Q&As for Lash Technicians

Obtaining a completed consent form prior to commencing with any form of beauty treatment, especially eyelash extensions, is absolutely essential.

Consent forms contain important information about the medical history of your client, and help determine whether or not it is safe for you to proceed with the treatment.

They also act as a record for retaining proof that due diligence was carried out in respect of client safety, should it ever be needed.

You can download a free example copy of a client consent form here.

You should keep your cclient consents under review. This means you will need to refresh them if anything changes – for example, if your processes or products change, the original consent may not be specific or informed enough.

You should also make your clients aware that they must notify you if anything they have confirmed on their latest consent form changes. For example, if any of their medical details, allergy information or preferences change, they must disclose this to you.

If you are in any doubt about whether the consent is still valid, you should refresh it.

If nothing changes between either you, or your client, we still recommend completing a new consent form every 12 months.

You can download a free example copy of a client consent form here.

As with many industries, eyelash technician earning potential depends on a number of factors and can vary greatly, however included some estimates below to give you an approximate earnings figure for a self-employed lash technician in the UK.

Here’s an example of how we’ve calculated these figures:

For an experienced lash technician, outside of London:

To find out how much you could earn, try out our income calculator tool here.

In the world of eyelashes, a ‘foreign fill’ refers to completing an infill on a set of lash extensions that were originally applied by a different lash technician. It is called “foreign” because the lash artist is working on lashes that are not their own work.

Foreign infills can present a challenge as each lash artist often has a unique style, may use different products, and can have a different technique for placement. Combined, this can make it difficult to seamlessly blend in new lash fans, and often takes longer than a usual infill appointment.

As a result, lash techs often choose from one of the following options:

• Charging an additional fee for the extra time and skill needed
• Will only offer to carry out a complete removal and a new full set

At Kliko we think either option is fair, as providing a service that takes more time and skill than your usual service should be compensated with an additional charge. Alternatively, if you are uncomfortable filling in someone else’s work, you shouldn’t have to, so we think offering a removal and full set is a fair offer.

We’ve all been there. The dreaded feeling of arriving at the stage of the appointment where the client asks to schedule their next session, but you don’t know how to say you don’t want to. Don’t worry – you’re not alone!

Whether it’s down to payment issues, personality clash, or poor lash hygiene, not wanting to re-schedule a client can seem like a daunting prospect, but it shouldn’t force you into continuing their appointments if you are uncomfortable doing so.

Whilst it may seem like coming up with an excuse is a good idea, we recommend only one piece of advice: honesty is the best policy.

Coming up with an excuse may seem like a way out of the awkward, break-up like, situation, but it’s likely to leave your client feeling confused, and not to mention will no doubt back-fire soon enough. (No matter how good you think your excuse is!)

Being honest gives your client a fair explanation as to why you no longer wish to carry on with the appointments, and will help them understand what they may need to look for, or change, to ensure they can find a lash technician that works for them.

P.S: don’t feel guilty!

After stopping future appointments with a client, it’s easy to feel guilty, or that you’ve let them down, but that’s not the case. Not every lash technician is perfect for every client, and vice versa, so it’s important to find ones that you are comfortable with, and that enable you to run your business successfully.

We all know that some clients love to chat, whilst others enjoy peace and quiet, and some are happy to lay completely still, whilst others like to move around, but whatever your client’s preferences and traits, it’s essential that both parties feel comfortable throughout a lash appointment.

If your client, or anyone else in the room, does or says anything that makes you feel uneasy, it’s important to voice your concern. Everyone has different comfort zone levels which should be respected, so you should never feel embarrassed to stop someone in their tracks if you begin to feel uncomfortable, no matter what the reason is.

Likewise, it’s important to respect your client and their preferences, so if they say they are uncomfortable with anything that you can change, you should, whether it be altering the topic of conversation, changing their laying position, or something else, it’s best to be accommodating wherever possible.

More often than not voicing your concern is enough to ensure there are no future issues, however it’s important to have a plan in mind if you continue to feel uneasy. If voicing your concern has not been enough, you should pause the appointment and explain your concerns further. This will help your client understand what is wrong, and will enable you to both discuss the issue in hand, and solutions. If after doing so you are happy to continue with the appointment then you should, however if you reach the point where you feel you cannot carry on, then it’s okay to stop the appointment altogether. You should explain why you have done so, but you should never be forced to continue in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable. You can then end the appointment, and choose whether or not to offer a second booking.

A key factor to a successful appointment is to ensure both you as a lash tech, and your client, feel at ease throughout. This can mean different things to different techs and clients, so whether you prefer to natter away, enjoy the peace and quiet, or even let your client have a snooze, it’s important to find a method that works for you both.

Your client may request to bring someone along to the appoint for one of many reasons, but it’s entirely the lash tech’s decision on whether they are happy to accommodate a second person. It’s a good idea to ask why your client would like to bring someone along, as it may be that they feel anxious or uneasy being on their own, and in which case allowing them to bring someone else may help your client relax, and in turn may make performing the set easier.

On the other hand, if you are concerned about space or distractions, you are perfectly within your rights to limit your appointments to your client’s attendance only.

In summary, If you are asked whether a client can bring a second person to their appointment we would recommend first finding out why they would like to do so, which will enable you to weigh up the pros and cons of each option and therefore help you make an informed decision for each circumstance.

As with many aspects of lashing, there are a number of variables when it comes to completing an infill, or full set of lashes, such as the quality (and therefore cost) of the products you use, how much you purchase at any one time, and how much of each product you use per appointment, all of which vary the amount each treatment costs you to complete.

That being said we’ve included an estimate below based on what we think each set should cost.

We always recommend using high quality products in every set, as even though it may cost a little extra, it will ensure your client gets an amazing look every time, and will keep their natural lashes healthy. You’ll also find that using high-quality lashes and adhesives, such as our long-lasting Phoenix Glue, and Monte Carlo Lashes, will help maximise retention, which not only improves client satisfaction, but means less lashes are required during infills, reducing the costs in the long run.

To help you work out the cost of your treatments we’ve developed a useful calculator.

View treatment cost calculator.

If you’re thinking of becoming a lash technician, completing an eyelash course is an essential first step in your journey. A course will show you the techniques for applying, removing and styling lash extensions, as well as provide you with knowledge about natural lashes, products to use, and how to perform treatments safely.

There are a range of courses and course providers available, but not all are the same, nor do they provide the same level of qualification. In order to ensure you are performing treatments safely and legally, you’ll need to check your course is recognised by an accredited provider, such as Beauty Guild, or Associated Beauty Therapists (ABT). Doing so means you’ll be able to arrange the correct insurance to run your lashing business safely and legally once you’ve qualified.

You’ll also need to consider which type of course you’re going to start with. In most cases courses cover a specific type of lashing, such as classics, hybrids or Russians, so you’ll need to do a little bit of research on which one you want to start off with. Often new lash techs will complete go on to complete courses in multiple types of lash styles to ensure they can offer a full range of services to their clients.

Typically, courses run include between 1 and 3 days of classroom-based work, where you’ll be taught theory, techniques, and get to practice on models, followed by a period of long-distance communication where you’ll be able to send pictures of your practice lashes to your trainer, and will receive feedback on any corrections or improvements. Once your course trainer is happy that you are at a high enough standard of practical, and have passed the theory, you’ll be issued with your qualification.

Some courses may also cover additional, and very helpful, topics which can provide important details to help you get started. This may include information on how to setup your lash room, which equipment you’ll need to purchase, which products you’ll need to stock and more.

It’s a good idea to do your research on the different courses available before choosing one to make sure you’re getting the most out of it.

At Kliko we offer a range of courses, from beginner courses for those starting out, to expert courses on perfecting techniques, as well as how to manage and run your business successfully. Check out our range of courses here.

Requiring a deposit to book in an appointment has both pros and cons, so it’s worth weighing up the positives and negatives before choosing whether to.

Taking a deposit generally increases the reliability of clients attending their appointments, as they know they must attend in order to not lose their deposit. Increasing the number of attended appointments will reduce time wasted, in turn increasing revenue, and ultimately helping you run your business successfully.

There are however a few other factors to consider.

Taking deposits means you’ll need to have a clear policy drawn up and outlined in your terms and conditions outlining what happens to the deposit funds in every eventuality, such as the client not attending their appointments. Even with this in place, you can still be left open to complaints in some scenarios, even if your terms on the matter are clear.

Requiring deposits may discourage some clients from booking in with you, and naturally they may be hesitant to pay for, or towards, a service that they have not yet received. This could then reduce the number of appointments you receive, resulting in a loss in potential revenue.

If taking deposits, you’ll need to ensure you have a reliable Client Relationship Management system in place that allows you to monitor deposit payments and keep records of all transactions. Without this it’s easy to get confused with who has and hasn’t paid, or which appointments each deposit payment is for.

In summary, taking deposits is the choice of the lash technician, or person in control of the business operations and finances, but it’s worth considering all factors before choosing.

At Kliko we believe it’s fair for lash technicians to request reasonable deposits when scheduling an appointment, as we also feel it’s only fair for clients to stick with their appointments once scheduled, making it work for everyone. If lash techs do require a deposit, we would strongly recommend they have detailed policies in place, as well as a secure, backed up and reliable management system for monitoring and storing records of all finance transactions.

If your clients lash fans are falling out it’s important to find the cause, as there may be something that needs changing. Here’s how we suggest to best determine the cause, and what to do:

If the natural eyelash is still attached to the fan when it’s fallen out, it’s likely to be as a result of one or more of the following reasons:

• Your client’s eyelash has naturally shed

  This is perfectly normal, and part of the body’s way of sustaining healthy eyelashes. Your natural eyelashes go through three phases in their lifecycle before shedding, which makes space for new lashes to grow, so this is nothing to worry about, and requires no action.

• You client’s natural eyelash has come out prematurely

  Premature shedding generally happens when eyelashes aren’t looked after as well as they should be. This can be as a result of factors such as improper eyelash care, poor lash hygiene or damage to lashes, such as being picked, or physically damaged. It can be difficult to assess exactly what is causing the premature shedding, so in this eventuality it’s important to educate your client on the possible causes, and provide them with the proper advice on maintaining and protecting their lashes.

• Eyelash extensions are too heavy

  Whilst individual eyelash extensions are so tiny, they can almost seem weightless, they do add weight to the natural eyelash, especially when grouped together. It is essential not to exceed the maximum number of individual lash extensions that are suitable for a natural lash, otherwise this can result in too much stress and strain on the natural lash, and lead to premature shedding.

  You can find out how to calculate the suitable amount of lash extensions to use with our helpful volume & weight calculator here. If you discover too much weight has been added to your clients’ natural lashes, you should recommend removing the set completely, and re-doing the set using the appropriate number and volume of lashes to ensure no excessive stress is put on the natural lash.

• Allergies

  Eyelash extensions can cause a reaction in some clients, ranging from mild to severe. The reactions tend to be caused by ingredients in the products being used, for example, lash adhesives often contain cyanoacrylate, a bonding compound that has been known to cause allergic reactions in some. This can result in premature lash shedding, and if it’s determined as the cause, actions should be taken straight away to prevent the issues worsening. Find out more about what to do in the event of an allergic reaction here.

If your client advises you, or sends you an image, of a fan that is not attached to a natural lash, it means the lash fan has not bonded to the natural lash properly. This can be due to a number of reasons, such as:

• Unsuitable adhesive

  When choosing an eyelash adhesive, it’s important to select one that is of high quality, and matches your speed as a lash technician. Eyelash adhesives come in a variety of setting times, such as our Phoenix adhesive which dries in 0.5 – 1s, compared to our Cloud 9 adhesive which dries in 2 - 3s. If you select a adhesive that dries too fast for your technique, it can start to set before you have placed the lash extensions onto the natural lash, causing it not to bond properly.

• Lashing environment

  Lash adhesives are designed to work at different temperatures and humidity ranges, so it’s important to select an adhesive that works in the environment you’re in. It’s wise to keep a thermometer, and hygrometer where you work so you can monitor both levels. You may find that you need to change adhesives at various times of the year to ensure you’re always using a compatible one for your environment.

• Insufficient preparation

  Eyelashes do become dirty, even if they don’t appear to be. Your body produces natural oils, and sweat, which can stick to natural lashes. It’s therefore essential to carefully prepare lashes prior to commencing with a full set or infill to ensure a high-quality bond and long lasting retention. Products such as our Eyelash Shampoo and Black Pearl Primer will help prepare your clients lashes.

Stock management can be a tricky skill to master when running any small business, but ensuring you have enough stock at any one time, whilst not over-ordering to ensure good cash flow is essential to be able to run your business smoothly and successfully. We’ve put together some tips specifically tailored for lash technicians on how to help with stock management.

• Map out your appointments in advance, for at least 4 weeks

  Create a clear schedule of your upcoming appointments for at least 4 weeks in advance. For each appointment make a note of which products you’ll be using, as well as any additional, or less frequently used products that you’ll need, such sensitive adhesive or different colour lash trays. This will help you forecast how much stock you’ll need to see you through for the upcoming month. You should aim to revisit this frequently, adding in appointments as they are booked.

• Keep a log of your current stock

  Keeping a list of your current stock levels is a great way to be able to clearly and quickly see which products you have available at short notice, and which ones you are running low on. It’s much easier to quickly look at a list than counting every product each time you need to know. It’s essential to keep this up to date and accurate, and will be easiest to be kept electronically, such as on a spreadsheet, list app or even in your phone’s notes.

  It's also recommended to record which products you used in which appointments. This information can be useful for helping you forecast future stock orders, but also serves as a clear record in the event your client needs to know what you used, such as experiencing retention issues, or developing a reaction.

• Make a note of when each bottle has been opened

  On either each bottle, or on your stock log, (or both!) it’s a good idea to note down the date in which each product was opened. Some products only work best for a specific timeframe once they’ve been opened, so you’ll need to ensure you know when each product was opened, and when to discard it. To help stay on top of expiration dates you can set a reminder for when your product needs discarding so you never forget.

• Set yourself reminders of when to reorder

  There’s nothing worse than leaving your stock ordering to the last minute and not knowing whether it will arrive in time for your appointments, so setting a reminder periodically for re-ordering stock is a great way to stay on top of your stock ordering and management. If you’re not sure when you’ll need to re-order, it’s a good idea to set yourself a weekly reminder to check your current levels so you can easily see when you’ll need more.

• Keep a backlog of commonly used items at any one time

  We’d always recommend keeping a few quantities of each commonly used product in stock at any one time, as this will help you manage things when supplier stock levels become an issue, or for last-minute appointments.

  For example, if a popular lash extension amongst your clients is 0.03mm D lashes, it’s a good idea to stock a few boxes of each common length at any one time, as well as a few mixed trays to ensure you always have enough for every eventuality.

• Have a backup plan in case your usual supplier runs out of stock

  We’ve all seen that dreaded “Out of stock” message from our favourite suppliers at one time or another, so it’s necessary to have a back-up plan in place if you can’t obtain stock from your usual supplier. Back up plans can include trialling different prodicyst from different suppliers to find other products that also work well for you, so that in a worst-case scenario of not being able to use your favourites, you have a back-up plan and can still run your business as usual.

• Pay special attention near holiday periods, bank holidays, or times where demand is likely to be higher

  During holiday periods such as Christmas, or big events like black Friday, supplier stocks can run out quicker than usual, so it’s key to be aware of any upcoming reasons as to why supplier stocks may be lower than usual . This way you can make sure you always have enough stock to get you through the times your usual suppliers are temporarily unavailable.

First and foremost, if your client asks you for a refund, you need to ask them for a clear understanding of their reasoning behind the request. You should ask for this in writing. This will help you understand their concerns and why they feel they have not received the service they expected.

Upon receipt of their reasoning, you should check through, in detail, your refund policy (if you have one). This can aid with confirming clearly to both you and your client whether they are entitled to a full, partial or no refund.

You’ll need to make sure your refund policy, and your decisions, follow the legalities around the processing of refunds for services. The law that deals with the consumer rights in these types of situations is The Consumer Rights Act 2015.

The law requires you to use reasonable care and skill when you provide a service, otherwise the consumer may ask you to perform the service again, or ask you to provide a discount on the services, even if they have already been paid for. The discount can be anything, up to 100% of the total service cost.

If you are confident you used reasonable care and skill whilst performing a treatment, you are not obliged to give a refund just because your client has asked. It can be courteous to offer a second visit at either a discounted rate, or free of charge, to remedy their concerns, however this is at the discretion of the business.

If you cannot reach an agreement with your client, they may be able to take additional steps, such as an ‘alternative dispute resolution’. This is a way of solving disagreements without going to court.

To help protect yourself and your business, it’s a good idea to take and store photos of your completed work after each appointment so that you can refer back to them if ever needed, such as during a dispute over refunds.

It’s also recommended to keep a log of any communication, as well as your own notes, about any complaints, concerns or refund requests, so that you can refer back to them and refresh your memory at any time. This can be exceptionally useful in the future, as although it’s uncommon, The Consumer Rights Act 2015 states that customers are entitled to ask for things to be put right for up to 6 years following the service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and up to 5 years in Scotland.

Not receiving payment for services as agreed can be detrimental to the running of a small business, not to mention extremely unfair and frustrating. Sadly, however, it’s not terribly uncommon. The good news is there are steps you can take towards protecting yourself and recovering money you are owed.

Not receiving payment typically falls into two key categories:

1. The client withholds payment due to a dispute over the services received.
2. The client does not pay, but without providing a reason (including losing all communication).

If the client withholds payment due to a dispute over the services received, you should first try and resolve their dispute and come to an agreement. You can find out more details about this in our Q&A answer “My client has asked for a refund – what should I do?”. If you are unable to reach an agreement, continue below:

If you unable to reach an agreement, or have not received any communication from your client, you should follow the ‘pre-action protocols’ from the Ministry of Justice’s (MOJ) Practice Direction for ‘pre-action conduct’. This involves trying settle the issue with your client, also now referred to as defendant, without going to court. Here’s how:

1. You should inform the defendant of the debt (the money they owe you), in writing. This can be served via an electronic means, such as e-mail, or physical means such as a written letter. Whichever method you use, you should retain copies of all correspondence, including records of dates and your own notes.

   The letter should contain as much detail as possible, including:

   • The date the defended agreed to the services.
   • The means they used to agree to the services, such as e-mail, text, verbally etc.
   • The details of the services/contract. A contract does not have to be written. For example, a verbal agreement for which services are to be performed in exchange for what monetary amount still serves as a valid contract.
   • Confirmation of the date, time and location the services were performed
   • The amount of money already received, if applicable
   • The amount of money they still now.
   • How they can pay
   • By what date monies should be received.
   • What happens if they don’t respond

   You should also confirm in writing that the services were performed reasonable care and skill, as that is what is required by the The Consumer Rights Act 2015.

2. If you receive correspondence in return, ensure to continue keeping records of everything, and again try to work to a resolution. If this is still not possible you should proceed to checking whether you are eligible to submit a Money Claim Online (MCOL).

   MCOL is an alternative way to make a small claim instead of having to issue a civil claim through the County Court system.

   There is still a fee to submit an MCOL (see court fees here), however you may be able to claim the fees back if you win the case.

   By following the MCOL process you serve the best possibility of recovering monies owed to you. You have up to six years to make a claim.

Carrying out a patch test is a pivotal step towards ensuring your clients safety, and should always be carried out at least 48 hours prior to any full treatments. It’s an important process towards helping you check whether your client suffers any irritation to the products you’ll be using, or develops an allergic reaction.

To perform a patch test you should book in your client and first as them to complete a consultation form. (Find our free consultation template here). This form will include details about their medical history, as well as details of any previous reactions, and will determine whether you are safe to proceed with the patch test.

Upon completion of the consultation form, you may then begin prepping a few lashes on each eye in the same way you would in a normal lash treatment. We’d recommend choosing a few lashes, but no more than 8-10 per eye. It’s a good idea to choose lashes from the same position on each eye to ensure symmetry.

Once you applied any pre-treatment products that you would in a usual set, you should apply a few lash extensions to the same few lashes you applied pre-treatment on. The most common ingredient to cause irritation or allergic reactions is cyanoacrylate, which is a component of many lash glues. It’s used for its strong bonding properties, but can cause irritation or reactions in some.

After you have applied a few lash extensions to each eye, you finish by applying any post-treatment products, such as superbonder.

You should then advise your client to take note of any itching, soreness, redness, irritability or signs of a reaction over the next 48 hours, and advise them on what to do accordingly if they experience any of those symptoms.

If your client has no adverse reactions after a 48-hour period, you may proceed with a full treatment.

You should always check with your insurance provider as to how often you are required to carry out patch tests.

Typically, patch tests are carried out on every new lash client at least 48 hours prior to their first full treatment. It’s then also generally recommended to carry out an additional patch test if you change any of the products you are using on your clients, as reactions and irritability can occur on a per product basis.

We’d always recommend checking with your insurance provider about all details relating to patch tests to ensure you are completing them properly, as frequently as is necessary to satisfy your insurance terms.

As a lash technician there are some insurance policies you’ll need to operate as a legal business in the UK, as well as other optional policies for added protection.

Employers Liability (EL) insurance is a policy that covers your business in the event that one of your staff members claims they’ve suffered an illness or injury as a result of working for you. It is a legal requirement if you employ any members of staff, no matter what entity it is under (Limited company, sole trader etc.).

If you don’t have EL, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can fine you £2,500 for every day you go unprotected.

Public Liability (PL) insurance is a policy that covers you for claims made against you by members of the public. For example, if you or one of your team accidentally causes injury or property damage to a member of the public, your business could face large legal fees and compensation costs. This is where PL is so important, covering the costs and keeping your business up and running.

Product Liability insurance covers compensation claims arising as a result of defects in any products you have sold or supplied. If you sell, or supply products such as lash shampoos, cleansers or other products, you should carefully consider this type of insurance.

Some insurance providers may group certain policies together, designed specifically for lash technicians, working both independently, or as an employer, to provide one overall policy to meet all your needs, so it’s worth seeking advice from a specialist before commencing with any type of insurance.

Keeping track of your finances can seem like a daunting prospect at first, but having a clear tracking method that’s regularly updated will help make the process easy, and will enable you to create forecasts quickly and accurately, as well as manage your tax.

There are several different methods and systems you could use to track your finances, including both digitally, and manually. We’ll run over some basic tips in this answer, but for a more in-depth explanation check our lash techs finance guide here.

1. Choose an easily accessible method for keeping records

   It’s important to keep your records up to date as you go, so choosing a method that is easily accessible is key. This could be on an app, spreadsheet on your smartphone, or even a physical records book.

   Keep a log of all income

   Each time you receive money, make a note. Include the key details, such as:

   • Dates
   • Brief description of the income
   • Client/Business name
   • Payment method
2. Keep a log of all expenditure.

   As with income, you should also keep records of any expenditure. You should include all the key details, as well as proof of expenditure. This is important as retaining proof of expenditure, such as invoices or receipts, is a requirement when calculating and submitting your tax affairs. Other key details include:

   • Dates
   • Brief description of expenses
   • Supplier name
   • Payment method
   • Proof of purchase
3. List out your projected expenditure

   If you have upcoming bills, such as rent, utilities or advertisement costs, you should keep a list of the main details so you can easily budget for them.

4. Keep a log of any money you are owed, or that you owe, including:

   If you allow clients to make payments either in advance, such as taking deposits, or late, you must keep records of all the important particulars. This includes:

   • Who owes you / who you owe
   • The amount owed
   • The reason why it’s owed
   • What date payment should be made by

   It’s a good idea to keep any funds that are taken, but not yet confirmed, such as deposits, separate from your other finances. This will ensure you don’t include money that should not yet be counted as part of your cash flow.

5. Regularly review your finances

   It’s a good idea to regularly review your finances to make sure you’re always up to date and prevent any unexpected financial issues. You should also review your financials against the financial and tax laws in your region to make sure you are abiding by all applicable laws. For example, as of Summer 2024, if your taxable annual turnover has, or will exceed £90,000, you are legally required to register for, and charge VAT.

6. Get them checked

   Appointing a third party, such as a trusted professional or accountant to review your finances will help minimise the risk of making any errors, and will help ensure your records are accurate. It’s often not easy to spot a mistake in your own workings out, so having a knowledgeable 3rd party in the field to review everything is a wise idea.

Whilst you theoretically could appoint an accountant to look after all the financial aspects of your business, we would always recommend being pro-active towards understanding your own finances. It’s an important part of business success, and doing so will help make the right decisions for the future.

When it comes to running a business there are several types of entity to choose from. Here are some basic details about some popular choices:

1. Sole trader

   Being a sole trader means being a self-employed individual who owns and runs their own business. As a sole trader you and the business are considered as the same, not as separate entities. This provides some advantages, such as:

   • Low setup costs
     There are no fees to pay to companies’ house when becoming a sole trader. You must register for Self-Assessment by the deadline (currently 5th October 2024 for tax year 23/24) although there is no cost associated to do this.
   • Simplified accounting
     As a sole trader you can use a single bank account for both your personal and business affairs, saving both time and fees associated with setting up a separate business bank account.
   • Fewer obligations
     There’s no need to file a confirmation statement, and a host of Companies House forms that limited companies may need to file are irrelevant to sole traders.
   • Profits
     As a sole trader you retain all the profits from the business, rather than having to share them with other shareholders, or leave profits in the business. Many sole traders choose not to employ anyone, which can keep costs low and maximise profits available to them.
   • Privacy
     While anyone can inspect a limited company’s published accounts, a sole trader’s financial information is kept private. That may mean that competitors have less information from which to see how you’re faring and identify the secrets of your success.
     
     
     There are however some aspects to be aware of as a sole trader:
     
     
   • Liability
     As sole traders are not considered a separate legal entity, there is no separation between liability between the company and personally. This is an important factor to consider, as it means any debts to the business will also become personal debts. The liability is also unlimited, so you could lose your home as well as potentially facing bankruptcy if the business is unable to repay its debts.
   • Work life balance
     For Sole Traders that do not employ anyone, all work falls onto them only which can make it difficult to take time away from the business. Often Sole Traders feel they came become personally responsible for ensuring their clients satisfaction, which can easily engulf them leaving little time for family or social life.
2. Limited Company

   Setting up a limited company means creating a separate legal entity, distinct from you as its owner (or shareholder). This distinction is important as it means the owners personal liability is limited to the amount they have invested in the business and differs from being a Sole Trader. Here are some advantages of setting up a limited company for your business:

   • Limited Liability
     In a limited company, your personal liability is 'limited' to the amount you have invested in the business. This means if the company takes out credit, or a loan, and fails to meet its financial obligations, the owners’ personal assets, such as car or eve house are protected.
   • Tax efficiency
     The structure of Limited Companies can often be more efficient than that of Sole Traders. For instance, limited companies pay corporation tax on their profits, which is generally much lower than personal tax rates that sole traders would pay. Directors of a limited company can also choose to take a small salary topped up by dividends which are taxed at a lower rate than income tax.
     
     
     There are also other factors to consider when setting up a limited company:
     
     
   • Complex setup and administration
     There is more paperwork to file, administrative duties to complete and fees to pay with setting up and running a limited company compared to a sole trader.
   • Additional responsibilities
     Directors of limited companies have legal responsibilities to ensure the company is run lawfully. Failure to meet these obligations can result in penalties or disqualification as a director.
   • Lack of privacy
     Limited companies accounts are made accessible through the publicly available site Companies House, meaning financial performance is visible to competitors and the wider public.

We find that most solo lash technicians prefer to run their businesses as sole traders over limited companies, as they find the administrative duties much simpler, and don’t typically have a need for funding, especially if they are not employing anyone else. On the other hand, technicians that aspire to open their own salon and take on employees often tend to choose a limited company structure. This provides an additional layer of protection for them, as well as helps with their tax efficiency which provides more of a benefit than what they would gain as sole traders.

It is however up to each business owner to choose what path they take, as circumstances can all be different, so it’s worth taking the time to properly evaluate all options before settling on one.

Lash techs all have slightly unique styles of applying lashes, and will often use different products which can contribute towards how long completing a full treatment takes them. Other factors can also make a difference, such as whether they chat to their clients throughout the appointment, how quickly they begin once the appointment has started, as well as the condition of the clients’ lashes prior to starting.

All in all there is no set time it should take for a treatment, and whilst we’d never recommend comparing one lash tech’s time against another, we’ve have included some typical appointment duration estimates below.

The most important factor when completing a lash treatment is to ensure you take as much time as you need in order to perfect the set. Over time you will naturally get quicker, but it’s not a race and you should always allow enough time to ensure high quality work.

When running your own business as a lash technician, you have the ability to set your own pricing models , however there are many factors to consider when you do so. Here’s a few pointers to help guide you to the right pricing strategy.

One of the most important factors for many lash clients when choosing a lash technician is how much experience the lash technician has. Naturally, clients typically feel more confident, and at ease when they are in the hands of a technician who has lots of experience, and a solid reputation. As a result, clients will be willing to pay higher prices for experienced lash technicians, compared to those with little, or no, experience.

Having a niche area of expertise can increase the level of demand for your services, and as result will enable you to charge higher prices for the services you are an expert in.

Some locations, often of higher population density such as major cities, are not only likely to have a higher demand, but also typically have higher costs associated with running a business, meaning that lash technicians will need to charge higher prices than those in rural areas in order to sustain their business. For example, lash prices in London are known to be significantly higher than in smaller cities around the UK.

The type of lash space you operate from, such as from home, a public salon or private beauty room, will have an impact on your business costs and typically have an influence on your pricing. Renting a room in a private salon will usually be more expensive than a public salon, or working from home, and may gain you more exposure, so treatments that take place in private salon rooms are usually expected to cost clients more than someone who works from home. Clients often don’t mind paying higher prices for salon-based services, as the experience is generally more desirable and professional.

Lash techs all work at different speeds, which often changes with practice and experience, but increasing the speed of your treatments, whether intentionally or otherwise, may enable you to adapt your prices. This can actually go one of two ways, so it depends on which option works best for your business.

Some clients may prefer to have their treatments completed quicker, and may be willing to pay a premium for it. On the other hand, increasing your speed will also enable you to fit in more appointments each week, so if you need to increase your demand to fill the extra appointments, it may work in your favour to reduce your pricing slightly to increase your appeal, and generate more revenue overall.

The level of competition in the area you work in will be a significant influence over your pricing. You’ll need to ensure your prices are high enough that you’ll cover all your business costs, including wages, but you’ll also need to be in-line with your competitor prices, otherwise you may find you lose potential clients to your competitors.

In addition to the above, you’ll also likely need to consider: the type of products you are using and their costs (basic or premium), the type of experience you offer (such as simple or luxurious), flexibility with appointments (some lash techs may charge an extra premium for out of usual hours services), and external fluctuations such as holiday periods where demand may be greater.

As explained above there are many factors when it comes to choosing the right pricing, and it may be that you need to experiment with price changes in the beginning to find the right pricing that works for your business. Ultimately, you’ll need to find the perfect (equilibrium) point between supply and demand, where your prices are low enough to you have sufficient demand to fill your diary, but also high enough to enable you to run your business profitably.

Whilst the above provides a great explanation of factors to consider when setting your pricing, we also understand many aspiring, or new lash techs would like to see some numbers too, so we’ve put together our estimates of what we have found to be the average pricing for various services and areas, as follows:

We of course recommend every lash tech to complete their own research before setting their pricing.

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services can be a cheap way to borrow, but it's important to remember it’s still a debt.

BNPL services, such as ClearPay and Klarna, offer a way for customers to make a purchase without having to commit to the full payment upfront. They provide you with payment options, such as Klarna’s ‘Pay in 3’ where customers pay for their goods over 3 months. Most BNPL services such including Klarna and ClearPay are interest free, meaning you won’t pay any extra for using their service (as long as you pay on time). It does not however save you money, you are still paying the same, just spreading the payments over a longer period.

If you don’t make your payments on time, you may be subject to fees and further repercussions. Always check the full T&Cs of the provider before committing.

BNPL services can be a good way to manage cash flow, as long as they are used responsibly. For example, if you need to purchase stock, such as lashes and glues, but do not want to pay the amount in full immediately, BNPL offer you the option of paying over a longer period to help you manage your cash flow. This is a popular choice by many lash techs, but you must always ensure doing so will not put you in any financial difficulty.

For the full details of Klarna and ClearPay, visit their websites, listed below:

Symptoms, onset times and severity of allergic reactions can differ from one client to another, however the following symptoms typically indicate a form of allergic reaction:

• Redness in the eyes or around the eyelids
• Itchiness in the eyes or around the eyelids
• Swelling
• Tearing
• Irritation in the eyes or around the eyelids
• Watery eyes
• Headaches
• Stinging eyes

What should I do if my client has an allergic reaction to eyelash extensions?

In the event of a severe reaction, you should seek professional medical help immediately.

In the event of a mild reaction, your client may be able to treat their symptoms at home.

Medical News Today advises trying the following home-treatments:

• Eye drops
• Cold compresses
• Antihistamines
• Hydrocortisone cream or ointment

It is essential that your client resists the temptation to rub their eyes if they are itchy. This can cause the symptoms to worsen.

Following treatment of symptoms, you should recommend that your client schedules an appointment to have their eyelash extensions removed, as soon as possible.

You should advise your client never to try to remove their eyelash extensions themselves. Doing so can result in further damage to their natural eyelashes, eyelids and eyes.

In most cases, the allergic reaction is to ingredients in the glue and/or tape used during the treatment, rather than the lashes themselves. For example, cyanoacrylate is a polymer commonly used in lash glue for to its long-lasting adhesive properties, however this ingredient can cause allergic reactions in some, ranging from mild to severe.

Methods of preventing allergic reactions to eyelash extensions depend on what exactly caused the reaction in the first-place. If, for example, the reaction was caused by the cyanoacrylate in the glue, opting for a cyanoacrylate-free glue, such as our Cloud 9 eyelash adhesive could prevent any further reactions.

Determining the exact cause of the issue can however be extremely difficult, and there may be several components causing the allergic reaction. It is best to consult a doctor, or allergist to help you find out what causes the reaction, and determine a suitable and safe plan for trying again.

Whilst it can be frustrating for your client to pay for a set of lashes only to find out their body rejects them; we don’t think it’s fair for them to ask you for their money back if it wasn’t your fault. You must however follow your own Terms and Conditions.

Having a patch test at least 24 hours prior to your client’s main appointment is essential, however, even if your client doesn’t show signs of a reaction to the patch test it doesn’t 100% guarantee that they won’t react to a full set of lashes.

During a patch test only a very small amount of glue is applied, which may not be enough to cause a reaction, or the reaction may be so minor it goes unnoticed. When it comes to a full set of lashes much more adhesive will be required, which can be where problems start.

Allergies can also develop over time, so it may be the case that your client doesn’t react for several appointments, but then unpredictably reacts seemingly at random.

If your client has suffered a reaction to eyelash extensions, we would advise taking extreme caution with any further cosmetic treatments, especially facial treatments. Skin, particularly on your face, is sensitive and the priority should be protecting it at all costs.

If your client is absolutely determined to continue with cosmetic treatments after a reaction, they should seek advice from a medical professional or allergist before commencing.

In any case if your client has suffered any form of reaction to cosmetics in the past it is imperative that they notify you prior to scheduling any appointments, especially if they are a new client to you. You must then check your insurance as it may not be valid for the appointment if they have suffered a reaction in the past.