JiveDash

Traditionally, I've embraced a minimalistic approach to eye makeup, steering clear of mascara and eyeliner altogether. I always held the belief that such enhancements just didn't compliment my features and weighed down my eyes, particularly when you throw in my thick-rimmed glasses. However, I’d long been curious about trying a lash lift, how could I not be? When both my TikTok and Insta feeds seem packed with enviable before-and-after shots of fanned out, curly, natural-looking lashes.

It’s 2024, people are using AI to pick their foundation and mixing up their own lipstick shades on an app, so finding a natural-looking lash treatment that suited my round eyes had to be possible, right? I decided it was time to take the plunge, revamp my look, and try something new… An eyelash lift and perm.

Where to get a lash lift and perm?

First things first, I went on the hunt for the perfect place to get the treatment done. While mindlessly scrolling through my Instagram feed, I stumbled upon one of my favourite fashion influencers, Parisa, who had shared her flawless eyelash and eyebrow results on her story. Naturally, I tapped my way to the place she got them done and found Emerald Brows.

Run by the incredible and highly skilled Jignaa Sonii, a pro with over 20 years of experience, Emerald Brows turned out to be a hidden gem. Besides their lash game, they also offered amazing brow treatments and full-on facial threading. Tucked away in Mayfair, I braved the cold on a January evening, to see if the lash lift would work for me.

It's worth noting, when it comes to choosing where to book in for your lash lift, it's so important to always do your research... Check the salon's website, read the latest reviews, and make sure you feel comfortable when you arrive for the treatment.

What to expect at your lash lift appointment…

If, like me, you are blessed with naturally long lashes, the best choice lies in steering away from eyelash extensions and instead, embracing the subtle, but super effectiveness, of an LVL lash lift and perm. It’s the very best way to enhance your natural lashes and pretty much eliminates the need for mascara post-visit.

It's worth opting for a lash tint alongside the lift, to give a thicker, fuller finish, as well as the length boost. The treatment runs for about 60mins and the whole experience was pain-free and pretty comfortable. It'll set you back £80 with a tint, and £70 without.

Just a heads-up, be ready to kick back and close your eyes for a good stretch of time. When the products are doing their thing and the perm is rolling, your eyes will have to remain closed. As a newbie to this whole thing, I wasn't quite ready for the closed-eye marathon. It felt a little more restricting and uncomfortable than I expected. So, just an FYI for anyone thinking about taking the plunge into this treatment.

After about an hour, when Jignaa finished up, she wiped my eyes clean (they had a little brown residue around them from the tint she applied) and the results were instant… Fuller, thicker-looking, super-curly lashes.

To complete the whole look I also went ahead with an eyebrow lamination, shape and tint treatment, because, why not?

Before treatment

Aftercare

Aftercare is super important and if you maintain this, you can expect your newly boosted lashes to look great for up to 4-5 weeks.

Firstly, after the treatment, you've got to resist any interference for the first 24 hours - no water on the lashes, and definitely no mascara. When it comes to beauty sleep, try not to squash them on your pillow whilst catching those Z’s. Resist the urge to constantly touch or rub your lashes and have a break from any heat treatments for the first day. I know, I know, not easy (but trust me), so worth it.

A pro tip would be to keep them combed up for that extra volume. At the end of my treatment, Jignaa gave me a brush to take home, but if you don’t have one you can always use an old, clean, mascara wand.

After treatment

Results

Thrilled doesn't even cover it – my new lashes are beyond amazing, and the results are nothing short of incredible. Writing this review a few weeks post-treatment, my lashes are still in great condition. If they decide to go a bit rogue, a quick brush does the trick to get them back in line. I'll be honest, the tint initially made them a little too intense for my liking, but after a couple of days, they chilled out, and I started feeling really confident. I've got to agree, they really do make my eyes look wide awake and fuller. I'm all about the simplicity and how effortlessly they fit into my beauty routine. Total game-changer.

Before

After

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 Jaime holds the position of UK Art Editor at Cosmopolitan, overseeing all things digital design across the brand. Her role encompasses the art direction of our digital covers, the animation of our forthcoming video franchises, designing Cosmo's social media presence and the curation of the visual identity across Cosmopolitan UK. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Jaime has gained experience working with renowned brands including ELLE, Stylist Magazine, and Woman's Health. Notably, her contributions to the world of design were recently recognised with the prestigious BSME's 2023 Designer of the Year award. Find her on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.
 

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