How to become a lash artist!

Eyelash extensions have become a staple treatment within the beauty industry. All beauty salons now offer lash extensions and there are so many full time lash artists around, its clear that the demand for lashes is there.

Being a lash boss gives you a good income and flexible working hours, so how do you become one?

1. Education!

Firstly you need to learn everything you need to know about applying lashes. Most lash courses are just one day!

This is because the theory doesn't take too long to explain, and demonstrating how to apply them is quick too. What takes the most time is the practical and this can be done at home in your own time where you can fully relax and concentrate and also take breaks when you need to. To can also try it out on friends and family.

So normally they will watch you apply a few lashes to a mannequin head or another course attendee to make sure you understand the technique, and then you will be sent home to practice, practice, practice! Until you are ready to send in photos of your work to be marked and if satisfactory, pass the course and then become qualified.

You need to take these courses in the correct order.

- Classic

• For beginners

• No experience required

• Teaches you the basics in lashing

- Volume

• For already classic qualified lash artists

• Classic experience required

• Teaches you how to create volume fans to advance your lash skills

Some companies offer combines classic and volume courses over 2 days - personally I think this is a bit overwhelming if you have no experience.

2. Practice!

Gaining experience is the only way to improve! I would recommend starting off at a cheaper rate or offering a discount for limited time for all your friends to get as much experience and photos as possible. This also gets you started with a client base, you need to get your work out there in your friends eyes so they can recommend you to their other friends, family, work colleagues or strangers who stop them in the street (yes this happens!)

Side note: true friends will support your business in any way possible!

3. Have you considered working in a salon?

Working in a hair/beauty/sunbed salon even one day a week is a great way of meeting new clients, getting exposure and gaining experience with support. Why not offer the staff a discount to encourage them to use your services and promote you to their clients? Make business cards and give them to staff to hand to clients and put on reception - with permission of course. (Obviously this only works if you are self employed and the only lash tech in the salon).

4. Advertise.

Word of mouth is the best advertisement but you also need to set up an online presence to advertise your work and get some new clients through the door. Some good ones are: Facebook, Instagram, Gumtree, Google Business etc.

5. Continued Development.

As with any profession, you have to continue to develop your skills to keep existing clients and attract new clients. Research, follow lash instagram pages, attend more courses, try new products, learn new techniques (mega volume, lower lashes, coloured lashes, lash lifts).

Once you have obtained regular clients and sustain them, you will have constant word of mouth from your regulars to potential new clients! Once you are established, you have a career that you enables you to work where you want and when you want!

Good luck on your journey!