Everything You Need To Know About Getting A Lash Lift, According To A Professional

When it comes to your lashes, there is no shortage of products that promise to lengthen, extend, volumize, and lift. I'm sure you've seen everything from mascaras that claim to do all four of those things, to serums, eyelash extensions, faux eyelashes, and eyelash curlers all promising sky-high lashes that'll hit your eyebrows. Well, now, a new procedure is taking over, thanks to its no-fuss maintenance and seemingly natural results: a lash lift. But what exactly is a lash lift, and how does a lash lift work?

To go over all the details, I spoke to Andrea Schwartzman, manager of operations at Sugaring NYC, home of the Yumi Lash Lift. If you're not familiar, Yumi Lashes are essentially an eyelash-lifting treatment that is used to lift and boost your natural lashes, without the use of extensions or "perming" like other lash-enhancing treatments. Some people favor this type of treatment, as perming your lashes can be more intensive, and lash extensions are a bit more restrictive in terms of the products you can use afterward. Of course, every person may prefer a different service for different reasons. For a breakdown of what you can expect out of a lash lift treatment, so you can decide if it's right for you, read on.

What exactly is a lash lift?

As I've already mentioned, a lash lift is a treatment to naturally enhance and lift your lashes. According to Schwartzman, it's essentially like "a boob job for your lashes. "It sits them up high and proud," she tells Elite Daily. "We take silicones and put them on your eyelids and we glue your lashes up and use three different creams [throughout the treatment]."

What does the procedure entail and how long is it?

Schwartzman says the procedure takes about an hour from start to finish and consists of gluing your lashes to silicone strips placed on your eyelid, applying a cream to extend and lift the lashes, and then using a cream to remove the glue. The best part? Believe it or not, the process is apparently super relaxing, and you can sleep the whole time if you wanted to.

According to Schwartzman, the Yumi Lashes treatment is extremely customizable, depending on your desired results. If you want straighter lashes, then the technician can customize the silicone strips and creams to make your lashes sit straighter. "If you want higher, bigger, curled lashes then we have the ability to play around, she shares. "If you have longer [eyelashes], then we can create a cat-eye with the lashes and stick them out. We have some fun mobility."

What maintenance is involved following a lash lift, and how long do the effects last?

The appearance of your lashes following a lash lift can stick around anywhere from six to 12 weeks, depending on the person and their natural lash life cycle. One important thing to remember is that, in the 24 hours following your lash lift appointment, you'll want to stay away from getting your lashes wet. So if you're anything like me and can cry at the drop of a hat, then you'll want to avoid taking part in any remotely emotional activities that could trigger the water works.

What is the cost?

According to Sugaring NYC's website, the Yumi Lashes treatment costs around $140. Of course, that cost will also depend on the location, the technician performing the service, etc.

Can you wear makeup? Does wearing makeup or applying eye makeup affect how long the lash lift lasts?

Schwartzman emphasized that you absolutely can wear eye makeup after your Yumi Lashes treatment (except for the 24 hours immediately afterward), and that there is nothing that can shorten the length of how long the lash lift lasts — your eyelashes will fall out naturally on their own, just like they normally do.

Are there any downsides to getting a lash lift?

It's important to note that, unlike other eyelash treatments, there are no known damaging effects of getting a lash lift. "Your lashes will not fall out from the lash lift," Schwartzman adds. "It is not damaging. The only way it can be damaging is if it's done incorrectly."

Basically, if you're someone who loves the way lifted lashes make your eyes look, but you don't want to be bothered with applying lengthening mascara day in and day out, then perhaps a lash lift is right up your alley.