A Beginner's Guide to Speeding Up Your Lash Treatment
As a lash beginner, there’s nothing more frustrating than spending hours on a lash treatment only to end up with tired hands and a client who’s antsy from the long wait. The good news? Speeding up your lash application doesn’t mean sacrificing quality—it just means mastering smart prep, efficient techniques, and strategic product use. In this guide, we’ll break down actionable steps (with 4 key sections) to help you cut down on treatment time while keeping your lash sets flawless. Let’s dive in!
1. Master Pre-Treatment Prep: Lay the Foundation for Efficiency
The secret to fast lash treatments starts before you even pick up a lash extension. Rushed or disorganized prep leads to constant pauses mid-treatment, which adds precious minutes (or even hours) to your process. Here’s how to streamline this step:
1.1 Create a Pre-Packed Lash Station
Invest in a portable lash cart or a designated station with labeled compartments for all your tools. Keep your most-used items—KOLYBEL lash extensions (sorted by length and curl), KOLYBEL lash glue, KOLYBEL tweezers (one for isolation, one for application), KOLYBEL lash primer, and KOLYBEL under-eye pads—within arm’s reach. Avoid wasting time rummaging through drawers for a missing tool mid-session. Pro tip: Pre-sort lash extensions into small dishes or lash palettes before your client arrives, based on the style they’ve requested (e.g., cat eye, natural look).
1.2 Prep the Client (and Their Lashes) in Advance
Send a pre-appointment reminder to your client asking them to arrive with clean, makeup-free lashes. If they do show up with makeup, have a gentle lash cleanser and lint-free swabs ready to quickly remove it—avoid using harsh products that require extra drying time. Once the client is settled, apply under-eye pads smoothly (practice this step to make it quick!) and use a lash primer to remove any oil or debris. A well-prepped lash base not only helps extensions adhere better but also eliminates the need for rework later.
2. Refine Your Application Technique: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Your technique is the biggest factor in how fast you can complete a lash treatment. As a beginner, it’s easy to get stuck in slow, overly cautious movements—but with practice, you can build speed while maintaining precision. Focus on these key sub-steps:
2.1 Perfect Isolation (Without Overcomplicating It)
Isolating a single natural lash is often the most time-consuming part for beginners. Instead of struggling with tiny, individual lashes one by one, try using the “pinch and hold” method: Use your non-dominant hand’s tweezers to gently pinch a small section of lashes, then slide the tweezers down to isolate one lash. Keep your hand steady by resting your elbow on the lash bed or a support pillow. Avoid over-isolating—you only need to separate the target lash from the rest to prevent sticking.
2.2 Optimize Your Glue Application
Wasting time on glue that’s too thick, too thin, or dried out will slow you down. Use a high-quality, fast-drying lash glue (look for drying times of 1-2 seconds like KOLYBEL RUBY GLUE for beginners) and apply a tiny, consistent bead to the base of each extension. Avoid dipping the extension too deep into the glue—this causes clumping and longer drying times. Pro tip: Blot excess glue on a clean lint-free pad if needed, but do this quickly to keep your rhythm going.
3. Choose the Right Products: Tools That Boost Speed
Not all lash products are created equal—some are specifically designed to help beginners work faster. Investing in the right tools can cut down on treatment time significantly, without compromising the quality of your lash set. Here’s what to prioritize:
3.1 Pre-Fanned Lashes (for Volume Sets)
If you’re offering volume lash sets, pre-fanned lashes are a game-changer for beginners. Instead of spending time creating fans from scratch (which takes practice and speed), pre-fanned lashes come ready to use. They’re available in various densities (2D-10D) and lengths, so you can still customize the look for your client. Using pre-fanned lashes can cut volume set time in half—perfect for beginners still building their fan-making speed.
3.2 Ergonomic Tweezers
Tired hands lead to slow movements. Invest in a pair of ergonomic tweezers that fit comfortably in your hand—this reduces fatigue and allows you to work for longer periods without slowing down. Look for tweezers with a sharp, precise tip for easy isolation and application. Avoid cheap tweezers that bend or lose their grip—these will force you to re-do lashes, adding time to your treatment.
4. Post-Treatment & Long-Term Tips: Build Speed Over Time
Speeding up your lash treatments isn’t just about the session itself—it’s also about building habits that improve your efficiency long-term. These post-treatment and practice tips will help you get faster with every client:
4.1 Streamline the Post-Treatment Check
After applying all extensions, do a quick (but thorough) check to ensure no lashes are stuck together, and the set looks even. Use a lash brush to gently comb through the lashes—this takes 30 seconds and helps catch any small issues. Avoid over-checking every single lash; trust your technique and focus on the overall look. Then, give your client a quick aftercare reminder (keep this concise—use a printed card to avoid long explanations).
4.2 Practice Consistently (But Strategically)
The more you practice, the faster you’ll get—but practice with a purpose. Set a timer during your practice sessions (e.g., “I want to complete a half-set in 30 minutes”) to challenge yourself. Focus on one technique at a time (e.g., isolation, glue application) until you master it, then combine them. You can also practice on a mannequin head before working with real clients—this builds muscle memory and reduces anxiety during actual treatments.
## Final Thoughts
Speeding up your lash treatment as a beginner is all about prep, technique, product choice, and consistent practice. Remember: Fast doesn’t mean sloppy—take the time to master each step first, then gradually build speed. With the tips in this guide, you’ll be able to complete flawless lash sets in less time, keeping both you and your clients happy. Now go grab your tweezers, and let’s get efficient!
Have questions about any of these steps? Drop a comment below—we’d love to help you on your lash journey!