To Lift or Not to Lift
To lift or not to lift, that is the question. Eyelashes may seem like the least of your worries, but after spending your precious time perfecting your makeup look, the most frustrating occurrence is blinking while applying mascara. You’ll consequently smear black sludge under your eye and have to manically perform some major rehab to save face.
We’ve all been there at that moment, and it is time to consider an alternative: lash lifts and extensions. Lash lifts are essentially a perm for your eyelashes. A trained esthetician, or your trusted roomie, will perform this treatment on you using a few simple tools: a mini curling wand of sorts, a spoolie, and a chemical treatment.
Your natural lashes are first cleansed using a moist towelette. Then they are gently brushed through using a spoolie, and are carefully curled over and attached to the miniature wand-like rod with a bit of adhesive to set the lashes in place. Once everything is curled and lifted nicely, a lifting lotion is applied to the lashes and then finally a setting balm. These topical treatments are what keeps the lashes curled and lifted for up to six weeks.
For best results and longevity of the lift, you should avoid getting your freshly-lifted lashes wet for twenty-four hours. And, you should avoid using mascara and other makeup products for up to forty-eight hours. After the first day or so you are free to use any product you wish, but mascara is totally optional (and honestly, unnecessary). The lift will provide you with a look that surpasses anything an ordinary mascara could ever deliver. This treatment is a bit on the pricier side, as it does cost about $100-$150 per treatment and takes about an hour per session.
Lash lifts are relatively safe and effective, but as with any beauty treatment, be sure to consult your provider to discuss any concerns prior to participation. Some salons may offer a patch test to ensure that you do not have an adverse reaction to the treatments being used; this is recommended for all, but especially for those with a history of sensitive skin or other allergies.
We at The Edge choose to lift and hope you do, too. Tag us @theedgemag on Instagram to show off your luscious lashes!