Can You Wear Mascara With a Lash Lift?

Social media is full of examples of thick, luscious lashes. One of the quickest and easiest ways to enhance your lashes is by getting a lash lift and tint. But is it safe and can you wear mascara with a lash lift?

The answer is yes, you can safely wear mascara after a lash lift, oil-free mascara is your BFF here. Just follow the simple rules below. If you add a lash tint to your lash tint, you might forego mascara altogether.

Follow the steps outlined below and you’ll be sure to keep your permed lashes healthy and long all while wearing your favorite mega volume mascara. 

Lash lifts and mascara

Lash lifts are fantastic because they let you wake up in the morning with lush lashes that are entirely your own. 

Defined lashes can open up your eyes, reshaping them to a more enchanting appearance. 

A lash lift can cut down on your morning routine. Helping you feel more confident without makeup: no more falsies, eyelash curlers,  or clumpy layers of mascara necessary. But can you wear mascara when you have a lash lift?

Mascara is part of a daily makeup routine for many people, and they enjoy using it. After a lash lift, they may be concerned that adding any product over the processed lashes could cause damage or lash loss. 

Before we get into the details of using mascara after a lash lift, let’s take a brief look at the details of the lash lift process. Understand the lifting process and how mascara may or may not affect it. 

What is a lash lift?

So, what is a lash lift? A lash lift is a chemical process very similar to a perm. It lifts and curls your lashes from the root, giving them volume. 

A lash lift is usually performed by a licensed beauty professional using a lifting solution and small curling rods. The process takes about one to one and a half hours from start to finish. 

Sometimes, salons that offer lash lifts also include lash tinting. If you have blonde or ginger eyelashes, tinting can help make the results of your lash lift much more visible. 

If you’re on the courageous side, there are DIY lash lift kits you can try at home, or with the help of a trusted friend.

For a list of our favorite kits, check out our article on The Best Lash Lift Kits.

Will mascara ruin your lash lift, or make your lashes break?

We all know waterproof mascara is hard to remove and requires multiple passes with makeup remover to remove completely.

All that rubbing can lead to lash breakage, especially on lashes that have been permed as these can be more brittle than unpermed lashes. The same applies to getting a keratin lash lift, which I have had, and though it does strengthen your eyelashes it makes your lashes equally sensitive to damage from waterproof mascara.

To avoid lash breakage caused by mascara and other products, follow these simple rules:

• Ditch the waterproof mascara
• Avoid any mascara that contains oil
• Avoid eyelash serums that contain oil
• Skip the micellar water (it has oil)
• Use an oil-free makeup remover
• Skip the sauna and steam room
• Avoid wetting your lashes for 12 hours after your lash lift
• Avoid eye makeup for 24-48 hours after your lash lift

Maintaining your lash lift

In the first two days immediately following your lash lift, it’s best to avoid mascara. 

It is also good to skip all other eye makeup and skincare worn around your eyes. These products contain oils that can affect the results of your lash lift. 

After a couple of days or so, you can wear mascara again if you want to.

Remember to be gentle with your lashes!

Avoid waterproof mascara after your lash lift if you can. Waterproof mascara is designed to stay put. You often need to use oil-based makeup removers to get it off, which can cause your lash perm to straighten. 

Avoid tugging and pulling at your lashes, so try not to rub your eyes when removing mascara. 

Lash lift friendly mascaras

OK, so what mascara can you use after a lash lift?

Here’s a list of my five favorite water-based mascaras that are safe to use on permed lashes:

• Benefit Cosmetics Bad Gal Lash Mascara
• BeautyGARDE Oil-Free Mascara
• ULTA New Heights Mascara
• Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils
• Maybelline Sky High Mascara

Mascara ingredients to avoid if you have a lash lift

When you read the ingredient deck on your mascara box, avoid these ingredients as they are just chemical names for what is basically an oil or a wax and are typically only found in oil-based or waterproof formulas.

Avoid oils:

• Lanolin
• Mineral oil
• Petrolatum
• Propylene glycol
• Castor oil
• Sesame seed oil
• Coconut oil

Avoid waxes:

• Paraffin
• Carnauba wax
• Candelilla wax
• Beeswax

Note: These ingredients are not necessarily bad for your lashes. They just are not ideal for preserving the curl of permed lashes, or for use with eyelash extensions.

What if my lashes are over-processed?

If your lashes have been accidentally overprocessed, and there’s nothing worse than a lash lift gone wrong, don’t panic!

Give your lashes a break and let them get halfway through a growth cycle before attempting another lash perm or layering on the mascara.

Now is an excellent time to break out some nourishing eyelash serum or even coconut oil to help your lashes grow back.

Can I use lash serum with a lash lift?

Eyelash serum is a great way to nourish your lashes after your lash lift. If you get a lash lift and tint, look for oil-free serums so that you keep your lash tint as long as possible.

Oil of any kind can relax your lash lift and remove the curl from your lashes.

Can I curl my lashes after a lash lift?

Yes, you can use an eyelash curler on your lashes after your lash lift.

Ideally, try to wait 48 hours after your lift to give your lashes a chance to recover before applying any kind of heat or pressure from a lash curler.

So, can you wear mascara with a lash lift?

Yes!  Give it a couple of days, be gentle and use the right mascara, oil-free is best. 

The goal is to make your lift last as long as possible. Lash lifts last for around a month. Taking care of your lashes between treatments will help your lashes stay healthy and strong.