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Lash Lift Aftercare Instructions + Day by Day Overview
The lash lift aftercare instructions are very simple. Find out how to keep your lashes curled for as long as possible with our day-by-day guide.
Image source: Pexels
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2020. Updated August 2021.
Lash enhancement procedures are always in – who doesn’t love the look of elongated, dense and dark lashes? The lash lift treatment is a huge trend right now, and it’s the favorite method of styling lashes for many. It’s safe, simple, low-maintenance, yet it gives great and relatively long-lasting results.
Lash lift aftercare is a very important part of the treatment and it can make or break the results, but luckily, it’s very simple.
Read our guide and find out all you need to know about lash lift aftercare instructions.
Click on the link to go directly to a specific step:
How Long Does Lash Lift Aftercare Last?
The lash lift aftercare is very short and simple – it only lasts for 24 hours. After that, you just have to brush through them and apply a serum from time to time over the course of the lash lift lifespan.
What Is a Lash Lift?
Basically, it’s a perm for your lashes.
It’s a lash enhancement treatment that curls your lashes upwards with chemicals, and optionally, tints them with a lash dye. The results take a bit of lash lift aftercare, and after that, your natural lashes will look longer and denser for 6-8 weeks.
Want to find out more about lash lift? Follow the links:
Lash Lift – The Ultimate Guide
Lash Lift Before and After Gallery
Image source: Instagram @jax.orangecounty
Lash Lift Aftercare in the First 24h
In the first 24 hours after the treatment, avoid these things:
- don’t wear mascara or any eye makeup
- don’t wear contact lenses
- don’t get your eyelashes wet
- don’t use any products on your lashes
- don’t rub your eyes
- don’t go swimming
- don’t engage in activities that cause excessive sweating
- don’t go to saunas
- don’t take long showers and try to keep your lashes dry
- don’t sleep on your face
- don’t use oil-based products
Water and various products can break the chemical bonds and reverse the effects of your eyelash perm. Once the 24 hours are through, your lashes have hardened in the curled position and you can relax.
Extra tip: If you’ve had both lash lift and tint aftercare also includes staying out of the sunlight throughout the lash lift lifespan. Sunlight exposure can speed up the process of lash tint fading.
Lash Lift and Tint Aftercare Day by Day
Day 1
This is the most important period of the eyelash lift aftercare. For the first 24 hours, you need to be extra careful and follow all the tips listed above: don’t get your lashes wet, and don’t apply any products onto them.
You might experience very slight redness and irritation. Apply a cold compress if it gets uncomfortable.
If your lashes were tinted, stay away from sunlight.
Day 2
If the redness and irritation hasn’t subsided, contact your technician.
Your lashes are still flexible, so you still need to be careful and avoid water, especially hot, steam, rubbing your eyes and sleeping on your face. Since they’re so elastic, you don’t want them to change shape!
Wait a little bit longer before applying eye makeup.
If your lashes were tinted, stay away from sunlight.
Day 3
You can relax now and start behaving as usual, more or less.
However, it’s advisable to still avoid mascara, especially waterproof formulas. They might contain oily ingredients which can relax the curl. Do not rub your eyes and avoid using aggressive makeup removers – especially oil-based ones.
If your lashes were tinted, stay away from sunlight.
Days 4-20
You don’t have to do anything special anymore, and you can go back to all your normal activities, just keep avoiding oil-based products as well as those that contain exfoliates. They can relax the curl.
If your lashes were tinted, stay away from sunlight.
Day 20
If your treatment included tinting, the color will start to wear off at this point.
If you had your lashes tinted to add more depth, the tint will probably start to wear off at this point. Keep avoiding sunlight to prolong the tint a bit more.
Day 21
You can start applying an oil recommended by your artist to nourish your lashes. Techs like to recommend oils or serums that stimulate growth so your lash lift turns out even better next time around.
How Do I Maintain My Lash Lift?
Once the lash lift aftercare period is over, the results are really low-maintenance and you don’t have to worry much about them. It’s enough to brush your lashes with a spoolie from time to time, and refrain from touching your lashes and rubbing your eyes.
After the first 2-3 days, you don’t have to follow the lash lift aftercare instructions anymore – you can relax and go swimming, work out, wash your face, sleep in whatever position you like, and you don’t have to worry about your lashes.
Just make sure you don’t use oil-based products until day 21.
How Long After Lash Lift Can I Shower?
You can shower the very same day, but make it short and not too hot. Steam will not do your lashes good, so do not take long showers in the first 48 hours. Try not to get the eye area wet.
When Can I Wash My Face after Lash Lift?
You can wash your face as you usually do 48 hours after a lash lift treatment, once your lashes have hardened and settled, but don’t use oil-based products. Otherwise, you might ruin the chemical bonds that keep them curled.
Use wet cotton pads and clean your face gently, avoiding the eye area, in the first 48 hours.
Image source: Instagram @bijoubeautyla
Can You Wear Mascara with a Lash Lift?
Mascara and eye makeup are allowed 48 hours after a lash lift treatment, but don’t use products that contain oils.
You probably won’t need it anyway since your lashes will look great on their own.
PMUHub Tip: Stay away from the lash curler! It can damage the results, and you don’t need it anyway.
Can I Wear Waterproof Mascara after the Lash Lift Treatment?
You shouldn’t put waterproof mascara on a lash lift.
Firstly, because it contains aggressive ingredients that dry your lashes, or oils that could relax the curl. Secondly, removing it requires aggressive products and some rubbing. All of that can relax your lash lift.
You probably won’t need mascara anyway, since your lashes will look great with a lash lift, but if you want to highlight them even more, use an oil-free formula that’s easy to remove.
Can I Wear Eyeliner after Lash Lift?
Yes, but also 48 hours after the treatment. Use a formula that washes off easily, so you don’t have to rub your eyes hard to remove it.
Can I Use Oil after Lash Lift?
Not immediately after it.
In fact, you should avoid all oil-based products. 3 weeks after the treatment, when the tint starts fading, you can start nourishing your lashes with a product approved by your lash lift tech. The best option is to use coconut or castor oil, or special serums that also stimulate growth.
Image source: Instagram @nunu_shop_academy
What If I Mess up My Lash Lift?
This is unlikely to happen if your lash lift esthetician has done everything right and if you followed the lash lift aftercare instructions.
If you, somehow, get them wet during the lash lift aftercare period, make sure you dry them as soon as possible. They might not change, but if they drop and your lash lift is ruined, wait at least one month until you repeat the treatment.
The lashes shouldn’t be treated with the perming solution too often, they might become fragile.
Does the Tint Last as Long as a Lash Lift?
No, it starts fading sooner, about 3 weeks after the treatment, and your lash lift will last longer, until your lashes finish their growth cycle.
Sunlight exposure can speed up the fading of the lash tint, so try to stay away from it as much as possible.
How Do I Make My Lash Lift Last Longer?
First of all, follow the lash lift aftercare tips for the first 24-48 hours. After that, don’t use waterproof mascara, don’t rub your eyes and don’t go swimming so often.
Are There Any Touch Ups?
No, there are no lash lift touch ups. Your lashes should be curled for at least 6 weeks. After that, they will start relaxing visibly, as new lashes replace the curled ones.
When Can I Repeat the Lash Lift Treatment?
After about 6 weeks, once all the curled lashes have fallen out, you can repeat the lash lift treatment, but it’s not a bad idea to wait a bit longer, at least 8 weeks.
Lash Lift Aftercare – Main Takeaways
The lash lift aftercare implies paying special attention to the lashes for 2-3 days, and occasional brushing and nourishing after that.
The lash lift aftercare instructions are quite simple. It is crucial to be careful for the first 24-48 hours post-procedure, until the curl hardens. After that, avoid touching your lashes, rubbing your eyes, oil-based products, and sunlight exposure if you’ve had tinting.
About 3 weeks after the treatment, you can start nourishing the lashes with whatever product your tech recommended.