Three Formats, One Lift

The lifting step of a lash lift comes in more than one form. The classic is a ready-to-use cream, but the same lift can also be delivered as a balm or built with a powder, and each handles a little differently on the lash. They are not three different treatments — they are three ways to apply the relaxing step at the heart of the three-step lift system. Which one suits you comes down to the texture you want to work with, how much control you need, and the method you are using. Here is what each format does.

The Lifting Cream

The cream is the standard and the simplest to use: a ready-to-go white cream applied straight to the base of the lashes. There is nothing to mix and nothing to activate, which makes it the dependable default for most lifts. The cream itself comes in two chemistries — a traditional thioglycolate version and a gentler cysteamine one — and the choice between those is a separate decision, covered in TGA vs cysteamine lifting cream. If you want a reliable, low-fuss lift, the cream is the format to reach for.

The Lift Balm

The balm is a creamy, richer-textured take on the lift. It softens and restructures the lashes with precision, and that thicker texture gives a smooth, controlled application — the product stays where it is placed rather than running. The result is an even, clean lift with a reduced risk of irritation, which makes the balm a modern, easy alternative to traditional liquid solutions, particularly where comfort and control matter. It is offered unscented and clear, as well as in a range of scented, tinted options.

Rich & Controlled

Lash Lift Balm

★★★★★

A creamy lift balm that softens and restructures with precision — smooth, controlled application and a reduced risk of irritation, in clear or scented options.

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The Lift Powder

The powder is the most adjustable format. It is a powder-to-cream system, mixed fresh into the lift before each use, which thickens the formula into a tacky, weighted paste. That fresh activation gives maximum potency and a consistent texture every time, and a better shelf life than a pre-mixed product. Its real strength is control: the thicker paste holds the lashes precisely, which is why it is used for the Korean flat-shield method, lifting the lashes up onto the shield — and it can remove the need for a separate bonder.

How much powder you add is set by lash type, and the ratio matters: too much powder slows the process and can act as a barrier.

Because adding powder lengthens the process, it shifts the timings, which is covered in lash lift processing and timing. The flat-shield method it suits is in the shields guide.

Powder-to-Cream

Lifting Powder

★★★★★

Mixed fresh into the lift for a thicker, tackier paste, maximum potency and precise control — ideal for the flat-shield method, and it can replace a bonder.

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Cream, Balm and Powder Side by Side

Which Should You Use?

There is no single best format — they answer different needs. The cream is the reliable default for most lifts and the easiest to pick up. The balm suits technicians who want a richer, more controlled texture and a gentler feel, especially where irritation is a concern. The powder is for control and the flat-shield method, where its thicker paste holds the lashes precisely and can do away with a separate bonding step. Many technicians keep more than one and switch by client or technique. Whichever you use, the powder's ability to replace a bonder is worth weighing against a dedicated bonding serum.

Frequently Asked Questions