October 27, 2026
9 min read
Korean or classic lash lift? Which curl suits your lashes
Ever since we started offering the Korean Lash Lift as an option on our lash lift, nearly every booking comes with the same question: "Korean or classic, which one should I choose?" The honest answer is that it depends mostly on your lashes. Their length, how fine they are, how densely they grow and which way they point matter far more than whatever is trending this season. So instead of selling you a technique, we have put together a guide organised by lash type. Find the profile that sounds like you, run through the quick self-check further down, and you will know exactly what to tick when you book.
One lash, two ways to curl it
A quick reminder before we compare. A classic lift places one silicone shield on each eyelid; all the lashes are raised onto it at once and take on an open, natural curve that starts at the root. The Korean Lash Lift, inspired by Korean techniques, swaps that single shield for several small rods. The lashes are separated into small groups, which produces a curlier, crisper shape and lashes that sit apart from one another.
Everything else about the visit is identical: 75 minutes lying down with your eyes closed, covering the consultation, cleansing, a lifting lotion, a setting lotion, tinting of the top and bottom lashes, several vitamin serums and, with the Korean version, an extra nourishing care step. The option does not lengthen the session. If lash lifts are new to you, our lash lift page covers the treatment in full.
Which lash profile are you?
Stand in front of a mirror in daylight, without mascara. Look at your lashes straight on, then from the side. These are the profiles we see most often in the studio and what each one means for your choice.
Straight or downward-pointing lashes
This is the textbook lash lift client. Your lashes may well be long, but they grow horizontally or tip downwards, so they barely show and cast a shadow over the lid. Both techniques work nicely here. If all you want is to open up your eyes, the classic lift does plenty. If you like the idea of a stronger curl and lashes that look styled, the Korean option gives you that without any mascara.
Fine, close-set lashes
This is the profile where we are most likely to recommend the Korean Lash Lift. When lashes are plentiful, fine and rooted very close together, a single shield tends to bunch them into little clumps. Working segment by segment spreads them out, group after group, and reveals a density you might not know you had. The finish looks fuller and more textured.
Short lashes
To be lifted, a lash has to be long enough to wrap over the support, whether that is a shield or a rod. With very short lashes, there is less room to work. We judge this at the consultation, lash by lash, and tell you plainly what is realistic. Sometimes the result is still pretty but subtler; sometimes we suggest waiting or considering something else.
Sparse lashes
If you have few lashes, no lifting technique will add more: we only ever work with what is there. The tint and the curl make them more visible, and the Korean version can lend them a little more texture. But if volume is your main goal, it is worth talking to us first. Our article on lash extensions or a lash lift can help you weigh that up.
Lashes that already curl a little
You have a slight natural curve and simply want more of it? The classic lift amplifies what you already have and stays very natural. The Korean option mainly makes sense if you are after extra definition and separation, for something closer to a volumising mascara.
Lashes weakened by a previous lift
Brittle, frizzy or over-curled lashes after a lift done somewhere else call for a different first step than either technique. We will usually point you towards our Lash Lift Rescue treatment, which is designed to care for those lashes before a new curl is considered. Lifting again straight away is rarely the right move.
Sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
Contact lenses come out before the treatment, so just bring your case. If your eyes or skin react easily, or you tend towards allergies, tell us when you book and we will advise you and say whether a patch test is worth doing. An irritated or infected eye means the appointment should be moved. Our article on lash lift side effects and allergic reactions goes into more detail.
No-make-up look or mascara finish?
Beyond the shape of your lashes, there is the look you love. If your ideal is a fresh face where nobody can tell you have had anything done, the classic lift is often your best friend. If you adore separated, dense, sculpted lashes, the kind you get from two well-applied coats of mascara, the Korean option was made for you.
Your lashes, our usual suggestion
This table sums up what we most often recommend. It is only a guide: the final call is always made together, at the consultation.
| Your lashes | What we usually suggest | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight or downward | Classic or Korean, depending on the look you want | Both open up the eyes well |
| Fine and close-set | Lash lift with the Korean option | Small groups prevent clumping |
| Short | Assessed at the consultation | The support needs enough length to work with |
| Sparse | Classic, or a conversation about alternatives | A lift does not add lashes |
| Already slightly curled | Classic, or Korean for extra definition | It comes down to the finish you prefer |
| Weakened by a previous lift | Lash Lift Rescue first | The lashes need care before anything else |
| You want a natural effect | Classic | Open, understated curl |
| You want a mascara effect | Lash lift with the Korean option | Separation and fluffy texture |
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How the Korean option changes the finish
In a photo taken from across the room, both results look alike: lifted, tinted lashes. Up close is where they part ways.
Separation
With a single shield, the lashes follow the support as one. With rods, every small group is set in its own place. That means fewer lashes stuck together and a lash line that reads more clearly and evenly.
Fluffy texture
The lashes look thicker and softer, with a dimension that recalls a volumising mascara. It is the effect many of our clients with fine lashes are hoping for.
Definition
The curl is more sculpted and looks more finished, almost as though each lash had been curled by hand. Combined with the nourishing care step, it leaves lashes that look visibly glossier and healthier, even bare. Want to see more results? The gallery on our main studio site has plenty of lash lift before and after photos.
A quick self-check before you book
Take two minutes over these questions. They save time on the day and help you decide.
- Are my lashes long enough to pinch lightly between two fingers?
- Are they fine and tightly packed, or thicker and more spaced out?
- Do they grow straight, downwards, or with a slight curve already?
- Have I had a lift elsewhere, and do my lashes still show signs of it, such as breakage or frizz?
- Are my eyes irritated, red or infected right now?
- Do I have a sensitivity or allergy I should mention when booking?
- Do I prefer a natural look or a mascara-style finish?
If you answered "fine and tightly packed" or "mascara-style finish", the Korean option is probably a good fit. If your eyes are irritated, wait until they have settled. To arrive well prepared, our guide on how to prepare for a lash lift and tint answers the practical questions.
Keeping the curl for six to eight weeks
Classic or Korean, a lash lift holds for around 6 to 8 weeks on average. It follows the natural renewal cycle of your lashes, and the curl softens gradually as new lashes grow in. Here is the maintenance calendar we recommend.
| When | What to do | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment day and the next 24 h | Leave your lashes alone | Water on the lashes, steam, sauna, hammam, pool, mascara, eye make-up, oily remover, rubbing or pinching |
| The first few nights | Sleep on your back if you can | Squashing your lashes into the pillow |
| Weeks 1 to 5 | Brush gently every morning; a nourishing serum with keratin or suitable oils if you like | Oily products applied right at the lash line |
| Weeks 6 to 8 | Watch the curl soften and plan your next visit | Reaching for the curler to "rescue" the shape |
The single most useful habit is that morning brush: with the Korean version, it sets each small group back in place and keeps the separation crisp.
Booking your appointment
The lash lift on its own costs CHF 75, in a 75-minute slot, and the tinting of top and bottom lashes plus the vitamin serums come with it. The Korean Lash Lift option is CHF 10 extra and fits into the same slot, making CHF 85 in total. You pay a deposit at the time of booking. Every treatment is on our price list.
Online, the Korean Lash Lift shows up as an option you tick under the lash lift. Our booking links switch it on for you, so you only need to choose the day and time. Click here to book a lash lift with the Korean option.
Still unsure? Leave the option ticked. At the consultation we look at your lashes together, and if they would be better served by the classic technique, we will say so. You will find us in the city centre on Rue Neuve-du-Molard, number 19, in Geneva.
Your Sanctuary Awaits
Ready to Experience the Art?
“Secure your appointment today and join our community of elegant clients.”