The 8 Essential Eyelash Extension Supplies
Are you considering a career in eyelashes? Already a cosmetologist or esthetician wanting to branch out into the world of lash extensions? We are here to help with our recommendations for the eight best eyelash extension supplies on the market for professionals and beginners alike.
How Many Types of Eyelash Extensions Exist?
Eyelash extensions may seem a little intimidating at first, but in reality, there are just a few things that you need to know in order to make your way as a lash artist. One of these is an understanding of the types of lash extensions that you can offer.
Material
Lash extensions are essentially offered in three different styles: mink, synthetic, or silk. However, supposed mink and silk lashes aren’t typically made from real mink fur, or from the silk of a silkworm.
Rather, mink refers to especially luscious lashes that are soft, light, and natural. Silk lashes are usually full, rich, dramatic lashes that make a statement.
Synthetic fibers are commonly used to make lash extensions, which are bonded to the base of your natural eyelash with a strong but safe glue. Lash extensions are completely different from other types of artificial strip eyelashes accessible to customers for at-home use. They must be professionally applied! While strip lashes need to be taken off and reapplied daily, a full set of lash extensions can last up to six weeks before needing a fill.
Curl
Another distinction to make within the world of lash extensions is the degree of curl of each synthetic fiber.
When it comes to curliness, most salons provide at least three curl patterns: Sugarlash PRO carries the basic Bcurl (most used for clients wanting more natural lashes with a soft curl), D curl (totally curved lashes and best for clients who want the drama), and C curl, which is the happy medium between a D and B curl.
For more experienced artists or artists with particular clients wanting a specific LashStyle, Sugarlash also carries an M curl and L curl lash, both of which are useful for creating a kitten lash style on hooded eye clients.
Clients don’t always know exactly what they want, so it can be helpful to have posters or other graphics of your eyelash extension services up in a salon for them to reference. If you’re well into your career, show your client images you’ve taken of sets on clients who have similar skin tone, eye shape, and eye color.
If you’re just starting out, ask for reference images, do your research on proper lash styling, and make sure you take as many pictures of your finished set to use for both content and marketing your business.
Thickness
Lash extension products are sold in varying levels of thickness. When purchasing lashes, note the diameter of the individual lashes. These lashes, for example, are sold either in a .15 or .18 millimeter diameter. They are bold and dramatic.
Lighter and more natural lashes can be as slim as .03 or .05 millimeters in diameter! It is a good idea to have a variety of lashes on hand since every customer wants something different.
Length
Length of lashes is something that will also vary from customer to customer. Lashes are often sold in lash trays that have multiple lengths, but can also be sold in single-length trays.
Length of lash extensions can go from five millimeters all the way up to 15 or 16 millimeters. Again, having a variety of lengths available is paramount to a lash technician’s success in the beauty industry.
What Do I Need To Apply Lash Extensions?
We won’t lie: there are definitely some startup costs involved in starting a lash extension business. Though the initial investment may be a bit costly, it will soon pay for itself in satisfied customers. Here’s a list of everything you will need (beyond the extensions themselves) to get started!
1. Swabs, Lash Tweezers, Brushes, and Accessories
A lash tech is only as good as their eyelash extension tools! You definitely want to invest in some quality tools (especially application tools) if you plan to make your name in eyelash extensions. The swabs, tweezers, and brushes you will need are not the same as the ones you might be using at home, and are specialized for eyelash technicians.
The swabs you will need are actually often referred to as micro swabs or microbrushes. These are teeny-tiny little cotton swabs that will aid you in the precise work that you’ll need to do as a lash tech. Small spoolies, or eyelash brushes, are also basically a required tool in any lash artist’s eyelash extension kit.
Likewise, you can’t just go down to your local drugstore and buy a pair of five-dollar tweezers. There are many different types of tweezers for lash extensions, and you may consider having several in your arsenal to use depending on the type of lashes you are applying.
2. Lash Glue
The adhesive used by lash artists is a highly specialized surgical-grade glue. The product is going directly onto the clients’ eyelashes, very close to the eye itself, so it is super important that the product is of the highest quality.
There are some adhesives that are even specially formulated for sensitive skin. You want to invest in the best glue out there, and talk to your clients about their skincare needs so that you know what glue to use in advance.
Sugarlash PRO carries three different varieties of adhesive so you can have the tools necessary to succeed whether you’re a beginner or a PRO.
3. Under-Eye Pads
When applying the lash extensions, you will need a backdrop. It takes a steady hand and an eagle-eye to apply eyelash extensions, but even still it’s necessary to have a stark white background to be able to visualize the black lash extensions completely. That’s where under-eye pads come in.
These thin under-eye pads were created specifically for the application of eyelash extensions. Their main purpose is to separate the bottom lashes from the top lashes and to keep the sharp and pointy tweezers away from the client's delicate eye area.
A good set of under-eye pads will stick well to the skin, but not be so sticky that they are painful to remove. It’s also important that they have a coated surface so that the solvents and solutions being used to apply the lashes don't stick to the pad itself. Some lash techs like to use surgical tape to aid in the stickiness of the pads, but if you buy a quality product, you likely won’t need this.
Sugarlash PRO Tip: Use BioGel Eye Pads to set your service aside from everyone else’s! SLP’s BioGel Eye Pads provide an anti-aging treatment during lash application. For clients with sensitive skin, we recommend our Gel Free Eye Pads as they omit the anti-aging treatment that could cause irritation for more sensitive clients.
4. Primer
Primer for lash extensions functions in the same way as makeup primer: it gets the lashes ready for application! Primer works by stripping the lashes of any excess oils or makeup residue, which will vastly improve lash retention, thus improving customer satisfaction.
When choosing a primer you may want to consider the consistency and the smell. Most artists tend to prefer a primer that is more on the thin side, and of course, whenever a product does not have a strong chemical smell, that’s a good thing.
Primers typically have some sort of drying agent such as ethyl alcohol or witch hazel. But don’t worry: this won’t hurt your natural lashes! These ingredients can be found in many beauty supplies.
5. Lash Serum
Believe it or not, it is completely safe to use serums, even lash growth serums, on lash extensions. However, that is not the only type of serum available for the lashes. You may want to consider adding a nourishing serum to your lash supply tray as a finishing touch to your extensions.
A serum like this one is designed for use after a lash lift to optimize the volume and appearance of the lashes. But it can do double duty as a serum to optimize and define extensions. And honestly, if you’re doing extensions, you might want to consider purchasing a lash lift kit to add another line to your service menu. If you’ve never trained in lash lifts, there are plenty of online courses available and they will pay for themselves in no time.
6. Sealants
Clients who are spending the time and money to get quality eyelash extensions are going to want to safeguard those lashes in any way possible! This is why you should use a sealant not only as a final step in the application process but also in your shop to offer a product that clients can purchase for themselves.
It's crucial to use a lash sealant since it adds an extra layer of protection to the lashes. It prolongs the adhesive's life by holding the extension in place for a longer amount of time, which is ideal for keeping lashes looking their best between refill appointments.
7. Cleanser
Cleanser is another item that will be indispensable to you as a lash professional, but also helpful as an item to offer to your clients for purchase. Sure, clients can just use regular face wash, but you will find that most are willing to invest in high-quality products if it means they can take better care of their lashes.
Another thing to consider is eye safety. When bacteria or PH levels are out of whack, eye diseases can emerge. Proper lash cleansing is vital in preventing eye conditions. To maintain eye hygiene and wellness, a quality cleanser is a necessity for all lash artists and lash extension wearers.
8. Remover
Eventually, those extensions will have to come off. There are all sorts of reasons why people want to remove their eyelash extensions, but one of the most common is that they just want to start fresh with a new set. Or, they may have gotten lesser quality extensions somewhere else and they want a blank slate.
You will be able to meet your clients’ needs with the very best lash removers. Look for a formula that is gel-based so that it can sit easily on the lashes without budging. Most gel removers will need to stay put on the lashes for one to two minutes before you are able to gently remove the extensions.
How Long Can I Wear My Extensions?
One of the most commonly asked questions about lash extensions is how long they last. Many clients want to know how long they can continue to wear their original set of extensions. The answer to this question will vary depending on certain considerations.
Are you prone to picking at your lash extensions? Are you using oil-based products on your face or eyes? What time of year is it? (Believe it or not, the natural lash shed cycle is a bit more intense in the fall). These and other factors can influence the lifespan of a set of extensions.
Typically though, you can expect to go a few weeks before needing a refill appointment. Some clients may try lash extensions and eventually decide that they can’t keep up with the appointment frequency. In this case, the extensions will all eventually fall out, or they can come back to you to get them professionally removed.
Get Your Supplies Today
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to setting up your own personal lash station. Though the startup investment may seem a bit overwhelming at first, remember that it will all be worthwhile in the long run. And don’t forget that investing in high-quality goods will pay off.
Sources:
Eyelash Extensions Pros and Cons: What to Know Before You Get Them | Healthline
Types Of Eyelash Extensions: Which Eyelash Extensions Are best? | Makeup
Everything You Need to Know About Eyelash Extensions | The Cut
A Guide to Starting a Successful Eyelash Extensions Business in 2021 | Tough Nickel
