What Good and (Really) Bad Lash Lifts Actually Look Like From Someone Who's Had Both (2023)

If there's one thing in this world I know to be true, it's this: Lash lifts can either be really, really good or really, really bad.

How do I know this? Because I've had both. And yes, there's a big difference.

I've been getting my lashes lifted and tinted every six to eight weeks for the last three years. I do this for a couple of reasons, like:

• My eyelashes are naturally translucent.

• I don't like wearing mascara every day (and inevitably, it somehow always ends up on my... chin).

• My eyelash extension habit was getting too expensive.

• I'm lazy - having a lash lift and my brows groomed means I'm halfway ready when I wake up in the morning.

Lash lifts (also known as a perm for your lashes) are the quickest and easiest way to make it look like you're wearing mascara when you aren't. But you should know, not all lash lifts are created equal, and they can go very wrong when done incorrectly.

To get the facts, I asked Kristin Fisher Eyebrows founder and eyebrow and lash lift queen Kristin Fisher to explain everything you need to know about getting a great lash lift.

Oh, and I'll show you exactly what it should (and shouldn't) look like with my lash lift before and after photos.

What Is a Lash Lift?

Fisher says, "The perfect lash lift treatment works by boosting and lifting each individual lash to its full natural potential, combined with tinting the lash to give the illusion of thickness. Overall, you should see a more dramatic looking lash."

How Does a Lash Lift Work?

Here's a step-by-step recap of exactly how Fisher and her team perform each and every lash lift:

1. "First, we wash and dry the lashes, and place silicon eye shields on your eyelids."

2. "Upper lashes are then combed and attached to a silicon rod to hold their shape."

3. "We apply a solution that softens the hair so the lashes can hold their new shape. The solution is left on the lashes for a few minutes or so, depending on how well the lashes hold a curl."

4. "Next, we apply a second lotion that sets the lashes and hardens the lash hairs so the new shape is locked in."

5. "The final step is a tint for the lashes to help the eye look more open and dramatic - we either tint upper and lower lashes, or sometimes only the upper lashes need tinting."

OK great, but what does having a lash lift feel like? Weird. And it smells weird.

If you've never had a lash lift before, the experience might feel a bit uncomfortable because you can't open your eyes for around an hour and the perming solutions have a strong scent, but now, I find the treatment pretty relaxing.

You can learn more about lash lifts and lash extensions in this episode of the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast below!

HowMuchDoesaLashLiftCost?

A good lash lift can cost upwards of $100, plus $20-30 for an eyelash tint.

For example, I pay $120 for my lash lift and tint at Kristin Fisher Eyebrows in Sydney.

My Good Lash Lift Before and After.

Just as Fisher described, here's my before and after photos from a recent lash lift.

You'll see the lashes are lifted - but not too curled - and black and glossy from the tint.

Note: your lashes will look separated immediately post-lash lift, but once you're able to get them wet (more on that a bit later), they will dry nice and fluffy.

Here's what my lash lift looked like a few days after having it done in-salon. No mascara. No lash curling.

What About a Lash Lift Gone Wrong? What Does a Bad Lash Lift Look Like?

Fisher says a lash lift gone wrong can look like a number of things, including:

• Unevenly distributed lashes.

• Lashes curled back onto your eyelid or under the brow arch.

• Singed or burnt hairs.

• Lashes clumped together.

• Frizzy or crimped lashes.

“If the solution isn’t distributed across the lashes properly, this can lead to a bad lift. As can leaving the solution on too long as this over processes the chemicals."

"Lashes can also end up over-curled or curling back into themselves. We prefer to deliver a natural fanned out lift that's quite feminine and subtle."

This is exactly what happened to me when I had a lash lift gone wrong.

What's worse is sometimes, your lashes can continue curling in the 24 hours following the lift - here's what a badly over-curled lash lift looks like.

Personally, I felt it made my lashes and eyes look smaller and more closed in, which kind of defeats the purpose, yeah?

How to Fix a Bad Lash Lift.

If you get home and aren't happy with your lash lift, the first thing to do is pick up the phone and contact the salon where you had it done. They should be able to help you by either offering to relax them, or at least refunding you.

The good news is your lash lift will grow out eventually. You can also use an eyelash serum to help condition your natural lashes.

I've used the EyEnvy lash serum, but L'Oreal Paris Clinically Proven Lash Serum and LASHFOOD Eyelash Enhancer Serum 3ml are great options, too.

How Long Do Lash Lifts Last?

Lash lift results last six to eight weeks or until your eyelashes have naturally grown out and the lift has gradually fallen.

How Soon Can I Re-Do a Lash Lift?

Just like anything that makes you feel like a solid 17/10, lash lifts can be addictive. Fisher's advice?

"Don’t be tempted to get the treatment done again too soon, six weeks should be the minimum time in between lifts. Once the lashes start to look lighter and less uniform, you'll know it’s time to book your next lift."

Lash Lift Aftercare.

How you look after your lashes in the 24 hours following the appointment can make or break your lash lift. After that, they're gloriously low maintenance.

Let's go through lash lift aftercare 101:

• In the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid getting your lashes wet. This means no water, steam, exercise or anything that will bring your lashes into contact with moisture or humidity.

• Avoid wearing eye makeup, including mascara, for the first few days.

• Your lash lift will grow out over a four to six-week period with your natural 30 to 40-day lash growth cycle.

• If your lash lift is growing out weird, don't stress. It's normal for your lashes to sit in different directions towards the end of your lash cycle, which is how you know you're about ready for your next lash lift appointment!

Are Lash Lifts Worth It?

My honest opinion? 100 per cent yes.

But remember, I have invisible lashes and hate wearing mascara, so for me, the time and cost investments are worth it to wake up with perfect lashes every day. I'd bet people with naturally short, straight lashes would agree.

If you've got naturally curly, long lashes, you probably won't see much benefit from having a lash lift. Same goes if you just can't be effed and are happy to achieve the same result by curling your lashes and applying mascara.

But in fact, I actually think getting good, regular lash lifts is the ultimate lazy girl beauty hack.

Feature image: @kristin.fisher.eyebrows.

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