Preparing for Black Friday: Inventory Management Tips for Lash Technicians

The excitement of Black Friday is almost here, and we all know what that means – incredible deals and amazing sales. It's also the perfect time to stock up on all your lash supplies. To make the most of this shopping extravaganza and capitalise on those fabulous Black Friday discounts, it's essential that you know how to manage your lash inventory efficiently so you’re prepped and ready to go. In this blog post, we'll share some valuable tips to help you do just that so that you can get the most out of the upcoming Black Friday sales.  

Black Friday deals on eyelash extensions and lash supplies

Stock Rotation Keeps It Fresh

First things first, take a close look at your current inventory. Stock rotation is a simple yet effective strategy to manage your lash inventory. Make it a routine to use older products before new ones. This ensures that you use up items before they reach their expiry dates and that you're always working with fresh and high-quality supplies. Check the expiration dates on eyelash glues, pretreatment products, and other perishable items to prioritise using the ones nearing their expiration date. 

Take Stock of Your Current Lash Inventory

Before the Black Friday frenzy begins, conduct a thorough check of your current inventory. Go through your lash trays, eyelash glues, lash tools, and other lash supplies. Make a list of all the lash products you currently have and what's running low. Knowing what you have will give you a clear picture of what you need to order and what can wait. This will help you to avoid over-ordering or missing out on essential items during the sale. 

Lash Tech managing their eyelash extensions inventory

Avoid Overstocking on Your Lash Supplies

While Black Friday deals are tempting, resist the urge to overstock on products. Overstocking can lead to products going to waste or even expiring before you can use them. It can also tie up your money and lead to unnecessary clutter in your lash room. Consider your average usage and client demand when purchasing. Take a moment to review your client base and their preferences. This can help you tailor your Black Friday purchases to meet their needs. Are more clients requesting coloured lashes or Mega Volume sets? Use this insight to guide your shopping decisions and create a balanced shopping list based on your anticipated needs.

Know the Shelf Lives of Your Lash Supplies

It's essential to know the shelf lives of your lash supplies. Different lash products have varying shelf lives, so familiarise yourself with the shelf lives of items like lash glues, eyelash extensions, and pretreatment products. It’s also important to note that some items, like eyelash extension glues, have a limited lifespan once opened. You should also be mindful of these dates so that you avoid using expired lash products on your clients! This knowledge will help you plan your Black Friday purchases, ensuring that you can safely stock up on products that won't expire before you use them. 

How to know if your eyelash extension glue is fresh

Prioritise Essential Lash Supplies

We know that it's tempting to indulge in all the fantastic Black Friday deals, it's important that you prioritise purchasing your essential lash supplies first (then you can treat yourself to something new!). It’s important that you make sure you have enough lash extensions, eyelash extension glue, eyelash tweezers, and pretreatment products to keep your lash studio running smoothly. These are the backbone of your lash business, and running out during the holiday season can be a nightmare! They’re also often hot items during Black Friday sales. So having these essentials in abundance can save you time and money down the line. 

Classic lash extensions and Russian Volume lashes with lash tweezers

Consider Your Storage Space

Another way to help you efficiently manage your lash inventory is investing in proper storage solutions for your lash supplies. They are an excellent way to make it easy for you to see what you have and what you're running low on. Keeping your lash supplies well-organised will also save you time during your lash treatments since you can quickly access what you need. No more wasting time hunting for the lashes you need or your trusty eyelash tweezers if they’re stored in a handy tweezer holder. Proper organisation is also the perfect way for you to prevent items from getting lost or damaged

When it comes to stocking up on your lash supplies during the Black Friday deals, this organisation will also help to prevent you from accidentally over-ordering items you already have. Another thing to note before you go on a shopping spree, take a moment to think about where you'll store all your newly acquired lash supplies if you don’t already have any storage solutions. You’ll need to ensure that you have adequate storage space to keep these new items organised and accessible.

Lash supplies organisation for a Lash Tech's lash room

Plan for Future Growth

Consider your long-term business goals when restocking. If you plan to expand your services or client base in the coming months, purchase extra lash supplies accordingly. The Black Friday sales can be an excellent opportunity for you to invest in your lash business's future. Black Friday isn't just about restocking; it's also a great time to anticipate seasonal lash trends. Think about upcoming holidays or events that might influence your client's preferences. Stock up on coloured lashes or Premade Lash Spikes and Lash Fans to make creating trending lash styles a breeze and help you stay ahead of the game! 

Pre-made lash spikes for Manga lashes and Wispy lashes

Create a Shopping List for Your Lash Supplies

Before you start shopping on Black Friday, take time to compile a comprehensive shopping list. Now that you have a list of your inventory needs, plan your Black Friday shopping accordingly. On your shopping list, include the specific lash products you need to restock or add to your collection. This list should also factor in your stock rotation, product shelf lives, and storage considerations. Having a shopping list will help you stay focused and organised while shopping and help you to shop smart and avoid impulse buying.

Set a Budget for Your Lash Supplies

It's easy to get carried away during Black Friday sales. To avoid overspending, set a budget for your lash supplies. Determine how much you can comfortably invest in stocking up on products while still leaving room for other business expenses. Stick to it as closely as possible whilst taking advantage of those fabulous Black Friday discounts! 

Lash Techs budgeting for essential lash supplies for their lash extensions business

The Black Friday deals are a fantastic opportunity for Lash Technicians to stock up on high-quality and essential lash supplies while saving money. By following these inventory management tips, you can efficiently manage your inventory, make smart purchasing decisions, and be well-prepared to make the most of the Black Friday sales. So, gear up, get organised, and get ready to make this Black Friday your best one yet for your lash business!

Happy lashing, and may your Black Friday be filled with lash-tastic savings!