to be used on sensitive eyes and skin. Of course, after getting a service that can cost upward of $150, you'll definitely want the results to last as long as possible. The lash lift will grow out fully after three to four weeks.

Whether you're planning to boost the length of your lashes between lash lifts or aren't fully sold on the treatment and prefer to stick with falsies and mascara to deliver the look you're after, I've identified 11 of the best products that can help your lashes look their best without breaking the bank.

1. Gentle Lash and Lid Cleansers

2. Length-Boosting Conditioners and Serums

3. Natural-Looking Falsies