Lash Lift Aftercare: What I Tell My Clients
By Mae Chetcuti|12 March 2026|6 min readI do lash lifts regularly at my salon in Swatar. The treatment itself takes about 45 minutes, but what you do after your appointment is what decides whether your results last 6 weeks or the full 8. This is the aftercare guide I walk through with every client before they leave the chair.
What a Lash Lift Does to Your Lashes
A lash lift uses a perming solution to restructure your lash hair so it holds a curl from the root. No extensions, no glue. The solution works with your natural lashes, reshaping them around a silicone shield to create a lifted, open-eyed look.
The key thing to understand: the perming solution needs time to fully set. That is why the first 24 hours after your treatment are critical. I completed my Lash Lift & Brow Lamination certification at the International School of Beauty in Malta, and the aftercare instructions I give are based on that training plus what I have seen work best with my own clients.
The First 24 Hours
This is the most important window. Your lashes are still setting, and anything that disrupts the curl now can weaken the results.
Keep lashes completely dry
No water, steam, tears, or sweat on the lash area for a full 24 hours. This is the single most important rule.
Don't touch, rub, or press your eyes
It's tempting to feel the curl, but touching can shift the shape before it sets. Keep your hands away from your eyes.
Skip eye makeup and eye creams
No mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, or creams around the eye area for the first day. Let the lashes set without any product on them.
Avoid hot showers, saunas, and steam rooms
Steam and humidity count as moisture. Take a lukewarm shower and keep your face out of the water stream.
Sleep on your back if you can
Pressing your lashes into a pillow can flatten the curl before it locks in. Try to sleep face-up for the first night.
The most common mistake
Getting lashes wet or rubbing your eyes in the first 12 hours. This is when the curl is most fragile. Even a few seconds of water contact can relax the lift. If you need to cry, try not to. If your eyes water, gently blot with a dry tissue without pressing on the lashes.
Days 2 to 7
Your lashes are mostly set but still settling into their final shape. You can go back to washing your face normally and showering without worry.
Be gentle around your eyes during this first week. When you wash your face, use light pressure around the eye area instead of scrubbing. Avoid waterproof mascara because it needs oil-based removers to come off, and that tugging and dissolving can weaken the curl early on.
You can use regular mascara if you want, but most clients tell me they do not need it. The lift already makes lashes look longer and more open without any product.
How to Keep Your Lash Lift Looking Good for 6 to 8 Weeks
Skip waterproof mascara
Oil-based removers needed to take it off will weaken the lift over time. Stick to regular mascara if you use any at all.
Use a lash serum if you want
A lash serum keeps your natural lashes healthy and strong between treatments. It won't interfere with the lift.
Don't use an eyelash curler
Your lashes are already curled. A mechanical curler can kink or break lashes that have been chemically treated.
Be gentle removing eye makeup
Pat and wipe gently with a soft pad. Don't rub or tug at the lash line.
Avoid oil-based products around eyes
Oil breaks down the bonds that hold the curl. Use oil-free makeup remover and avoid heavy eye creams.
Protect from chlorine and salt water
Swimming in pools or the sea can shorten your results. Wear goggles or rinse your eyes with fresh water after.
What If Something Looks Off?
Most lash lifts settle into a natural curl within the first couple of days. But here is what to do if something does not look right.
Lashes look too curled or kinked
This is rare and usually settles on its own within 2 to 3 days. The curl relaxes slightly as the lashes adjust. If it still looks too tight after a few days, contact your technician.
Eye irritation
Rare but possible. A mild tingling right after treatment is normal and fades within an hour. If redness, itching, or discomfort lasts more than a day, stop using all eye products and contact your beautician. If symptoms are severe, see a doctor.
When to Book Your Next Lash Lift
A lash lift follows your natural lash growth cycle, which runs about 6 to 8 weeks. As new lashes grow in, they come in straight, so you will gradually notice the lifted effect fading. Most of my clients rebook every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the look consistent.
Here is what I offer for lash services at Orden Beauty:
- Lash Lift: EUR 20 (45 min)
- Lash Tinting: EUR 7 (15 min)
- Lash Lift + Tinting: EUR 25 (1 hr)
My recommendation
Go with the lash lift and tinting combo for EUR 25. You get the curl and color in one session, and the tint makes the lifted lashes stand out even more. Most of my clients who try the combo do not go back to the lift alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my lashes wet after a lash lift?
Keep your lashes completely dry for 24 hours after your lash lift. That means no water, steam, sweat, or tears on the lash area. The perming solution needs time to fully set, and moisture during this window can relax the curl. After 24 hours, you can wash your face and shower normally.
How long does a lash lift last?
A lash lift lasts 6 to 8 weeks depending on your natural lash growth cycle. Following aftercare instructions, especially keeping lashes dry for the first 24 hours and avoiding oil-based products around the eyes, helps results last closer to 8 weeks.
Can I wear mascara after a lash lift?
Wait 24 hours before applying any mascara. After that, regular mascara is fine. Most clients find they do not need it since the lash lift already creates a curled, lifted look. Avoid waterproof mascara because it requires oil-based removers that can weaken the lift.
Will a lash lift damage my natural lashes?
A lash lift does not damage natural lashes when performed by a trained technician. Unlike extensions, which add weight that can weaken lashes over time, a lash lift works with your existing lashes using a gentle perming solution. The treatment is low-maintenance with no risk of lash breakage from fills or removal.
What is the difference between a lash lift and lash extensions?
A lash lift curls your natural lashes from the root using a perming solution. It lasts 6 to 8 weeks, requires no maintenance, and costs EUR 20 at Orden Beauty. Lash extensions glue individual false lashes onto your natural ones. They last 2 to 3 weeks before needing fills, require regular maintenance, and can weaken natural lashes over time.
Book Your Lash Lift
Lash lift from EUR 20 at Orden Beauty in Swatar, Birkirkara. Results last 6-8 weeks.
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