What Is a Lash Lift?

If you have ever curled your lashes with a clamp in the morning and watched them drop by lunchtime, a lash lift is the longer-lasting version of that idea. It reshapes each lash so it points up and out instead of straight forward, which makes lashes look longer and eyes look more open, without mascara, glue or false lashes.

This guide explains how the treatment works, what happens in the chair, who it suits, and what the different names on salon menus mean. Prices quoted here come from the 3,156 salon menus in our directory that publish a lash lift price.

How does a lash lift work?

A lash lift is a two-part chemical process, similar in principle to a hair perm but with products made for the eye area.

• A lifting lotion softens the lash. It loosens the bonds inside each hair that hold its shape, so the lash can be remoulded.
• A shaping rod or shield sets the new curve. The technician combs your lashes up and over a small curved silicone form that sits on your eyelid. The size of the form decides how tight or soft the curl is.
• A setting lotion fixes it. It re-forms the bonds in the new, lifted position. A nourishing serum or oil usually goes on last.

Because the change is made to the lash itself, the lift does not wash off. It stays until the lash sheds and a new, straight lash grows in.

What happens at the appointment?

Salons vary a little, but a typical lash lift follows these steps:

1. Consultation. The technician looks at your lash length and direction, asks about allergies, contact lenses and recent eye treatments, and agrees the kind of curl you want.
2. Cleansing. Lashes are cleaned of makeup and oil so the lotions work evenly. Arrive with clean lashes if you can.
3. Pads and rods. Lower lashes are covered with a pad, and a silicone rod or shield is fixed to each upper lid with a gentle adhesive.
4. Lifting. Your lashes are combed onto the rod and the lifting lotion is applied. It sits for several minutes; the time depends on the product and how fine your lashes are.
5. Setting. The first lotion is removed and the setting lotion goes on for a similar time.
6. Tint (optional). If you have booked a lash lift and tint, the dye is applied now and left for a few minutes.
7. Finish. Everything is removed, lashes are released from the rod, and a conditioning product is brushed through.

Your eyes stay closed throughout. Expect the whole visit to take about 45 to 60 minutes.

Who does a lash lift suit?

A lash lift works with what you already have, so it suits people who want a natural, low-effort result rather than a dramatic one. It tends to be a good fit if:

• your lashes are a reasonable length but grow straight or point downward;
• you want to skip the lash curler, or wear less mascara;
• you swim, exercise or travel a lot and want lashes that need no daily attention;
• you like the idea of extensions but not the fills, the cost or the careful cleansing routine.

It will not add length or thickness that isn’t there. If your lashes are very sparse, or you want a fuller, more made-up look, lash extensions may suit you better. The two are compared side by side in our lash lift vs lash extensions guide.

What are keratin and Korean lash lifts?

Salon menus use several names for what is, at heart, the same treatment. The differences are mostly in the products and the technique.

None of these names is regulated, so two salons can mean slightly different things by the same word. If a menu lists more than one type, ask what the practical difference is in result and price.

Is a lash lift the same as a lash perm?

They use the same idea, and many salons treat the words as interchangeable. The traditional lash perm wrapped lashes around a small cylindrical roller, which produced a tight curl. A modern lash lift uses a flatter silicone shield, so lashes are lifted from the base and fan upward rather than curling back on themselves. The lift looks longer and more natural, which is why it has largely replaced the perm on salon menus.

Is a lash lift safe?

A lash lift involves chemical lotions close to the eye, so who does it and how carefully matters more than anything else. A few sensible checks:

• Licensing. In most US states, lash services must be performed by a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician. Rules differ by state, so check your state board if you are unsure.
• Patch test. Ask whether the salon offers a patch test before your first lift or tint, especially if you have sensitive skin or a history of reactions to hair dye.
• Tell them your history. Mention eye conditions, recent eye surgery, infections, allergies and any lash treatments you have had in the past couple of months.
• Don’t over-process. Lifting lashes again too soon can leave them dry or frizzy. Most technicians recommend waiting until the previous lift has grown out.

If your eyes sting, burn or water during the treatment, say so immediately. If you have redness, swelling or irritation afterwards that does not settle, contact a doctor. This guide is general information, not medical advice.

How much does a lash lift cost?

Across the 3,156 salon menus in our directory that publish a price, the median lash lift costs $85, and most fall between $70 and $100. A lash lift and tint has a median of $95 (based on 2,212 salon menus). Prices vary by city and by salon, and they change, so confirm when you book.

For a state-by-state table and the most and least expensive cities, see how much a lash lift costs.

How do you choose a salon?

A few things are worth checking before you book:

• Lash lifts are actually on the menu. Plenty of lash salons only do extensions. Every salon in our directory is listed because lash lifts or extensions appear on its own website, chain menu or business name, and each listing says which.
• Recent photos of their own work. Look for healed, natural-looking results on lashes like yours.
• Reviews that mention lifts. A high Google rating is a start; reviews that describe the lash lift itself tell you more.
• A consultation and aftercare advice. A careful technician asks questions first and tells you how to look after your lashes afterwards.

Ready to book? Find a lash lift near you, or browse lash lift salons by state.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

This 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.