The Brow Fixx - Header
Book Now

A Complete Guide to a Keratin Lash Lift vs. Regular Lash Lift

keratin lash lift service being done

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and wished your lashes would stay curled on their own, no mascara, no curler, and no extensions glued to your eyelids, a lash lift is probably the treatment you’ve been looking for without even knowing it existed.

We have been doing lash lifts at our studios for years now, and the number of clients who sit down for the first time and say something like “I cannot believe I waited this long to try this” is genuinely high. It is one of those services that sounds too simple to make a real difference, and then it does.

Here is everything worth knowing, what actually happens during the treatment, how to get the best results, and why we changed our formula (that part matters more than you might think).

What a Lash Lift Actually Does

You might hear it called a lash perm, same idea, different name. A lash lift is a semi-permanent treatment that reshapes your natural lashes at the root so they hold a curl on their own.

A lash lift curls your natural lashes from the root. No fake lashes attached. No glue. No fibers. Your own lashes, lifted upward so they hold a natural curl on their own for weeks.

The effect is similar to what a really good eyelash curler does, except it lasts six to eight weeks instead of six to eight hours. Your lashes look longer because you are seeing the full length of them instead of having them point straight out or downward. Your eyes look more open. And the whole thing takes about an hour in the chair.

60
Minutes
6–8
Weeks of Results
0
Daily Upkeep

People tend to compare lash lifts to extensions, but they are genuinely different services. Extensions add volume by attaching individual synthetic lashes to your natural ones. They look dramatic and full, but they require fills every two to three weeks, they can weaken your natural lashes over time, and you have to be careful about how you sleep, wash your face, and what products you use near your eyes. A lift has none of that baggage. You walk out and go about your life.

How a Lash Lift Treatment Works, Step by Step

The process is straightforward. You lie down, close your eyes, and your technician does everything from there. Here is the sequence so you know what to expect.

Cleaning and prep
Your lashes are cleaned to remove any residual oils or makeup. Even if you showed up bare-faced, there is usually some natural oil that needs to come off for the solution to bond properly.
Shield placement
A silicone shield is placed on your eyelid. This is what gives the lift its shape, your lashes are gently pressed upward against the shield, which sets the curve. The size of the shield is chosen based on your lash length and the look you want.
Lifting solution
The lifting solution is applied to your lashes while they are pressed against the shield. This is what breaks down the bonds in the hair so it can be reshaped. It sits for several minutes, and your technician monitors the timing based on your lash type.
Setting solution
A setting solution locks the new shape in place. Once this step is done, the curl is fixed and your lashes will hold it through their natural growth cycle.
Nourishing treatment
This is where our formula makes a difference. A conditioning treatment is applied to replenish moisture and strengthen the lashes after the chemical process. More on this below.
Optional tint
Most of our clients add a lash tint at this stage, making it a full lash lift and tint appointment. A semi-permanent dye darkens the lashes from root to tip, which makes the lift even more visible, especially if your natural lashes are lighter. The lash tint lasts two to three weeks and fades gradually, so there is nothing to remove or maintain.

You keep your eyes closed through all of it. Some people fall asleep. Seriously. It is not uncomfortable, and there are no needles, no heat, no pain. The only slightly odd part is keeping your eyes shut for about an hour, but most people adjust within the first few minutes.

If you want a detailed walkthrough of what your first appointment looks like from start to finish, we wrote a separate guide on what to expect during your first lash lift that covers it all.

Why Our Lash Lift Formula Changed (Keratin vs. Silk Protein)

For a long time, keratin-based formulas were considered the gold standard for lash lifts. The logic made sense, keratin is a protein found naturally in hair, so putting it back into the lash during a lift seemed like a good way to strengthen while you style. We used a keratin formula for years and it worked well.

But as the industry evolved and newer formulations came out, we noticed real differences. Our goal was always to offer a natural lash lift that leaves the lashes healthier than they started, and the newer formulas do that better. Keratin formulas tend to leave lashes stiffer. The curl holds, but the lashes can feel a bit rigid and lose some of their natural softness. Over multiple appointments, some clients noticed their lashes feeling drier than they used to.

To be clear

Keratin-based lash lifts are not dangerous and they are still widely used. This is not a situation where the old method was bad, it just was not the best we could do. When something better became available, we switched.

Our current formula is built around silk protein, biotin, and nourishing botanicals. The difference you notice as a client is that your lashes feel softer after the treatment, not stiffer. They have a natural flexibility to them instead of feeling like they have been set in place with something heavy. The curl holds just as long, but the texture is closer to how your lashes feel on a normal day, just lifted.

Traditional keratin formulas

Effective curl and hold

Can leave lashes feeling stiff over time

Protein-heavy — less flexibility after treatment

Adequate nourishment but limited conditioning

Our silk protein formula

Same long-lasting curl and hold

Lashes stay soft and flexible after treatment

Silk protein, biotin, and botanical blend

Conditions during the lift — lashes feel healthier leaving than arriving

The biotin in the formula supports lash strength at the follicle level, and the botanicals provide moisture that prevents the dryness that chemical processing can sometimes cause. What you end up with is lashes that are lifted, separated, and defined without feeling like they went through something harsh.

Who Is It For (Honestly, Almost Everyone)

One thing we love about lash lifts is how universally they work. Short lashes, long lashes, straight lashes that point downward, lashes that are fine and sparse, it works on all of them. The results will look different depending on what you are starting with, but the improvement is always noticeable.

A lash lift is particularly great if you are someone who:

Wears mascara every single day and wishes you did not have to. Curls your lashes every morning and is tired of the routine. Has thought about extensions but does not want the maintenance or the cost. Wants to look more awake and polished without wearing any makeup at all. Has naturally straight or downward-pointing lashes that hide their real length.

The only people we recommend waiting are those with an active eye infection or significant lash damage from a recent chemical treatment. Other than that, it is an open door.

Lash Lift Aftercare: Getting the Most Out of Your Results

The treatment does the heavy lifting (pun intended), but there are a few things you can do on your end to make the results last longer and look better.

Before Your Appointment

Show up with clean lashes, no mascara, no eye cream, no residue. Ideally, skip eye makeup for a day or two before your appointment. The cleaner your lashes are, the better the solution bonds.

Remove contact lenses before the service. You will have your eyes closed the entire time, and it is more comfortable without them.

If you have had a lash lift before, let your technician know what shield size was used and whether you were happy with the curl level. That context helps us get it right on the first try.

After Your Appointment

Keep your lashes dry and untouched for 24 hours. No water, no steam, no makeup, no rubbing. The curl needs time to fully set. This is the single most important aftercare step.

Skip waterproof mascara going forward. The formula needed to remove it is harsh on lifted lashes and can break down the curl faster. Regular mascara is fine after the first day if you want it, but most clients find they do not need it.

Use a lash serum at night if you want to go the extra mile. It keeps your lashes conditioned between appointments and supports healthy growth.

Sleep on your back for the first night or two if you can. Face-down sleeping can press the lashes flat before the curl is fully locked in.

Why Lash Lifts and Brow Lamination Go So Well Together

This is not just us trying to sell you an extra service, there is a real reason why so many clients book both at the same time. Your lashes and your brows frame the same part of your face. When one is done well and the other is not, the contrast actually makes the untreated one look worse than it did before.

A brow lamination lifts and sets your brow hairs in an upward direction, giving them a fuller, more groomed appearance. Paired with a lash lift, the whole eye area looks polished and put together. You get that “I woke up like this” effect that people spend thirty minutes trying to create with makeup every morning.

Both treatments have similar timelines, about six to eight weeks of results, so you can rebook them together and keep everything on the same schedule. It is efficient, it looks great, and honestly, once you have had both done at the same time, going back to doing just one feels like only finishing half the job.

The clients who pair a lash lift with a brow lamination almost always rebook the combo. It is one of those things where once you see the full effect, you cannot unsee it.

Lash Lift vs. Lash Extensions: What a Lash Lift Will Not Do

It is worth being honest about what this treatment is and is not. A lash lift curls and lifts your natural lashes. It does not add length. It does not add volume. If you have very few lashes, they will look better after a lift, but they will still be your lashes — just curled.

The biggest difference between a lash lift and lash extensions comes down to maintenance and commitment. Extensions give you length and fullness that your natural lashes cannot match, but they need fills every two to three weeks, they cost significantly more over time, and they restrict how you wash your face, what products you use, and how you sleep. A lift costs less per appointment, lasts six to eight weeks with zero upkeep, and you go back to your normal routine after the first 24 hours.

If dramatic, full, fluttery lashes are what you are after, extensions might be the better route. But if you want your natural lashes to look as good as they possibly can with zero daily effort, a lash lift is hard to beat. Most of our clients fall into that second category, and the satisfaction rate is genuinely high.

Adding a lash tint gets you closer to that “wearing mascara without wearing mascara” look. The combination of a lash lift and tint is usually the sweet spot for people who want noticeable results but nothing that looks done or high maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lash Lifts

How long does a lash lift last?

A lash lift typically lasts six to eight weeks. The curl does not suddenly drop, it gradually relaxes as your natural lashes go through their growth cycle and new, untreated lashes replace the lifted ones. Most clients rebook around the six to seven week mark to keep the look consistent.

Does a lash lift damage your lashes?

When done properly with a quality formula, no. Our silk protein and biotin formula actually conditions the lashes during the treatment. The key is not overdoing it, we recommend waiting a full six to eight weeks between appointments so your lashes have time to complete their growth cycle.

Can I wear mascara after a lash lift?

Yes, after the first 24 hours. Most clients find they do not need it at all, but if you want a little extra, stick to a regular formula. Avoid waterproof mascara, the chemicals needed to remove it are harsh on lifted lashes and can shorten how long your results last.

What is the difference between a lash lift and a lash perm?

They are essentially the same service. “Lash perm” is the older term. Modern lifts use updated formulas and silicone shields instead of the small rods that older perming techniques used, which gives a more natural, lifted look rather than a tight curl.

Is a lash lift and tint worth it?

For most people, yes. The lift gives you the curl, and the lash tint adds color and definition, together they create a look that replaces both your eyelash curler and your mascara for weeks. It is one of the highest satisfaction services we offer.

How much does a lash lift cost?

Pricing varies by location and whether you add a tint. At The Brow Fixx, our lash lift service includes a tint. You can check current pricing on our lash lift service page.

Ready to try it?

Book a lash lift at any of our three studios. If it is your first time, your technician will walk you through the whole thing before we start.

Book a Lash Lift

Our Studios

Walk in with straight lashes, walk out wondering why you did not do this sooner.

Related Posts

0