You just walked out of Today Studios with the most perfect lifted lashes of your life. They're curled, they're dark, they're making your eyes look three times more awake — and you want them to stay exactly like this for as long as possible. Good news: with a Korean lash lift, results can last 6–8 weeks. The not-so-secret secret? What you do in the first 24–48 hours (and how you care for your lashes afterward) makes a huge difference. Here's everything you need to know.
The First 24 Hours: The Golden Window
This is the most important period for your lash lift results. The perming solution needs time to fully set before your lashes are exposed to moisture, steam, or friction. During the first 24 hours:
- Keep your lashes completely dry. No sweating heavily, no steamy showers, no face washing near the eye area. Pat your face dry gently if you must wash it.
- Skip the gym. A hard workout = sweat = moisture = lashes that may not hold their curl as well. One rest day is worth it.
- Avoid steam rooms, saunas, and hot tubs. This applies for the full first 24 hours.
- Don't rub your eyes. This one's worth mentioning because it's easy to forget — rubbing can disrupt the curl while the lashes are still setting.
- Sleep on your back if you can. Pressing your face into a pillow for hours can put pressure on the lashes. A silk pillowcase helps if you're a side sleeper.
After that 24-hour window? You're mostly in the clear. The curl is set, and now it's about gentle maintenance to make it last.
Ongoing Aftercare: The Habits That Extend Your Results
Think of lash lift care less like a strict set of rules and more like good habits. Here's what we recommend to all our Today Studios clients:
Brush your lashes daily. We send you home with a spoolie for a reason. Brushing your lashes every morning (and after any time they get wet) keeps them fanned out and in shape. It takes about five seconds and makes a real difference in how your lift looks over time.
Use a lash serum if you want to go the extra mile. A gentle lash growth serum applied nightly can strengthen your natural lashes and help them grow in healthier, which translates to better lift results over time. Ask us which ones we recommend at your appointment.
Moisturize your lashes. Just like the hair on your head, lashes can get dry — especially after a lift. A tiny drop of castor oil or a dedicated lash conditioner applied at the tips a few times a week helps keep them soft and flexible so they hold their curl longer.
Be gentle when cleansing. You can absolutely wash your face normally after the 24-hour window. Just be mindful about cleansing near the eye area — use a gentle, oil-free cleanser and rinse downward rather than rubbing upward into the lashes. Pat dry, don't rub.
What to Avoid (That Might Surprise You)
A few things can shorten the life of your lash lift that you might not expect:
- Oil-based eye makeup removers. Oil breaks down the curl faster than anything. If you wear eye makeup, use a micellar water or an oil-free remover, and apply it gently with a cotton pad rather than rubbing.
- Waterproof mascara. It's hard to remove without vigorous rubbing, which can mess with the curl. If you want to add mascara (you usually won't feel the need to), stick with a regular formula and remove it gently.
- Lash curlers. Your lashes are already curled! Using a mechanical lash curler can actually crimp or damage a lift. Put it away for the next 6–8 weeks.
- Sleeping face-down consistently. It's a small thing, but pressing your face into a pillow every night can gradually flatten the curl. A silk pillowcase is a low-effort upgrade that protects both your lashes and your skin.
Can I Still Wear Mascara After a Lash Lift?
Yes — after the 24-hour window, you can totally wear mascara. But honestly? Most of our clients find they don't want to. If you also added a lash tint at your appointment (which we highly recommend), your lashes will already look dark, defined, and mascara-ready without touching a wand. The lift + tint combo is genuinely a game-changer for low-maintenance lash lovers.
If you do wear mascara, apply it in light upward strokes starting from mid-lash, and always remove it gently at the end of the day.
When Should You Come Back In?
A Korean lash lift typically lasts 6–8 weeks, depending on your natural lash growth cycle. As your natural lashes grow, the root grows out and the lift can start to look less uniform. Most clients find their sweet spot is booking every 6–7 weeks — right before the previous lift has fully grown out.
We also recommend giving your lashes at least 4–6 weeks between lift appointments to keep them healthy and to let the perming solution fully leave the hair shaft. Your lashes will thank you for the breather.
Book Your Next Lash Lift at Today Studios in Tempe
We're located at 1761 E Warner Rd, Suite A9, Tempe, AZ 85284 and love seeing clients from Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and throughout the East Valley. Whether it's your first lash lift or your fifth, we'll make sure you leave with results you love — and all the knowledge to keep them looking great until your next visit.
BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT | Call or text: (602) 877-1363