If you’re considering a career in beauty, becoming a lash technician is an exciting and rewarding option. Not only does it allow you to be your own boss or work in a salon, but it also gives you the chance to enhance your clients’ confidence and help them look their best. But how much does it cost to become a lash technician? Here’s a breakdown of the typical expenses you can expect as you embark on this beauty journey.
The Cost of Training and Certification
The first step to becoming a lash technician is completing a lash extension course, which typically ranges from £200 to £600.The cost depends on factors such as the course’s length, whether it’s in-person or online, and the reputation of the school or trainer. Many courses cover the essentials—lash application, client safety, and business tips—and provide hands-on practice. You can view all of Pinkfishes Lash courses here, starting from £195 for a half day Lash Lift and Tint course, going up to £545 for a 2 day Classic and Russian course.
While there may be some cheaper options, it’s essential to ensure the course is accredited and provides thorough training. Pinkfishes courses are accredited with either Professional Beauty Direct or ABT. Proper education is critical, as it ensures the quality of your work and helps build client trust.
Lash Kit Prices
Most beginner courses will come with a basic lash kit, but you’ll likely need to upgrade or replenish supplies as you start working professionally. Pinkfishes lash kits include all the essentials like tweezers, lash trays, adhesive, remover and various accessories. A complete lash kit can cost anywhere from £50 to £200, depending on the quality of the products and the contents of the kit. Pinkfishes lash kits are worth up to £160 and will give you everything you require to complete the course, including your case studies.
It’s a good idea to invest in high-quality tools and lashes from the start, as this will ensure better results for your clients and make your job easier. Keep in mind that as your business grows, you’ll need to continue restocking lash supplies, but you’ll also gain the experience to determine what products work best for you.
Insurance Costs
Business and liability insurance is essential to protect yourself and your clients. Insurance costs for lash technicians range from £60 to £200 annually. Here at Pinkfishes, we have partnered with PolicyBee to offer you a discount on your insurance policies, starting with beauty insurance cover from £5.95 a month. Find out more information, and get your free quote in under 2 minutes here.
Workspace Setup
If you’re planning to work from home, you’ll need to set up a professional and comfortable space for clients. Basic equipment includes a lash bed or reclining chair (which can cost anywhere from £100+) and good lighting, like a ring light or pro light, which ranges from £50 to £200. You might also want to invest in storage for your lash supplies and some simple décor to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Alternatively, if you plan to rent space in a salon, booth rental fees can range from £300 to £1,000+ per month, depending on your location.
Marketing and Branding
Getting clients in the door is essential to growing your lash business. You’ll want to invest in branding, which can include a logo, business cards, and a simple website. A professional logo can cost anywhere from £50 to £300, while business cards and flyers might cost £50 to £150. A basic website can be set up for as little as £100, especially if you use affordable website builders.
Don’t forget social media marketing! It’s a cost-effective way to show off your work and attract clients. While social media is free, you might want to consider paid ads, which can range from £50 to a few hundred pounds depending on your budget.
The Cost of Ongoing Education
As the beauty industry evolves, it’s important to stay up to date with new techniques and trends. Many lash technicians choose to invest in advanced training or 1-2-1 mentoring sessions, which can range from £300 to £500 per course. Not only does this help keep your skills sharp, but it also allows you to offer more services to your clients, such as volume or hybrid lashes, which can increase your earning potential.
Final Cost Breakdown
Here’s a rough estimate of the initial costs you might incur when becoming a lash technician:
- Training and Certification: £200 – £600
- Lash Kit: £50- £200 Depending on whether this is included in your course or not.
- Insurance: £60 – £200
- Workspace Setup: £150 – £1,500
- Marketing and Branding: £50 – £600
- Ongoing Education: Optional, £300 – £500
In total, you can expect to invest £500 to £4,000 or more to become a lash technician, depending on the depth of training, workspace, and tools you choose. While it may seem like a substantial investment, the beauty industry is booming, and lash extensions are in high demand. With dedication, skill, and good marketing, you can quickly recoup your initial investment and build a thriving lash business. And a great thing about this industry, is you don’t absolutely need all of the above to start making money. So long as you have the basic essential products, a certificate and insurance, you can set up from home and start earning. You can then reinvest any profits you make to further the business development by spending it on marketing or further education and watch your business grow.
Investing in quality education and tools is key to your success, but more importantly, have fun as you embark on this creative and fulfilling career!
It’s a big debate in the lash industry at the moment – should we do separate client consultations with every new client, or just do a mini one at the start of the appointment time? There is so much more to a consultation than finding out about medications/medical conditions – it is the perfect time to find out about any past experiences with lashes, take a look at the eye shapes, and condition of the natural lashes. So many lash techs don’t complete a consultation anymore, but combining a consultation as part of the patch test is a great way to ensure your client comes in for a patch test, which is essential for most treatments. In this blog, we will explore the importance of client consultations in the context of eyelash extensions and why they are necessary for a successful and satisfying lash experience.
Understanding Client Consultations
A consultation is a dedicated session before the actual treatment. It can be a separate session before the day of the treatment, or as part of the treatment on the day. It allows the lash tech and the client to discuss various aspects, such as desired lash style, length, curl, and overall expectations. The consultation may also involve assessing the client’s natural lashes, discussing any allergies or sensitivities, medical history and providing aftercare instructions.
What should a client consultation cover?
There are a number of things that should be included in a client consultation, to ensure you have all the information you need to safely and effectively apply a set of lashes to your clients desired standard.
Medical history
Covering medical history is arguably the most important thing to cover in client consultations. In finding out their history, you will know if they have any kind of conditions that are a contra-indication to the treatment, potentially preventing it from going ahead. You will also find out if they are currently (or recently been) on any medication that may affect the treatment or stop it from going ahead.
Allergies/Sensitivities
It is so important to find out if your client has any allergies or sensitivities. Not only to the products you are using through the treatment in particular (ie lash glue) but also things you may have around your salon that can effect them! Imagine having a client that is severely allergic to nuts, and you have just finished a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and are spending the appointment breathing tiny fragments of it over them, causing a reaction. Or using a cleansing shampoo that has coconut extract in, to later find out they are actually allergic to coconuts!
Lash history
Finding out your client’s history with lashes will be beneficial to you and your client. It will allow you to find out if your client knows what to expect, so that you can manage their expectations if necessary. It will also allow you to find out if there is a style that they’d had previously that they do not want again. For example, the last time they had lashes may have been a set of classics, but they decided it wasn’t enough for them and want to go for something a bit fuller/more dramatic. Finding out their history and what they did/didn’t like about their past treatments will allow you to better meet their requirements and give them a more desirable end result.
Client eye/face shape
Meeting your client in person for a consultation will allow you to effectively assess their face and eye shape. It can be difficult to do this from a picture as things can be distorted by a camera, so doing it in person is always best. Properly assessing your clients’ face/eye shape will allow you to pick a lash map and style that will complement their features, leading to a much more desirable end result.
Client expectations
Your client will come to their appointment with certain expectations about the treatment – a list of things they would want to get out of the treatment. However, due to a number of factors, these expectations may not always be realistic or achievable. During a consultation, you can educate your client about the different options available and manage their expectations regarding the final look. This helps to avoid any misunderstandings and ensures that the client is satisfied with the outcome.
Natural lash health
Sometimes your clients natural lash health will prevent them from getting what they want out of a treatment. If you have someone book in for a set of Mega Volume lashes, but their natural lashes will only support a 3-4D fan, then you will need to ensure your client is aware of this before the treatment starts, so to avoid disappointment.
Desired lengths/curls
During a consultation, you can discuss with your client what lengths/curls they would like and manage their expectations if you disagree for whatever reason. One of the benefits to doing a consultation separately before the appointment means that you can assess what your client wants before the treatment, giving you time to purchase the stock should you need anything you don’t already have in stock.
Aftercare guidance
Running your client through aftercare guidance before the actual treatment will allow them to avoid any issues in keeping to that aftercare advice. For example, your first time client may not be aware that they should not get their lashes wet straight after the treatment, and so they had planned to wash their hair right after the appointment before going to an event that night. Ensuring your client is properly prepared beforehand will mean they can plan around the aftercare advice, allowing them to keep to it and get the most out of their retention.
If you are looking for a form that covers all of the above – why not try our Client Consultation Record Pad? This 50-page pad is great for client consultations and keeping clients’ records organised, for just £5.95.
What are the benefits of doing client consultations?
Aside from finding out all of the above information essential to complete a lash treatment, it is also a really good opportunity to build a relationship with your client. By actively listening to their concerns, addressing their questions, and demonstrating expertise, you can establish a strong relationship. This builds trust, improves the overall experience, and encourages clients to return for future appointments.
It also gives the perfect opportunity to patch test your new clients. Patch testing is an essential part of an initial consultation, as it ensures you rule out any allergies or sensitivities before going through the entire treatment. Usually, it has to be done a minimum of 24 hours before the treatment so there is enough time to allow a reaction. So, combining a patch test with the consultation will allow yourself time to get the stock you need for the appointment.
So, to recap, client consultations are a necessary and valuable step in the eyelash extension process. They allow lash artists to customise the styling of the set, address health and safety considerations, manage client expectations, and provide aftercare guidance. By conducting thorough consultations, lash techs can ensure that their clients receive a tailored and satisfactory lash experience. Moreover, consultations help in building strong client relationships, leading to long-term satisfaction and loyalty.
Thinking about getting into the lash industry, or training in something new? Take a look at our range of courses here. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team with any questions you may have! Email us at: training@pinkifishes.com or call us on: 01245475912
