4.1 Tools and equipment

When you are purchasing your tools and equipment, always ensure that you are doing your research and only deal with reputable suppliers. Reading online reviews and carefully reading product descriptions will help to ensure that what you are buying does exactly what it says on the box! Let’s look at all of the tools and equipment you will need to do your role efficiently and safely.

Lash rods and shields

There are loads of lash rods and shields on the market, and soon you will learn which ones off your clients the best results. Silicone shields can be re-used so long as you ensure that proper cleaning, sanitising, and sterilisation occur. We will look more at how you can clean your tools and equipment properly in the next module.

When it comes to what you should have in your kit, having a range of sizes and lengths of rods and shields is recommended as each client will have different eye shapes, sizes and natural lash lengths. By having a range, you can ensure that you are selecting the most suitable rod/shield for your client. Rods and shields can be trimmed using scissors if needed, although you should be able to find a suitable rod/shield with most kits.

If at any time the silicone begins cracking or showing signs of wear and tear, then you should stop using them and dispose of them correctly.

Here are some further examples of rods and shields on the market:

Lash separating tools

As you have already learned, lash separating tools can include Y-combs, special lash separating tools, micro fibre brushes and the list goes on! Here are some visual examples of tools you can use:

Timer

An essential piece of equipment for lash lift and tint services is a reliable timer. While you could technically use your phone timer or alarm, it is good to invest in a reliable timer. Afterall, processing times can mean the difference between #lashesonfleek or #lashesarebleak. There are even dual timers on the market if you needed to time more than one service.

Tweezers

After a few months of being a lash artist, using lash separating tools will be super easy! In addition to these tools, it can always be handy to have tweezers in your kit. While you won’t use them all too often, they can be great for picking up a lash extension when you want to confirm the length of the client’s natural lash or when you are placing the eye pads. There are a range of tweezers available to use, and each type has a different function. The differences between each type are mainly to do with the tip. Here are a few examples:

Depending on your supplier, these tweezers may also be categorised as curved, inverted, pointy, slanted, straight and isolating tweezers. Given the popularity of lash extensions, the tweezer product market is huge! Most professional tweezers and metal lash tools are made from titanium or stainless steel. The reason they are made from these materials is that they are hard-wearing and safe to use on clients’ skin. Depending on the grade of stainless steel, they may contain a small amount of nickel, which can cause reactions in clients’ with nickel allergies and other sensitivities. Do not be fooled by products marketed as ‘hypoallergenic’.

Key term | Hyoallergenic: Hypoallergenic means that a product is ‘unlikely’ to cause a reaction.

As the definition suggests, hypoallergenic means that a product is unlikely to cause a reaction, but that doesn’t mean they are allergy-proof! While stainless steel tools will be fine for most clients, if you are concerned about causing allergic reactions, then you should opt for titanium tools. If you are ordering your tools from overseas, particularly from countries where rigorous compliance with alloy materials is not mandated, you can also purchase nickel tests to detect the presence of nickel. You can order these tests online, and they are relatively inexpensive and will give you some peace of mind that your tools are made from the materials they are supposed to be made from.

Palettes and containers

In your kit, it is good to have pallettes and/or containers ready for decanting products. To maintain proper hygiene, products that can be decanted (poured out) onto a mixing plate or palette should be. As you saw in one of the ‘what not to do’ videos, blobbing products on a client is not professional.

There are loads of options available when it comes to mixing dishes and plates, and they come in plastic, stainless steel or titanium. When mixing tints, a mixing dish can be perfect. There are some palettes and plates with rings attached so you can wear them while you are performing your lash services.

What you decide to use is totally up to you! A maxing dish or plate can simply be a tile, a sheet of plastic or a dish. There are a few options you can choose from, each with advantages and disadvantages:

Disposable glue well

As the name suggests, a disposable glue well is exactly that – a small container that is disposable. They come in all shapes and sizes, and some brand stock glue wells in the shape of a ring for ease of use. Disposable glue wells are relatively inexpensive and will save you time cleaning up, however they do create unnecessary waste.

Jade stone

Jade stones are a preferred glue palette as they extend the drying time of eyelash extension adhesive because they cool them down with their low-temperature base. They are reusable, very durable and non-porous, which means they are very hygienic. You should clean your jade stone after each use with glue remover. At the end of each day, you should soak the stone in acetone overnight.

Quartz stone

Just like jade stones, rose quartz also prevents the adhesive from drying quickly during the application process and is easily cleaned and durable. Rose quartz will stay cool regardless of the environment, whereas a jade stone will warm up in extreme temperatures. Rose quartz is a harder stone in comparison to jade, so it might last you a bit longer!

If you were performing services away from your usual workspace, disposables might be more convenient, but jade and quartz stones are much more sustainable and better for the environment!

Mannequin head

Although not essential, if you are struggling with fixing lashes to shields, you might want to invest in a mannequin head. You could use false strip lashes to simulate your client’s lashes and then practice your services. There are loads of options on the market, and they range in price from $25 to $100. You have basic mannequin heads, and then there are mannequin heads that have removable eyelids! The type you choose will depend on your preference and budget.