Whether your specialty is lengthy lashes, show-stopping brows, or both, here’s how to take the first steps

Suppose you’re wondering how to start your own lash and brow business. It’s no secret that starting a self-care business is challenging. For proprietors joining the rapidly growing lash and brow marketplace, there are additional hurdles to clear before opening those doors to the public:

• Finding a perfectly descriptive name

• Creating a business plan

• Sourcing equipment

• Complying with varying state requirements

To rise above the competition, you’ll need to understand all the basics of the lash and brow market. In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to go from “initial idea” to “grand opening.”

What Should You Name Your Lash and Brow Business?

Getting your business name right is a critical first step in the “how to start your own lash business” process. You want something that’s:

• Creative enough to stand out

• Catchy enough to be memorable

• Lets potential clients know what to expect when they walk through your doors

It’s a tough balance to strike, but these guidelines will help you narrow down your list until you’ve picked a winner.

1. Be Specific

Some of the top lash businesses in Los Angeles have names like Blink Bar, Beverly Hills Lashes, and Star Lash Beauty Bar. What do they have in common? They:

• Immediately convey the salon’s unique value proposition

• Blend creativity and specificity to create a memorable name

• Tell clients exactly what you have to offer when they see the name in search results

2. Set Yourself Apart

Before you file any paperwork, you should: 

• Do extensive market research on other lash and brow business names in your immediate area

• Make a list of your competitors and look for overused words or phrases…

• … But don’t go overboard trying to be different, since clients should still know what you do at a glance

Having a distinguishable business name is the first step towards building your brand identity. Try to strike the right balance between being unique and being recognizable.

3. Express Your Brand Identity

Speaking of brand identity, do you know yours? Do you want your shop to be:

• Funky and colorful? 

• High-end, with glass-and-chrome fixtures? 

• Bold and humorous?

• Sophisticated and subtle?

Knowing your brand inside out will make it easier to express that identity in a name. There’s no right answer to this question, but once you’ve chosen a brand identity, it’s important to convey that in your name.

For more tips on landing the perfect lash and brow business name, read the full article — Brow & Lash Business Names: How to Catch Your Clients’ Attention.

What Are the Requirements to Start a Lash Business?

The next few sections will focus on how to start a lash business. Let’s start with the legal requirements.

As a place where the health and wellness industry is growing rapidly, California has the most comprehensive eyelash extension requirements and guidelines in the country, with many other states following its lead. This makes the Golden State an ideal example for establishing a baseline understanding of the various rules and regulations that business owners breaking into the extension market must know.

First up, you’ll need to know licensing requirements before hiring a team to perform lash services. California law dictates that:

• Only cosmetologists or estheticians with licenses from the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology can apply eyelash extensions

• Those interested in practicing lash extension services must either attend a board-approved school or complete an apprenticeship program

• Aspiring lash techs need to complete their required hours of service before being allowed to take the state licensing exam

• Cosmetologists need 1,000 hours of service; estheticians need 600 hours of service

If you’re not planning on applying eyelash extensions personally, you won’t need a license to open your business (though that could affect your credibility). However, any cosmetologists or estheticians you hire will need to have their licenses prominently displayed at their workstations.

Once you’ve hired your team, you’ll need to:

• Comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Maintain an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan

• Provide Workers’ Compensation Insurance coverage

That’s only the first step in ensuring adequate insurance coverage; you’ll also need:

• Public liability insurance to protect your business

• Product liability insurance to cover any retail items

• Employers’ liability insurance to protect your team and yourself in a worst-case scenario

Finally, you’ll have to understand sanitation requirements, though those are more straightforward than some of the other regulations that self-care business owners face:

• Clean, unused, or disinfected tools must be stored in carefully labeled closed containers, cabinets, or drawers

• The same rules apply to liquids, creams, waxes, gels, and other cosmetic preparation tools

• Powders can be kept in shakers. 

• Disinfectant containers must be large enough to fully submerge any tools that require this process

• Replace your disinfectant based on the manufacturer’s guidelines, or sooner if it becomes visibly cloudy

If this feels like a lot to keep track of, the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology offers a convenient checklist for self-inspections. Keep this form on hand; when your answers match the state requirements, you’re ready for what’s next.

For a list of individual state requirements, see Eyelash Extension State Requirements: What You Need to Know for Your Business.

What Equipment Do You Need to Start a Lash Business?

This step in how to start your own lash business actually goes hand-in-hand with regulation compliance, as you’ll be gathering needed supplies while making sure any equipment you purchase meets state requirements. For lash technicians, these are your must-have tools:

1 Lash Trays

All lashes are not created equal. Some clients will want full-strip lashes for an ultra-glam look, while others might seek out fillers for a more subtle effect. You’ll want to stock a variety of lash trays with some of the most popular varieties, including:

• B Curl

• C Curl

• CC Curl

• D Curl

• J Curl

For smaller businesses or those just opening their doors, having four or five mixed trays on hand is a good place to start, but expect that number to grow along with your clientele and budget.

2. Adhesives

Because eyes are so sensitive, you’ll want to be especially thoughtful when it comes to purchasing the adhesive that bonds lashes to eyelids:

• Avoid adhesives containing latex in order to prevent potential allergic reactions in clients

• Take drying speed into consideration when you block out appointment slots 

• For newer techs, a slower-drying adhesive might be more appropriate as you develop your skills in a practical environment.

3. Application Tools

Any experienced lash tech can tell you there’s more to the process than lashes and adhesive. You’ll also need to stock tools like:

• Lash primer

• Tweezers

• Extension tape

• Eye pads

• Micro brushes

• Bladeless fans

4. Lash Lifters

Not everyone coming in for eyelash services will want falsies, so make sure you also have products on hand to enhance natural eyelashes as well. This includes:

• Lash lift rods

• Curling products in a variety of sizes

• Eyelash separator tools

5. Cleaning Supplies

Remember those sanitation requirements we mentioned? To meet them, you’ll need medical-grade supplies such as Barbicide for sanitizing all non-disposable tools.

6. Software

You’ll need a good piece of software to help manage your lash or brow business. The right program can help you keep track of:

• Appointments

• Staff scheduling

• Payroll

• Marketing initiatives

• Client profiles

For example, Boulevard’s platform handles scheduling by allowing clients to self-book while optimizing appointment times, as well as storing client details and sending out automated reminders when appointments are coming up.

Learn more about how to properly stock your lash business in our full blog post — Lash Tech Equipment: The Essential Checklist Your  Business Needs.

How Much Revenue Can Your Lash Business Make?

Salons that specialize in lash treatments can be lucrative businesses, but it takes time (and money) to build a reputation and clientele that deliver steady profits all year long. Your initial cash investment might cover:

• Obtaining a space

• Purchasing equipment

• Onboarding staff

After that, you might find yourself short on available funds until that revenue starts rolling in.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to optimize your earnings right off the bat. Begin with a thorough analysis of your prices — are they in line with other salons in the area?

• If your prices are too high, clients might be wary about spending extra on an unproven business

• If your prices are too low, you may draw in more clients but make it challenging to meet your business goals

• Find a sweet spot in-between

• Be sure to revisit your prices occasionally and study the market at regular intervals

To spread the word about the hottest new lash salon in town, you’ll need a marketing plan that stays within your budget — easier said than done. Focus on organic strategies like:

• Building a social media presence

• Setting up Facebook and Google business pages

• Using email marketing to drive new business with regular blasts

• Advertising company news and special offers

The right online booking software can help you automate a lot of these tasks.

Finally, make sure your employees are well-trained in:

• Upselling

• Cross-selling

• Retail add-ons

Consider every appointment an opportunity to further serve your client with add-on services like extra-voluminous lashes or retail products such as eye masks. Your approach shouldn’t be too aggressive; instead, have your team tailor their pitches to the client, offering additional services that truly suit their needs and style.

Want to know more? Read the full blog — How Much Revenue Can Your Eyelash Extension Business Make?

How Do You Make a Brow Business Plan?

Eyelashes are lovely, but maybe a perfectly shaped brow is more your speed. If you’re wondering how to start a brow business, many of your early steps will be similar to those listed above. You’ll want to:

• Know your local regulations

• Choose the right equipment

• Find ways to maximize revenue through smart pricing and add-ons

No matter what services you’re offering, however, you’ll need a business plan — particularly if you’re planning on appealing to investors for early funding.

If that sounds intimidating, think of a business plan more as a roadmap to success. Along that road, these are the first steps you’ll want to take:

1. Executive Summary

What’s your vision? Use the executive summary to:

• Tell your story in a few paragraphs

• Describe the services you’ll offer

• Identify your target clientele

• Declare your mission statement

2. Market Research

Once you’ve determined that target clientele, it’s time to dig deeper. You’ll need to know their demographics, including:

• Age range

• Income levels

• Style preferences

The last point is especially important. Are you catering to trendsetters or those who prefer a more traditional look?

3. Competition Analysis

As mentioned above, studying the competition and analyzing the current lash and brow landscape will inform everything from your name to your pricing strategy. Outline your findings in this part of your business plan…

4. Market Differentiator

…and then express how you’re going to set yourself apart from the pack. What makes your business special? That’s your market differentiator.

For more tips on building a brow business plan, see How to Edge Out the Competition With Your Brow Business Plan.

There’s lots to consider before starting your own lash or brow business, but with careful preparation and a little help from modern technology, you’ll be opening your doors before you know it and welcoming clients for many years to come.