For the first 24 to 48 hours after a lash lift, keep your lashes dry: no water, steam, sweat, swimming or eye makeup, and don’t rub your eyes or sleep on your face. After that, cleanse gently with oil-free products, brush lashes upward daily and skip the lash curler. A lift cared for this way typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks.
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Lash lift aftercare is short. Almost all of it happens in the first two days, while the new shape is still settling. Get that part right and there is very little to do for the following six to eight weeks.
One caveat before the list: products differ. Some newer lifting systems say lashes can get wet much sooner. If your technician gives you different instructions for the product they used, follow theirs.
What should you avoid in the first 48 hours?
- Water on your lashes. Wash your face with a cloth, keeping clear of the eye area. Keep your face out of the shower spray.
- Steam and heat. No saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga or long hot showers. Open the oven door at arm’s length.
- Sweat. Postpone hard workouts.
- Swimming. Pools, the sea and hot tubs can all wait.
- Eye makeup. No mascara, eyeliner or eyeshadow, and nothing that needs removing.
- Skincare near the lash line. Keep eye creams, oils and serums away from the lashes.
- Touching, rubbing or curling. Leave them alone, and put the lash curler away.
- Sleeping face down. Sleep on your back if you can.
Why do the first two days matter?
A lash lift works by loosening the internal bonds that give each lash its shape, moulding the lash over a rod, and then re-forming those bonds in the new position. When you leave the salon the lashes hold their curve, but the structure is still stabilising. Moisture, heat and pressure during that window can let lashes relax back, or set with a kink.
That is why a lift that “didn’t take” is so often traced back to a hot shower or a swim on day one, rather than anything that happened in the treatment itself.
How do you look after a lash lift after that?
From day three, normal life resumes. A few habits keep the lift looking tidy:
- Cleanse gently. Use an oil-free cleanser around the eyes. Pat dry; don’t rub with a towel.
- Brush daily. Run a clean spoolie upward through dry lashes each morning, and after showering or swimming. Lifted lashes can cross over or dry in odd directions, and ten seconds of brushing sorts it out.
- Condition. A lash conditioner or serum keeps lifted lashes soft. Castor oil is a popular home choice, but ask your technician first, since many advise keeping oils away from a lift.
- Go easy on mascara. You probably need less. When you do wear it, choose a water-based formula.
- Be kind when removing makeup. Hold a soaked pad on the lashes for a few seconds and wipe downward, rather than scrubbing side to side.
Which products are safe to use?
| Use | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Oil-free cleanser or micellar water | Cleansing oils and balms on the eye area |
| Water-based mascara | Waterproof mascara |
| Clean spoolie brush | Mechanical or heated lash curlers |
| Lash conditioner or serum recommended by your salon | Heavy eye creams worked into the lash line |
| Soft cotton pads, pressed and wiped downward | Rubbing with a towel or makeup wipe |
What are the most common mistakes?
- The “quick” shower. Steam counts, even if your face stays out of the water.
- Putting on mascara for an event that evening. Then having to take it off again. Book the lift at least two days before anything important.
- Reaching for the lash curler when the lift starts to soften in week five. It can crimp the lashes; a spoolie and a little mascara work better.
- Lifting again too soon. Treating lashes that are still lifted risks over-processing them. Wait 6 to 8 weeks.
- Sleeping in a tight eye mask on the first night.
What if something looks wrong?
A few things are normal and settle on their own: lashes that look very curly or slightly clumped on the first day, and a faint smell from the lotions. Brush them once they are fully dry on day two and they usually fall into place.
Contact your salon if lashes look frizzy, bent at a sharp angle or uneven after a few days. Many can correct an over-curled or uneven lift, and most would rather hear about it than not.
Contact a doctor if you have redness, swelling, itching, soreness or blurred vision that doesn’t settle quickly. Those can be signs of irritation or an allergic reaction and are not something aftercare can fix. This guide is general information, not medical advice.
Is aftercare different with a tint?
The rules are the same, with one addition: colour fades faster with oil-based cleansers, frequent swimming and strong sun. If you had a lash lift and tint, oil-free cleansing does double duty, protecting both the curl and the colour. Expect the tint to soften after 3 to 6 weeks, a little before the lift does.
When should you book the next one?
Most people rebook at 6 to 8 weeks, once the majority of lifted lashes have shed. Our guide to how long a lash lift lasts explains the week-by-week timeline. If you are looking for a salon, find a lash lift near you or browse by state.
Frequently asked questions
Can I shower after a lash lift?
Yes, but keep your face out of the water and the bathroom as steam-free as you can for the first 24 hours. A bath or a cool, quick shower with your face turned away is the easy option.
When can I wear mascara after a lash lift?
After 24 to 48 hours. Choose a water-based, non-waterproof mascara and remove it with an oil-free cleanser.
Can I sleep on my side after a lash lift?
Try to sleep on your back for the first night. Pressing freshly lifted lashes into a pillow can bend them while they set.
Can I use a lash serum with a lash lift?
Usually yes, and many salons recommend a conditioning serum once the first 24 to 48 hours have passed. Check with your technician, especially if the serum is a growth product.
Can I work out after a lash lift?
Wait 24 to 48 hours before anything that makes you sweat heavily, and the same for swimming, saunas and steam rooms.
Related guides
How Long Does a Lash Lift Last?
Typical results last 6 to 8 weeks. Here is what changes that.6 min readWhat Is a Lash Lift?
The treatment explained: how it works, who it suits and what to ask before booking.7 min readLash Lift and Tint: What It Is and How It Works
What the tint adds to a lift, how the appointment runs and how long each part lasts.6 min readThis guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have an eye condition, allergies or sensitive skin, speak to a doctor or a licensed lash technician before any lash treatment.