As with most things beauty-related, we take our lashes seriously. Although a freshly curled lash with a coat of your favorite mascara (our faves here) is a force to be reckoned with, sometimes even that is outside the realm of our capabilities (if you’ve ever dared apply mascara at rush hour on the subway, you know what I’m talking about). Which explains why we’ve tried essentially any and every way (Latisse? Been there. Extensions? Done that.) to curl, lengthen, and volumize these babies to their utmost I-woke-up-like-this potential.
I’m kind of a self-appointed snob when it comes to lashes and have given all methods a go at some point or another. I’m blessed with pretty long and thick lashes naturally (the one hair-related thing I have to thank my Turkish roots for), which means any lash-related trick is pretty much guaranteed to do its magic on me. But I’m always on the hunt for the single best way to further minimize mascara-wear and maximize flutter action and, friends, I’ve finally hit the jackpot. When I no longer own a single lash-related item in my makeup bag as a result of this, you know I’m talking business.
It’s called the Yumi lash lift, and mark my words, it’s taken its place as my new can’t-live-without-it beauty treatment. Bold claim, but I don’t think anything has stepped up my getting-ready routine this severely since contouring. Think of it as an improved version of a perm for your eyelashes. We’re talking serious length, height, curve, and volume here, folks. Here is everything you need to know about the procedure I swear by with a little help from the girls over at Sugaring NYC.
Similar to lash extensions, the procedure takes around 1.5 hours and consists of lying down with your eyes shut the entire time. While I find the whole thing kind of relaxing, keep this in mind if you’re not a fan of being still and have anxious tendencies. After removing any makeup and residue, the aesthetician applies a rubber band on the base of your lashes, which is essentially what gives them that coveted curl and lift at the end. There are several rounds of timed gel application and waiting for it to do its work (to keep the lash lifted and give you that natural-looking doe-eyed effect), followed by a nourishing coat of keratin gel to soften and work as a protective coat. The final step is a lash tint, where the tint is applied (then removed) to give that blackest black look.
The effect lasts for 8-12 weeks, aka the natural life cycle of your eyelashes. Unlike lash extensions, there is none of the poking that tends to happen when the fake lashes start to fall out. There also isn’t an awkward in-between treatment phase, which means minimum sparseness. Your lashes basically revert back to their original state when you’re due to come back in.
Immediately following the treatment, there’s no water (or mascara, oil-based removers, etc.) on your lashes for 24 hours post-treatment. I was explained that the treatment is still doing its thang during this time, hence the wet post-shower look of your lashes immediately after getting it done. On a scale of 1 to 10, my lashes were (and are) at Jessica Rabbit fluttery since.
And when it comes to mascara, you’re free to use it the day after, but trust me when I say that you won’t need it. My lashes actually look too long when I wear it (touching my brows) so along with my curler, it’s gotten the boot.