How to Become a Faster Lash Artist: Speeding Up Without Sacrificing Quality

In the world of lash artistry, speed and efficiency are just as important as skill and creativity. Whether you're a beginner struggling to complete a full set in under three hours or a seasoned artist looking to shave off precious minutes, becoming a faster lash artist is a game-changer for both your business and client experience. The faster you are —without compromising quality — the more clients you can take on, the more revenue you generate, and the more confident you become in your craft.

But let’s get one thing straight: speed should never come at the cost of quality. Your clients come to you for flawless, long-lasting lash extensions, and rushing through a set won’t do you any favors in the long run. The goal is to refine your technique, optimize your setup, and work smarter—not harder.

So, how do you become a faster lash artist while keeping your work top-tier? Let’s dive in.

1. Master Your Lash Placement & Hand Speed

One of the biggest time consuming factors in lashing is hesitation. If you find yourself constantly adjusting your lash placement, second guessing angles, or struggling with retention, it’s time to refine your technique.

💗 Work on precision first, then speed. The more accurate you are, the less time you'll spend adjusting each lash.

💗 Use isolation tweezers effectively. The quicker you can isolate natural lashes (however you can — using fingers or both tweezers) the smoother your application process.

💗 Focus on minimal adhesive use. Using too much glue can lead to stickies, which means extra time spent correcting mistakes.

💗 Practice off-the-clock. Set a timer and challenge yourself to complete a set within a specific time frame. The more you train, the faster your muscle memory becomes.

2. Optimise Your Lash Setup

If you’re constantly reaching for tools, fumbling with lash trays, or dealing with inefficient adhesive drying times, you’re wasting valuable time. Your lash setup should be designed for maximum efficiency.

💗 Pre-organise your lash trays. Arrange your most used curls, lengths, and diameters within easy reach. I cut all lash strips when they arrive into the salon and slice them so when I need a new strip, I have another quarter ready to go.

💗 Use a glue tray. Having your adhesive close to your working area eliminates unnecessary movement and being able to do a new adhesive drop asap.

💗 Invest in a good light source. A high-quality lash lamp helps you see every lash clearly, reducing the time spent on adjustments. Typically I use GLAMCOR DOUBLE Lights as the adjustments of brightness is easy for my clients.

💗 Keep your station clean and uncluttered. The fewer distractions, the smoother and faster you can work. Having a system for what is reusable and disposable is going to be the difference between needing 2 minutes in between clients or 10.

3. Choose the Right Products for Speed

Your tools and products play a huge role in your speed. If your adhesive dries too slowly or your tweezers aren’t precise enough, it can slow you down significantly.

💗 Use a fast-drying adhesive. If you’ve mastered placement and isolation, upgrading to a 0.5–1 second dry-time glue can cut down on waiting time.

💗 Opt for Handmade fans (if offering volume lashes). These can be a game-changer for volume and mega-volume artists who want to have precision, customisability and fast fanning. Yes the process can be tideous to learn but once you nail it, you’ve gained a skill that will be faster than picking up a premade or promade fan faster than you’ve ever done before.

💗 Invest in high-quality tweezers. Precision tweezers that fit your grip and lashing style will help you place lashes faster with less strain.

💗 Consider a lash fan or nano mister. These help speed up adhesive curing time, preventing stickies and retention issues. You do NOT need both.

4. Develop a Strategic Mapping & Layering System

Lash mapping isn’t just about creating a gorgeous set — it’s also a way to lash smarter, not harder.

💗 Divide the eye into sections. Work in quadrants or layers to keep track of progress and ensure even coverage.

💗 Focus on layering techniques. Lashing the bottom layer first can prevent missing lashes and make the top layers easier to apply.

💗 Use “lash zoning.” Instead of jumping around, systematically move across the lash line to reduce unnecessary movement and time-wasting.

5. Improve Client Prep & Aftercare Education

Your client’s natural lashes and skin condition can affect your lashing speed. If they come in with oily lids, makeup residue, or untamed lashes, you’ll spend extra time fixing issues before even starting the application.

💗 Encourage clients to arrive with clean lashes. Providing a pre-appointment cleansing guide can save you time.

💗 Use a lash primer if necessary. This helps remove oils and ensures better adhesion from the first lash you apply.

💗 Educate clients on proper aftercare. The better their retention, the fewer refills and corrections you'll need to make at future appointments.

6. Build Speed Through Repetition & Experience

At the end of the day, becoming a faster lash artist is all about practice, consistency, and confidence. The more sets you do, the more efficient you’ll become.

💗 Set time goals. If a full set takes you three hours, challenge yourself to complete it in 2.5 hours, then 2 hours.

💗 Film yourself lashing. Reviewing your technique can reveal areas where you’re losing time.

💗 Take continued education courses. Investing in advanced training—like those offered by Mrs. Lash Coaching—can give you new techniques to speed up your process.

Your Speed Will Come with Time & Practice

Becoming a faster lash artist isn’t about rushing — it’s about refining your technique, improving efficiency, and building confidence in your skills. By focusing on precision, organisation, and continuous learning, you’ll naturally start to see your application time decrease while maintaining exceptional results.

Remember, every expert was once a beginner. The more intentional you are with your practice, the sooner speed and mastery will come. Keep challenging yourself, track your progress, and celebrate every small win along the way.

If you're serious about elevating your skills and stepping into the next level of your lash career, make sure to immerse yourself in spaces that challenge and inspire you — like The Lash Summit Australia. Surround yourself with educators, industry leaders, and like-minded artists who can push you toward your full potential.

Keep practicing, keep learning, and watch your lash game transform.