Eyelash Extension Kit and Workstation

Course: Eyelash extensions course from A to Z · Module 2 of 10

Good technique starts long before you pick up your first lash: it starts at your workstation. In this module you will go through the eyelash extension kit and workstation you need (tweezers, lashes, adhesive, primer, remover, tape and pads) and how to set up your bed, lighting, humidity control and your own posture. Here we cover what each item is for and what to look for when choosing it; the technical detail on lashes, adhesives, primers and removers comes in Module 4.

Module objectives

Know the essential kit for an extension appointment and what each item does.
Tell the main tweezer types apart and know which job each one is for.
Understand why you need a hygrometer and how to use temperature and humidity readings.
Set up a clean, organised and well-ventilated workstation.
Apply basic ergonomic principles to protect your neck, back and wrists.

The essential eyelash extension kit at a glance

Item	What it is for	What to look for
Isolation tweezers	Separating a natural lash from its neighbours	Fine tips that close precisely and don’t spring open
Placement or volume tweezers	Picking up the extension or making fans	Tip shape suited to your technique (straight, curved, angled)
Extension lashes	The product you apply	Curl, diameter and length (Module 4)
Adhesive (glue)	Bonding the extension to the natural lash	Manufacturer’s temperature and humidity range; opening date
Primer	Preparing the natural lash before adhesive	Manufacturer’s directions for use
Remover	Taking extensions off safely	Texture (gel, cream) and stated method of use
Pads and tape	Isolating the lower lashes	Non-irritating, and never touching the waterline
Micro brushes and disposable wands	Applying products and brushing through	Single use per client
Adhesive holder	Holding the glue drop	Jade stone, glue rings or a clean holder
Thermo-hygrometer	Measuring temperature and humidity at your station	Clear display, placed next to where you work

If you’re just starting out, you can find most of these in our accessories and glue and liquids sections. Over time you’ll fine-tune each tool to the way you work.

Tweezers: your main tool

You will work with two pairs at once: one in your non-dominant hand to isolate, and one in your dominant hand to pick up and place the extension. Tip shape determines what each pair is for. Product names are not standardised between brands, so look at the actual tip geometry rather than the model letter.

Common tip types

Straight: fine, straight tips that give good control and precision; used for isolating and for picking up single extensions in classic work.
Isolation: designed specifically to separate fine natural lashes and reach the lash line.
Curved: the curve at the tip makes it easier to pick up handmade or premade fans; some artists also prefer curves for isolation because the bend helps push lashes apart.
Mega volume: angled tips designed for opening wide fans.
Fibre tip (textured): the textured surface improves grip on extensions, but adhesive is harder to clean off that texture.

You’ll find a full range of professional tweezers in the shop, including fibre-tip models. What matters is not owning lots of pairs, but that the two you use close perfectly at the tip and are free of adhesive residue: dried glue on your tweezers makes the extension stick to them instead of to the lash. Cleaning and disinfecting tweezers is covered in Module 3.

Lashes, adhesive, primer and remover

These four products are covered in depth in Module 4. What you need to know now to set up your station:

Lashes: sold in trays of several strips, sorted by curl, diameter and length. Keep the tray covered when you’re not using it and only take out the strip you need.
Adhesive: lash extension adhesives are cyanoacrylate-based. A study by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (Lindström and colleagues, 2013) found that the main component of the glues analysed was ethyl cyanoacrylate. Write the opening date on the bottle and follow the storage conditions on the label.
Primer: applied to the natural lash before extensions, always according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It is not a substitute for cleansing.
Remover: always keep it within reach, both for removals and for correcting a badly placed lash. Choose one designed for professional lash extension use and follow its directions.

Bed, pillow and client comfort

Your client spends most of the appointment lying on her back with her eyes closed. Her comfort directly affects your work: if she fidgets, swallows tensely or her eyelids flutter, placing extensions becomes much harder.

Use a stable bed, height-adjustable if possible.
Support the neck well with a pillow (a U-shaped lash pillow is a popular choice) so the head doesn’t shift.
Offer a light blanket: she’ll be lying still for quite a while.
Keep the lash tray, glue holder, micro brushes and remover within reach so you never have to stretch.
Keep a mirror handy to show her the result at the end.

Lighting: see clearly without dazzling

You’re working with lashes a fraction of a millimetre thick, so poor lighting means stuck lashes and badly directed extensions. Look for a lamp that lights your working area evenly and without shadows, positioned so your own hand or head doesn’t cast a shadow over the eye. Adjust it so the light doesn’t fall uncomfortably on your client’s face.

If you need visual help (a magnifier or magnifying glasses), that’s a personal choice; what you want to avoid is having to bring your face closer to the client’s eye to see properly, which is a bad postural habit.

Temperature and humidity: why you need a hygrometer

Cyanoacrylate adhesive polymerises (hardens) by reacting with the moisture in the air and on surfaces. That’s why every manufacturer gives a temperature and humidity range within which its adhesive performs as intended. Two real examples from manufacturers’ published product pages show how different these can be:

Adhesive (example)	Recommended temperature	Stated humidity
Lady Bond (London Lash)	18–22 °C	50–65%
Advance (Lashbase)	59–95 °F (approx. 15–35 °C), optimal 66–75 °F (approx. 19–24 °C)	15–85%

Source: each manufacturer’s product page. Don’t treat either as a universal benchmark: the range that counts is the one for your adhesive.

The Canary Islands example

Climate normals from AEMET, Spain’s national weather service (1981–2010), show how different outdoor conditions can be even on a single island: average annual relative humidity is 63% in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but 73% at Tenerife North airport, where the monthly average reaches 79% in December. These are outdoor figures; inside your treatment room humidity depends on ventilation, air conditioning and the time of year. The only reliable way to know what you’re working in is to measure it.

A digital thermo-hygrometer placed next to your workstation (you’ll find one in our accessories) lets you check the reading before every appointment and choose or adjust your adhesive according to its technical sheet. Module 4 explains what happens when humidity is above or below the stated range.

Ventilation and protecting yourself

Adhesive doesn’t only affect the client. The Finnish study by Lindström and colleagues (Occupational Medicine, 2013) described two professionals who applied lash extensions for several hours a day and developed work-related rhinitis and, in one case, asthma linked to cyanoacrylate glues; the authors concluded that even small amounts of these glues can cause occupational asthma and rhinitis. It’s a report of just two cases, but it’s a good reason to:

Work in a ventilated room.
Keep the adhesive bottle closed when you’re not using it and dispense only what you need.
Avoid breathing directly over the glue drop.
Read the adhesive’s safety data sheet, where the manufacturer sets out the hazards and protective measures.

Ergonomics: look after your neck and back

Lash artists spend hours in the same position, leaning over the client’s head and making fine, repetitive hand and wrist movements. Spain’s National Institute for Safety and Health at Work (INSST) lists working postures and repetitive movements among the main risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Practical guidelines

Set the heights before you start. Adjust the bed and stool so you can work with a straight, supported back instead of hunching towards the client.
Bring the client to you, not the other way round. It’s better to have her head right at the edge of the bed than to lean over.
Rest your forearms or wrists whenever you can: you’ll gain stability and precision.
Keep arms and knees slightly bent and your feet flat on the floor.
Take breaks between clients and stretch your neck and shoulders before and after each appointment.
Keep everything within reach so you’re not constantly twisting.

Common mistakes

Working without a hygrometer and blaming the glue when the real issue is room humidity.
Using tweezers that don’t close properly at the tip or have dried adhesive on them.
Leaving the lash tray uncovered for the whole appointment.
Poor lighting, compensated for by bringing your face closer to the client’s eye.
Ignoring your own posture: neck and back pain builds up over time.
Working in an unventilated room.

Module summary

A basic station includes two pairs of tweezers (isolation and placement), lashes, adhesive, primer, remover, pads or tape, disposables and a glue holder.
Tip shape defines what a pair of tweezers is for; brand names vary.
Every adhesive has its own temperature and humidity range; a hygrometer is the only way to know your working conditions.
In the Canary Islands, outdoor humidity varies widely between areas according to AEMET data; always measure your own room.
Ventilate your space and limit exposure to adhesive fumes.
Set your heights, rest your forearms and take breaks to prevent musculoskeletal problems.

Self-assessment

Why do you work with two pairs of tweezers at once, and what does each do?

The pair in your non-dominant hand isolates the natural lash from its neighbours; the pair in your dominant hand picks up the extension (or fan) and places it.

What is the drawback of fibre-tip tweezers?

Their texture improves grip, but adhesive residue is harder to clean off that surface.

Why isn’t your town’s average humidity enough to choose your adhesive?

Because it’s an outdoor figure; humidity in your room depends on ventilation, air conditioning and the season. You need to measure it at your station with a hygrometer and compare it with the manufacturer’s range.

What practical steps follow from the Lindström study?

Work in a ventilated room, keep the adhesive bottle closed when not in use, dispense only what you need and read the product’s safety data sheet.

Name three ergonomic measures for lash artists.

Adjust bed and stool height so you work with a straight back, rest your forearms or wrists, and take breaks with neck and shoulder stretches between clients.

Sources

Note: this module is for education and information only and does not replace hands-on, in-person training with a qualified educator. Always follow each product manufacturer’s instructions.

Buy the course supplies

All the supplies for this course are available at Lash Canarias:

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