Over the past few years, lash artists have seen a quiet but steady shift in technique: the rise of the Korean lash lift (or Asian lash lift).
Originally developed in Asia to better suit shorter, downward-pointing lashes, the Korean method prioritizes precision, flexibility, and a more gentle chemical approach. What started as a niche technique has now become a preferred method for many lash professionals around the world, especially those seeking cleaner, faster, and more customisable results.
At Lami Super Booster, the evolution of this trend inspired us to rethink what a modern lash lift system could look like. That journey led us to develop Iconic Duo – a new-generation 2-step system designed specifically with efficiency, care, and versatility in mind.
What Makes the Korean Lash Lift Different?
While the traditional lash lift often relies on glue to attach the lashes to the shield before applying the lifting lotion, the Korean-style lash lift flips the order and the approach.
Key characteristics of this method include:
- Glueless or low-glue application where the lotion itself holds the lashes in place
- Lash wrapping during or after lotion application, rather than before
- Use of thicker, creamier formulas to prevent lotion movement and allow for better control
- Gentler actives, such as Cysteamine HCl, that allow for more flexibility during the lift
The result is a cleaner, more precise process that suits a broader range of lash types, including fragile or fine lashes that may not tolerate traditional methods as well.
Why We Chose Cysteamine HCl
Many Korean-style lash lifts rely on Cysteamine Hydrochloride (Cysteamine HCl) instead of thioglycolic acid, which has been the industry standard for many years.
While both actives work by breaking disulfide bonds in the hair to reshape it, Cysteamine HCl does so in a more balanced and controlled way, helping preserve the hair’s softness and flexibility when used correctly.
At Lami Super Booster, we began researching this ingredient back in 2019. But what mattered most to us wasn’t the ingredient itself, it was how to build a formula that made the most of it, while still caring for the lashes and brows throughout the process.
The Problem With the Old 3-Step Systems
Traditionally, a lash lift system involves three steps:
- Lift (with a reducing agent)
- Fix (to neutralize and hold the new shape)
- Nourish (to repair the damage caused by the chemical treatment)
But we began asking:
If we already know the lash and brow hair becomes more vulnerable during Steps 1 and 2, why wait until the end to nourish it?
This led to a fundamental shift in how we designed our new formula.
The Birth of Iconic Duo
Working with our Italian chemists, we set out to integrate the nourishing phase into the active steps themselves, so the care would begin as soon as the treatment does.
The result is Iconic Duo: a 2-step lash lift and brow lamination system where Step 1 lifts and conditions, and Step 2 neutralizes while sealing, conditioning and strengthening, no separate Step 3 needed.
Both steps are enriched with:
- Castor oil
- Peptides
- Apple stem cells
This formula was developed with the Korean lash lift method in mind:
Creamy consistency, gentle active, no glue required, and results that are flexible, defined, and soft.
Supporting Glueless Techniques: Lash Lift Glue Powder
To further support glueless lifting, we also created the Lash Lift Glue Powder – a texture modifier that mixes directly into your lotion to make it slightly sticky, ideal for glueless or hybrid lifts.
It contains:
- Biotinoyl tripeptide-1
- Panthenol
- Vitamin E
- Jojoba oil
- Sweet almond oil
This means it doesn’t just improve texture, it actively nourishes lashes during the process.
What This Means for You
The Korean lash lift technique is more than just a trend, it reflects a shift in mindset:
- Toward smarter chemistry
- Shorter treatment times
- Fewer steps, less product waste
- And most importantly, healthier lashes and brows
With Iconic Duo and Lash Lift Glue Powder, we’re proud to support this evolution – helping artists work more efficiently, deliver better results, and protect their clients’ natural beauty.