If you’re passionate about beauty and thinking about becoming a lash technician, one of the first questions that might pop into your mind is, “How long does a lash course take?”. The good news is that you can learn the art of lash extensions in a relatively short amount of time. However, the duration varies depending on the type of course, your location, and how in-depth you want to go.
Let’s break down the different types of lash courses available and what you can expect in terms of time commitment.
What is a Lash Course?
A lash course is a course that teaches you the skills needed to apply lash extensions professionally. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced beauty professional looking to expand your services, lash courses cover a variety of topics. Topics such as; lash application techniques, health and safety protocols, lash styling, and client care.
These courses are essential if you want to become a qualified lash tech and start offering lash extension services, either in a salon or independently.
Types of Lash Courses and Their Duration
There are several types of lash courses you can choose from, depending on your goals and availability. Let’s take a look at the most popular ones that we offer here at Pinkfishes and how long they take:
1. Classic Lash Extension Course
This is the most popular type of lash course for beginners. A classic lash extension course focuses on classic or individual lash application, where one extension is applied to each natural lash. This course covers the basics in lash application, including everything you will need to know to provide that treatment:
– Lash anatomy and health
– Hygiene and safety protocols
– Lash extension application techniques
– Client consultation and aftercare
Course duration: Pinkfishes Classic Eyelash Extension Course is a 1 day course. You will spend the day learning everything you need to know to complete a treatment. Then at the end of the day you will be set a number of case studies to practise and build on the skills you have learnt. The amount of time completing the case studies takes, depends on how quickly they are completed by you. These short courses are designed to get you trained quickly so you can start practising on clients soon after.
2. Russian Eyelash Extension Course
If you’re looking to advance your skills, a Russian or Volume lash course is the next step. In this type of course, you’ll learn how to apply multiple lightweight extensions to each natural lash, creating a fuller, more dramatic look.
Volume techniques (such as Russian volume) require more precision, so the training tends to be a bit more detailed than a classic course. You need to have done a classic course before you are able to gain a Russian qualification, as it builds on the techniques learnt in a classic course.
Course duration: A Pinkfishes Russian Eyelash Extension Course is a 1 day course. You will spend the day learning everything you need to know to complete a treatment. Then at the end of the day you will be set a number of case studies to build on the skills you learnt that day. The amount of time completing the case studies takes, depends on how quickly they are completed by you. These short courses are designed to get you trained quickly so you can start practising on clients soon after.
3. Combined Classic and Volume Lash Course
You can book our Advanced (Combined Classic and Russian) Eyelash Extension Course to learn both classic and volume lash techniques. This is a great option if you want to master a wide range of lash treatments from the start. Thus allowing you to offer more services to your clients.
Course duration: Our advanced course is a 2 day course – 1 day for Classics and 1 day for Russians. You can opt to do these consecutively, or to have a bigger gap between the courses. Students opt for either option regularly, so it depends on what you think will work better for you. To complete both courses and practice the techniques all together, or to master the technique of classic lashes first and then come back 1-2 months later to learn the Russian volume technique.
4. Lash Lift Course
Lash lifts are becoming an increasingly popular treatment, providing clients a much more natural and easily maintainable look. A lash lift treats the natural lashes to create the appearance of longer, darker and potentially thicker natural lashes. Perfect for the client wanting a low maintenance natural enhancement. Pinkfishes Lash Lift and Tint Course teaches you how to complete a treatment and covers knowledge on the products you will be using to do so. It is a great addition to your portfolio to attract a whole new type of clientele. And as a short treatment, of only 30-45 minutes, it is perfect to fill any gaps you may have in your day.
Course duration: Pinkfishes Lash Lift and Tint Course is a half day course, generally running over around 4 hours. You will be required to work on 2 models throughout this course to ensure you are fully confident with completing the treatment on your own.
5. Advanced Lash Courses
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you might want to consider an advanced lash course like Mega Volume lashes. This course is designed for experienced lash techs who want to fine-tune their Russian lash skills and learn new fanning techniques to accommodate making bigger fans. Allowing them to expand their services to include treatments like mega volume lashes.
Course duration: Advanced courses can range from 1 to 2 days, depending on the specific technique or treatment being taught.
In-Person vs. Online Lash Courses
Another factor that can affect how long a lash course takes is whether you choose to learn in-person or online.
In-Person Courses
In-person courses are generally preferred because they offer hands-on experience and real-time feedback from instructors. Most in-person lash courses are structured over a couple of full days, and some will include live model practice to help build your confidence.
Duration: In-person courses are typically 1 to 2 days long, depending on the content and the training provider. Most courses will also set case studies to complete at your own pace.
Online Courses
Online lash courses offer flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. They often include video tutorials, written materials, and sometimes even live virtual classes. While they don’t offer the immediate hands-on guidance of in-person courses, they can be a good option for busy individuals or those who don’t live near a training centre. However, it can be hard to get specialised feedback when the trainer is not there watching you in person. So if you think you will need a lot of support you may find that in-person training courses are better for you.
Duration: Online courses can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on your learning pace. Many online courses allow you to access the material for an extended period, so you can spread the training out over time if needed.
How Much Time Should You Set Aside for Practice?
While the lash course itself might only take a few days, mastering the technique will require dedicated practice. After completing your course, it’s essential to spend time honing your skills on practice models (friends or family can help with this!).This will sometimes be expected as part of the course as a ‘case study’, where you will be required to send in photos of your work for assessment. However, you should always factor in plenty of practice time regardless.
Expect to practise for several weeks to a few months before you feel fully confident in your abilities. Remember, every client’s natural lashes are different, and practice is key to improving your speed, precision, and artistry.
Do You Need a License or Certification?
In some regions, simply completing a lash course isn’t enough. You may need a business licence to legally offer lash services. Check with your local regulations to see if additional licensing is required.
That said, lash courses typically provide you with a certificate of completion. This certificate shows that you’ve been trained in lash extension techniques and are qualified to offer the service professionally, and will enable you to gain the proper insurance.
So, to sum everything up, how long does a lash course take? It really does depend! If you’re just starting out, you can expect to complete a basic lash course in 1 to 2 days, while more advanced or combined courses might take up to 5 days. Whether you choose in-person or online learning, the important thing is that you invest time in practising and perfecting your skills.
Ready to Become Lash Technician?
Becoming a successful lash tech is about more than just the length of the course—it’s about commitment, patience, and a passion for the art of lashes. With the right training and practice, you’ll be on your way to a rewarding career in no time! Book a course today via our lashes courses page or call us on 01245 475912.