How to become a certified eyelash extension artist

Becoming a lash artist is a wonderfully fulfilling and rewarding career. but before you go off to pursue your dreams of becoming a star lash artist, you will need to make sure that you have the skill and credentials to become one. In this article we will talk about certifications and licensing for new lash artists and go over the steps needed to become a fully accredited lash professional.

Why do I need to be certified?

Even if you live somewhere that doesn’t require you to be certified to be an eyelash technician, you should still strongly consider becoming certified. This is because it provides a foundation of knowledge and skills for lashing that you can build upon. It also allows you to work with instructors that can produce high quality work that you can compare with and learn from. In addition, learning best practices for lashing means less chance of mistakes happening that can cause discomfort or worse for your clients.  Lastly and most importantly, it provides credibility and security for new clients that need proof of your abilities so even well accomplished lash artists should consider becoming accredited, even if it is just to put your client’s mind at ease.

How to become a certified lash artist?

Now if you happen to be an american, you should know that in most US states being a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician is a legal requirement. Here is a list of all states and what licences are required to start doing eyelash extensions. Please note that this list may be out of date so double check with your own research to make sure:

United States

Canada

There are currently no regulations in Canada that require you to have a license to become a lash technician. However, it is still highly recommended you get certified.

Getting Certified

Starting off, make sure to research eyelash extension certification centers offering courses near you. To have an idea which one to pick, here are some suggestions: 

• Look at the google reviews of each one to get an idea of how students view the academy. 
• Ask lash artists around you if they have any recommendations. Usually, hearing from people you know will give you honest opinions. 

When you find potential schools, if possible, ask trainers or current students about the program they are in. Ask how the class is structured. Take the time to see if there are lectures, readings, hands on training, and how are these lessons divided during the semester. We suggest you look for training with at least a 50% split between theory and practice. That way, you will understand the theory part, but also have support when you practice lashing since it is a very manual job. 

The training price is an important aspect, but shouldn’t be the only thing you look at. We usually get what we pay for. Price will vary based on the quality of the education and the experience of the trainers providing it. Don’t skimp out on the most essential part of your lashing career, make sure you select a school that is at the right price point for you but as high of a quality as possible. Training usually varies between 500-2000$ depending where you are located and which class you are taking. The first class you should take is classic lashes training, and then you would need to take a volume class as well. 

What to look out for in a school

An accredited and experienced instructor. Make sure to have a trainer that has the knowledge and the skills. Since the field isn’t really regulated (for Canada), anyone can become a lash trainer. This is why you should take your time to find the right trainer since this person will introduce you to the world of lashing. 

Good schools will usually offer you a lash kit since we are in a field that requires practice and technical skills. A lash kit that has enough supplies for at least 5 full sets of service. Here is a sample list of what should be included in your kit:

• Mixed Length Lash Trays
• Adhesive
• Primer
• Remover
• Gel Eye Pads
• Crystal stone
• Lash Tape
• Mascara Wands
• Lint-Free Micro Brushes
• Precision Eyelash Scissors (for cutting lash tape)
• Precision Tweezer Set

A manual or handbook that summarizes all the important ideas and points for the theory of eyelash extension. It is also helpful as a guide to what can be expected from a course. Every school is different, but you should have access to a platform or a manual that will give you all the information. Some training sessions are in person, while others are online. It is important to make sure you have everything that will give you the lessons and instructions other than videos and in person class.

Length of the program: Look for total hours trained and look for how they distribute the hours on theory and actual practice. A class shouldn’t last only two hours. There should be a few hours at least for the theory part, and a few hours for the practice part. Depending on your location, those times can vary since the lash field isn’t regular worldwide yet. 

Models: Make sure to find out if they will be providing models for you to work with or if you have to bring your own. Lashing on a mannequin is very different from a human. The fibers of the lashes are different, and practicing on a human allows you to practice the technical skills such as isolation, placement, how to position yourself while lashing. You’ll also be able to see how to place your supplies and material. 

Hopefully this guide will help you on your journey to become an outstanding certified lash artist!