Lash extensions are fun and trendy, and as the beauty industry is constantly evolving, a career as a lash technician will be a great move. Therefore, look no further if you have a passion for beauty and want to become a lash tech. Becoming a lash tech is the perfect way to start or further your career in the beauty industry, and it can also be a great way to learn new skills and techniques.
Who is A Lash Tech?
Lash techs go by many names: Lash technician, Lash artist, eyelash professional, eyelash extension specialist, and many more. A lash tech is a licensed individual who works for themselves or under a business doing eyelash extensions. In other words, a lash technician is a beauty expert who has received specific training in applying semi-permanent eyelash extensions on their client’s natural lashes.
They advise their clients when choosing their lashes, for example, helping them decide whether mink, silk, or synthetic will be best for the look they want. They will also advise a client on the lash length and volume while considering the client’s natural eyelashes. The job requires patience, keen vision, steady hands, and excellent skills and techniques.
Interestingly, Lash technicians can work in various settings, which is an excellent benefit to most people considering the career. As a result, you may decide to work in a spa, saloon, boutique, or even in the comfort of your home, depending on your country’s or state’s regulations.
You might want to check out: How Long Does it Take to Get Eyelash Extensions
Why Become A Lash Tech?
In the beauty world today, there is a demand for all kinds of beauty services which has increased and has continued to grow at a steady rate. Being a lash technician offers you real work flexibility and the ability to increase your income when needed.
You can also choose to set up your at-home or mobile salon or apply to work in a salon. To sum it up, being a lash tech is also a job where you get to express your creativity, meet people, help them feel great about themselves, transform their looks and help them boost their self-esteem and confidence.
Other benefits of being a Lash Tech include:
- Higher career satisfaction
- Job security
- Growth opportunities
- A relaxed work atmosphere
- Amazing clientele
- Credibility
- Have a network of certified lash techs you can learn from
- Stay up-to-date on the latest lash trends and techniques
How To Become A Lash Tech
Like many other careers, there are various ways to arrive at your dream job of transforming people’s looks and making them feel beautiful. In becoming a Lash tech, some people decide to pursue a cosmetology license while others go through becoming a licensed aesthetician. Whichever one you decide, below are steps in which you can become a Lash tech.
1. Complete A Lash Course
To become a Lash Tech, you need to complete a training course. These courses will cover all the knowledge you require to be successful in this role. Some skills you will learn include providing effective consultations and applying and removing eyelash extensions.
These courses often begin with adding lash extensions onto mannequins, and towards the completion of the course, you will begin to add lash extensions onto live models. You will also be equipped with the knowledge surrounding health and safety standards in the beauty industry and will teach you how to deliver aftercare advice and recommendations. Typically, the course ranges from five days to five weeks, and the costs vary depending on the provider.
2. Purchase Your Lash Supplies
Next, you can purchase any supplies you require. For starters, you will likely require a massage bed for your clients to lie on, a pillow, and blankets to make your client feel comfortable.
You will also need lash tweezers, eyelash extensions, eyelash adhesives, and, most importantly, a lamp to provide the light that will guide you when working on your client. There are different brands available to get these products from, so it will be wise to seek advice from someone with adequate experience in the field to guide you through, or better still, you can look it up online.
3. Gain Work Experience
After completing your course, work in a salon or boutique to gain experience. By doing this, you will meet others in the beauty industry who can advise you about starting your own lash business. In most cases, some salons may already offer eyelash services; you just need to find out if they are looking to hire someone new.
For salons that do not offer eyelash services, go ahead and ask them if they are interested in adding it to the list. When you eventually start working, endeavor to take as many clients as possible. However, not all clients will remain regular, but meeting as many of them as possible is wise.
4. Set Up Your Lash Business
The next step in becoming a Lash technician is to set up a business. Once you’ve chosen a name, you’re your business and must have created a logo, make and distribute business cards for your services at the salon to help attract customers. You can place the cards at the counter with other service cards and distribute them to friends and acquaintances.
Also, do not forget to make your space look inviting and attractive to your target clientele. An inviting and attractive lash space will be an excellent way to make your clients feel welcome and encourage them to stop by next time.
5. Obtain Any Relevant Licenses Or Insurance
If you plan to create a lash business at home, you may be required to apply for a special permit or license to comply with regulations. Your state, territory, and local governments often set the regulations. To be on the safe side, it’s advisable to contact your local government agency to see what licenses you require before starting a business at home.
However, suppose you are a self-employed lash technician. In that case, you may be required to get public liability or relevant insurance to ensure coverage of an unexpected injury or accident.
6. Start Marketing Your Services
Now, your business is ready to operate. You can start by marketing your services to attract clients. You can create a business page, pay for an advertisement to promote it, and collect mobile numbers and email addresses from all clients to maintain a data database.
You can also offer monthly deals or a first-time bargain. This way, you will get more clients because they will be hooked on your services because of the affordable price.
7. Join A Professional Association
Finally, the next step is joining a professional association to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and network with other Lash Technicians. Some of the popular associations include;
Licensed vs. Certified Lash Tech- What’s The Difference?
To be a Lash Technician, you must go through different training types with two primary paths; certified vs. licensed. These two classifications are based on the amount of training a Lash Technician has undergone and the unique requirements to obtain a license. Becoming a certified Lash Tech means you’ve been trained with the skills to apply lash extensions.
The certification is provided by private lash companies and lash educators once you complete their training program. The certification also confirms that you have met the course’s requirements, such as case studies, model work, etc. A more significant advantage is that the certification will show your commitment to the craft and help you stand out.
A license is a legal designation issued once specific requirements have been met. Often a license is issued after completing an educational program, completing a certain number of hours of experience along with a written or practical exam. However, being a licensed lash tech allows you to legally operate a lash business in the state that you are licensed to practice in.
Along with that, you will also get a higher level of professionalism and confidence in your skills for your clients. The license is commonly acquired through authority through State Cosmetology, Aesthetics, or Barbering Board, and it also requires renewal which is often on a yearly or bi-yearly basis.
So do you need a license to do eyelash extensions?
In some states, a license is required to do eyelash extensions, while in other states, no specific license is required. Below, you will find a list of licensing regulations for selected states in the selected province in Canada.
| Province | License |
| Alberta | N/A |
| British Columbia | No Regulations |
| Manitoba | Esthetician License |
| New Brunswick | Lash and Brow Technician |
| Northwest Territories | No regulations |
| Nova Scotia | Specific License for Eyelashes |
| Ontario | No Regulations |
| Nunavut | No regulations |
| Prince Edward Island | No Regulations |
You might want to check out: Licensed Vs Certified Lash Tech
Beneficial Skills For Lash Technicians
Below are some of the beneficial skills you need to be a Lash Technician
1. Patience
Applying a full set of eyelash extensions can take between one to three hours, depending on your level of expertise. Being patient can allow you to take the required time to ensure your client leaves with their desired look.
If your client notice you are in a rush, it can affect their mood negatively. Therefore, you need to relax and let the process takes its course.
2. Concentration
High-level of concentration is one of the most valuable skills you can have as a lash technician. If you get distracted during the process, it can result in damaged or poorly applied lash extensions, and your customers may be disappointed and might not want to return next time.
3. Creativity
As a lash technician, you should know that each client has different eye shapes and end goals for their lash treatment. Having a high level of creativity and looking for unique ways to apply lash extensions can make your job easier.
4. Great Customer Service Skills
Treating and responding to clients will boost your reputation as a lash technician. One of the main focuses of a lash technician is customer service, as you are likely to meet lots of people each day. Your service skills should continuously be improved to make your customers feel welcome and keep them coming back.
5. Steady Hands
Since applying eyelash extensions involves applying one single eyelash at a time, your hands need to be solid and steady, as you could apply up to 60 eyelashes per eye.
6. Good Eyesight
If your eyesight isn’t good, ensure you have your glasses or contacts on each time you want to start an application process. You must also keep your prescriptions up-to-date to ensure your eyesight is good.
How Long Does It Take To Be A Lash Tech?
Depending on the individual, it takes about three to six months to become a lash tech. Once qualified as a lash tech, you might still want to take additional training courses to refine and learn new techniques.
Equally, you may decide to go for an online certification which you can take as long as you want to complete the program. Once you must have completed your certification program, you’ll need to take and pass the certification exam.
How Much Do Lash Techs Make?
On average, lash techs make $90,480 annually, while self-employed lash techs make an average wage of $20 to $25 per hour. Self-employed lash technicians make more money than the employed because they get to keep 100% of their service fee while the employed only keep about 50% of their service fee.
However, a few factors influence the salary of lash technicians. They include; location, reputation, experience, lash styles offered, training, long hours, self-employed vs. employed, product retail, and so on.
Final Note
Becoming a lash tech is a great way to start your career in the beauty industry, and it is also a great way to learn new techniques and skills. Certification is not required in all provinces or countries, but it is advisable to get certified. Now that you have all the necessary information, you can start your career.