Glueless Lash Lifting Explained: Korean vs Traditional

What is Glueless/Korean Lash Lifting? And why is everyone talking about it?

Shay Reed & Olivia W

Brow & Lash artist/Education Coordinator

What is a Glueless/Korean Lash Lift?

It’s just like it sounds, you’re lifting lashes without using any glue prior to going in with your step 1 solution. Unlike a standard lift (which only softens up to the apex; 40–60% of the lash), glueless lifts reform the entire lash shaft from base to tip. That means every part of the lash becomes flexible and wraps to your shield shape.

What is the difference between Glueless Lash Lifting and a Korean Lash Lift?

“Glueless Lash Lifting” is an umbrella term we use to describe styles of lash lifting that don’t use glue during step 1.

Under that umbrella?

The Korean Lash Lift
Lash Pad Relaxing
TGA Glueless Method etc.

So when we talk about glueless lash lifting, we’re referring to the overall concept, not just one specific technique!

What is a Korean Lash Lift?

A Korean Lash Lift is a glueless lash lift technique that lifts the whole lash onto a flat pad with perming solution and adhesive powder during step one and optional step 2.

How does it work?

Instead of adhering the lashes to the shields with glue, this method relies on the formulation of step 1 & adhesive powder to break down the disulfide bonds along the full lash length. Once the lashes have softened, remove step one and gently lift up onto the shield with step 2, setting the bonds in their new place.

Lash Pad Relaxing Technique

The Under Eye Pad Method is quite self explanatory, it is a glueless lash lift technique where the lashes are relaxed downward onto under-eye pads.

The Difference:

Under Eye Pad = relax down onto under eye pads

Korean Method = relax up onto flat shield

What's the difference between a Traditional & Korean Lash Lift?

Korean Method

Wrap lashes onto flat shield using step one and adhesive powder
Lifts the full lash from root to tip
Solution placement doesn’t need to be as precise
Lashes are relaxed then lifted, then wrapped onto a shield with step 2
Typically using Cysteamine

Traditional Method

Wrap lashes onto shield using glue, then apply step one
Lifts from root to apex
Solution placement need to be precise
Lashes are wrapped the whole service (typically)
Typically using TGA solution (you can use cysteamine)

What is a Korean Lash Lift?

A Korean Lash Lift is a glueless lash lift technique that lifts the whole lash onto a flat pad with perming solution and adhesive powder during step one and optional step 2.

How does it work?

Lash Pad Relaxing Technique

The Under Eye Pad Method is quite self explanatory, it is a glueless lash lift technique where the lashes are relaxed downward onto under-eye pads.

The Difference:

Under Eye Pad = relax down onto under eye pads

Korean Method = relax up onto flat shield

What's the difference between a Traditional & Korean Lash Lift?

Korean Method

Wrap lashes onto flat shield using step one and adhesive powder
Lifts the full lash from root to tip
Solution placement doesn’t need to be as precise
Lashes are relaxed then lifted, then wrapped onto a shield with step 2
Typically using Cysteamine

Traditional Method

Wrap lashes onto shield using glue, then apply step one
Lifts from root to apex
Solution placement need to be precise
Lashes are wrapped the whole service (typically)
Typically using TGA solution (you can use cysteamine)

My Journey to Glueless Lash Lifting (a love story) - The Naked Brow

I’ve spent so much time (and let’s be real, money) learning everything I can about lash lifting. But no matter how confident I felt, it always seemed like one tiny thing could throw off the entire lift.

Until a couple of months ago, I was ✨mindlessly scrolling✨ when I stumbled across a video of a Korean lash lift. Although I couldn’t understand the Korean voiceover, I could see the artist lifting lashes onto a flat shield without glue. Excuse me…WHAT?! I was instantly intrigued.

Needless to say, I fell down the glueless lash lifting rabbit hole. Soooooo, I booked a model to test it out and, after a little learning curve, I was hooked. It reignited that spark I had for lash lifting, which I honestly felt like I was starting to lose.

The technique felt so much more forgiving than a traditional lift, and I loved being able to apply the solution to the whole lash without stressing about every tiny placement. Plus, my clients loved the results & how comfortable the service was (no constant tight wrapping).

Now, months later, I’m completely obsessed with glueless lash lifting (especially Korean Lash Lifting) and I simply ✨won’t shut up about it ✨.

Korean Lash Lifting

Apply Flat Shield

Wrap lashes up with cystamine & adhesive powder

Remove Step 1 & Apply Chosen Shield

Wrap lashes onto shield & apply step 2

Tint & Aftercare

Here’s why you’ll love Korean Lash Lifting:

Lifts the full lash from root to tip
Solution placement doesn’t need to be as precise
More consistent results
No more painstakingly wrapping every lash
More comfortable for clients (because lashes aren’t wrapped as tight for as long)
Choose your shield later
Gentler solutions like cysteamine

Want to learn more about Glueless Lash Lifting & the Korean Technique?

To help you learn it without the overwhelm, we created a step-by-step manual with everything we wish we had when we first started. It’s all about making lash lifts easier, faster, and way less stressful.

And if you’re more of a visual learner, you’ll love the Mini Masterclass where we will guide you through a full breakdown, a step-by-step model demo, our go to products for the best results, Plus a replay of the live Glueless Lash Lift Q&A with Shay (@thenakedbrow)!

You can grab the manual for just $29.99, or bundle it with the Mini Masterclass for only $49.99! 👇

What products do I need to start?

If you’ve already got some lash lifting experience under your belt, chances are you’ve got a few of the essentials already in your kit. But when switching over to a glueless technique there are a few specific products you need.

Here’s what we recommend:

Cystamine-based solutions (like Noemi Innovate)
Adhesive powder (we love Maxymova’s)
Step 1.5 (aka Maxymova After Lift)
Jelly shields
Flat shields/ Under eye pads

You’ll need the right tools depending on which glueless technique you’re using.

Flat shields = Korean Method
Under eye pads = Lash Pad Relaxing Method

Of course, you’ll still need your usual disposables, lash brushes, Y-combs, and other trusty tools but don’t worry, we cover all of that in our glueless lash lift training.

What to buy?

We’ve created a Glueless Lash Lifting Collection featuring all our team’s top picks, so you don’t have to guess what works best. Check out the collection below. 👇