Lash Lift Technique

Freestyle Lash Lift

A gentler lift that softens the lashes while they rest in their natural downward position, before any wrapping. Built for fine, fragile, naturally curly, slippery and resistant lashes.

What Makes It Different

In a traditional lift the lashes are adhered to the rod or shield first and then processed. Freestyle changes the order: the lifting lotion goes on while the lashes still rest downward on an under-eye pad or reverse shield. Softened first, they are more flexible and wrap cleanly onto the rod or shield afterward, with far less tension.

No viscosity controller is required, though a little Elleemix Powder can be added for control. Traditional adhesive is generally not used until the wrapping and setting stage, where a balm can help secure the wrap. Because of that, the precision moment moves from the very first step to the setting stage.

Relaxing the lashes downward is passive and gentle and follows their natural growth. That is why Freestyle suits fragile or previously over-processed lashes, naturally curly lashes that need softening rather than more curl, and corrective work. It is often quicker than the Korean method. Coarse or resistant lashes also do well on Freestyle when they will not stay put on the shield during softening: our master educator relaxes them in their natural downward position first, so the setting stage holds better.

At a Glance

Best for
Fine-to-medium, fragile or over-processed, naturally curly, resistant, and slip or pop-off lashes, plus corrective work.

Lift system
Elleeplex Profusion is preferred, and Brik & Pearl works too. Elleebana One Shot only for advanced, highly controlled technicians.

What holds the wrap
A balm at the wrapping and setting stage, not adhesive before Step 1.

Take care with
Very watery eyes, since the lotion sits close to the eye. Protect dry or sensitive lids with a barrier.

Shop This Technique

Freestyle Lash Lift Products

Elleeplex Profusion (and One Shot for advanced artists), Elleebalm, rods and hybrid shields, and barrier prep for the lid.

Elleeplex ReGenView Details
Elleeplex ReGen

Bond-building booster that protects hair integrity during lifting.

$40.00
Elleeplex Profusion Starter KitView Details
Elleeplex Profusion Starter Kit

Vegan lamination system starter kit for lashes & brows.

$215.00
Elleeplex Profusion Full KitView Details
Elleeplex Profusion Full Kit

The complete Profusion lamination kit for high-volume studios.

$265.00
Elleeplex Profusion Set Only 10 PackView Details
Elleeplex Profusion Set Only 10 Pack

Elleeplex Profusion Setting Lotion sachets, sold in convenient 10-packs.

$32.00
Elleeplex Profusion Lift Only 10 PackView Details
Elleeplex Profusion Lift Only 10 Pack

Elleeplex Profusion Lift Lotion sachets, sold in convenient 10-packs.

$32.00
Elleeplex Profusion Lash & Brow Lamination Refill PacksView Details
Elleeplex Profusion Lash & Brow Lamination Refill Packs

Restock refills for your ongoing lamination services.

from $38.00
One Shot Lash Lift Starter KitView Details
One Shot Lash Lift Starter Kit

Everything a new lash artist needs to begin offering One Shot lifts.

$175.00
One Shot Lash Lift Full KitView Details
One Shot Lash Lift Full Kit

The complete professional System kit for full-service salons.

$225.00
One Shot Lash Lift Refill PacksView Details
One Shot Lash Lift Refill Packs

Single-use sachet refills, no waste, perfectly dosed every time.

from $38.00
Elleebana Lift Only 10 PackView Details
Elleebana Lift Only 10 Pack

One Shot Lift Lotion sachets, sold in convenient 10-packs.

$32.00
Elleebana Set Only 10 PackView Details
Elleebana Set Only 10 Pack

One Shot Setting Lotion sachets, sold in convenient 10-packs.

$32.00
Brik & Pearl Bond FlexView Details
Brik & Pearl Bond Flex

Step 1. The reshaping lotion, with dual-reduction control.

$54.50
Brik & Pearl Bond LockView Details
Brik & Pearl Bond Lock

Step 2. Sets the new shape and locks in the lift.

$54.50
Brik & Pearl Lash Life Volume FillerView Details
Brik & Pearl Lash Life Volume Filler

Step 1.5 and finishing filler. Peptide-rich conditioning.

$54.50
Elleebalm Lami Balm AdhesiveView Details
Elleebalm Lami Balm Adhesive

Adhesive balm that holds lashes to the rod or shield during a lift.

$42.00
Elleebana Flex Rods - Combo PackView Details
Elleebana Flex Rods - Combo Pack

Flexible rod set in a full size range for every lash length.

$30.00
Elleebana Flex Hybrid Shields - Combo PackView Details
Elleebana Flex Hybrid Shields - Combo Pack

Hybrid shield shapes for versatile lamination styling.

$30.00
Elleemix PowderView Details
Elleemix Powder

Thickener added to lash lift lotion for viscosity and better adhesion to the form.

$30.00
Elleeluxe Foam PatchesView Details
Elleeluxe Foam Patches

Water-resistant micro foam under-eye pads that hold through long appointments.

$15.00
Elleepure PatchesView Details
Elleepure Patches

Ultra-thin hypoallergenic patches with a matte surface you can map on.

$17.00
Elleebana Silicone TapeView Details
Elleebana Silicone Tape

Gentle silicone tape for securing shields during lash lifting.

$5.00
Elleebana Protective BalmView Details
Elleebana Protective Balm

Barrier balm the artist applies to shield client skin from tint staining.

$30.00
Online Elleebana Korean Lash Lift TechniquesView Details
Online Elleebana Korean Lash Lift Techniques

Korean, Freestyle, and adhesive-free lash lift methods, from technique origins through consultation, procedure, aftercare, and troubleshooting.

from $97.00

Self-paced. No live trainer session.

A cosmetology or esthetics license, or current enrollment in an esthetics program, is required to enroll.

In-Person Elleebana Korean Lash Lift TechniquesView Details
In-Person Elleebana Korean Lash Lift Techniques

The in-person phase of Korean Lash Lift certification, completed after the required Elleebana Korean Lash Lift Techniques online course.

from $350.00

Taught in person by a trainer.

A cosmetology or esthetics license, or current enrollment in an esthetics program, is required to enroll.

The Art of the Lift: Unlocking Freestyle, Korean & Glueless Lash MethodsView Details
The Art of the Lift: Unlocking Freestyle, Korean & Glueless Lash Methods

A pre-recorded webinar on the freestyle lash method, and how it compares to Korean and glueless techniques.

$49.00

Pre-recorded. No live trainer session.

A cosmetology or esthetics license, or current enrollment in an esthetics program, is required to enroll.

The Process

How the Freestyle Lash Lift Works

1

Protect

Prep

Lashes rest on an under-eye pad, reverse shield, silicone pad or smooth tape, with a barrier on dry or sensitive lids.

2

Soften down

Step 1

Lifting lotion goes onto the lashes in their natural downward position, before any wrapping.

3

Wrap

Once flexible

The softened lashes are wrapped onto a rod or shield. A balm can help secure the wrap.

4

Set

Step 2

Setting lotion locks in the new shape, confirmed with a set check rather than the clock.

Elleeplex Profusion is preferred for its gentle cysteamine base. Elleebana One Shot can be used only by advanced technicians with extreme control. Follow each product's current directions, contraindications and patch-testing requirements. Processing times are guides: judge readiness with flex and set checks, not the clock.

Common Questions

Freestyle Lash Lift FAQ

How is Freestyle different from a traditional lash lift?

A traditional lift adheres the lashes to the rod or shield first and then processes them. Freestyle applies the lifting lotion while the lashes rest downward, then wraps them once they are soft, with less tension and no adhesive before Step 1.

How is Freestyle different from the Korean Lash Lift?

Freestyle softens lashes downward first: gentler, often quicker, and good for delicate or curly lashes. The Korean Lash Lift softens them upward on a flat shield with thickened lotion, for a stronger lift on coarse, dense or downward-growing lashes, and needs more precision.

Who is Freestyle best for?

Fine-to-medium lashes, fragile or previously over-processed lashes that cannot take tension, naturally curly lashes, resistant lashes, lashes that keep slipping or popping off the shield, and corrective work.

Who is Freestyle not ideal for?

Elleebana recommends the Korean method for coarse, resistant or heavily downward-growing lashes, and it is the usual choice. Coarse or resistant lashes also do well on Freestyle when they will not stay put on the shield during softening: our master educator relaxes them in their natural downward position first, so the setting stage holds better. Clients with very watery eyes can also be a challenge, because the lotion sits flat near the eye and can run in.

Is any adhesive used?

Traditional adhesive is generally not used before the lifting lotion. A balm is used at the wrapping and setting stage to help secure the wrap.

Do I need a viscosity controller?

Not always. Freestyle does not require one, but a little Elleemix Powder can be added for extra control.

Which lift system should I use?

Elleeplex Profusion, whose gentle cysteamine base suits the technique. Elleebana One Shot is possible only for advanced, highly controlled technicians.

Do I need training?

Yes. Freestyle is covered alongside the Korean and adhesive-free methods in the Elleebana Korean Lash Lift Techniques course, online or in person. For training questions, talk to Reid Ryan, Polymorph Beauty's master educator.