It’s 6 am, and you find yourself in front of the mirror, yet again, having to steady yourself before you curl your lashes and apply mascara. The smallest tremble could mean disaster, and your coffee hasn’t even kicked in yet. If that’s you, a lash lift and tint could be the ideal makeup alternative.
A lash lift and tint is a two-part salon treatment. The lift perms your natural lashes into a lasting upward curve, and the tint dyes them darker for definition, so you get curled, defined lashes without mascara or a curler. The appointment takes 60 to 90 minutes and the results last 4 to 8 weeks, which saves you time and money.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into these treatments, covering how they work, what the process is like, and how much they can cost you.
Table of Contents
- What Is Lash Lift and Tint?
- What to Expect During Your Lash Lift and Tint Appointment
- How a Lash Lift and Tint Transforms Your Lashes: Expected Results
- Should You Go Professional or Try a DIY Lash Lift and Tint?
- Essential Aftercare Tips: Keeping Your Lash Lift and Tint Looking Fresh
- Is Lash Lift and Tint Safe for Everyone? What You Need to Know
- FAQs on Lash Lift and Tint
Do You Lift or Tint First?
You lift first, then tint. The lifting solution reshapes the lash and the neutralizer rebonds it, so doing that first means the tint goes onto a lash that has already settled into its new curve. Tinting first would waste much of the colour, since the lifting and neutralizing steps that follow can strip it. Some technicians combine the neutralizing and tinting steps to save time, but the tint still comes after the lift, never before. The step-by-step below follows that order.
What Is Lash Lift and Tint?
A lash lift and tint is a hybrid procedure that curls, lifts, and darkens the lashes for up to 8 weeks of definition without makeup.
The first step of the procedure is a lash lift, a semi-permanent treatment that curls and lifts your eyelashes. It’s based on a chemical process that breaks the bonds in the lash, allowing them to be reshaped.
Then, it’s followed by a lash tint that darkens the lashes with a semi-permanent dye. It’s a mascara alternative that makes the lashes look darker for natural definition.
What to Expect During Your Lash Lift and Tint Appointment
Your lash lift and tint appointment will typically take between 60 and 90 minutes. During the procedure, all you’ll need to do is lie back and keep your eyes shut.
The procedure shouldn’t cause any discomfort. At most, you may feel a slight tugging as your technician applies the product to your lashes. Many people fall asleep during their lash lift and tint appointments. If you do feel any discomfort or stinging, let your beautician know.
The steps of the procedure itself are as follows:
1. Pre-Treatment Consultation
First, the technician will assess your lashes and talk to you about your desired outcomes for your lashes. Based on that, they will choose the right curl level and tint color for you.
2. Lift Prep
Your technician will prepare your eyes for the lash lift by cleaning them gently. Then, they’ll apply an adhesive pad to your lower eyelid to protect the lower eyelashes. Finally, they’ll select a silicone curling rod or lift pad based on the level of curl you want and attach it to the upper eyelid.
3. Lash Placement
To position your lashes, the technician then applies an adhesive either directly to the lashes or to the curling rod itself. Then, using a swab, they will carefully lift the lashes upwards and attach them to the curling rod. This is often the longest part of the lash lift process, since the lashes must be placed perfectly to ensure a flattering, tangle-free lift.
4. Lifting Process
Once all the lashes are perfectly set in place, the lifting solution goes on. The lifting solution is made of a permeating material that breaks down the connective bonds in the lashes, such as thioglycolic acid, ammonium thioglycolate, or cysteamine (the preferred option for sensitive eyes or skin). The processing is typically 8-12 minutes, or up to 16 minutes with cysteamine lifting solutions. The processing time depends on how coarse your lashes are.
5. Neutralizing
Next, your beautician will remove the processing solution with a dry swab. Then, to stop the processing, they will apply a neutralizing solution made with hydrogen peroxide or sodium bromide. This is sometimes called a “fixing” solution since it rebonds the lashes. They will leave it on for up to 12 minutes. Some beauticians combine the neutralizing and lash tinting steps into one for a speedier procedure.
6. Tint Application
Finally, to tint your lashes, your beautician will mix the tint with a developer (or the neutralizing solution if it’s hydrogen peroxide-based). After a few minutes, they will carefully apply it to the lashes. After 5 to 10 minutes, they will remove the tint.
7. Final Mask
Finally, your lash technician will apply a “nutrition” mask or hydrating lotion to your lashes to fortify them. This usually stays on the lashes for just a few minutes. Then they will wipe it away completely, remove the silicone rod and pads from your eyelids, and allow you to admire your new look.
How Long Everything Takes
Here is the whole timeline in one place, from the chair to the day your lift grows out.
|
Stage |
How long |
|---|---|
|
The full appointment |
60 to 90 minutes |
|
Lifting solution on the lashes |
8 to 12 minutes, or up to 16 with a cysteamine solution, depending on how coarse your lashes are |
|
Neutralizing solution |
Up to 12 minutes |
|
Tint on the lashes |
5 to 10 minutes |
|
Keep lashes dry after |
24 to 48 hours |
|
Darkest and most lifted |
The first week |
|
Still looking great |
Through week 3, though the tint fades a little with face washing |
|
Starting to grow out |
Around week 5 |
|
Ready to rebook |
Week 7 or 8 |
How a Lash Lift and Tint Transforms Your Lashes: Expected Results
You’ll see the results immediately after tinting and lifting your lashes. Your lashes will look darker and more lifted right away. Your lashes may also look a little shiny, since your lash technician will likely apply a nourishing lash serum or cream.
Your lashes will look their darkest and most lifted for the first week after treatment. The results will continue to appear impressive for the first 3 weeks. You may notice that some of the lash tint starts to fade as you wash your face regularly, but the lift should remain.
By week 5, your lash lift will start losing steam, as your lash line naturally replaces itself and new lashes grow into your usual growth pattern. Signs of your lash lift will be almost completely gone by week 7 or 8, at which point you can schedule a new treatment.
Daily Life Benefits
- It saves you the need to use mascara and an eyelash curler, cutting your morning routine by 5-10 minutes
- You don’t need to worry about smudging when you rub your eyes, sweat, or get caught in the rain
- You can still wear mascara when you want for additional fullness, without having to curl your lashes first
- Enjoy a totally natural yet enhanced look
Should You Go Professional or Try a DIY Lash Lift and Tint?
You might be curious about doing your own lash lift and tint at home, especially if the cost of a professional service seems expensive.
Nowadays, many kits are available for purchase. They typically cost less than a professional lift-and-tint, while offering many uses per kit.
For reference, a professional lash lift and tint typically costs between $75 and $150.
There are some risks and complications associated with doing it yourself. During a professional service, you get to lie back and close both your eyes as someone else does all of the work. When doing it yourself, you'll have to work on one eye at a time so you can see what you're doing. Keeping one eye closed for so long can be difficult, and the risk of getting product in your eye is higher.
There is also a risk of aesthetic pitfalls, such as misshapen eyelashes due to poor lash placement, overprocessing, or tint stains on your skin. That said, if you follow all instructions closely, your final results have the potential to be just as impressive and long-lasting as those from a professional treatment.
However, if you're already a DIY beauty enthusiast, have a steady hand, and are good about following hygiene and safety practices, doing your lift and tint at home can be an excellent option.
If you definitely prefer a DIY lash enhancement option, but doing your own lash lift and tint seems intimidating, lash clusters can be a nice option. They attach from beneath the lashes to give color, lift, length, and volume, and typically stay put for several days in a row. Unlike a lift, there's less risk of getting irritating chemicals in your eye, and once you get some practice, the application can take just ten minutes.
Short, Thin, or Blonde Lashes: Does It Work?
A lift works with the lashes you have, so it curls and reveals them rather than adding anything. On short lashes, the effect is real but subtle, since the curl opens the eye and makes them look longer than they are, though it will not add length. On thin or sparse lashes, the lift can make them look neater and more defined, but it does not add density. This is where the tint earns its place, and blonde or very pale lashes often see the biggest change of anyone, since darkening them alone can read like a coat of mascara.
If what you want is length or fullness rather than lift, a lift and tint will leave you underwhelmed, and lash clusters are the more direct route, since they add both.
Essential Aftercare Tips: Keeping Your Lash Lift and Tint Looking Fresh
A lash lift is technically a type of perm, so if you've seen Legally Blonde, you know you shouldn't get your lashes wet for the first 24 to 48 hours after your lash lift. That means you can’t go swimming or take a steamy shower. Carry an umbrella with you if it's raining, and wash your face carefully to avoid splashing your eyes in the evening.
Aside from that, your lashes don't need much special care after a lash lift and tint. These general practices will still help with longevity:
- Detangle your lashes with a clean spoolie daily
- Apply nourishing lash serums regularly to maintain lash health
- Sleep on your back or wear a protective domed sleep mask
- You can wear mascara, but make sure you can remove it easily with minimal rubbing
- Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools (or wear goggles) as chlorine may impact your tint
On timing for that, you can wear mascara again 24 to 48 hours after your lift, though most people find they no longer feel the need to. If you do, reach for a formula you can take off with minimal rubbing, since rubbing is what shortens a lift.
Is Lash Lift and Tint Safe for Everyone? What You Need to Know
A lash lift and tint is typically a safe and painless treatment without any side effects. It can be carried out even on contact lens wearers or those with sensitive eyes, especially with modern, gentler lifting products.
It does, however, have a few risks, including eye irritation, corneal injury, or skin burns and blistering if the lifting solution comes in contact with the eye or surrounding skin. Such severe complications are considered uncommon when the treatment is applied correctly by a trained professional.
While it’s not noted in the scientific literature, some people find that repeated processing with tint and lift solutions makes their lashes more brittle and can lead to lash loss. If you notice your lashes getting sparser over time, take a break from lifting and tinting.
You should avoid it altogether if you have any allergies, especially to hair dyes or to adhesives. It’s possible to develop an allergy from repeated exposure, which can result in severe eye or skin inflammation.
Though extremely rare, there was a case where an eyelash lift caused a soft tissue infection around the eyes, probably due to poor hygiene standards.
Speak to a medical professional if you notice any prolonged symptoms or lasting discomfort after getting a lash lift or tint.
Bottom Line
A lash lift and tint can save you a lot of time by helping define and enhance your lashes. The results are natural-looking, long-lasting, and smudge-proof.
Keep in mind that a lift and tint won’t lengthen or volumize your lashes the same way as mascara, lash extensions, or false lashes. You also need to be aware of potential side effects, especially if you have sensitive eyes or you’re considering doing it yourself.
That is the cleanest way to think about the difference between the two. A lift reshapes the lashes you already have so they stay curled and lifted, while extensions attach fibers to add length, thickness, and density. They are not rivals, and some people combine the two for lift and fullness together, though that does mean two sets of appointments and upkeep.
That said, if you’re tired of having straight, pale, or downturned lashes and all you’re aiming for is a natural look, a lash lift and tint will probably deliver exactly what you want.
