How to Become A Lash Tech Part 1 | Picking The Right Course
One quick Google search will show you that there are hundreds, if not thousands of eyelash extensions training courses available, so how can you possibly go about picking the best course for your needs, when you’re only just getting started in the industry? Luckily for you, we’ve been around the block a few times and we’ve been lucky enough to come back with some advice.
What Do You Need From A Lash Extensions Course?
First things first, you should consider what you actually want to get out of your lash extensions training. Are you interested in beauty treatments as a whole, or are you looking specifically for a qualification in eyelash extensions?
While we’d never discourage anyone from pursuing beauty as a whole – London Lash exists because our Founder Hanna took a beauty course at college and just so happened to fall in love with eyelash extensions – there is a lot to be said for specialising in one particular field, and getting really in-depth knowledge and skills right off the bat.
Similarly, consider how much time you can spare. If you’re taking an eyelash extension course, it’s highly likely that the training will take place over one or two days only, which means that it’s a lot to take in but ultimately means that you get qualified faster, you hone your skills quickly and you can start offering treatments to paying clients sooner too.
What Qualifications Do You Need to be a Lash Tech?
In the UK, in order to gain insurance for eyelash extensions treatments, you’ll need to hold an accredited certificate in eyelash extensions. When we say ‘accredited’, we mean that the training course has had the seal of approval by an accredited body who knows the ins and outs of that particular treatment. In our case,our training courses are accredited by ABT, and it says as such on the certificate you receive when you successfully pass your course with us.
Something else to consider is that to become qualified in Volume lash extensions, you’ll need to first be qualified in single lash extensions for at least three months, and you would need to have insurance for both treatments in your salon or as a home/mobile technician to be completely covered in the (unusual) event that a client makes a claim against you.
What is Covered in a Lash Extensions Training Course?
Before we start, we should say here that we’re talking specifically about what is covered on our own courses as we have the most insight into how they’re run – we can’t really speak for other academies and trainers!
On an eyelash extensions training course, your trainer will begin by giving you an overview of how to create a safe environment for you and for your clients, whether you’re in a salon space, working from home or working as a mobile lash tech. They will then give you an introduction and in-depth overview of the London Lash product line, letting you know why each is necessary, and how to get the best out of each product. Once you’re a product pro, they’ll take you over how to create the best lash looks for each individual client – mapping and styling is every trainer’s favourite segment of the course to teach, and it’s a firm fave of students too! You can really change someone’s entire look just by altering the way you place lash extensions, so it’s always an excellent part of the course!
Once you’ve mastered mapping, you’ll get the opportunity to start practising isolation and eyelash extension placement, which is far trickier than you might think! This is one of the reasons that we keep our class sizes smaller though, as this is the time you are likely to need more one to one guidance from your trainer!
Once you’ve taken a break for lunch, you will start working on a live model (we suggest that you arrange for a friend to come, as it’s far less daunting to work on someone you know!) – not only does this give you the best possible practice to build your confidence under the nurturing eye of your trainer, but it also gives you the first photos for your lash portfolio, which are going to be essential in building your clientele!
Qualification
We’ve touched on the fact that you would need an accredited certificate in eyelash extensions in order to get insurance and start offering them to paying clients, but how do you actually get the certificate?
For advanced training courses such as Russian Volume training, you’re more than likely to receive your certificate on the day of your training – you already have the knowledge and skills you need as a basis, and have just bolstered your skills with a new technique. With your first lash extensions course though, it’s very common to have to complete case studies and have one final assessment with your trainer to be able to gain a certificate.
This ensures that you iron out any kinks in your skill set, whilst boosting your confidence and padding out your portfolio!
Once you’ve qualified, the world is your oyster! You can take advanced lash courses (once you’ve been qualified for 3 months or more, of course), learn new techniques, build a client base and grow a business for yourself! Lash extensions can be super lucrative as a full-time career as there are many avenues you can explore, but it also makes for a fantastic way to get a bit of income as a student, a stay-at-home parent, or just as someone who wants to meet some new people!
Did you know if you learn with London Lash that you can use Klarna or Clearpay to pay for your lash courses in instalments? And on the day of your lash course you can buy any London Lash products with a 30% discount, and receive a lifetime student discount of 10%!
Want to know more? Check out the rest of the series!
Part 2: Associated Costs with Starting Up | Part 3: How to Price Your Treatments |Part 4: Which Policies You Should Introduce and Why | Part 5: How to Get More Bookings | Part 6: Using Social Media for Business Growth | Part 7: Should You Expand Your Treatment List? | Part 8: What Else Can You Do With A Lash Qualification? | Part 9: How to Become A Lash Trainer
