BL Lashes - November 03 2020
How to Speed Up Lash Extension Application
Have you gotten great at creating amazing lash looks, but you’re struggling with speed? This can be especially frustrating if you’re having to turn down clients because you just don’t have the time.
If you’d like to be able to help more clients in your day, you’ll need to find ways to do your job faster, while still being careful and precise.
Luckily, with practice, any lash technician can speed up their lash extension application without sacrificing quality. In this post, we’ll help you discover how.
Lash room setup to boost application speed
Good lighting
Lighting is one of the most important parts of the setup for speedy application.
If your light is dim and yellow, you can’t see all those tiny lashes and it will likely slow down your application (not to mention that it is a threat to your eye health in the long-term).
This is the time to get yourself a bright fluorescent studio light.
Glamcor light is by far the best option for beauty application lighting but if you're looking for more affordable option, the latest version of Neewer ring light (on Amazon) is also a great choice for the 1/3 of the price.
A tidy lash cart
Image credit @_lash_vibes_
Use a lash cart (like the above image) next to your lash bed and pre-organize all the supplies you’ll need during the application. You can even organize the supplies according to your movement.
A table clock
To check your progress during the application, get yourself a simple table clock next to the bed (you should be able to see it easily).
Checking your phone for the time not only slows you down, but it can also be quite distracting.
Thermometer & hygrometer:
Change in humidity and temperature can affect the drying speed of lash extension glue and slows down your set.
Always place a thermometer and hygrometer next to your lash bed.
Practice faster isolation
One key facet of lash extension application is isolation. It is one of the most important things in the process, and it’s also where you need to be the most precise.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics of lash extension isolation, then you can begin practicing quicker application.
For in-depth tips on how to improve your isolation skills, check out Ways to Improve Your Lash Extension Isolation Skills
Place under-eye pads well
If under-eye pads are not covering the bottom lashes properly, they will keep popping up and get mixed in with the upper lashes.
Separating these lashes will slow you down! So when you place the eye pads in the beginning, do it well.
For tips on how to improve your eye pad placement, check out How to use under-eye pads 101.
Keep brushing and fluffing at a minimum
Yes, yes, we want our clients’ lashes to be absolutely perfect, but sometimes we just have to hold back on the primping and preening.
One thing that tends to take up too much unnecessary time, especially with newer lash technicians, is fluffing lashes as they’re applied.
If you think your excessive brushing is caused by the anxiety and uncertainty about the design, make sure you write down the lash mapping (including the curls and lengths) on the under-eye pads before starting the application.
As for brushing, while yes, it is important, there’s no need to do it every few lashes or so. Instead, do it only when you need to check the overall design.
Being efficient with your time simply opens up more time for your clients, so don’t waste it.
Client setup to boost application speed
No makeup on arrival
When a client comes to the salon with eye makeup on, it can waste your precious time to remove mascara stuck in the lashline. Tell your client to come to the salon with no makeup on.
No chatting during the set
Of course, chatting with your client helps you bond, but when a client talks, she moves her face, and that in turn slows you down.
Give your client a hydrating lip mask so that she won’t be able to chat.
Image credit @happilyeverlashing
Client’s comfort
It’s really difficult to lash on twitchy eyes. Eyelid twitching comes from stress, anxiety, and caffeine.
Make your lash room as comfortable as possible for the client so she can relax her eyes.
- Blanket: Make sure to have a cozy, weighted blanket (our recommendation)
- Pillow: Provide a soft and fluffy cloud pillow
- Music: Play a soothing playlist so she can fall asleep
- No caffeine: Tell your client not to drink coffee before the appointment if possible.
Take advantage of your lash supplies
Some lash products were specifically designed to improve the process of lash extension, so of course they’ll also help you do your work quicker.
Here are some products with which you should arm your lash extension arsenal for quick, yet stunning lashes.
Lash primer
Lash primer should be your best friend. Because it removes all sorts of dirt and oil from your client’s lashes, it also keeps lashes from slipping off and increases their retention.
Extension base
Another great way of speeding up your lashing is to use BL Extension Base.
BL Extension Base is as known as ‘glue-aid’ for its ability to boost the drying speed of the glue in unfavorable conditions such as low humidity or high temperatures, which tend to slow down the drying speed of your glue.
To use, simply apply a small amount of it on a micro swab, then touch the micro swab to the base of the lash extensions along the tape strip, wait 1 minute, and then apply lashes as usual.
Mach glue
If you’ve already built up your lashing skills well enough that you can start to go faster, then it’s time to graduate up to Mach Glue. Mach Glue works in just one second and can retain lashes for up to 7 weeks. It definitely shaves the time off the application process, so you can do more lashes in less time.
Laser Lash
Last but not least, a great option for speeding up a lash application is Laser Lash. Thanks to their microscopic laser-processed indentations, BL Laser Lashes create an instant bond between the extensions and the natural lashes.
As a result, the extension lashes don’t slide off the natural lashes, which saves you time from reapplying and allows you to move quickly to the next lash.
Go, Speed Lasher, Go
Each of the tips and methods above alone can already help you to be faster at creating fab lash looks. In combination, they’ll make you into the Wonder Woman of the lash industry!
The only thing we can say is to not force it. It’s better to learn to do things right than to be quick about it, so be sure to practice, practice, practice and with time you’ll be able to adopt quicker alternatives.
We all want to be better at what we do, especially in our chosen careers, but success takes time, so don’t beat yourself up over it if you’re slow now. You’ll get there.
We wish you all happy lashing!
Team BL Lashes