There’s a lot that goes into creating the perfect set of lash extensions, and even the most highly-trained lash professionals could use some extra tips and tricks in their toolbox. To help you continue to grow your skills, we’re launching a new series: Lash & Learn. Each month, we’ll cover a common challenge lash artists face and give you some tangible tools and tricks to help you conquer it.

Read More: 10 Questions Our Lash Extension Trainers Hear Most Often

First up: separating eyelashes. When it comes to creating long-lasting, high-quality eyelash extensions, isolating each natural lash before applying extensions is crucial. Separating natural lashes ensures no two lashes become stuck together, which could cause discomfort for your client and give you a clumpy result. To help you streamline your lash extension application, we’re sharing our tips and favorite tools for isolating and separating natural lashes.

Benefits Of Separating Lashes

Ensuring your clients’ natural lashes are separate provides many benefits, including:

• Foster proper lash growth: isolating the natural lashes encourages them to grow and remain healthy. Natural lashes that are stuck together can become damaged and could affect the growth cycle.
• Fill out the lash line: separation ensures each natural lash gets bonded to a lash extension. This allows you to create the signature full, fluffy NovaLash look.
• Fluff the lashes: when there is air between each lash, the lash line looks fuller, thicker, and fluffier than when the lashes are slightly clumped together.

Tips For Separating Lashes for Lash Extension Application 

1. Choose The Best Eyelash Extension Tweezers

A craftsman is only as good as their tools, and it’s no different when it comes to eyelash extensions. Choosing the right eyelash extension tweezers or forceps gives you maximum control and makes the separation process much easier. Our go-to forcep? The Dumont Fine Tip Forcep. 

Originally developed for use under electron microscopes, the tips of these Swiss-made biological forceps are twice as thin as standard fine-tipped tweezers. This allows them to easily fit into the tiny space between two lashes and increases precision, control, and accuracy. Need another reason to try it? The Dumont Forceps do all this while reducing eye strain and muscle fatigue, so you can lash faster and feel better.

2. Don’t Hold The Forceps Too High

Holding your eyelash tweezers too high can make it more difficult to close your forceps, which makes grasping and placing extensions more difficult. If your hands are feeling strained, try moving your grip down lower to the tips.

3. Position Yourself Correctly

Good posture will help you separate lashes more efficiently and keep you comfortable during long days. Be sure to position your client as close to your chest as possible so you don’t need to bend over. Tilt your head slightly and avoid tipping your head too far down, which can strain your neck and head. This position gives you a better view of your clients’ lashes from root to tip so you can identify and separate any clumps.

4. Continue Taking Classes

As you continue to grow as a lash artist, look into additional classes you can take to expand your skills. In addition to learning new styles, like American Volume or London Volume, you’ll also have the opportunity to be mentored by highly experienced trainers and peers. If you’ve tried the tips above and are struggling with an aspect of isolation (or simply want to become more efficient), learning from the best is a great way to sharpen your skills.

Read More: Should You Take Another Lash Extension Class?

Are you interested in taking your lash extension skills to the next level? Check out NovaLash’s virtual and in-person training and sign up for a course near you!