It seems like everyone I know has had or is getting eyelash extensions, and while I think they look great on everyone else, I prefer the natural look. So when I learned about the eyelash perm treatment, I knew I had to try it. This treatment, also known as a lash lift, isn't as scary as it sounds and has actually been around since the early '80s (although the procedure has become easier and gentler recently, so there's been a recent uptick in use )Popularity).
Eyelash perms are great for those who have naturally beautiful eyelashes but want to add a little extra glamor without the need for eyelash extensions. I'm almost a perfect candidate - my eyelashes, while straight, are quite long, so I curl them a lot. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to my lash habits—I gave up mascara a few years ago—but I do curl my lashes a few times in the morning to add some extra volume. When my friend told me she was getting a lash lift, I knew I had to get one too. I called Brow Chic, a Minneapolis eyebrow and lash boutique, and made an appointment with their top lash specialist, Lynn Carver.
Before I arrived for my appointment, Carver recommended that I take off my contacts and shower early because you shouldn't get your eyelashes wet for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
When I arrived, I filled out a form listing all allergies, and Carver and I discussed my typical lash care routine and the look I wanted to determine the best course of action. I had been looking for fairly curly lashes to make my eyes pop, and I also opted to tint them with a lash lift. We also discussed color choices (I chose a black/brown mix to tint my brown blonde lashes). Once we agree on these details, the process begins.
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Carver begins by removing makeup and natural oils from around the eyes, then using under-eye pads to prevent those pesky lower lashes (mine always seem to get tangled with my upper lashes, especially in the corners of my eyes). Carver then determined the best size silicone wand to achieve the ideal curl based on the length of my lashes. Apparently I'm right in between a medium and large curling iron, so we went with the medium for a curlier look (the smaller the iron, the tighter the curls, just like a regular curling iron).
Carver then used a mild adhesive to secure my lashes around the wand and began perming, first using lifting lotion, which makes your lashes flexible and leaving them on for a few minutes, then applying setting lotion , to lock lash curl in place and condition your natural lashes. After my lashes had a chance to set, Carver removed the styling lotion with a saline solution, which may sting your eyes a little, but it goes away quickly. Then my eyelashes were dry and the eyelash perm was complete.
Since I would be wearing mascara in addition to my lash lift, Carver then added a semi-permanent dye to my upper and lower lashes for a few more minutes. Overall, the entire process takes about an hour from consultation to completion.
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I'm very happy with the results. My straight lashes were perfectly curled—which usually only happens after five minutes of using an eyelash curler, but they were flattened by the end of the day—and a little darker, but not too dark. My brown blonde hair and eyebrows still look natural.
As we all know from watching Legally Blonde , you shouldn't wet perm your hair within 24 hours or the curls will fall out. The same rule applies to eyelash perms.
"Your lashes will still be a little stretchy for the first 24 to 48 hours after treatment, so avoid moisture on the first day or two," explains Carver. "Since this is a chemical service and we're trying to maintain pH, any moisture will change the pH balance and you won't get the kind of bond we want in the curls."
Avoiding moisture is key – and that includes crying, so to be safe don’t watch This Is Us or chop onions the day of your lash lift (two things I did before I realized my lashes were in danger two things done). Aside from a few unexpected tears, I avoided water for 36 hours after treatment just to be safe and used my makeup wipes and dry shampoo.
Some other aftercare tips include minimizing the use of oil-based products (like facial oils and oil-based cleansers), avoiding waterproof mascara (which Carver recommends whether or not to lift your lashes), and being careful not to remove your lashes while sleeping Rubbed into pillow (hopefully) Can I learn to sleep on my back? ). It's definitely a challenge for me, but I'm determined to stick to the rules because my lashes have truly never looked better.
A lash lift usually lasts two to three months, depending on your eyelash growth cycle, so when your lashes fall out, it returns to their natural texture. Fortunately, because the eyelash perm process is so gentle, you can easily perm your lashes again in two or three months if you want to have those perfectly curled lashes again. I know I will!
