Tweezers….with so many different styles out there it can be a minefield to know which ones are the best. The good news is that there is no such thing as the “best” tweezers, instead a tweezer that suits that artist.
Tweezers don’t need to cost the earth, however usually the more you pay the higher grade the quality of steel, the finish and the precision of that tweezer. Most tweezers are produced in countries such as Pakistan and China and the quality of these is mediocre. This is due to the quality of the steel and the production methods which is reflected in the lower prices. These tweezers are produced in bulk, then hand finished by eye by non lash artists, therefore most lack precision and are only really suitable for Classic lash techniques where thicker extensions are used and the tweezer does not need to be too precise to be able to pick up this type of extension.
Below you can see a basic tweezer suited for the classic technique only:
There is a precision tweezer on the market called the Dumont which has become an increasingly popular high end precise tweezer. This tweezers is made in Switzerland and was originally designed for use in watch making and at crime scenes, however its precision lends itself well to the technique of making Russian volume fans. See below for the precision grip and design of the Dumont close up.
Tweezer shapes: There are a variety of tweezers shapes, all designed to assist the lash artist.
Straight: This is your basic tweezer shape that was predominantly used when eyelash extensions were a new beauty treatment. They were and still are used for picking up classic lashes as well as isolation.
Curved: Used for the Russian volume technique due to the shape of the head and larger sweet spot (grab area) compared to the straight tweezers. The curved tweezer is usually thicker and more robust than the straight tweezer therefore it is not always suitable for isolation however some artists choose to use this style for isolation of the NLs.
Angled: Most popular as an isolation tweezer due to the angle of the head which lends itself well for getting deep into the lash line to assist with isolation. Can also be used as a pickup tweezer, more so for classics however sometimes a precise pair can be used for volume.
Boot/L type: A 90 degree angled tweezer designed for used with hand made Russian volume. It is a thick tweezer with the largest sweet spot of all tweezers hence a popular choice.
The S type: Not an overly well known tweezer. Works well for volume and isolation – the head looks like a snake.
The above tweezer shapes (excluding the S type) are the 5 main types you will see however there are many adaptations/tweaks to the designs to make them all slightly different. This is why you will see so many different tweezers out there for the lash artist to choose from.
Light/Medium/Heavy handed: This is something you need to consider when looking for a pair of tweezers that will best suit you. The thicker and more robust the tweezer the better suited it is for most heavy handed artists. The thinner and lighter the tweezer the more it suits the light handed artist. If you are unsure as to whether you are heavy or light handed then a simple test can be to watch yourself pick up a small or delicate item. Watch how your hands move. Was it easy to pick the item up without sending it flying, or did your hands appear clumsy? This will usually give you your answer.
Buy hand tested tweezers only: Spend a little more on tweezers from trusted and experienced suppliers who know how to hand test their tweezers for precision. Approx 40-50% of all tweezers will fail when hand tested correctly, this is due to them being made and hand finished by non lash artist factory workers. If your tweezers haven’t been hand tested there of course is a 40/50% chance of you receiving a faulty pair. Then you will have to go through the hassle of returning them (if that seller accepts returns) instead of spending a little more money to know that you will receive a precise pair that have been tested.
How to clean and store your tweezers
Autoclaves, sterilising units or solutions are best practice for your tweezers. Also ensure tweezers are fully dried before putting them away to prevent rusting. Do not drop them or use them in a way that will damage the tips and affect the precision. Store them safely away in a tweezer case or drawer etc and do not allow others to use your tweezers. Tweezers can just like shoes, mould to the way you work, so letting others get their hands on your tweezers can prevent them working for you.
If you are looking for hand tested tweezers then don’t forget to visit our range.
