How Much Money Can You Make Doing Eyelash Extensions?

The number one question asked by our students is, “how much money can you make doing eyelash extensions?” My immediate response when I hear this is “ A LOT!” because, seriously, eyelash extension profits can be mind-blowing.

The eyelash extension industry is headed for impressive growth. And it doesn’t show signs of slowing down. Clearly, the market for lashes extensions is present. Are you ready to meet that demand?

A great lash course will teach you the skills you need to become a top tier lash technician. But what about becoming a money-making lasher with a booming business? The Lash Professional is here to share how to do just that. Let’s get this coin.

Running a profitable eyelash extension business is not all sassy lash puns and cute transformation shots for Instagram. It takes careful planning and knowledge of three key principles.

In business, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what the numbers will be since there are so many variables. But there are general guidelines for determining prospective profit.

Here is our ultimate equation to determine how much money you can make doing eyelash extensions.

To kick things off, let’s look at an obvious factor influencing profit—the price of lash extension services. A typical lash technician salary will vary based on the price she charges for each full set and fills. The amount you can charge depends on skill level, location and how well known your studio is (is there a waitlist to get an appointment? Raise prices!).

Say you charge $130 for a full set of classic lashes and $65 for a classic fill (these are prices that fall within the average range). You can then calculate your earnings as a lash technician charging these prices.

4 full sets (2 hours each) x $130 = $520 after an 8 hour day

6 fills (1 hour each) x $65 = $390 after a six hour day

In reality, you will be doing a mix of full sets and fills each day. Let’s take the average of those two days to say that you make $455 on an average day.

$455 x 5 days a week= $2,275

$2,275 x 50 weeks (2 weeks off for vacation) = $113, 750

That means that you have the potential to make over $100k before taxes in one year of lashing. Even after you account for the cost of supplies and certifications, this is an impressive eyelash extension salary.

Of course, there are variables, but this type of calculation can help you answer the question, “how much do lash techs make?”

Beginner Lash Artist Tip: If you want to make a lot of money, you need to charge a lot of money, right?! WRONG. When you are first starting, don’t charge! You should first practice your new skill on family and friends. They can offer honest feedback and help you grow to the artist you want to become.

Once your skills are perfected and your lash speed increases, charge what you are worth. In this industry, it is normal for your prices to increase as your skills increase.

As a business-savvy lash technician, you will want to set your prices by considering the products and application time and what you have invested in learning and perfecting your technique. If you need help figuring out the process, read this article on how much to charge for eyelash extensions.

Many people ask, “how much do lash techs make?” think there is one blanket answer. The truth is, many factors affect a lash technician’s salary. One factor is location, which goes hand-in-hand with what you are charging.

Where you are located has a lot to do with what clients will pay for eyelash extensions and your overall eyelash extension profits. For instance, lash technicians in Malibu serve a clientele willing to pay more (and tip more) for lash extensions.

Another important consideration to make is the density of eyelash extension salons in your area. If there are a limited number of places offering eyelash extension services, the higher the price of services. A good way to gauge this is by researching what other artists in your area are charging. Doing so will help you find the best price for the services you are providing.

By doing competitor research, you can learn about the prices of other studios in your location and their strengths and weaknesses. For instance, diving into online reviews can show you what customers like and dislike about studios near you. Then, you can tailor your services to address these customer pain points. Standing out in your location makes you more in demand.

Just about anyone will tell you that marketing is probably the most powerful way to build a strong brand. If you want to be successful, you have to get the word out!

Kristie Lorette writes on the importance of marketing for small businesses:

“For a business to succeed, the product or service it provides must be known to potential buyers. Without marketing, your potential customers may never be aware of your business offerings, and your business may not be given the opportunity to progress and succeed.”

Short version—your business can’t grow and thrive if people don’t know you exist.

You can read the full article here. Because lash extensions are a beautiful visual addition to a face, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) offers a great channel to promote your services. But marketing should not stop there.

There are plenty of ways to attract new clients to your lash studio.

Digital marketing goes beyond posting a few hashtags. Make sure that you have a strong online presence that people can find on Google. Search engine optimization (SEO) is an important area to learn more about if you want new customers to find you online. By making specific changes to your website, you can open the door for tons of new potential customers to come across your work through search engines.

Word of mouth advertising occurs when your clients spread the word about your lash services to others. To encourage this, you can offer referral discounts to clients that connect you to new customers. If Rachel refers Jen to your studio, Rachel gets a 15% discount on her next set of lashes.

Strategic marketing is what helped grow The Lash Professional into the powerhouse it is today. If you would like to learn a little more about marketing options, you can take our Lash Training Course.

So how much money can you make doing eyelash extensions? Reports indicate that the average lash technician salary is $47,396 per year. On average, lash technicians’ hourly wages range from $20 - $25. These reports often take into account part-time lash technician salaries. As a full-time lash technician, you have the potential to make lots more.

These averages offer a starting point for an eyelash extension salary. But who says you have to be an average lash technician?

While this is the average, there are lash technicians across the country making more than this amount. As your skills grow, you can charge more and become more profitable as a lash professional. Successful lashers on the higher end of the wage scale make upwards of $73,000 each year.

These three components—price, location and marketing—should all be factored into your eyelash extension business. When you combine these elements to determine what you will be charging and how often you will be working, you can calculate how successful you can be! And girl, numbers don’t lie.

For example (assuming the cost of the product is $4 or less for each service, which is average), say I charge $150 for full sets, and average $55 fills. If I take approx. 20-25 clients a week, I have an opportunity to make upwards of $100k a year!

If this is the first step in your research, keep going! Pick up a book—or 4—and educate yourself on successful business practices because this equation is just the beginning!

What I am getting at is, it is OK to be afraid, but don’t let it stop you from starting something amazing. A comfort zone can be a beautiful place, but it is not a place for growth. Be brave and step out of it! You will be glad you did. Learn more about making bank as a lash technician in the Get Money section of our blog.