Beginner Lash Training vs Advanced Lash Courses: Which One Do You Actually Need?

If you are researching lash training, you are likely at a point where you know this is something you seriously want to pursue. You are not casually browsing anymore. You are comparing courses, weighing your options, and trying to understand the smartest path forward so you do not waste time or money.

One of the most common questions we hear from future students is whether they should start with a beginner lash course or jump straight into an advanced or volume lash class. On the surface, volume training can seem more exciting. The results look dramatic. The prices are higher. Social media is filled with bold, full sets that make classic lashes feel basic by comparison.

But this is where many new artists make a costly mistake.

In this article, we are going to break down the real differences between beginner lash training and advanced lash courses, explain why classic lash training is essential before volume, and help you understand what you actually need based on where you are right now.

If your goal is to become a confident, skilled, and successful lash artist, this matters more than you think.

What Is Beginner Lash Training Really For?

Beginner lash training is designed to teach you the foundations of lash artistry. This is where you learn how to work safely, correctly, and professionally on real clients.

A quality beginner or classic lash course teaches you far more than just how to apply lashes.

You learn proper sanitation and hygiene practices, which are non negotiable in the beauty industry. You learn lash anatomy and natural lash growth cycles so you understand what you are attaching extensions to and why that matters. You learn isolation, which is one of the most important and most difficult skills in lashing. You learn placement, direction, and balance so your sets look clean and last.

Classic lashes involve attaching one extension to one natural lash. This sounds simple, but it requires precision, control, and patience. Every mistake shows. Poor isolation, incorrect placement, or improper adhesive control can lead to discomfort, damage to natural lashes, and poor retention.

This is why beginner training is not just a formality. It is the skill set that everything else is built on.

What Are Advanced and Volume Lash Courses?

Advanced and volume lash courses are designed for artists who already have strong foundational skills. Volume lashes involve attaching multiple lightweight extensions to a single natural lash using a handmade or premade fan.

This technique requires a higher level of control, hand positioning, adhesive knowledge, and timing. There is less room for error because mistakes are multiplied. Poor isolation or placement in volume work can cause serious stress to the natural lash.

Advanced courses typically focus on speed, fan creation, weight distribution, styling, and creating dense or dramatic looks while maintaining lash health. These are not beginner skills.

Volume training assumes you already know how to isolate correctly, place extensions cleanly, and manage adhesive consistently. If those skills are not second nature yet, volume will feel overwhelming and frustrating.

Why You Should Always Start With Classic Lash Training

This is the part many people try to skip, and it almost always backfires.

Classic lash training teaches discipline. It forces you to slow down and master the basics. It sharpens your eye for symmetry and balance. It trains your hands to work with intention instead of rushing.

When you learn classic lashes properly, you develop muscle memory that carries into every advanced technique later. Isolation becomes automatic. Placement feels natural. You understand how lashes should sit and move.

Without this foundation, volume training often leads to sloppy work, poor retention, and unhappy clients. Many artists who skip classic training end up having to go back and relearn the basics later, which costs more time and money than doing it right the first time.

At LucyLu Lash Academy, completion of the classic lash course is required before enrolling in volume training. This is not to make the process longer or harder. It is because we have seen firsthand what happens when artists try to jump ahead without the skills to support it.

Our goal is not to certify you quickly. Our goal is to prepare you properly.

Common Questions People Ask Before Choosing a Course

Can I start with volume lashes if I already know some basics?

If you have never completed a professional classic lash course, the answer is no. Even if you have practiced on friends or watched online videos, hands on professional training is different. Classic training ensures that your technique is safe, consistent, and industry ready.

Will classic lashes limit how much I can earn?

Not at all. Many successful artists offer classic sets and build full client books with them. Classic lashes are timeless and always in demand. More importantly, strong classic skills make your volume work better and more profitable later.

How long should I work with classic lashes before taking volume?

This depends on how quickly you build confidence and consistency. Some artists are ready sooner than others. The key is not rushing. At LucyLu Lash Academy, we guide students honestly and help them decide when they are truly ready for advanced training.

Why do some schools let students jump straight into volume?

Often because it is easier to sell. Volume courses are more expensive and look more exciting. Unfortunately, that does not always mean they are the right starting point.

How Starting With the Right Training Sets You Apart

Clients are becoming more educated. They notice when lashes feel heavy, uncomfortable, or poorly applied. Retention issues are one of the most common reasons clients switch artists.

Artists who start with proper beginner training tend to work more confidently, charge appropriately, and retain clients longer. Their work photographs better. Their sets last longer. Their reputations grow faster.

Skipping foundational education may save time initially, but it usually slows growth in the long run.

Choosing the Right Lash Academy Matters

Not all lash training is created equal. In person education allows instructors to correct your technique in real time. They can adjust your hand positioning, show you where your isolation is slipping, and help you troubleshoot issues immediately.

At LucyLu Lash Academy, our in person training in Chicago focuses on real skill development, not rushed certifications. Students leave knowing how to work on real clients safely and confidently, not just how to pass a course.

We take pride in preparing artists for long term success, not just their first set.

So Which Course Do You Actually Need?

If you are new to lash artistry or have never completed professional training, you need a beginner classic lash course first. This is your foundation. Everything else builds on it.

If you have completed classic training and feel confident in your isolation, placement, and retention, advanced and volume courses are the next step to expanding your services and income.

The right path is not about doing the most advanced course first. It is about doing the right course at the right time.

Ready to Get Started?

If you are serious about becoming a lash artist and want proper in person training in Chicago, we would love to help you take the next step.

Explore upcoming trainings at LucyLu Lash Academy and book the course that fits where you are right now.

If you have questions or want guidance on which course to start with, you can call or text 773 870 2816. We are happy to walk you through your options and help you feel confident before enrolling. We also offer payment plans via Klarna.

Choosing the right training is one of the most important decisions you will make in your lash career. Start strong, build correctly, and set yourself up for success from day one.

Beginner Lash Training vs Advanced Lash Courses: Which One Do You Actually Need?