Choosing a career path can be daunting. There are so many options out there, and finding a path that truly matches your personality and goals is not always easy. However, exploring different options is the best way to reach a decision.
If you’ve got a passion for beauty, an eye for detail, and appreciate flexible work hours, you may be exactly the type of person who should become a lash technician.
Being in the business of beauty and aesthetics can be an exciting, fulfilling, and even creative experience. Yet, there are still important considerations to make before deciding to become a lash technician.
This is your one-stop guide to discovering whether becoming a lash technician is for you—from a qualifications, skills, schedule, and personality perspective. Who knows? Being a lash technician may be your calling!
What Does A Lash Technician Do? 4 Key Responsibilities
First things first: what does a lash technician do?
Understanding the core responsibilities of a lash technician is the first step you can take toward discovering if this career path is for you. The four key responsibilities of a professional lash technician include:
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Applying lash extensions
Naturally, lash application is the number one skill that a lash technician needs! If you’re going to become a lash technician, you need to take a lash training course that teaches you how to flawlessly apply eyelash extensions.
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Lash mapping
You might be surprised by how unique each person’s facial geometry is! Lash mapping is a process that involves mapping out the structure of a client’s eyeline for a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing result.
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Offering beauty consultations
A lot of the time, people come to lash artists and beauticians for guidance and inspiration. Many lash technicians offer pre-application consultations to chat about what kind of lashes the client wants and come up with ideas about how they’d like their new lashes to look and feel.
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Providing aftercare advice
Providing aftercare and lash maintenance tips is a crucial part of being a good lash technician. Clients (especially new ones) don’t always know how to care for their new lashes, and they rely on their technicians to offer practical aftercare advice.
What Soft Skills Do I Need To Become A Lash Technician?
Being a lash technician isn’t just about applying gorgeous, long-lasting lashes. It’s a very creative and people-oriented occupation that requires a range of healthy soft skills, too, such as:
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Attention to detail
Lash work is a delicate art! An eye for detail is necessary for spotting asymmetries, mistakes, and imbalances while you work. The more detail-oriented you are, the easier it will be to produce flawless-looking lash extensions that make your clients happy.
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Steady hands
Steady hands are needed for applying lashes in a consistent, stable manner. Calm, steady handiwork paired with nimble fingers will help clients feel safe in your hands.
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Social and conversational skills
Knowing how to find clients and connect with them is a key aspect of being a successful lash technician. Doing someone’s lashes can be an intimate interaction, and being able to hold a comfortable conversation and put your clients at ease is a highly valuable trait.
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Passion for beauty and aesthetics
One of the best ways to tell if you’d like to become a lash technician is by considering how passionate you are about the incredible art of beauty and aesthetics. Authentic passion for your craft is just as important as skill and experience.
What Qualifications Do I Need To Become A Lash Technician?
Lash artistry is a skilled profession that requires obtaining some qualifications. If you want to know how to become a lash technician, you’ll need to undergo a training course, such as the ones that Belo offers for all levels of experience and expertise.
These courses will teach you the practical and educational aspects of lash artistry before examining what you’ve learned and awarding you with a formal certificate when you pass (which we’re sure you will!).
Once you have your certificate, you’ll have the Belo seal of approval and can start setting up professional lash application appointments immediately. Exciting!
How Much Do Lash Technicians Earn?
Pursuing your passion and making a living are both important for having a stimulating and sustainable career.
Fortunately, lash artistry can be a lucrative career when you have a healthy client base and know how much to charge! Knowing how much a lash technician makes is a great place to start.
The average price that lash technicians charge in the UK is £20 to £80 per hour, or £40 to £160 per hour per set of applied lash extensions. Knowing the average pricing strategy of other lash technicians can help you understand where to position yourself on the rate ladder.
What Are The Working Conditions Of A Lash Technician?
One of the biggest advantages of being a lash technician is that the working conditions are largely self-determined. You can work independently as a freelance lash technician and set your own rates and hours, or you can apply for a job at a professional beauty studio.
Either way, a lash artistry career offers more flexibility than many others. Technicians tend to work appointment by appointment, leaving room for other hobbies or responsibilities along the way. This can make the working conditions pretty adaptable to different lifestyles.
It’s also a very portable occupation, meaning you can work wherever you and your kit are. Perfect for free spirits, globetrotters, or anyone who likes to keep life interesting!
Challenges Of Becoming A Lash Technician
As fabulous as becoming a lash technician can be, it isn’t for everyone, and there are natural challenges to consider before taking the plunge.
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Physical demands
The average lash application session takes around an hour or two, and refill appointments anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour. That’s a lot of time to focus (for some of us, maybe more than others)!
While working as a lash tech can be fun and stimulating, long sessions can be a little taxing on the body. Eyes can strain, hands can get tired—but it’s nothing a little premeditated stretching and self-care can’t fix!
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Keeping up with changing trends
As a lash technician, it is your responsibility to keep up with changing trends and products in the beauty world. Having cosmetic role models and following trends online can help you stay informed about what clients like and which new products to try.
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Requires knowledge of chemicals
To become a lash technician, you need to understand the chemical products you are working with. All of the products that Belo stocks (such as adhesives, primers, and cleansers) are non-toxic and safe, but using them incorrectly can result in skin irritations and issues.
Fortunately, your training program will cover all of these important details, and by the time you’re done, you’ll have everything you need to tackle different chemicals like a pro!
Ready To Become A Lash Technician?
Knowing if you want to become a lash technician is a personal decision that ultimately comes down to what feels right to you. Consider your personal and professional goals, think about the kind of lifestyle you want to lead and make a decision based on whether those things align.
Being a professional lash technician is a fantastic way to broaden your beauty knowledge and learn some important skills relating to cosmetics and the aesthetics of lash artistry.
If you’ve reached the end of this page and are loving what you read, you’re ready for a career in beauty. Take a look at Belo’s range of beginner-friendly training courses and choose the one that’s right for you!