If your lashes grow straight out or point down, you probably curl them every morning and watch the curl drop by lunch. A lash lift (sometimes called an eyelash lift or a lash perm) fixes that for weeks at a time.
I've been doing lashes for more than 20 years, one client at a time in my St Ives studio. First-timers ask me the same handful of questions, so I've answered all of them here, honestly, including when a lift won't give you the result you want.
Key takeaways
- A lash lift is a semi-permanent treatment that curls your natural lashes upward from the root, with no extensions added.
- A lash lift lasts around 6 to 8 weeks, until the lifted lashes shed and are replaced by new ones.
- A lash lift and tint takes about 45 to 60 minutes, with your eyes closed the whole time.
- At Jay Lash and Brow in St Ives, a lash lift and tint costs $130, as of October 2026.
What Is a Lash Lift? The Short Answer
A lash lift is a perm for your natural lashes. A lifting solution softens them, they're set over a soft silicone shield into an upward curl, and a setting solution locks that curl in for around 6 to 8 weeks.
Think of it as three steps:
- The lift. A lifting solution relaxes the bonds inside each lash so it can change shape.
- The set. Once your lashes are brushed up over the shield, a setting solution fixes them in their new curl.
- The condition. I finish with a nourishing treatment so your lashes don't feel dry afterward.
You'll see a few names for this treatment: lash lift, eyelash lift, lash perm, keratin lift and "lash botox". Most describe the same treatment, sometimes with an extra conditioning step. If you're unsure what a salon means, ask exactly what's included.
You may also have heard of the softer Korean version, which uses a larger shield for a gentler, more natural curl. I've covered it in what is a Korean lash lift.
One thing a lift can't do: add length. It shows off the lashes you already have, so the longer your natural lashes, the bigger the change you'll see.
Lash Lift vs Lash Tint vs Both
The difference between a lash lift and a lash tint is that a lift curls your lashes, while a tint darkens them. Most people book both together.
- Lash lift only: changes the shape, with an upward curl from the root. It lasts around 6 to 8 weeks and suits dark lashes that grow straight or point down.
- Lash tint only ($30): changes the colour, darker from root to tip. It fades sooner than a lift and suits fair or light lashes that already curl.
- Lash lift and tint ($130): changes the shape and colour together. The curl lasts 6 to 8 weeks and the tint fades sooner. It suits most first-timers.
Prices at Jay Lash and Brow, St Ives, as of October 2026.
I offer the lift and tint together for a reason. The tips of most lashes are lighter than the base, so a lift on its own curls lashes you still can't quite see. The tint makes the whole length show, which is where the "are you wearing mascara?" look comes from.
The two fade on different timelines. The curl stays until your lashes shed, while the tint gradually lightens with washing, so it's normal for the colour to soften before the curl does.
Will a Lash Lift Work on Your Lashes? My 20-Second Check
A lash lift works best on lashes with decent length that grow straight or point down. You can check this yourself at home in about 20 seconds.
Curl your lashes with an ordinary eyelash curler, then look straight ahead into a mirror. If you love what you see, a lift will give you that look every day for weeks. If your curled lashes still look short, extensions will give you more of a change.
Here's how the result usually differs by lash type:
- Straight lashes with decent length: a lift reveals length that was hiding. These are the best results I see.
- Lashes pointing down: a lift turns them up and opens the eye, which is a big, visible change.
- Short or sparse lashes: a lift gives a gentle curl, not much more. Consider eyelash extensions instead.
- Lashes that already curl: a lift does very little, so it's usually not worth it.
If you have hooded eyes, a lift is often a good match. Straight lashes tend to disappear under the lid, and lifting them brings them back into view.
Who shouldn't get a lash lift?
You should wait if you have an active eye infection such as conjunctivitis, have had recent eye surgery, or have reacted to lash lift products before. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding or have very sensitive eyes, tell me before you book and we'll talk it through first.
If you're still weighing a lift against extensions, I've compared them side by side in lash lift vs eyelash extensions.
Not sure which group you're in? Text me a photo of your lashes on 0401 797 455 and I'll tell you.
What Happens at Your First Lash Lift Appointment
In summary, a lash lift and tint takes about 45 to 60 minutes, and your eyes stay closed the whole time. There are no needles and nothing should hurt. Plenty of clients doze off.
Here's the lash lift process, in six steps:
- A quick chat and lash check. I look at how long your lashes are and which way they grow, then pick the shield size for the curl you want, soft or more lifted.
- Cleanse. I clean your lashes so the solutions work evenly. You'll feel cool pads placed under your eyes to protect your lower lashes.
- Shield and brush-up. A soft silicone shield sits on your eyelid, and I brush your lashes up onto it one small section at a time.
- Lifting solution. This stays on for a few minutes, timed to how fine or strong your lashes are. You may notice a faint smell, nothing more.
- Setting solution. This locks the new curl in place.
- Tint and conditioning. The tint darkens your lashes, then I finish with a nourishing treatment and remove the shield.
Then you open your eyes to the result.
To get ready, keep it simple:
- Arrive with no eye makeup.
- Take your contact lenses out before the appointment.
- Skip the eyelash curler that morning.
How Long Does a Lash Lift Last?
A lash lift lasts around 6 to 8 weeks. The curl doesn't drop out; it grows out as your lifted lashes shed and new, straight ones replace them.
That's because your lashes are always renewing. According to StatPearls on the NCBI Bookshelf, each lash grows for about 4 to 10 weeks, then rests for 4 to 9 months before it falls out. Every lash is at a different point in that cycle, so the lift fades a few lashes at a time.
A few things shorten a lift:
- Rubbing your eyes, especially when you take off makeup
- Oil-based cleansers and removers on your lashes
- Waterproof mascara, which needs scrubbing to remove
- Using an eyelash curler on lifted lashes
What helps is simple: follow the aftercare below, brush your lashes daily, and rebook on time.
How often can you get a lash lift? Every 6 to 8 weeks, once the last curl has grown out. Lifting more often than that can leave lashes dry or brittle, so I won't re-lift lashes that are still curled.
Your lash lift week by week
- Days 1 to 2: a strong, fresh curl. Keep your lashes dry.
- Weeks 1 to 4: your best stage, with a full curl and no mascara needed.
- Weeks 4 to 6: new straight lashes start to appear among the curled ones.
- Weeks 6 to 8: the curl looks uneven. Time to rebook.
That in-between stage near the end is normal, and it's the one thing nobody warns first-timers about. It isn't the lift failing. It's your lashes doing exactly what they always do.
Lash Lift Aftercare: The First 24 Hours and After
The most important rule is the first one: keep your lashes dry for 24 hours while the curl settles.
For the first 24 hours:
- No water on your lashes, including face washing and showers aimed at your face
- No steam, saunas or hot yoga
- No mascara or eye makeup
- No rubbing your eyes
Can you put mascara on a lash lift? Yes, after the first 24 hours. Use a regular, non-waterproof mascara and take it off gently. Most of my clients find they stop reaching for it.
After the first day, keep it easy:
- Use an oil-free cleanser around your eyes.
- Brush your lashes each morning with a clean spoolie.
- Put the eyelash curler away. You won't need it.
Is a Lash Lift Safe for Your Natural Lashes?
A lash lift is safe for healthy lashes when it's done well by a trained technician with the right timing. When lifts go wrong, it's almost always for one of three reasons: the solution was left on too long, lifts were booked too close together, or it was done at home with a DIY kit.
Cleveland Clinic warns about the same things: repeated treatments, allergic reactions and at-home kits. It also recommends asking for a patch test first, so if you have sensitive skin or eyes, tell me when you book.
Any redness, swelling or irritation after a treatment is a job for your GP or optometrist, not an aftercare tip.
What a Lash Lift Costs at Jay Lash and Brow
A lash lift and tint at my St Ives studio is $130, as of October 2026. A lash tint on its own is $30.
Because a lift lasts 6 to 8 weeks with nothing to top up in between, it works out at about $780 to $1,170 a year. That's roughly half what classic extensions cost once you add infills. I've done the full comparison in lash lift vs eyelash extensions.
For booking details, see my lash lift and tint in St Ives page, or text or call me on 0401 797 455.
Lash Lift FAQs
What is a lash lift?
A lash lift is a semi-permanent treatment that curls your natural lashes upward from the root. A lifting solution softens the lashes, they're set over a silicone shield, and a setting solution holds the curl for around 6 to 8 weeks.
How long does a lash lift last?
Around 6 to 8 weeks. The curl grows out gradually as your natural lashes shed and are replaced, so there's no sudden drop.
How long does a lash lift take?
About 45 to 60 minutes for a lift and tint. Your eyes stay closed the whole time and it doesn't hurt.
Can you put mascara on a lash lift?
Yes, after the first 24 hours. Use a regular, non-waterproof mascara and remove it gently so the curl lasts.
Are lash lifts bad for your lashes?
Not when they're done well on healthy lashes. Damage usually comes from solution left on too long, lifts booked too close together, or DIY kits.
Who can't get a lash lift?
Wait if you have an eye infection, recent eye surgery or a past reaction to lift products. Very short lashes may not show much change. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding or have sensitive eyes, tell your technician before booking.
How often can you get a lash lift?
Every 6 to 8 weeks, once the previous curl has grown out. Lifting more often can leave lashes dry or brittle.
How much is a lash lift at Jay Lash and Brow?
A lash lift and tint is $130 at Jay Lash and Brow in St Ives, as of October 2026. Text or call Jay on 0401 797 455 to book.
Book Your First Lash Lift in St Ives
I work one-on-one from a private studio at 1st Floor, Suite 2B, 2 Memorial Avenue, St Ives. Clients come from across the Upper North Shore, from Pymble and Gordon to Turramurra and Wahroonga.
Ready for lashes that look done when you wake up? Text or call me on 0401 797 455 with a few days that suit you.
Prices as of October 2026. Last reviewed by Jay, October 2026.