The 5 Best Lash Extension Training Courses Online
Eyelash extension procedures are popular and lucrative for eyelash extension technicians and artists. Vogue Business notes that Google searches on “eyelash extensions” average 883 thousand a month. A BL Lash article reports that the lash market may grow to a $1.5 billion industry over the next five years.
The 5 best online eyelash extension training programs out there are:
This article provides overviews of programs, what to expect in training and the reasons why lash certification courses and licensing are important. Read on to find out how to take advantage of these online training opportunities to become a part of the growing eyelash extensions business market.
Can You Teach Yourself to Do Eyelash Extensions?
Eyelash extensions are an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure in which artificial lashes are glued, one at a time, to a client’s natural eyelashes. Other eyelash extension procedures in demand include “volume extensions” where extremely thin sets of 2-3 lashes are attached to each natural lash.
Although it’s possible to teach yourself to do eyelash extensions, the best and safest path is to do so in the context of a reputable training program. Otherwise, you may put your client’s well-being at risk as well as open yourself to legal action if your eyelash artistry goes wrong.
Teaching yourself involves covering essentials and details around topics such as:
- Understanding the anatomy of eyes
- Set-up, what you need to do the work (fine-point tweezers, trays, adhesives, curls, etc.)
- Techniques, understanding taping, applying adhesive and lashes, styling, lash removal, and replacement.
- Practicing with an experienced eyelash artist as a mentor and guide
- Business planning and set-up.
In other words, there’s a lot involved – enough to read on and consider enrolling in one of the better eyelash extension training classes. (The next main section covers five of the best as a starting point.)
Do Eyelash Extensions Work for You?
Learning how to do eyelash extensions is an exciting prospect with great potential earnings and job security. But before you commit to any of the online training, take a moment and consider the following:
- Are you good with detailed and delicate work?
- Do you have good hand-eye coordination?
- Can you focus for 2 or more hours on a task?
- Do you enjoy helping and working with people?
If your answers are a resounding “yes!” then keep reading to take the first steps on your new career path!
Before learning about lash extensions, you should do your research. Any questions you have need to be answered. Like, do lash extensions ruin you lashes?
Can You Get Lash Certified Online?
Perhaps you have a busy life and don’t have the time to attend an in-person lash extension training course. This may raise the question, can you get lash certified online?
You can get certified online, especially if you select one of the better lash extension training programs. Almost all of the better eyelash extension training programs grant you a certificate noting you’ve completed your training.
To receive the certificate, you’ll need to successfully complete all the course modules by passing the quizzes at the end of each, complete a certain number of practice sessions or hours, and submit photographs of your work for appraisal by those managing the credentialing process.
Once all of those steps are complete, then you’ll have passed your training and will be certified by the group offering the training.
You can take certification a step further though and become an accredited last artist. One accrediting organization is the National Association of Lash Artists (NALA.) Their site notes that a certificate is evidence that you passed training in what you’re taught to do, while accreditation shows you are doing that work to an acceptable high standard.
Although currently there is no recognized national level of certification for lash artists, the NALA does come close with its advocacy for best practices in the lash industry.
How Much Does Lash Extension Training Cost?
You may be excited to jump into your lash extension training, but first, how much does it cost?
According to The Lash Professional, eyelash extension certification classes range in price from $300–$2,000. The cost varies extensively with the content, kit, duration, and reputation of the online training courses you attend.
Sassy Wink notes tuition at just under $2,000, but also notes the potential for a $2,250 weekly and $100,000 annual income based on 5 clients per week at $450 average service charge.
In other words, the investment in high-quality, certified training can be worth the investment of time and money. Xtreme Lashes includes a table on their website that details daily, weekly, and annual revenue based on the volume of a mix of relashing and new full set work.
The 5 Best Lash Extension Training Courses Online
If you search online for “eyelash extension training” you’ll see thousands of results, including those sites nearest you. To help narrow things down, the following 5 sections provide overviews of some of the best and most popular training options.
1. The Beauty Academy
Whether you’re a busy beauty professional or prefer to learn at your own pace, The Eyelash Extension course by The Beauty Academy lays the groundwork for a successful lash career by providing the necessary skills and information you need to be a lash extension expert.
Students in this classic lash course receive lifetime access to course materials, including video modules, waivers, and client file sheets, so you can study on your own time and refresh your abilities whenever you need it.
The Eyelash Extension course covers all aspects of theory, application, and lash styling through 30 video courses, giving you the confidence to achieve lash excellence.
Once you enroll you will receive dual registration with SugarLash PRO Academy’s ‘Classic Eyelash Extension Class’ and The Beauty Academy’s ‘Rock Your Beauty Biz’ course through their online training portal. This dual certification course was created to help you take your lash company to the next level.
In this dual certification course you will recieve:
- A complete Classic Lash Kit with the training manual with all lashes, tools, and implements
- Lifetime access to the SugarLash Pro Academy classic lash course
- A Rock Your Beauty Biz book and lifetime access to The Beauty Academy’s online beauty business course
- Lash Certification from SugarLash Pro Academy
- Beauty Business Certification from The Beauty Academy
This course will show you how to be a successful lash artist and professional beauty business owner, teaching you all you need to know about lashes!
2. Sassy Wink Academy
Sassy Wink is at the top of the list for online lash technician and artistry training. Amber Arrington, the founder, also advocated for increased safety in eyelash extension work, resulting in the National Eyelash Education and Safety Association (NEESA) in 2014.
Amber also started Lash Wars, an opportunity to meet and compete nationally to promote contacts and professional growth. Amber is recognized internationally as an expert and leader in the eyelash extension industry.
Sassy Wink emphasizes both safety and artistry in their eyelash extension training. They stress that mentoring and support continue after training is completed. They believe that 1-2 day in-person training is too intensive, many schools try to pack too much into those days without allowing sufficient time for practice and support.
Amber emphasizes that there’s a lot to learn before application techniques – anatomy of the eye, eye shapes, lash curl options, and similar. She also stresses the need for certification and insurance.
Here’s an overview of what they offer as part of online training:
- 27 modules and 70 videos
- Students can rewatch videos and take their time without feeling pressured to complete the courses.
- The course material is available for access for a year.
- “Hands-on training” is facilitated via an app called Voxer which can be downloaded for free. Using Voxer, Amber works one-on-one with students to answer questions, review photographs of their work, and more.
- Work in-person is available via a training coordinator who will help schedule time with Amber and her staff in Arizona.
- Both classic and volume series are available.
- Training modules consist of PowerPoint lectures, PDF materials, and videos. Each module must be passed to proceed to the next one.
- Practice kits and steps to success after training are provided.
- The cost for online classic training is $797 (as of this article.) However, there are options for discounts and payment plans.
This Sassy Wink page will give you a closer look at training details.
3. International Open Academy
If you want to become a lash artist and start your own business, now is the perfect time to learn how to apply eyelash extensions with the The Eyelash Technician course from International Open Academy! This course includes everything from eyelash treatments to client safety and business promotion.
If you’re looking to get into this booming industry, then this course will walk you through every step of the way.This course is divided into 5 modules which are:
1: Introduction
- Current Trends in Eyelashes
- Eyelash Extensions
- Eyelash Lifts
- Eyelash Perms
- Eyelash Extension Tools
2: Eyelash Extensions
- Types of eyelash extensions
- Application techniques, tools and products for eyelash extensions
- Health and safety for eyelash extensions
- Home maintenance
- Removal
3: Eyelash Lifts
- Types of lash lifts
- Application techniques, tools and products for lash lifts
- Health and safety for lash lifts
- Home maintenance
4: Eyelash Perms
- Types of lash perms
- Application techniques, tools and products for lash perms
- Health and safety for lash perms
- Home maintenance
5: Customer Care
- How to keep your customer’s eyes safe
- Upselling
- Social media marketing
- Best business practices
You must finish each of the modules completely and later perform small skills tests at the conclusion of each module to gather what you have learned. If you pass more than 55% on each of the exams, you will get a certificate of completion after finishing the course for your accomplishment!
4. Eyelash Emporium
Learn how to create a jaw dropping look on even the shortest lashes with Eyelash Emporium’s GDL Lash Lift Online Training Course. Their Gravity Defying Lashes treatment lifts and extends the lashes, straightening them at the root for an instant fuller effect and high-impact.
Their course has been designed to elevate you to the next level, where you will learn:
- Product Information
- Patch Testing
- GDL & Tinting Procedure & Application
- Styling & Finished Looks
- Aftercare
- Troubleshooting
In the program you will get in-depth video tutorials, online theory lessons and knowledge quizzes by logging onto the portal and begin learning in accommodation with your schedule. Plus you’ll have a practical assessment where you will carry out your treatment on a model and submit a case study which will get assessed by one of our educators.
This course is accredited by the CPD and it is awarded Best Supplier Specific Training for 6 years! In the program you’ll be sure to get personalized support from educators throughout the training process. Ultimately you will be awarded an e-certificate after successful completion of your assessment.
5. Trendimi
Whether you’ve been in the beauty industry for years, looking to offer clients a new service or are a lash artist who is wanting to open up your own business… Trendimi has the perfect Eyelash Technician Course for you!
Throughout this course you will master the art of eyelashes and have the ability to help clients feel and look their best through a step-by-step program. This course is divided into 5 organized modules being:
Module 1: Introduction
- Current trends in eyelashes
- Eyelash extensions
- Eyelash lifts
- Eyelash perms
- Eyelash extension tools
Module 2: Eyelash Extensions
- Types of eyelash extensions
- Choosing eyelash extensions
- Eyelash extension styles
- Application techniques for eyelash extensions
- Eyelash extension care and maintenance
Module 3: Eyelash Lifts
- Application techniques for eyelash lifts
- Eyelash lift care and maintenance
- Eyelash lift side effects
- Eyelash lift processing
Module 4: Eyelash Perms
- Application techniques for eyelash perms
- Why won’t a client’s lashes curl?
- Eyelash perm care & maintenance
- Client intake
Module 5: Customer Care
- Health and safety
- Upselling lash services
- Social media marketing
- Best business practices
After successfully completing the course, you will immediately receive your course certificate and start practicing! This course is for anyone who is interested in starting their eyelash business or anyone who has a passion for beauty and wants to learn a new skill.
Can You Do Lashes Without a Certificate?
Maybe you are well-versed in cosmetology and have taken an interest in doing lashes, but don’t want to sit through hours and hours of training. Can you do lashes without a certificate?
You can do eyelash extensions without a certificate, but in most states, you cannot do eyelash extensions without a license. In fact, many lash extension schools require that you be a licensed cosmetologist or similar in your state prior to taking their training.
If you do eyelash extensions without a license, you’re opening yourself (and more importantly, your clients) to potential health and safety risks. Given you work so close to someone’s eyes and use glues that can be formaldehyde-based, not knowing exactly what you’re doing can be disastrous. And, expensive – resulting in fines and other possible actions. (You can purchase salon or insurance to cover liability – see Beauty Bodywork Insurance, for an example.)
Each state will have its own set of requirements for becoming licensed in the cosmetic arts, but almost all require graduation from a cosmetic arts program, passing written and practical exams, and paying a licensure fee.
EBL Lashes, another leader in providing eyelash extension training (online and in-person) and products, provides an excellent web page summarizing licensing requirements for each state.
Here are some additional links to state licensing information:
Back to certificates for a moment – displaying a certificate reassures your clients that you have successfully completed eyelash extension training and that you are serious about your eyelash artistry profession. Displaying certificates certifying training and a state license gives your clients the absolute assurance that you’re a skilled lash artist, licensed to practice.
The Business of Eyelash Extensions
Once you’ve gained experience and a client base, you may start thinking about building or expanding your eyelash extension business. There are several things to consider – do you have the funds necessary for a start-up? What do you charge?
There are several online sites devoted to the business of eyelash extensions and related products. One of the best is Ilashes. Check out Ilash details around set-up and marketing to understand what you’ll need to consider as an eyelash extensions business owner. Ilash also provides some great references to help you decide whether or not to take the next business steps. There are many careers with lash certification available, so make sure you choose the one that is perfect for you!
Starting Your Eyelash Extension Artist Journey
This article has given you the information you need to start exploring online eyelash extension courses and certifications. Remember, be sure to read all the details each program provides to be sure what’s being offered is right for you.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking for advanced training, the details around course content, continuing support, pricing and payment options, and certification matter. Good luck on your eyelash extensions training journey!
