Starting your journey as a lash artist is one of the most exciting steps you'll ever take in the beauty industry. Eyelash extensions were very new when I first started my lashing career. Products, courses and advice were all limited, and I knew big changes needed to be made in this small industry, so I started finding my own way to fill in what I felt were the missing pieces. From designing my own handy lash tools, creating UK-made lash glues and liquids, and putting together my own robust lash courses.
Over the years, I've become a Master Lash Artist, won multiple industry competitions, trained hundreds of lash technicians, and built my business, Eyelash Excellence, around one simple goal- providing lash artists with professional education and premium products they can genuinely rely on.
One of the first questions I found being asked most was, "What do I actually need in my lash starter kit?"
Due to this, I thought, what better idea than to create a handy lash starter kit? This has transformed many of my customers' lash careers. It has taken out the confusion, the hard work, and the need to purchase so many products separately, which, of course, can get a bit pricey - especially if you're buying products that, as a beginner, you aren't quite ready for yet.
This is why I've put together my complete Lash Artist Starter Kit Checklist blog to help you invest in the right products from the beginning. If you'd like to take a look at my amazing beginner's kit, click here.
Let's start with your most important tool: tweezers.
I always recommend investing in high-quality precision tweezers rather than the cheapest option available. Good tweezers improve accuracy, reduce hand fatigue, and make your lash application much smoother. As a beginner, your kit should simply focus on including a great pair of isolation and volume tweezers. Remember, a good pair of tweezers can completely transform your confidence and speed.
Next, it's the lashes themselves. I wish I had known which lash extensions to start with as a beginner. In my beginner kit, you'll find mixed-length trays of YY and Clover lashes in CC curl. CC curl is the most common lash curl you'll need. Further down the line, you'll learn more about which curls suit different eye types and clients. But for now, CC is a great place to start.
Using my premium, high-quality individual eyelash extensions makes application easier and produces beautiful, long-lasting results that both you and your clients can be proud of.
I have also included two important items to help with training when you are a complete beginner: a mannequin head and some training lashes. These two items are perfect for your first attempts at applying lashes. Once you've got the gist of the application and techniques, you'll then be ready to practise on a real person.
Moving on to another very important product -glue! Your adhesive can make or break your retention. Choosing an adhesive suited to your experience level and working speed is essential. Factors such as humidity, temperature and drying time all affect performance.
One of the biggest mistakes I see beginners and experienced lash artists make is blaming themselves when, in reality, they're using an adhesive that simply isn't suited to their environment.
Understanding adhesive is something I cover in detail during my lash training courses because it's one of the biggest keys to achieving excellent retention. As a beginner, you need to focus on a slow-curing glue. It is inevitable that during the learning process you'll make some mistakes - we're all human, right? This is why we need a slow-curing glue to allow us to correct any mishaps during the lash placement process.
I have done so much research into lash glues that I could talk about them for hours! But for now, if you need a beginner-friendly adhesive, my Onyx Glue is your best friend. Click here to read the full product description for the Onyx Adhesive.
Another very important lash product we need in our kits is cleanser. Healthy lashes start with proper preparation. Every client should have their lashes cleansed before treatment to remove oils, makeup and debris. Clean lashes create stronger adhesive bonds and better retention while also supporting excellent lash hygiene.
This is an absolute must, not only for beginners but throughout your entire lash career. I have developed my own handy lash cleansers and included them in my kit. Simply dilute them with water in a foaming pump to create the perfect cleanser for lash preparation. They're also a gentle formula suitable for even the most sensitive clients. I also sell these in different pack sizes on my website. They're not only essential for you, but they're also great to give your clients as part of their aftercare routine.
After your initial cleansing prep, it will be time to apply your pads and tape. I cover eye pad and tape application in full during my training course, so it's important that you have these handy items ready when starting your training.
Comfort and safety are non-negotiable, so you'll need:
Every client's eye shape is different, so having a selection available makes treatments easier and more comfortable.
Disposable mascara wands are another absolute must. They're inexpensive but incredibly important for:
- Brushing lashes during treatment
- Client aftercare
- Retailing to clients for home maintenance
Never underestimate the value of good aftercare!
This brings me to probably the simplest item you need in your kit - a pen!
Beautiful lashes begin with a great plan. A mapping pen allows you to create precise styling guides directly onto your eye pads, helping you achieve symmetry and consistency with every set. I have found that a red Sharpie is the best type to use. Whether you're creating natural lashes or dramatic Russian Volume, mapping is one of the foundations of great lash artistry and is something you should continue to use throughout your lash career.
Now, high on my list of must-haves is a debonder/remover. Every professional should have a safe lash remover available. Whether you need to remove a full set or correct a small section during treatment, a professional remover is an essential part of every lash kit.
It is especially important to have a bottle handy while you're learning. We all make lash mistakes, particularly during training. You may need it at short notice to remove and correct any mistakes, so removing those pesky lashes that aren't quite right is something we all need to do from time to time. And, of course, if someone wants their set removed, you need to be able to accommodate this.
Something I never lash without, to help avoid mistakes as much as possible, is a quality lash lamp. Even the best lash artist struggles without proper lighting. A lash lamp allows you to see every natural lash clearly, reducing eye strain while improving the precision of your work. It really is one of the best investments you can make for your lash space.
As I near the end of this blog, one piece of advice I'd like to leave you with is that you don't need every product on the market. It can feel overwhelming when you're starting out. There are so many products available, but you'll get to know what they all do over time and decide whether they're something you'll benefit from using.
As a beginner, simply start with professional-quality essentials that you can trust, master your technique, and build your kit as your business grows. Buying fewer high-quality products will always serve you better than buying lots of cheaper alternatives. A beginner's lash kit is essential to ensure you're not overloading yourself with products you simply don't need yet.
Let's not forget, the best products in the world won't replace good training....
Learning correct application, lash styling, adhesive science, client safety and retention techniques will have a far greater impact on your success than simply buying more equipment.
As a Master Lash Artist and educator, I love helping students build confidence alongside their technical skills. Whether you're completely new to the industry or looking to advance your existing knowledge, investing in education is always the best place to start.
I can't stress enough how important it is to begin your lash journey with the right foundations. My beginner's course ensures every box is ticked before you move on to more advanced progression training. Click here to view my online beginner's course.
Building your first lash starter kit doesn't have to be confusing. Focus on quality over quantity, choose products you can trust, and never stop learning. I've spent years testing products, competing at the highest level, educating lash artists, and helping technicians build successful businesses. Everything I recommend is based on real experience, not trends.
If you're looking for premium eyelash extension supplies, professional lash training, or expert guidance to help you grow your career, I'd love to welcome you to Eyelash Excellence. All the products I have mentioned in this blog are sold separately on my website, but if you're starting from scratch the kit is the best (and cost effective) way forward. Check out the kit here
Your lash journey starts with the right foundations, and I'm here to help every step of the way. Thanks for checking out this latest blog. I hope you enjoyed reading it and found it informative if you're just starting out. Check back soon for the next instalment, and in the meantime, if you're a beginner, happy learning!