Keratin, Korean and standard lash lifts are the same treatment family: a lotion softens the lash, a silicone shield shapes it, a second lotion sets it. A keratin lift adds a keratin conditioning step. A Korean lift uses Korean-made lotions and flatter shields for a softer, lifted-from-the-root look. Results last about 6 to 8 weeks in each case, and prices on US salon menus are similar.
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Salon menus are full of names: lash lift, keratin lash lift, Korean lash lift, lash perm, lash lift and tint, brand names on top. They describe variations on one process, and the differences matter less than the technician doing them. This guide explains what each term usually means, with figures from the 8,076 salons in our directory whose menus mention a lash lift.
Are they different treatments?
No. Every lash lift works the same way: a lifting lotion loosens the bonds inside the lash, the lash is shaped over a silicone rod or shield, and a setting lotion re-forms the bonds in the new position. What changes between the versions is the product line, the shape of the shield and whether a conditioning step is included. None of the names is regulated, so two salons can use the same word for slightly different things. Start with what is a lash lift if you want the process step by step.
What is a standard lash lift?
The baseline: lifting lotion, shield, setting lotion, and usually a nourishing oil or serum to finish. Appointment time is about 45 to 60 minutes. Many salons simply call this “lash lift” and offer a tint as an add-on. It is the version most of the prices in our cost guide refer to.
What is a keratin lash lift?
A lash lift using a product line that includes keratin, the protein that hair is made of, usually as a third step after setting. The idea is to replace some of what the lifting process takes out, leaving lashes feeling smoother and looking glossier. Several brands sell lift kits under a “keratin” label, so the word often tells you which brand the salon uses as much as what it does.
Does the keratin step make a measurable difference to the curl or how long it lasts? Brands claim it does; independent evidence is thin. Treat it as a conditioning finish rather than a different treatment.
What is a Korean lash lift?
A lift using Korean-made lotions and, typically, flatter silicone shields instead of round rods. The flatter shield lifts the lash from the root and fans it upward rather than curling it back on itself, which gives the open-eyed, “naturally long” look associated with the style. Korean products are often marketed as gentler, with shorter processing times. Technicians trained in the technique tend to be careful about lash mapping and shield sizing, which may be where most of the reputation comes from.
How do they compare?
| Standard lash lift | Keratin lash lift | Korean lash lift | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process | Lift, shape, set | Lift, shape, set, keratin conditioning | Lift, shape on a flat shield, set |
| Look | Curled, open | Curled, glossy finish | Lifted from the root, soft fan |
| Appointment | 45–60 min | 50–70 min | 45–60 min |
| Lasts | 6–8 weeks | 6–8 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
| Aftercare | Dry for 24–48 h | Dry for 24–48 h | Dry for 24–48 h, sometimes shorter |
| Median menu price | $85 | $100 | $95 |
Prices are medians from salon menus in our directory: all lifts based on 3,156 salon menus; menus mentioning keratin based on 213 salon menus; menus mentioning Korean lifts based on 461 salon menus. Appointment times are typical salon figures.
How often do salons list each one?
Of the 8,076 salons in our directory that list a lash lift, the text we quote from their menus mentions keratin at 384 salons (5%) and a Korean lift at 962 (12%). The rest describe the service simply as a lash lift or lash lift and tint. Both labels are more common on the West Coast and in large cities, and many salons use a branded product without saying so on the menu, so these are lower bounds.
Do they cost more?
Not by much. The median lash lift across all menus is $85; menus that mention keratin have a median of $100 and those that mention a Korean lift $95. Location and the technician's experience move prices far more than the label does.Where a salon lists two versions, the keratin or Korean option is typically priced $10 to $30 above its standard lift, which mostly reflects the branded product. See how much a lash lift costs for state-by-state figures.
Which should you book?
- Book a standard lift if you want the treatment at the best price and the salon has good reviews for lifts.
- Consider a keratin lift if your lashes are dry or you have had a lift feel brittle before, and the salon includes it in the price.
- Consider a Korean lift if you want the softest, most natural root lift, especially on straight or downward-pointing lashes.
Whatever the name, the questions that matter are the same: is the technician licensed and trained in lifts, do they patch test, and do their photos show healed results on lashes like yours. Our lash lift risks guide covers what to ask. Then find a lash lift near you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a keratin lash lift better than a normal lash lift?
Not necessarily. The keratin step is a conditioning treatment added to a standard lift. Lashes may feel softer afterwards, but the curl and how long it lasts come from the lift itself and the technician’s skill.
Does a Korean lash lift last longer?
It lasts about as long as any lift, typically 6 to 8 weeks, because the limit is your natural lash cycle rather than the product. See how long a lash lift lasts.
Is a lash perm the same as a lash lift?
Essentially yes. “Perm” is the older name and usually refers to a tighter curl made on a round roller; a lift uses a flatter shield for a more natural, from-the-root look.
Can I ask for a softer or stronger curl?
Yes. The technician chooses the shield size to suit your lash length and the look you want, whatever the treatment is called.
Related guides
What Is a Lash Lift?
The treatment explained: how it works, who it suits and what to ask before booking.7 min readHow Much Does a Lash Lift Cost?
Real prices from salon menus: national median, range, and a state-by-state table.6 min readLash Lift and Tint: What It Is and How It Works
What the tint adds to a lift, how the appointment runs and how long each part lasts.6 min readThis guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have an eye condition, allergies or sensitive skin, speak to a doctor or a licensed lash technician before any lash treatment.