Many people dream about entrepreneurship – starting your own business and being your own boss is a very appealing concept! If you’re passionate about the beauty industry and love the idea of being a lash technician, starting up your own lash extension business is the right move. With your own lash extension business, you’re in full control of your own time, and you can either do it as a project on the side, or commit to it full time and make it your primary source of income. The trouble is, a lot of people don’t know where to begin when it comes to starting an eyelash extension business. We’re here to help you draw up your business plan, and guide you through turning this dream into a reality!
How to Start a Lash Business
Embarking on the entrepreneurial path, especially in something as specialized as an eyelash extension business, begins with a crucial step: understanding the legal landscape of your locale. It's perfectly normal to initially feel a bit out of your depth with the complexities of business ownership and taxation. Start by diving into research about your specific area's regulations. Seeking advice from a legal or tax professional can help illuminate any murky areas. Remember, this foundational step is essential, but it should not discourage you from chasing your dream.
It’s important to note that starting a full-fledged business isn't the only path to success. For many, beginning as a freelancer in the eyelash extension industry is a practical and appealing alternative. This approach, however, comes with its own set of legalities. Ensure that freelancing is in line with the laws and regulations of your region. Operating as a freelancer, you're still obligated to meet the legal and tax standards for independent professionals. This route offers the advantage of gaining hands-on experience and building a client base while sidestepping the immediate complexities of full-scale business management.
Once you have a solid grasp of the legal requirements, whether you choose the business route or freelance path, focus on the critical elements that will nurture your eyelash extension venture into a flourishing and profitable business. Use this guide as your roadmap to navigate the exciting journey of launching your lash business. Keep in mind the versatility and opportunities that freelancing offers, always in tandem with the necessary legal adherence.
Get Training
In order to be able to call yourself a professional and start a business, you have to be trained in your craft, and you might even need to get a license. Different countries/states have different licensing requirements. Depending on where you live, you will either want to get training to become an eyelash extension technician, or you’ll get training in cosmetology or aesthetics.
Taking a course to become a certified lash extension technician is the straightforward road to take. You will acquire all the necessary skills to be a confident, professional eyelash extension technician, and get a certificate that proves it and legalizes your business.
Your other options are training in cosmetology and training in aesthetics. A cosmetology training program includes training in every aspect of beauty culture, including hairdressing, hair removal, and skin care, while training to be an aesthetician will make you a skin care specialist, with additional knowledge in the areas of make-up and hair removal. When making the choice between the two, you will need to factor in the time you’re willing to commit to your training, the money you’re willing to invest in your education, and your future ambitions. If your intention is to start off with an eyelash extension business but expand into a bigger business offering other make-up, hair removal and skin care related services as well as hairdressing, getting a fuller education is something worth considering.
Get the Right Equipment
Starting up any business asks for an initial investment - a lash extension business is no different. Before you get in too deep, it’s important to do the math. You will need to invest in yourself (your training and licensing), in your professional equipment, and in setting up and furnishing your working space.
The most important investment you will make is the investment in your equipment and products. If you want to run a successful eyelash extension business, you have to make sure you’re offering your clients the best experience with top quality equipment and products.
Your basic equipment has to include:
- A wide variety of high quality lashes: make sure you and your client have options in color, length and style. Remember: part of your job is to advise the client which lashes are the best for their face, eyebrow arch, and make up style!
- Eyelash adhesive: The quality of the adhesive you use is as important as your technique; make sure you’re using high quality products, and that you’ve informed yourself about possible irritations or allergies! (good place for hyperlink to allergy text)
- Removel gel: When it's time to safely remove eyelash extensions, a professional-grade remover gel is indispensable. The remover gel should be formulated to gently dissolve the adhesive without harming the natural lashes or causing discomfort to the eyes. This product is a must-have for ensuring a smooth, pain-free removal process, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of the natural lashes and the comfort of your clients.
- Lash Cleanser: An essential step for both pre-application and aftercare, a high-quality lash cleanser helps in maintaining the hygiene and longevity of the eyelash extensions. It's vital for removing natural oils, dirt, and makeup residue, ensuring a clean base for the extensions.
- Primer: Primer makes sure that the lashes are free from any oils or makeup residue, and should be applied to every lash; this will influence retention and the overall quality of the lash extensions
- Under eye pads: These eye pads are used to ensure the lower lashes are kept out of the way whilst applying the extensions. Under eye pads are often combined with lash extension tape to further manipulate the lashes making the process easier.
- Brushes: There are a multitude of different lash brushes needed, and each has it’s specific purpose. For example, mascara brushes are there to help you keep the eyelash extensions tidy, upright, and most of all - separated from one another. Microbrushes are often used to precisely apply remover gel or primer to the lashes.
- Tweezers: Tweezers are the most precise tool to use while applying the lashes themselves
- Nano misters and nebulizers: Nano misters and nebulizers affect the humidity of your working space, and many technicians love using them. However, there’s been much debate on the efficiency and necessity of air humidifiers: learn more about that in this crucial post here.
Set up a Salon
After you’ve got all the necessary equipment, you’ll need to set up a working space. You have four equally viable options:
- Renting out a separate space for your business
- Converting one of the rooms of your home into your studio
- Renting out space in an existing salon and cooperating with an existing establishment
- Only doing mobile appointments at clients homes.
Being mobile and visiting your clients is a good way to start if you’re insecure about making a bigger investment, however renting a space in an already established salon could help you get more exposure and build a client base. If you decide to open your own place, there are some basic things you should keep in mind: hygiene, cleanliness, humidity, and the general vibe of the space you’re working in.
Remember: your salon is an extension of yourself. The clients walking into your salon need to feel comfortable and confident in your competence. Make sure the space is always clean, tidy, and that you’re keeping up with high hygiene standards.
As was mentioned earlier, humidity is a factor when it comes to the application of the eyelash extensions. Find out more about the effects of humidity and the quality of the air in your working space here.
You want your clients to have a pleasant experience, so put some thought and effort into the interior design. Create a space which is warm, colorful, and comfortable.
Brand Yourself!
While registering your lash business, you will need to register it under a name. This is a good opportunity for some brainstorming. Whether you want to go with a creative title, or simply by your name is up to you, but give this serious consideration as this title will become your brand!
Choosing a name is also an excellent opportunity to create a logo and some original interior design pieces like posters, wall signs, or a signature color scheme - this will make your eyelash extension business original and recognizable !
Advertise
Although advertising is an art in itself, there are some simple steps all of us can take in order to make our businesses more visible.
Social media is your best friend when it comes to self-advertising. Create Instagram, Facebook and TikTok pages for your lash business, start a beauty blog, or make entertaining and informative videos on YouTube - the choice is yours! This aspect of starting an eyelash extension business can be very fun and creative, you just need to find the medium that’s right for you!
Luckily, today you can find numerous tutorials and easy-to-use digital design programs online, as well as affordable creative freelancers for hire on sites like Fiverr and Upwork, to make sure your business has a visual presence.
Photos and testimonials are incredibly important, and putting together a portfolio that is easily accessible online goes a long way!
Old school advertising methods also still have a lot of value, so printing out some flyers to distribute around your neighborhood or in other complementary local businesses can really help a lot. Check out 10 more top ways to get new lash extension clients in this super article we found!
Acquire Clients
Getting the very first clients and establishing a loyal client base is a big challenge, and a very important step.
Most newbies in the industry will start by offering services at a lower price for their “practice clients”. Some like to make special “first visit” offers, or similar deals.
Your biggest advertisers are your clients, and your business will gain most attention by word of mouth. Make sure that your clients have a great experience, and that they will walk out of your studio motivated to send their friends your way!
All this might seem a bit intimidating at first, but if you’re motivated and passionate, starting an eyelash extension business can be an amazing adventure! Every beginning is difficult, but with a good plan, anything is possible! Map out your journey, set achievable goals, be patient and committed, and your entrepreneurship dreams will come true sooner than you think!
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