A lash lift is a beauty salon service that gives your own lashes a soft curl that holds for weeks. How it turns out depends on more than the session itself: how you prepare and how you look after your lashes afterwards matter too. In short: come to your appointment without eye make-up, keep water, steam and make-up away from your lashes for the first 24-48 hours and do not rub your eyes; we will tell you what suits you at the end of your session.
What is a lash lift and what happens during a session?
In a lash lift, your natural lashes are brushed onto a small silicone pad placed on the eyelid, curled with special solutions and then set in that shape. No false lashes or extensions are used; we work with your own lashes.
A session usually runs in this order: we cleanse the eye area, choose a pad size to suit your eyes, brush the lashes onto the pad one by one, apply the curling and setting solutions, then cleanse the lashes and finish with nourishing care. Your eyes stay closed throughout, and you lie back and rest. It usually takes around 45-60 minutes, though this can vary with your lashes. You can also find every step on our brow and lash services page.
How should you prepare for a lash lift?
Preparation matters for a lash lift, both for a comfortable session and for a curl that holds well. The steps below are much the same as those most salons recommend.
Tell us about any sensitivity in advance
If you have sensitive skin or a known allergy, please let us know before your appointment; we may recommend a patch test first. We explain what a patch test is for in our post on brow lamination and lash lift risks. If you are thinking of a lash lift before a special occasion, we suggest booking with a few days to spare; our special occasion beauty timeline shows how to order your appointments.
Watch what you use around your eyes
It is a good idea to take a break from retinol or acid-based products around the eyes for about a week before your session. These products can make the skin more sensitive. If you are not sure what is in a product you use, just message us before your appointment and we will look at it together.
Come without eye make-up on the day
Your lashes need to be free of any trace of mascara, eyeliner or oily cleanser; residue makes it harder for the solution to sit evenly on the lashes. Please come without eye make-up on the day. If you wear contact lenses, you will need to take them out before the session; bringing your lens case and your glasses will make things easier.
When should you check with us first?
If any of the following applies to you, please message us before booking. We will talk through together whether the service is right for you and, if needed, suggest waiting. If you are unsure, we recommend checking with your doctor.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Redness, irritation, itching, a stye or an open wound around the eyes
- Recent eye surgery
- A previous allergic reaction to brow, lash or tint products
- Brow or lash loss with no known cause
- Very dry, fine or brittle hairs
- A skincare product recommended by your doctor that you use regularly
Your lash lift is carried out by our expert team of qualified practitioners, who explain each step and make sure you are comfortable throughout.
What should you avoid in the first 24-48 hours after a lash lift?
The first day or two after a lash lift is when the curl is settling and at its most delicate. We recommend keeping water, steam and eye make-up away for the first 24-48 hours; we will tell you what suits you at the end of your session. Leaving your lashes alone as much as you can during this time helps the curl stay neat.
Keep away from water and steam
- When you wash your face, keep the eye area dry; if you need to, wipe just your cheeks and forehead with a damp cotton pad.
- In the shower, do not let the water run straight onto your face, and avoid hot steam.
- Stay away from saunas, the hammam, swimming pools and intense exercise that makes you sweat a lot.
Do not rub your eyes or touch your lashes
Rubbing your eyes when they itch or feel tired may be a reflex, but it can spoil the shape of the curl. Do not try to tidy your lashes with your fingers. If they look a little untidy the next day, there is no need to worry; once this first period has passed, you can brush them gently with a clean spoolie.
Try to sleep on your back on the first night
Sleeping face down, or with your face pressed into the pillow, can push your lashes over to one side. For the first night, just try to sleep on your back. A soft, smooth pillowcase can help too.
Give eye make-up a short break
During this first period, we recommend leaving off mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow. After that you can go back to make-up; it is just worth choosing your products with care.
How do you look after your lashes once the first few days have passed?
After the first 24-48 hours, you can go back to your usual routine. A few small habits help the curl look neat for longer.
- Choose your mascara carefully: go for a water-based, oil-free mascara that comes off easily. Waterproof mascaras take more rubbing to remove, which can be hard on the lashes.
- Remove make-up gently: take off eye make-up by pressing a cotton pad against your lashes and holding it there for a moment, rather than rubbing. Try not to use a lot of oily cleanser at the roots of your lashes.
- Skip the lash curler: the lift has already curled your lashes, so you do not need one; using one on top of a lift can put them under stress.
- Brush regularly: brushing lightly with a clean spoolie in the morning helps your lashes look neat.
How long does a lash lift last, and when can you have it done again?
A lash lift usually lasts 4-8 weeks; it varies from person to person, because lashes shed in their own natural cycle and new ones grow in their place. The new lashes grow in straight, so over time you start to see curled and straight lashes side by side.
We usually plan the next session no sooner than 6-8 weeks later. Repeating the service while the curl is still there can put the lashes under more stress than necessary. Every service is planned and carried out to a personalised protocol, so this interval may differ for you. We answer the same question for brows in our post on how long brow lamination lasts.
Frequently asked questions
When can I wash my face after a lash lift?
Usually after the first 24-48 hours, you can wash your face as usual, without rubbing the eye area; we will tell you what suits you at the end of your session. Until then, keep the eye area dry and clean the rest of your face with a damp cotton pad.
When can I wear mascara after a lash lift?
After the first 24-48 hours; we will tell you what suits you at the end of your session. A water-based mascara that comes off easily is the best choice.
Is it normal to lose a few lashes after a lash lift?
Usually, yes. Lashes shed and renew themselves in a regular cycle, so a few lashes coming out after a lift is usually part of that natural cycle. We use products and timings that suit the condition of your lashes; if you notice any unusual shedding, please message us.
Do I need a patch test before a lash lift?
Not everyone needs one; it depends on your skin and any sensitivity you have had before. If you have sensitive skin or a known allergy, please let us know before your appointment; we may recommend a patch test first. If a test is needed, we plan when to do it together with you, ahead of the appointment.
Get in touch about a lash lift
You can read about all our brow and lash services, including brow shaping, on our lash lift and brow lamination page. If you would like to plan a session at our beauty salon in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, at a time that suits you, just send us a message. You can find where we are on our contact page.
