Talk to be about lash tints/lifts

[Pickles89]

My eyelashes used to be my best feature - about a foot long and sooty black. Unfortunately now I'm in my 30's they're fading, thinning and generally just not what they were. I was wondering about getting them tinted. I can't wear mascara because I have glasses, and anyway, I don't like the gross heavy feel or the clumpy look. Is tinting just going to be like mascara you can't take off, or is it more like hairdye, so they look and feel normal? My eyelashes have faded quite a bit so I don't know if like grey hair not absorbing dye, this means they won't take on the tint very well anyway?

I'd also like a lift. Not a dramatic one at all, I'm very much into a natural look. I've heard it can start to look really strange when new lashes grow in straight but your old ones are curled - presumably this isn't too noticeable if you go for a subtle lift? Also can you curl the new ones to help them 'fit in' until it's time to get the lift redone?

What are your personal experiences? Would you recommend it?

I’ve had my lashes lifted a few times now and honestly it’s amazing! Really opens up the eye and makes me look brighter. The lashes will actually drop long before new ones grow in so no issues with having mixed straight/curled lashes. I also have them dyed so they look darker. Personally I think it looks better and much more natural compared to false lashes, even if you have only a partial set

It can be pricey but I’m a convert now!

i had a very bad lift and tint last year and it's really put me off. One eye was totally different to the other, ie 1 was super curled and the other wasnt and the girl that did it didn't care.
Before that i'd had it done and loved it (at a different salon). Everyone commented saying how nice they looked. Do your research and don't be swayed by price!

I love having my eyelashes dyed and as a treat I have them permed too, I love the results my eyes look bigger , eyelashes longer. I last had them done about 6 weeks ago and it was £30 I have decided that it won't be a one off treat I'm going to have it done every other month now. It's not pleasant having it done as your eyes can sting a bit after and need a lot of rubbing but the results are great !

I have fair, fine, downward pointed straight lashes and I’ve had a LVL lash lift several times at a reputable, expensive salon and while they look great for about two weeks, after that, they look awful.

Crimped, frizzy ends (presumably new growth at the point of the LVL), some lashes growing sideways, some still lifted and some going downwards. All together, a mess between weeks 2 and 6 (when you can get them done again).

I contacted LVL and they said it was the fault of the practicing salon. The salon said I hadnt cared for them properly.

I really dont know. You could try I suppose. I think it all depends on so many things.

I have long, dark but straight eyelashes. LVL works really well for me, it gives them a boost and just opens my eyes up a bit. Never had an issue with them growing out, they haven’t noticed. I just curl them when the LVL has worn off until I get them don’t again, as like you I don’t like the feeling of mascara and don’t wear it. My eyelashes are dark but I know friends who have it on fair eyelashes and it definitely gives more definition.

I love eyelash tinting! I have long dark eyelashes but they are lighter at the tips which I find really annoying so tinting makes all the difference.

After paying £16 a time going to salons I bought the tint and developer off eBay and now I tint them myself. Wish I'd done it sooner.

LVL - the first time I had it done it was great, second time not so much (different place). I'm happy with my eyelash curlers and would probably only get LVL again for a holiday.

@supercee how tricky is it to tint your own?

I have rubbish short and sparse lashes always have and I've had them lifted and tinted a few times for holidays and they look great but didn't last very long on me, I've decided to try it out again elsewhere when salons re open. I would give it a try if I were you 😊

Added some pics if it's helpful. First is my natural lashes, 2nd is after lift and tint and 3rd is with a very tiny amount of mascara on them.

It's not too tricky. I clean my eyelashes, pop some Vaseline on lids and underneath and apply it carefully with a small brush which was originally meant for gel eyeliner! Means I can get right into the root. A couple of times I've been a bit overzealous leading to streamy eyes but on the whole I find it easy.

I found that sometimes in a salon they just dabbed it on only to whip it off a few minutes later.

I can't wait to get my lashes lifted and tinted again after lockdown. It's amazing what a difference it makes.

I tint my own lashes.

Caroline Barnes did a really helpful video on home tinting lashes and brows

I didn't find that Eyelure or Colorsport took on my lashes so use Refectocil (originally purchased from Sallys but have almost run out so have ordered from Amazon). The original tube has lasted over 18 months and I tint roughly every 2-3 weeks, still more than half of the activator left though. The tube tells you to use 2cms of dye but I find 1cm more than enough (you have to remember to halve the amount of activator too).

I curl them with an eyelash curler before tinting as I get less dye transfer onto my skin.

Have you tried clear mascara? Collection does one for £1.99. It doesn't feel like anything on your lashes and it doesn't clump, its just a clear gel. It gives the lashes a bit more definition, like when they're wet, and helps hold the curl, also means that you can fan them out a bit and redirect any wayward ones. Great on brows too.

I've never had a lash lift, I just use curlers so can't help with that.