Korean lash lift vs LVL lash lift: what's the difference?

This article used to say something different, and we have rewritten it rather than quietly deleting it. That matters for understanding the answer, so it is worth explaining up front.

When "Korean lash lift" first started trending in the UK, a lot of salons simply put the name on the lash lift they were already doing. We were not willing to do that, so for a long time this page said we did not offer one. That was the right call then. It is out of date now: Ayse is now certified in the technique and the Korean lash lift is a real, separate treatment on our menu. Here is what actually differs, and how to tell a genuine one from a renamed one.

The short answer, in three points

If you only read one section, read this one. These are the three differences you can actually check at the salon.

• Glue. A standard lash lift, LVL included, uses an adhesive to hold your lashes against the shield while the solution works. A Korean lash lift is glueless. Nothing sticky touches your natural lashes. This is the difference that gives the treatment its other name: the glueless lash lift.
• How the lashes are placed. A standard lift combs the lashes up onto the shield together. A Korean lift places them individually, following the direction each lash already grows in: softer through the inner corner, strongest lift through the middle, flowing outward at the edge.
• Time. A standard lift takes 45 to 60 minutes. A Korean lift takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, because the processing is judged by testing the lashes as they develop rather than by setting a timer.

Everything else people claim about it is either a consequence of those three, or marketing.

What LVL actually is

LVL stands for Length, Volume, Lift. It is a specific branded lash lift system created by Nouveau Lashes, and one of the most widely trained systems in the UK. It lifts your natural lashes from the root using a silicone shield, sets the curl with a solution, and finishes with an optional tint. It uses adhesive.

So LVL sits on the standard side of the line, not the Korean side. If a salon tells you LVL and Korean lash lift are the same thing, they are not describing the same treatment. We do not offer LVL, and never have.

Why "Korean" is a slippery word

Here is the part most articles skip. "Korean lash lift" is not a registered system with a single owner the way LVL is. It describes a family of technique rather than one product, and that is exactly why it gets misused. Nobody can be stopped from using the name.

You will also see the terms K-lift, Korean lift and tint and glueless lash lift used for the same thing. Those are genuine aliases. Two others are not: manga lashes or anime lashes describe a spiky, doll-like finish, and glass lashes describe a glossy look that is often achieved with extensions. Different treatments. If you want one of those, asking for a Korean lash lift will not get you there.

Is a Korean lash lift better than LVL?

For most people, no. A Korean lash lift is gentler, because no glue touches your natural lashes, but a standard lift, LVL included, lasts just as long and most people are very happy with it. Ours is £55 with the tint, £10 cheaper than the Korean lift and half an hour quicker. We are not going to pretend otherwise to sell the more expensive treatment.

The Korean lift is the better choice if lash glue has caused you problems before, if you have been left with a crimped or shelf-like result somewhere else, or if you simply want the softer finish and the cleaner grow-out. Both last 6 to 8 weeks.

Full details of each are on the Korean lash lift page and the standard lash lift and tint page. If you are weighing a lift against extensions instead, that is covered in our lash lift vs eyelash extensions guide. Still undecided? Our lash quiz now includes the Korean lift.

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer a Korean lash lift at Lash It Up?

Yes. It is £65 with the tint included and takes 1 hour 20 minutes. Ayse is certified in the technique, and it sits on our menu as its own treatment alongside our standard lash lift and tint at £55. New clients need a free patch test at least 24 to 48 hours beforehand.

Is a Korean lash lift the same as LVL?

No. LVL is a branded system from Nouveau Lashes and it uses adhesive to hold the lashes to the shield. A Korean lash lift is glueless and places the lashes individually. We offer the Korean lift and our own standard lift, but not LVL.

Is a Korean lash lift worth the extra money?

It depends entirely on why you want it. If lash adhesive has irritated you before, or a previous lift came out crimped, the £10 difference is worth it. If neither applies and you have been happy with standard lifts, you will probably be just as happy paying £55. Ask us at your patch test and we will tell you straight.

How long does a Korean lash lift last?

6 to 8 weeks, the same as a standard lift, because both follow your natural lash growth cycle. What differs is how it grows out: the Korean lift relaxes gradually rather than leaving a visible line partway down the lash. More on timing in our how long does a lash lift last guide.

Do I still need a patch test if it is glueless?

Yes. Glueless refers to how the lashes are held to the shield, not to the lifting and tinting solutions, which is what a patch test is actually for. It is compulsory for new clients, free, and takes about ten minutes.

Should I ask what technique a salon uses before booking?

Always, wherever you book. "Korean lash lift", "keratin lash lift" and "LVL" all get used loosely across the industry. One question before you book saves any confusion about what you are actually paying for.