What a lash lift is: types & systems

What is a lash lift?

A lash lift is a salon treatment that curls and lifts your natural lashes from the root, so they look longer, more open and darker without mascara.

The lashes are set around a curved silicone shield, softened with a lifting solution and fixed with a setting solution. Nothing is added to the lashes.

What happens during a lash lift appointment?

The specialist cleans the lashes, sets them on a shield on the upper lid, applies the lifting and setting solutions in turn, then tints them and removes the product.

You lie with your eyes closed the whole time. The steps follow this order at most salons:

• The lashes and lids are cleansed, and a shield size is chosen for the curl you want.
• The upper lashes are combed onto the shield and the lower lashes are protected.
• A lifting solution softens the lash, then a setting solution fixes the curl.
• A tint is applied, and the product is wiped off.

What is a keratin lash lift, or lash lamination?

A keratin lash lift is a lift that includes a keratin or conditioning step to leave the lashes smoother and softer, and lash lamination is usually another name for it.

kruLA's service is the keratin lash lift, with a custom tint included, for $110. The names are marketing terms, so ask the specialist what is applied.

What is a Korean lash lift?

Korean lash lift is a name salons use for a lift they describe as gentler or glue-free, and it is not a defined method.

Any lift makes lashes look longer by curling them up and away from the lid, and none of them grows lashes. kruLA does not name its lift system, and the question to ask any salon is what is applied and how the curl is set.

What is the difference between a Korean lash lift and a freestyle lash lift?

There is no standard definition of either name, so the difference is whatever the salon means by it.

Ask how the lashes are set, which shield is used and how the specialist decides the curl. The answer matters more than the label.

What is a length volume lift (LVL) lash lift?

Length volume lift is a name for lift methods marketed as giving more length and fullness by lifting the lash at the base.

Salons use the term differently. Whatever it is called, a lift shows your own lashes at their best and does not make short, sparse lashes long or full.

Is a branded lift system better than a keratin lash lift?

A brand name is not a different treatment: lift systems are sold under brand names, and the result depends on the product, the timing and the specialist.

kruLA offers a keratin lash lift and names no system. Ask any salon what product it uses and what training the specialist has had.

What are the types of lash lift, and which is best?

The common types are a lift alone, a lift with a tint and a keratin lift, and the best one is the one that suits your lashes and the look you want.

The curl itself comes from the shield size: a smaller shield gives a tighter curl and a larger one a softer lift. Your specialist picks it from your lash length and eye shape.

Is a lash lift a better option than a lash perm?

A lash perm is the older name for a similar process, and a lift is the modern version, which generally sets the lash from the root for a natural, open look.

A perm tends to curl the lash along its length for a tighter curl. Ask what the salon means by either word and what the result is meant to be.

What is a lash lift and tint, and why consider it?

A lash lift and tint curls the lashes and darkens them in one visit, so they look defined without mascara.

The tint matters for light or fine lashes that disappear without a shade. At kruLA the custom tint is included in the $110 lash lift.

Do lash lifts work on all lashes?

They work on most lashes, and the limit is length: lashes that are very short may not reach the shield, and very sparse lashes give a lighter effect.

Straight, thick lashes lift well. Tell the specialist about your lashes at the start; the results guide covers choosing by eye shape and lash density.

How do I prepare for a lash lift?

Come with clean lashes and no mascara or eye makeup, take out contact lenses before the service, and tell the specialist about any eye irritation or allergy.

Skip oil-based products on the lashes the day before. If you have lash extensions on, the lift cannot be done; see the safety guide.

Which lash lift products and brands are used?

Lash lift products come from several professional brands, and training matters more than the label.

kruLA names no product line on this page. Ask the specialist which product is used on your lashes and for its ingredient list.

What drives the price of a lash lift?

At kruLA a keratin lash lift is $110 and the session takes 1 h; the price includes a custom tint, and adding brow lamination makes it the Ultimate Lash & Brow Glow-Up combo at $180 for 2 h.

Every service and its session time is on the prices page, and the lash lift page has the booking button.