How to Start a Lash Business from Home in Illinois (Legally and Profitably)

If you’re passionate about beauty, crave flexibility, and dream of being your own boss, starting a lash business from home might be the perfect path for you. Here in Illinois, more and more women are leaving their 9–5s, skipping expensive salon booths, and building thriving lash careers right from the comfort of home. But how do you actually make that happen—legally and profitably?

At LucyLu Lash Academy, we’ve helped hundreds of aspiring lash artists turn their passion into a real business. In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to confidently launch your at-home lash biz in Illinois. Whether you’re brand new to the industry or you’ve already taken a class somewhere else and feel lost, this guide is for you.

Step 1: Understand Illinois Licensing Laws

Let’s start with the legal stuff—because you need to get this right. In Illinois, you must be a licensed esthetician or cosmetologist to legally perform lash extension services for pay. That means:

If you’re brand new: You’ll need to enroll in an accredited esthetics or cosmetology program and get licensed.
If you’re already licensed: You’re good to go!

But here’s the good news: You don’t need a license to take a lash certification course. And that’s where we come in. LucyLu Lash Academy offers industry-recognized lash training that gives you the skills, confidence, and mentorship to actually build a career—not just pass a class.

Pro Tip: Some lash techs choose to take a class before esthetics school to get a head start and start practicing on friends/family while they work toward their license. That way, they graduate with both credentials and experience!

Step 2: Take a High-Quality Lash Certification Course

You wouldn’t try to build a house without a blueprint, right? Same goes for your lash business.

A reputable lash course teaches you way more than how to apply lashes. You’ll learn:

Lash mapping and styling
Isolation and retention techniques
Client safety and sanitation
Product knowledge
Business fundamentals
How to build a loyal clientele

At LucyLu Lash Academy, we focus on real-world prep, not just theory. You’ll get hands-on practice, live models, personalized feedback, and a full kit so you can start working immediately. Plus, our bilingual instructors and small class sizes ensure you get the attention and guidance you need.

Bonus: Enroll now and get access to our free lash biz launch checklist + $100 cash referral bonus for every friend you bring with you!

Step 3: Set Up Your At-Home Studio Legally

Once you’re certified and licensed, it’s time to set up your space. Here’s how to do it legally and professionally:

1. Register Your Business

Choose a business name
Register with the Illinois Secretary of State
Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS (even if you’re a solo owner)
Consider filing as an LLC for liability protection

2. Get Any Local Permits

Depending on your city or county, you may need a home occupation permit or business license. Contact your local municipality to ask what’s required.

3. Meet Sanitation Standards

If you plan to operate your studio from home, you’ll need to comply with state board sanitation requirements. This usually includes:

A clean, closed-off space
Proper disinfectants and storage
Hand-washing area
Disposable tools or proper sterilization methods

Our academy covers all of this in class—so you’re not left Googling it at midnight.

Step 4: Build a Profitable Client Base

This is the part that overwhelms most new artists—but it doesn’t have to.

Start with the people you know: friends, family, coworkers, neighbors. Offer discounted or free sets in exchange for before/after photos, testimonials, and referrals. Then:

Set up an Instagram and TikTok showcasing your work
Ask every happy client to tag you and leave a review
Offer a referral discount
Join local Facebook groups
List yourself on Google with a business profile

At LucyLu Lash Academy, we give you templates, scripts, and ongoing support to help you launch with confidence and start booking paying clients right away.

Step 5: Stay Compliant and Keep Growing

Once you’re up and running, stay consistent:

Keep your license active with CE hours
Keep your sanitation standards high
Keep learning (volume lashes, lash lifts, etc.)
Keep marketing—social media, referrals, Google

And don’t forget: your energy is your brand. Be professional, kind, and reliable, and your business will grow faster than you think.

Final Thoughts: You Can Build a Successful Lash Biz From Home

It’s absolutely possible—and it’s happening every day. You don’t need a huge following, a fancy salon, or a magic formula. You just need the right skills, the right support, and the right mindset.

At LucyLu Lash Academy, we don’t just teach lashes—we teach independence, confidence, and success. Our goal is to help you leave class not just certified, but ready to build something real.

👉 Ready to start your journey?

Enroll in our next class now (seats are limited!)
DM us or call to ask questions—we’re here to help
Bring a friend and earn $100 cash per referral

Let this be the year you bet on yourself.

LucyLu Lash Academy | Chicago’s Top Bilingual Lash Educators

How to Start a Lash Business from Home in Illinois (Legally and Profitably)