Lash lift: what it is
It is a lift of your own natural lashes from the root. The hair is shaped over a small silicone form and set in that position.
These are not extensions. Nothing is glued on, no hair is added, and at the end you have the same lashes pointing a different way. The eye looks more open because the lash has stopped aiming at the floor.
The biggest change shows up on people with long but straight lashes. If yours already curl on their own, you will see less.
Brow up: what it is
Same principle applied to the eyebrow. The hairs are combed upwards and set in that position, which fills the gaps without painting anything in.
It works best on brows that have enough hair but in disarray, the kind that grow in four directions at once and never stay flat.
On a brow with sparse hair, brow up will not invent density that is not there. That is a different conversation, and it goes through microblading.
How long they last
| Aspect | Lash lift | Brow up |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6 to 8 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Treatment time | around 1 hour | around 45 minutes |
| First 24 hours | no water, no steam, no mascara | no water, no creams on the area |
| Upkeep | none required | comb it in the morning |
| How it fades | goes with the natural hair cycle | goes with the natural hair cycle |
Neither one needs a touch-up to keep looking right. When the effect wears off, the hair returns to what it was, with no awkward stage in between.
The first 24 hours
That is the only window with rules. For the first twenty-four hours the hair is still setting into its new position, and water undoes part of the work.
Which means: no shower with your face under the stream, no pool, no sauna, no sweaty gym session. The next day life goes back to normal.
After that you can wear mascara, wash your face and swim. The result does not suffer for it.
Who should not do it
There are situations where I say no. An active eye infection, recent eye surgery, or a known allergy to the products are the three I meet most often.
Very fragile lashes, or lashes damaged by badly removed extensions, are also poor candidates. In that case the better plan is to let the hair recover first.
In pregnancy there is no established contraindication, but sensitivity is higher and the setting can behave differently. That one is a case-by-case conversation.
Before a wedding
If you want it done before the wedding, book it two to three weeks ahead. Never the day before.
Two reasons. If there is a reaction, there is time for it to pass, and the result settles better after the first few days. In photographs the difference is visible.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a lash lift and lash extensions?
A lash lift lifts and curls the lashes you already have, with nothing glued on. Extensions add artificial hair strand by strand. A lash lift lasts six to eight weeks and needs no upkeep; extensions need a touch-up every three weeks.
How long does a lash lift last?
Between six and eight weeks. It fades with the natural lash cycle, with no strange in-between stage and no obligation to have it redone.
Does brow up work on brows with gaps?
It works when there is enough hair but it sits out of line: lifting the hairs covers the gaps. On a brow with little hair it will not create density that does not exist.
Can I get my face wet after the treatment?
Not in the first twenty-four hours. No shower with your face under the water, no pool, no sauna, no heavy sweating. After that period everything goes back to normal, mascara included.
Who should not have a lash lift?
Anyone with an active eye infection, recent eye surgery, or a known allergy to the products. Lashes badly damaged by poorly removed extensions should recover first.
How long before the wedding should I do it?
Two to three weeks before, never the day before. That gives the result time to settle and, if there is any reaction, time for it to pass before the day.
One last thing
If you are torn between a lash lift and extensions, turn the question around: do you want upkeep every three weeks, or do you want to forget about the subject for two months? The answer to that one almost always decides it.