According to Google’s 2018 trend report, people were very interested in eyelashes. Four of the five most popular beauty searches on Google were related to making your eyes pop, with “what is a lash lift” falling second behind “how to apply magnetic lashes.” The third, fourth, and fifth most popular beauty searches in 2018 were, respectively: “how to remove individual eyelashes,” “what hair color looks best on me,” and “how to do a cat eye.” As the newest “it” trend on the beauty block, lash lifts are making major waves—and for good reason. Not only does the procedure require little effort, but it also lasts longer than eyelash extensions with fewer potential detrimental effects. You can also customize your results from the shape of the curl to adding a tint if you don’t plan on wearing mascara every day. Celebrity makeup artists—like Hrush Achemyan, who works with the full-lashed Kardashian-Jenner fam and boasts 2.3 million followers on Instagram—have also been showing off the results of their very own lash lift and tint over the past few years, helping the trend gain traction in mainstream beauty. Here’s everything you need to know about lash lifts if you’re considering trying one for yourself. The technician separates your lower and upper lashes and applies a silicone pad to your upper lid. They then glue your lashes to the pad to start shaping your eyelashes into a deeper curl. Three lotions containing the right chemicals are then applied, and each one sets for 10 minutes—meaning the entire treatment takes about 30 minutes to one hour. “Although we have not observed specific incidents in which patients have had bad experiences with keratin lash lifts, we advise our patients to use caution when applying unknown formulations in or around the eyes,” he said. Not everyone has positive reactions to eyelash growth serums, though, so make sure you do your due diligence on potential ramifications before starting to use one. If you’re hoping for something more, you could also look into good old fashioned eyelash extensions. However, these too can cause side effects and last only two to three weeks, meaning you’ll need to shell out a lot more money for upkeep. Of course, you could always stick to mascara (and thousands of people love this one). But, then again, you could always double down with a lift and a bit of makeup for the ultimate look.
