Editors' note: This story originally ran Nov. 20, 2015 and only applicable links have been updated. 

I'm one of those people who love to be a guinea pig and try something new. Beauty, food, styles, whatever – you can generally count me in. 

I had a mishap (by mishap I mean a gas grill literally blew up in my face) that cost me a bit of length in eyelashes a few weeks back. A grill, a warm fall evening and a Packers win were all involved and I still have flashes of it in my head. But I have to move on – I know this – and I've been slowly but surely trying to grow them back by religiously applying castor oil on my brows and lashes. Ladies, take note: the castor oil does work. 

But, when I got the opportunity to try a Lash Lift from CORA Beauty + Spa, I literally jumped at the chance. When I learned I could get my lashes lifted – and tinted – without getting extensions put on I was quite intrigued. 

The Lash Lift is a new take on the old-fashioned lash perm and CORA – which is the name of the business and the owner, Cora Floyd – is one of the first spas in the state to offer them. The traditional lash perm method required your natural lashes to be wrapped around a sponge rod which can actually make lashes look short with inconsistent curls. Lash Lift is different. 

_Pre-lift. 

The lift starts with a protective pad to cover the under-eye area and hold down the bottom lashes. Next, curved silicone pads are glued to the eyelid and the top lashes are lifted and glued to the bump on the pad. This process takes a few minutes to ensure each lash stays put. They felt a little tight but not uncomfortable. Cora then also applied a soothing mask to moisturize my face during the process. 

_{Mask being applied.} 

Once the lashes are lifted and glued to the pad, Cora applied the perm solution to the roots of the lashes. I joked it smelled of the good ole days – the perm. My eyes stung a little bit but I felt that was to be expected. Luckily it’s only 10 minutes for this portion and while the perm solution smells terrible – but somehow oddly comforting to me – that portion was over quickly. 

_{During the process.} 

You'll then get a setting solution put on, and after another 10 minutes, the setting gel is removed and oil is applied to break down the glue and remove the silicone pads. The entire area is gently wiped and thoroughly cleaned which was quite relaxing and soothing. 

Cora then tinted my newly lifted lashes with the darkest tint possible and before I knew it, we were done! When I look in the mirror, I can see that my lashes look beautifully lifted and curled and I get to enjoy this for 4-6 weeks! Getting my brows done – read about that that soon – probably helped, too, but the lift and tint are quite noticeable. 

_{Getting tinted.}

It’s been a week and my lashes still look and feel fabulous. It looks like I’m wearing a light and natural coat of mascara all the time and it’s definitely made my routine a little quicker, though I have amped it up with fiber mascara on occasion throughout the week.  

The Last Lift costs $65 and you can book your appointment at CORA Beauty + Spa here.