Top 5 Mistakes Every New Lash Artist Makes (and How to Avoid Them)

Starting your career as a lash artist is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Like any new skill, mistakes are part of the learning curve—but some errors can hurt your confidence, frustrate clients, and hold back your growth.

The good news? With the right knowledge and practice, you can avoid these beginner pitfalls and fast-track your success as a lash artist.

Here are the top 5 mistakes new lash artists make—and how you can avoid them.

1. Poor Isolation

The Mistake:
Isolation is one of the most important skills in lash artistry, yet it’s also one of the hardest for beginners. Without proper isolation, natural lashes can stick together, creating clumps, discomfort, and premature lash loss.

The Fix:

• Invest in high-quality isolation tweezers with a good grip.

• Practice daily—even without adhesive—by isolating lashes on a mannequin head or strip lashes.

• Use tape-back methods to separate lash layers and make isolation easier.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t rush! Perfect isolation takes time, but it’s the foundation of a clean, professional lash set.

2. Using the Wrong Adhesive

The Mistake:
Not all lash glues are the same. Beginners often grab adhesives with dry times that don’t match their speed, or they use products unsuited for their room’s humidity and temperature. The result? Poor retention and frustrated clients.

The Fix:

• Choose an adhesive that matches your current skill level and speed (a slower dry time for beginners).

• Always monitor your lash room conditions with a hygrometer.

• Stock at least one additional adhesive in your inventory in case you accidentally glue yours shut 1/2 way through the service.  

💡 Pro Tip: As you improve your speed, switch to a faster-drying adhesive to keep up with your application pace.

3. Not Using Lash Adhesive Correctly

The Mistake:
Even when beginners choose the right glue, they sometimes don’t use it properly. Using too much adhesive can cause clumping, slow curing, and poor lash isolation. On the other hand, using too little adhesive creates weak bonds that won’t hold, leading to premature lash loss.

The Fix:

• Dip only 1–2mm of the lash extension into the adhesive—just enough to coat the base.

• Always dip into the middle of the adhesive drop, not the sides. The center is the sweet spot where the glue stays the freshest the longest.

• Dip the extension slowly in and slowly out of the adhesive. This ensures the perfect amount of glue adheres.

• If you dip too quickly, you’ll usually pick up too much adhesive. In that case, just re-dip slowly into the middle and pull out evenly—the excess glue will naturally come off, leaving the right amount on the extension.

• Refresh your adhesive drop every 15–20 minutes to keep it effective.

💡 Pro Tip: Think “just enough.” A thin, even bond from the sweet spot of your adhesive creates the strongest, most flexible hold for long-lasting retention.

4. Undercharging for Services

The Mistake:
Many beginners set their prices too low out of fear that no one will book. While model sets can be discounted, continuing to charge too little devalues your work and makes it harder to raise prices later.

The Fix:

• Research your local market and set a fair, competitive rate.

• Offer introductory specials only for a short time (not forever).

• Highlight the value of your service—trained artist, professional products, clean studio.

💡 Pro Tip: Confidence in your pricing comes from confidence in your skills. The more you practice and improve, the easier it will feel to charge your worth.

5. Not Marketing Yourself

The Mistake:
Even the most talented lash artist won’t get clients if no one knows they exist. Many beginners rely only on word of mouth instead of building a strong presence online.

The Fix:

• Post regularly on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook using before-and-after photos.

• Use hashtags and geotags so local clients can find you.

• Create a Google Business profile so your lash studio shows up in local searches.

💡 Pro Tip: Marketing isn’t about being salesy—it’s about showing off your work and letting potential clients know you’re available.

✨ Bonus Mistake: Not Taking Enough Models

The Mistake:
Many new lash artists complete their course and feel eager to start charging right away—but skipping the “model practice” stage can slow down your progress. Without working on enough models, you’ll lack the confidence, speed, and precision needed to handle different lash types and client scenarios.

The Fix:

• Take as many models as you can after training—friends, family, or discounted clients.

• Work with a variety of lash types (short, straight, curly, sparse, dense) to prepare for real-world clients.

• Treat each model as if they’re a paying client: practice your setup, hygiene, consultation, and aftercare explanation.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t rush the process. The more models you complete, the faster your sets will become, and the sooner you’ll feel confident charging full price.

Final Thoughts

Every lash artist makes mistakes, but learning how to avoid them early will save you time, money, and stress. Focus on perfecting isolation, mastering adhesive use, charging your worth, and building your online presence.

By doing so, you’ll not only gain confidence but also stand out as a professional in a competitive industry.

📚 Ready to master lash extensions the right way? At Lash X Brow Studio, we offer both in-person and online lash training.

• ✨ In-Person Training: Get hands-on experience, live feedback, and practice with real models in a supportive studio environment.

• 💻 Online Training: Learn from anywhere with guided lessons and a Zoom certification call, where we work on a model together so you still get personalized feedback and mentorship.

Start your lash career with confidence—explore our upcoming trainings at lashxbrowstudio.com