Lash lifts are an easy way to make lashes look longer and fuller. While this semi-permanent treatment can give you great results, it can be difficult to adjust to life after a lash lift. Can you use makeup remover on lash lifts, or should you avoid certain products?
To protect your lash lift, you should stay away from any oil-based makeup remover. Oils can relax your lashes, causing them to straighten more quickly. Other products that contain oils, such as makeup wipes and mascaras, also have the potential to damage your lashes.
What Is A Lash Lift?
A lash lift is a treatment that curls your lashes using a lifting lotion. It’s essentially a perm for your eyelashes!
As long as your lashes are properly cared for, the treatment can last for as long as 12 weeks.
This treatment is a simple and effective way to enhance your natural lashes.
It can be a great alternative to other, more expensive treatments like lash extensions.
Some of the benefits of a lash lift include:
- Low maintenance
- Helps eyelashes look longer and darker
- Gives you great-looking lashes without mascara
- Can make you look more awake
- Suitable for all lashes, even short lashes
Even though a lash lift won’t actually make your lashes longer, it can create the illusion of length.
If you’re not satisfied with your natural lashes, this treatment can be the perfect way to amp your lashes up.
Read more about the benefits of lash lifts.
Can You Use Makeup Remover On A Lash Lift?
Just like with mascara, you should stay away from makeup remover for a minimum of 24 hours after your treatment.
When you’re ready to start wearing makeup again, you can use makeup remover, but oil-based products are a big no-no.
You should also stay away from products containing parabens.
Parabens are a preservative that is often used in wash-off products like makeup removers.
Studies show that parabens can cause irritation and other potentially harmful side effects, which is why they’re not great for your treated lashes. (1)
It is very important to clean your eyes properly after a lash lift, so what can you use on your lashes?
Micellar water, a cleansing product made from purified and infused water, can remove mascara and other types of eye makeup without causing any damage.
Other oil-free makeup removers can also work well as long as they’re paraben-free.
Recommended oil-free Makeup Removers
Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent
Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent is fragrance-free and oil-free, making it the ideal makeup remover to run over your eyelashes without worrying whether or not it will damage them.
It’s also 100% vegan and paraben-free.
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Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
This makeup remover is hypoallergenic and oil-free, ideal for those with sensitive skin and eyes.
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Gentle Eye Makeup Remover by Nouveau
A makeup remover gel developed by lash experts, this remover is made with chamomile, leaves eyes feeling refreshed, and eyelashes feeling silky.
Can You Use Makeup Wipes On A Lash Lift?
While you can use oil-free makeup wipes on a lash lift, they may not be the best option for your lashes.
Using wipes can cause you to pull and tug at your skin.
If you’re too rough when you use them on your lashes, you could wind up pulling some of your lashes out, shortening the lifespan of your treatment.
This doesn’t mean you can’t use makeup wipes, but if you do use them, you should be as careful as possible.
Before you use wipes, rinse your face with water to loosen up or remove the makeup you’re wearing. After that, gently use the wipes to clear any remaining product away.
Recommended Makeup Wipes
Clinique Take The Day Off Micellar Cleansing Towelettes For Face & Eyes
Easy to use and gentle, you can expect these makeup towelettes to thoroughly clean your face and eye areas without harming the effect of your lash lift.
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Simple Compostable Cleansing Facial Wipes
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Can You Wear Mascara With A Lash Lift?
You should avoid putting mascara near your eyes for at least 24 hours after your lash lift. Once that time has passed, you can use products like mascara, but you shouldn’t use any products that are oil-based.
Oil-based products can break down your lash lift, which means the treatment won’t last as long.
On top of that, these products contain chemicals that could dry out your lashes, causing them to fall out more quickly. (2)
Thankfully, water-based mascaras are oil-free and safe for your enhanced lashes.
Don’t know if your favorite mascara is oil or water-based?
You can test out your favorite product by applying a small amount to your wrist.
Wait for it to dry, then try to wipe it away using warm water.
Water-based mascara should come off easily, but an oil-based product can’t be removed with water alone.
Can I Use Waterproof Mascara?
Most waterproof mascaras use some kind of oil base, which means they aren’t safe to use after a lash lift.
On top of that, waterproof mascara can be very difficult to remove. If you have to tug at your lashes to get rid of your makeup, there’s a good chance that you’ll do some damage.
A good compromise is a water-resistant mascara.
These types of products don’t have the staying power of waterproof mascara, but they can still handle some exposure to water.
Many of these products are oil-free, and they can be a fantastic option for daily use.
If you don’t want to give up waterproof mascara completely, there are also a few water-based mascaras that are waterproof.
Your options may be a little limited, but you should still be able to find a product that works for you.
Recommended Mascaras
Benefit BadGal Lash Mascara
Easy to apply and remove, Benefit BadGal Lash Mascara is a top favorite among many lash-lift lists. It makes your lashes look fuller, without taking away any effect of the lash lift itself.
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Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Effet Faux Cils
Volumizing mascara that in itself creates a false-eyelash effect, Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Effect Faux Cils doesn’t flake or smudge, and is completely safe to use after a lash lift.
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VEGAMOUR Lash Serum
100% vegan and safe, this serum is great to use with lash lifts or regular lashes. It supports healthier and fuller lashes, keeping your real lashes long, radiant, and well-maintained.
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LANCOME Genifique Yeux LightPearl Eyeluminating Youth Activating
This serum has benefits for around the eye as well as for the lashes. For the best lash benefits, feel free to use a brush applicator and run along the eyelid.
This will help strengthen your lashes and help create a fuller affect for them, even after the lash lift wears off.
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What Can You Not Do After A Lash Lift?
Oil-based makeup remover and beauty products aren’t the only thing to avoid after a lash lift.
Even though lash lifts are pretty low maintenance, there are a few things you should try not to do:
What Not to Do On Day One
It takes about 24 hours for a lash lift to set. Until your lashes have hardened, you’ll need to make sure that you don’t:
- Use makeup or makeup remover
- Rub your eyes or lashes
- Get your lashes wet
- Wear contacts
- Go swimming
- Use saunas
- Sleep on your face
If you had your lashes tinted during your lash lift procedure, you should also avoid direct sunlight.
What Not to Do On Day Two
Your lashes will have hardened by day two, but they’ll still be flexible. To keep your lashes from changing shape, you should try not to:
- Rub your eyes or lashes
- Use saunas
- Take long showers
- Sleep on your face
Some estheticians recommend avoiding eye makeup and makeup remover during this period as well.
Ask about aftercare during your treatment so that you can keep your lashes looking great.
What Not to Do On Day Three and Beyond
Once 48 hours have passed, you can mostly return to your normal routine.
However, there are still a few things you shouldn’t do if you want your lashes to last, such as:
- Rub your eyes or lashes
- Use oil-based products on your eyes
- Use exfoliating products near your lashes
In addition to taking these steps, there are a few things you can do that can help to protect your lashes!
Gently brushing your lashes can help them to maintain their shape.
You may also want to use a nourishing product on your lashes, like a lash conditioner.
Can I Wear Eyeshadow After A Lash Lift?
Once you’re clear to wear eye makeup again, you can wear eyeshadow, but oil-based products should be avoided.
As long as you stick to powder eyeshadow, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Look for powders that are highly pigmented so that your shadow will have plenty of color and staying power.
If you prefer cream shadow, there are still plenty of oil-free products for you to choose from. Just check the label for oils, like lanolin and castor oil.
If you don’t see any oils on the list of ingredients, the product should be safe!
No matter what kind of shadow you choose, you should prepare your eyes for the product by using an oil-free primer.
A primer can keep your eyeshadow in place and prevent it from creasing, allowing you to get a smooth look even with a powder shadow.
In fact, wearing a primer is an excellent idea even if you’re not trying to protect a lash lift.