Lash Lift vs Lash Extensions: Which Is Right for You?

Big, bold, and beautiful lashes have become all the rage in recent years. If you’re tired of living with flat and lifeless lashes, those days are over. From false eyelashes to lash extensions and even lash lifts, there are plenty of options for people to choose from when vamping up their day and nighttime looks.

While having lots of choices can be wonderful, it can also be intimidating when you don’t know how to choose what’s the right one for you. What are the benefits of a lash lift vs lash extensions? What even is a lash lift?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about lash lifts and lash extensions. 

What Is a Lash Lift?

A lash lift is a solid option if you’re wanting to give your natural lashes a bit of volume without a ton of maintenance. Remember back in the 1980s when everyone was perming their hair? Lash lifts are essentially a perm for your lashes. 

Your lashes will be curled from the base to the tip, accentuating the full length of your lashes. If you have naturally long lashes, this will help them pop even more. The process is fairly straightforward and should take no longer than 60 minutes. 

Make sure you have the process done by a licensed professional. They will work with you to figure out what style of lashes you’re looking for. In order to shape your lashes to your specifications, they will use a curling rod of various sizes. 

Your therapist will clean your eye area and put a silicone rod onto your eyelids. Your lashes are curled over and adhered to the rod with an adhesive that sets your lashes. A lifting lotion is then applied once everything is in place to let your lashes mold around the rod. 

The final step is a settling lotion to set the shape. If you view here, you can see all of the tools and products that are used in a lash lift. 

You can expect your lash lift to last about six weeks. It’s all dependent upon how fast your lashes grow out. After you get through the initial 24-48 hours, you can apply mascara and go about your daily routine as normal. 

What Are Lash Extensions?

Lash extensions require a bit more maintenance than a lash lift, but they add much more drama and volume. You will wake up each day with full, dark lashes without having to do any work. 

They are semipermanent artificial lashes that are glued on by a beauty professional on top of your natural lashes. Since they are glued on individually, there are more customization options than a traditional false lash. 

Your appointment for lash extensions will take a bit longer than with a lash lift. It could last up to two hours. If you’ve had extensions done before, the therapist will need to remove the old extensions and clean the area. 

Depending on how dramatic you want your look to be, your therapist will work with you to figure out a style and shape that looks best. They will take into consideration your eye shape as well. 

Lash Lift vs Lash Extensions — What Are the Differences?

Now that you have a basic understanding of what each beauty treatment is, let’s go into the differences between the two to help you decide.

Maintenance

Lash extensions can last up to four weeks, but if you maintain them, they can last even longer. Lash lifts last up to six weeks, depending upon your natural lashes. 

Eyelash extensions have much more maintenance and upkeep than lash lifts do. It’s recommended to have a maintenance appointment every couple of weeks to help keep up the original set put on. 

With a lash lift, you may still want to apply mascara to make them darker. Lash extensions don’t require any mascara because they add in volume, length, thickness, and a darker color. 

Aftercare

While a lash lift doesn’t require a lot of maintenance throughout the life of the treatment, you’ll want to be careful about the first couple of days after you have it done. Don’t get them wet in any way. That will cause the lash lift to drop. 

Don’t rub or touch them. Avoid oil-based or waterproof mascaras while you have a lash lift or lash extensions. There are many good water-based mascaras that are safe to use when you have a lash lift. 

Lash extensions have a similar aftercare process. Don’t get them wet or touch them for up to 48 hours after. Be careful of rubbing or pulling on the lashes as this can cause them to fall out. 

You will also want to brush out your lashes to fluff them up and get rid of any tangles. Get a packet of mascara wands to brush through the lashes every morning. 

Like with a lash lift, you will want to avoid any oil-based products on your face and around your eyes. This goes for makeup remover as well. The oil in the products will break down the adhesive on your extensions, causing them to fall out quickly. 

The aftercare practices for both a lash lift and lash extensions are similar with not a ton of work being needed to keep them in tip-top shape. 

Are Lash Extensions or a Lash Lift Right for You?

At the end of the day, it all boils down to what you want to look like. What are you looking for with lash lift vs lash extensions?

If you’re looking to embrace the natural look and breathe a bit more life into your lashes, a lash lift is a great choice. It enhances your natural lashes and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. 

Lash extensions are wonderful for special occasions or if you’re wanting bold lashes on a daily basis. They do require more upkeep and care so you don’t pull out any of the lashes.

For more lifestyle of beauty tips, check out one of our other articles.