The Secret To Lashing Like A Pro

In the more recent years, becoming a lash artist has become a popular career option for many individuals. Why? Well, being a lash technician can be extremely lucrative as well as fulfilling, where approximately 80% of lash techs surveyed stated that they are "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their career choice. So, regardless if you plan to be a solo artist, or if you plan to rent a chair in a salon, there is one thing that will make sure you're a pro...

PRACTICE.

It might not be THAT big of a secret, but PRACTICE is the secret sauce to success. When it comes to being a lash pro, there are no shortcuts; you must commit to your craft and put in the work in order to truly become the best lash artist you can be. With consistence and diligence, you'll be able to lash more efficiently, and when you lash efficiently, you can bring in more income.

Yes, practicing your craft will definitely take some time and a lot of patience. However, it WILL payoff in the end. Think of it this way: by taking the time you need to practice in the beginning, it'll pay for itself. Imagine if you spend 50 hours practicing on making volume fans, you could easily do this in one month. At the beginning of this, maybe it would take you 3 hours to do a volume lash extension set, but because you practiced, you're able to do a set in 1.5 hours. So, instead of maybe 3 volume sets per day, you can now accommodate 6 volume sets. You just doubled your income by practicing your craft for just a month. Oh, and you can most likely charge more, too, since you've gained more experience and perfected your technique.

Although there are some people who might grasp onto a technique quicker than others, do not let that deter you from continuing your lashing artist journey. Just because it might take you a little longer to learn a skill does NOT mean you are any less of a lash artist than the person who learned the skill in half the time. The biggest piece of advice I can give to aspiring lash artists is this: avoid comparing yourself and your success to others, just focus on yourself.

I promise that if you focus on mastering the basics of lashing techniques, you are building a strong foundation for your lashing career. Take your time; there's no need to rush to the "finish line" because there really isn't one in this industry! We all should be continuing to grow and educate ourselves, since there are always new lash products and lashing techniques being created every year.

"When Will I Know I Practiced Enough?"

The answer truly depends on YOU. You should practice until you're no longer afraid to do it, or at least feel confident that you and your clients will be completely satisfied with your work product.

Lashing is similar to like riding a bike; in the beginning, you might make a few mistakes here and there, fall off, get back on, just to fall off again. But, with enough time and repetition, you'll get the hang of it. Once you're able to legally lash in your state (please check the laws for your state/country; in Hawaii, you must be a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician in order to legally charge for lash extension services), you should offer discounted "model" sets in order to get practice. This way, the person who receives your service early on understands that they are paying a much more affordable price since you are still new to the trade. You get your practice in, they get a discounted lash extension set: it's a win-win.

I'm a huge advocate for education and certifications. I've traveled across the United States and have take more than 5 different lashing courses (from class lashes, to mega volumes, to branding and more) throughout my lashing career. It's important to invest in yourself/your business so you can offer quality services to your clients, as well as a providing a lucrative income since you may charge a little more for your services since you've spent time and money on your education.

It's important to remember that the technology behind this industry continues to grow and advance each day, so please learn to keep an open mind to learning about new products/new techniques because there is always something on the rise! It's also vital to get to know the products that you're using on a daily basis: get to know your tweezers, your glue, your lash products, and what products work/don't work for you/your clients.

So, go at your own pace, understand that this is a journey and not a race, and your hard work will pay off. If I could do it, then so can you! I even created an online and hybrid course to cover the basics of classic/volume lashing that compiles all the courses I've taken as well as my experiences, which can help you get more practice and knowledge about our craft!