Should You Get a Lash Lift Before the Wedding?

While your wedding dress will most likely be the focal point of your overall big-day look, your hair and makeup are typically considered the finishing touches that bring everything together. One particular facial feature that most brides want to accentuate on their special day? Their eyes—namely, their eyelashes. With thick, fluttery lashes, you’ll define your eyes and open up the face, single-handedly elevating your appearance. While your makeup artist can help you achieve this coveted look using an eyelash curler and a few coats of mascara, there are other, more statement-making options available to you. If you’re looking for an extra boost, consider a lash lift.

What is a lash lift? Also known as an eyelash lift, a lash lift is a semi-permanent treatment that keeps your natural lashes curled and lifted for up to eight weeks. During the appointment, your technician will use a perming solution that breaks the bonds of your hairs and tweaks the shape. The result? Fuller, longer, and more lifted lashes that won’t require much (if any) maintenance on your big day. “You’ll look brighter and more awake—without any mascara or lash curler needed,” lash expert Joo Kim of Be Your Lash explains. This treatment is especially worthwhile if your lashes are naturally straight or if you want a lifted appearance without the upkeep.

If you're thinking about signing up for a lash lift before your own wedding, we asked the experts to weigh the pros and cons of this popular beauty treatment. Plus, they unpack how to prepare for your appointment, what to expect during the service, and how to prolong the effects for longer-lasting results. 

Should You Get a Lash Lift Before the Wedding?

Since this is your wedding, the decision is ultimately yours to make. That being said, we asked the experts to share their opinions and insights on the subject to help you determine whether this beauty treatment is a fit for you and your affair. In order to guide the decision-making process, the professionals reveal the pros and cons below.

The Pros of a Pre-Wedding Lash Lift

Generally speaking, lash lifts are safe and effective beauty treatments. Here are all of the pros, according to the experts.

It’s safe.

If you go to a certified technician, a lash lift is considered very safe. According to Kim, her studio’s trained professionals use specially shaped silicone pads, which minimizes the risk of allergies and infections.

It’s customizable.

You can customize the color, length, and level of curl to fit your style. For instance, if you want straighter, longer lashes with less curl, your technician can make that happen. Just make sure that you voice your preferences during your consultation.

It produces a natural look.

Since your technician treats your real lashes during this procedure, the end result is a natural yet elevated look. Your lashes will appear long and uniform, and they won't require any products to maintain them.

It’s low-maintenance.

With a lift, your lashes will look curled and lengthened for up to eight weeks. While there are certain steps you can take to prolong the effects, you don’t need to do much to keep up this look. Plus, you can count on long, gorgeous lashes at your pre-wedding events (like the rehearsal dinner and welcome party) and your honeymoon.

It can withstand any climate.

Lash lifts are especially effective if you’re tying the knot in an outdoor wedding or at a destination with hot and humid conditions. These types of affairs typically require constant touch-ups, but with a lash lift, you won’t need to worry about your makeup smearing. “Since lash lifts are a semi-permanent curl, regardless of most weather and temperatures, your curl will remain the same, and your lashes will stay beautiful at any angle or direction,” Kim says.

The Cons of a Pre-Wedding Lash Lift

For those with sensitive skin or sparse lashes, a lash lift might not be the right fit for you. Plus, if you don’t take the time to thoroughly research your technician, you could impair the hairs around your eyes. Ahead, the cons of a lash lift.

You could damage your lashes if you don’t see a certified technician.

Make sure you do your research before booking your appointment because someone who isn’t properly trained could over-process and harm your lashes. Finding someone who is certified is a must, but in certain states, your stylist needs to be a licensed professional.

You’re exposing your eyes to chemicals.

During a lash lift, a technician is putting chemicals near your eyes, which will aggravate sensitive eyes or skin. For instance, there’s ammonia in the perming solution and preservatives in some of the other agents. If these chemicals get into your eyes, they can cause irritation, a burning sensation, or even blisters.

You might notice gaps if your lashes are thin.

If your natural lashes are weak, brittle, or sparse, Kim says your results might look uneven. In these cases, she recommends getting an eyelash extension instead.

Everything to Know About Lash Lifts Before the Wedding

If you’ve decided that a lash lift is the missing component needed to complete your pre-wedding beauty regimen, the professionals dish on all of the details to know before, during, and after your appointment.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

The first step involves figuring out the best window to book your appointment. If this is your first time getting a lash lift, Kim suggests scheduling an initial treatment at least two months out to see if you like the results. If you’re happy with the look, then you can follow up with another lash lift three to four days before your wedding for the optimal effect on your big day, according to Kim.

Before either appointment, lash expert Gina Monique of My Little Beautique says to arrive with clean lashes (no mascara or makeup). Your technician will clean the hairs around your eyes before they do the lift, but it’s best to keep products off of your eyes the day of. While it isn’t a requirement, Monique suggests using a lash serum, particularly Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash MD Lash Enhancing Serum, leading up to your appointment to give the hairs a longer, fuller appearance that will enhance your lift. According to Kim, your technician will provide you with all of this information via text or email once they confirm your appointment.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

After booking your appointment, you’ll head to the studio to do an in-depth consultation with your technician. At Kim’s studio, Be Your Lash, for instance, your lash expert will show you photos to help you choose the best look for you. Then, you’ll begin the treatment. After cleaning your lashes, the technician will place a silicone pad over your eyelids and comb your lashes on top of the pad to create a more cohesive curl. To hold the hair follicles into place, they’ll also apply an adhesive solution. During the reshaping process, the trained professional will use a perming solution at the root of your lashes, followed by a neutralizing solution to strengthen the curl. Finally, they’ll soften and straighten the hairs with a conditioning agent. 

From start to finish, the consultation and lash lift treatment will take approximately one hour, according to Monique. Depending on the type of treatment you get and the location of the studio, lash lifts typically cost anywhere from $60 to $150.

The Best Ways to Prolong the Results

For the first 24 hours after your treatment, avoid wetting your eyes, ditch eye makeup or lash curlers, and refrain from sleeping on your stomach; these steps are all important in ensuring that your lift effectively takes shape. Once your perm is set, the curled and lifted appearance can last anywhere from six to eight weeks. However, if you have an active lifestyle or live in a warm climate, your lift might not last the full eight weeks. 

Luckily, according to the pros, there are a few practices you can do to maximize and extend the results. Using a lash serum, like the aforementioned one, once or twice a day will hydrate, lengthen, and strengthen your natural hair follicles, according to Monique. If you want to use mascara on top of your lash lift, Monique advises using a regular mascara, not a waterproof version, because taking off the product requires scrubbing, which will shorten the lifespan of your lift. To clean your lashes, Kim recommends using a gentle foaming facial cleanser, rather than a harsh exfoliator, so you won’t interfere with the results. For an at-home remedy, Monique swears by staying hydrated for long and healthy lashes.