Black tinting keratin lash perm at Onyu Lash, a Hwaseong lash studio

Why try a lash perm for the first time?

Every morning while doing my makeup, the eyelash curler step was quietly eating up time. It only takes a few minutes, but doing it every single day got tiresome, and every so often when a lash got caught and pulled out in the curler, it felt like such a waste.

So this time, wanting to shave even a little time off my morning routine, I decided to try a lash lift for the first time. What I wanted wasn't an overly stiff, straight-up look, but a curl that looked naturally swept up when viewed from the front. That's how I ended up choosing Onyu Lash, a lash lift spot in Hwaseong.

Onyu Lash: location in Hwaseong, booking and the shop itself

I booked Onyu Lash through Naver Reservations. Rather than waiting for my exact preferred date, I picked the earliest available slot and paid a deposit in advance to prevent no-shows. The deposit was refunded afterward.

Once I got there, the location was exactly as the map showed — walkable from Dongtan Central Park. Walking in, the nail area comes into view first, and a bit further inside there's a separate space for lash treatments.

The overall palette was white and cream tones, giving it a bright yet warm feel, and the space where I was treated was somewhat separated from the rest, which put me at ease. The treatment bed, lighting, and various tools were all neatly arranged. It gave off more of a cozy, well-cared-for impression than a flashy interior.

The consultation: asking for a natural curl

Of all days, I happened to visit in the morning, so my eyes were more "honest" than usual that day, haha. I tend to puff up in the mornings, and that day my eyelids were noticeably swollen, so my lashes were heavily hidden under my eyelids.

During the consultation, I mentioned this along with the fact that I'd come for a lift because using an eyelash curler every morning was inconvenient. I also explained that what I wanted wasn't an overly bent or stiffly upright curl, but a look that naturally swept upward.

Since it was my first lash lift, I expected to be a bit nervous, but the consultation was handled so calmly that it felt less stressful than I'd anticipated. In the end, I decided on the black tinting keratin perm.

How the black tinting keratin lash perm works, step by step

The treatment took about an hour. Since it was my first lash lift, I couldn't watch closely how each step proceeded once my eyes were closed. So let me talk mainly about what the experience actually felt like.

What stood out most was that it was far more comfortable than I expected. Since it's a treatment around the eyes, I initially worried, 'What if my eyes feel stinging or uncomfortable?' But as far as I could tell, there was no particular pain or discomfort.

If anything, I could feel that each step was being handled with careful attention, so as time passed I relaxed more and more. It was so comfortable that at some point I think I dozed off without realizing it, haha. Even though it was my first time getting this treatment, lying there for an hour didn't feel burdensome at all, which I personally appreciated.

How did the lashes look right after the treatment?

After keeping my eyes closed for about an hour, when I opened them I felt a bit groggy at first, like I hadn't fully woken up. But looking in the mirror, my overall impression was clearly different from when I hadn't used a curler.

My eyes in particular tend to have eyelids that cover my lashes to some degree, but after the lift, my lashes looked noticeably clearer from the front than before. The difference was even more visible from the side.

Just as I'd wanted, my lashes swept naturally upward, creating a sense of dimension, and the lashes themselves looked neat and glossy with a bit of shine. Above all, my first thought was, 'I won't need to reach for the eyelash curler tomorrow morning.'

Afterward, they walked me through the aftercare steps in detail, which was helpful since it was my first lash lift. During the consultation I was told the retention period is usually one and a half to two months, but I plan to keep watching to see how long it actually holds on my own lashes.

Is the Onyu Lash price worth it?

This time I didn't jot down the exact amount I paid, so I won't make up a price. That said, considering the guided retention period, the daily hassle of using an eyelash curler, and being able to skip mascara, I was personally satisfied. It was also nice to receive a ₩10,000 discount coupon to use on my next visit.

• Even though it was my first lash lift, the process was comfortable.
• Lashes hidden under my eyelids looked clearer from the front.
• The curl was closer to the natural look I wanted, rather than overly bent.
• I felt so at ease during the treatment that I dozed off for a bit.
• They kindly explained the aftercare afterward.
• They even gave me a lash brush~

On the flip side, I didn't feel anything particularly uncomfortable or lacking during this visit. That said, with a lash lift, it's not just the look right after the treatment that matters, but also how the curl holds up over time. I plan to judge this part after about a month, once I see the actual retention.

Who is this Hwaseong lash perm for?

• Anyone who finds using an eyelash curler every morning a hassle
• Anyone who wants a naturally upward lash curl rather than a stiffly bent one
• Anyone getting their first lash lift who values a comfortable consultation and treatment process

Especially if your eyelids cover your lashes a bit like mine do, it seems worth describing the exact degree of curl you want in detail during the consultation.

Final verdict on Onyu Lash

Since it was my first lash lift, I worried the process might be uncomfortable, but it was more relaxing than expected — comfortable enough that I dozed off for a bit. Above all, having lashes that naturally curl up instead of relying on a curler every day feels like one less step in my morning routine, and that's what I liked most. I don't even need mascara anymore~

From the front, my lashes look clearer than before, and from the side, the dimension of the curl really shows, which matched fairly well with what I wanted. If the actual retention turns out satisfying too, I'd like to come back to Onyu Lash for a similar lash lift again.