Lash Salon Opening Checklist: What I Would Buy – and What I Wouldn’t – If I Had to Start Again
Preparing to open a lash salon makes it surprisingly easy to spend money on things that... don’t actually make money.
A nicer chair.
A new cabinet.
A wall-mounted logo.
A coffee machine.
A beautiful set of cups.
A few more decorations because that corner still looks a little empty.
Meanwhile, the work lamp isn’t bright enough, the lash bed leaves your back aching after three clients, and there’s exactly one roll of tape left in the drawer.
After more than 10 years of working in the beauty industry and running beauty salons in Europe, if I had to open a lash studio again from scratch, I would prepare very differently from the way I did in my early years.
I would still want the salon to look beautiful.
But my priorities would be:
Work well → keep clients comfortable → make daily operations easy → then make it beautiful.
A new studio doesn’t need to have everything on opening day.
It needs enough of the right things to help you serve clients safely and professionally and start generating income from the very beginning.
This is the checklist I would use if I had to start again today.
1. Before Buying Equipment, Write Down the Services You Will Actually Sell
This sounds very simple, but it can save you a surprising amount of money.
If your salon is starting with only:
- Classic lash extensions
- Volume lashes
- lash infills
- lash removal
then buy equipment that allows you to perform those four services properly.
Don’t sign the lease and immediately start buying equipment for:
Lash Lift.
Brows.
Permanent makeup.
Skincare.
Waxing.
Just because you think:
“I’ll probably offer that later.”
You can buy “later” later.
During the startup phase, your money should go first toward things that are likely to be used within your first month of business.
I’ve bought things because I was convinced I would need them.
Then they sat very nicely inside a cabinet.
They still looked brand new.
Mostly because they had hardly ever been used.
2. A Lash Bed Is Not Something I Would Choose Based on Price Alone
A client may spend 1.5–3 hours lying on your treatment bed.
You may spend 6–9 hours a day sitting beside it.
So a lash bed isn’t simply another piece of furniture.
Check:
Is the height suitable for your working position?
Can you get your legs close enough to the client?
Is the bed stable?
Is it comfortable when someone lies on it for a long time?
Is the surface easy to clean?
If your budget allows, an electric treatment bed or chair with adjustable height can be a worthwhile investment as your client base grows.
But for your first studio, you don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive model immediately.
A simple bed that is the right height, stable, and comfortable is better than a beautiful bed that forces you to bend your back all day.
Furniture can be replaced.
Your back can’t simply be ordered again.
3. The Lash Artist’s Chair Is Just as Important as the Client’s Bed
This is another item I often see beginners trying to save too much money on.
A good working chair should:
- have adjustable height
- move easily
- feel stable
- allow you to sit close to the client
- support a natural working position
I particularly avoid chairs that prevent my knees or legs from getting close enough to the treatment bed.
You may only be leaning forward a few extra centimetres during each appointment, but after thousands of working hours, your body will notice the difference.
When testing a chair, don’t sit on it for 30 seconds and make a decision.
Sit in the same position you would actually use while applying lash extensions.
4. Your Work Lamp: Don’t Just Ask, “Is It Bright?”
Ask:
Is the light even?
A good lash lamp should allow you to see individual natural lashes clearly without creating too many shadows.
I pay attention to:
Brightness.
Adjustability.
The position of the lamp head.
Stability.
Heat output.
And whether I can direct the light exactly where I need it without constantly changing my working position.
A good lamp won’t magically improve your technique.
But a poor lamp can make the job much harder even for an experienced lash artist.
If my budget forced me to choose between:
a good work lamp
and
a beautiful decorative mirror
I would buy the lamp first.
The beautiful mirror can wait.
A 0.07 mm lash fibre won’t.
5. Your Trolley or Workstation Should Follow Your Workflow
I don’t like having to stand up in the middle of an appointment to search for something.
The products and tools you use most often should be within reach:
Tweezers.
Lash trays.
Adhesive.
Gel pads.
Tape.
Lash brushes.
Cleansing products.
Disposable supplies.
A small trolley with drawers or an easy-to-clean worktable is often enough for a new studio.
Before buying a large cabinet, ask yourself:
How much do I actually need to store during my first three months?
Don’t buy storage for the amount of stock you hope to have one day.
Buy storage for the amount you’re actually using now.
6. Your Handwashing and Hygiene Area Is Not an “Extra”
A salon can look beautiful, but if its hygiene procedures are disorganised, I still wouldn’t consider it a professional studio.
From the beginning, think clearly about:
Where will I wash my hands?
Where will used tools go?
Where will clean tools be stored?
How will waste be handled?
Where will clean towels and supplies be kept?
Which surfaces need to be cleaned between clients?
Specific requirements concerning hygiene, premises, waste management, and business operations can vary between countries and local authorities in Europe. Before signing a lease or renovating a space, check the requirements that apply where you plan to operate.
Don’t wait until everything is finished before discovering that part of the salon needs to be rebuilt.
That can become a very expensive lesson.
7. Ventilation, Temperature, and Humidity Control Deserve Attention
In a lash salon, room conditions don’t only affect the client.
They also affect your lash adhesive.
In Europe, particularly in Nordic countries, indoor air can become very dry during winter because of heating. Summer can bring warmer and more humid days.
That’s why I would want every lash studio to have at least:
A thermometer.
A hygrometer.
Then, depending on the actual conditions, you may consider:
A humidifier.
A dehumidifier.
Air conditioning.
An appropriate ventilation solution.
Don’t buy all of these before measuring your environment.
Monitor the actual conditions in the room first, then decide which equipment you genuinely need.
> Read the article "What Lash Adhesive Is Best for Beginners in Europe?"
8. Storage: Separate “Currently in Use” From “Backup Stock”
This is a small change that has made my work much easier.
I like dividing products into two groups.
Working stock: only the amount needed for daily appointments.
Backup stock: unopened products and replacement supplies.
This makes it much easier to notice:
You’re running low on gel pads.
Only two bottles of cleanser remain.
Your 10 mm lash trays are almost empty.
You need to order more tape.
When everything is mixed together in one large drawer, it’s very easy to think:
“I still have plenty.”
Until Saturday afternoon, when your client is lying on the bed and you discover that the “plenty” you thought you had is actually... three empty boxes.
9. Don’t Buy Too Much Inventory at the Beginning
I understand the satisfaction of opening a drawer and seeing everything fully stocked.
It feels very professional.
But inventory is also money.
Money sitting in:
Lash trays.
Adhesives.
Primer.
Gel pads.
Tape.
Aftercare products.
And dozens of other items.
For a new studio, I would buy enough to work with + a reasonable backup supply of essential products.
After a few months, your client data will tell you what you actually use most:
Which curls.
Which lengths.
Which thicknesses.
Which lash types.
Which services.
Then you can increase your stock accordingly.
Don’t try to predict the needs of 100 clients before you’ve even served your first 20.
10. Don’t Forget the Equipment That Doesn’t Directly Create a Lash Set
A salon isn’t just a treatment bed and tweezers.
You’re also running a business.
Depending on your business model, you may need:
A phone or tablet.
A computer.
A booking system.
A payment terminal.
A printer, if you genuinely need one.
Wi-Fi.
Suitable power outlets and extension cables.
Backup chargers.
A small speaker if you want music.
A vacuum cleaner.
Floor-cleaning equipment.
Appropriate waste bins.
A coat rack or hooks for clients.
These aren’t usually the things featured in glamorous opening-day photos.
But by your third day of operating the salon, you’ll start understanding why they matter.
11. Your Booking System Is an Invisible Piece of Equipment – but an Important One
I wouldn’t want to manage a growing studio using my memory and Instagram messages.
From the beginning, create a clear system for:
Bookings.
Appointment confirmations.
Reminders.
Cancellations.
Client information.
Services performed.
Payments.
And, if appropriate for your business model, deposits.
A good system removes a huge amount of repetitive administrative work.
Don’t wait until your calendar is full before building your processes.
Build your systems while you still have fewer clients, because that’s when you have time to fix them.
12. Your Waiting Area Doesn’t Need to Look Like a Hotel Lobby
A new studio may have one client receiving a treatment and one waiting.
Yet it’s surprisingly easy to buy a sofa designed for six people.
I would start simply:
One or two comfortable seats.
A coat hook or rack.
Somewhere for clients to put their bags.
Drinking water if you want to offer it.
A clean and tidy environment.
That’s enough.
If your business operates mainly by appointment, clients shouldn’t need to spend much time waiting anyway.
A huge waiting area can simply become floor space you pay rent for every month without it generating much revenue.
13. Signage and Decoration: Yes, but Set the Budget First
I like beautiful studios.
A well-designed environment improves the client experience and supports your brand.
But this is also one of the easiest areas to overspend.
Logo: €300.
Mirror: €500.
Decorative lighting: €400.
Reception desk: €1,500.
A little here.
A little there.
Suddenly, your plan to “just add a little decoration” can cost the equivalent of several months’ rent.
I would set a fixed budget for this category before starting.
Then divide everything into:
Must be ready before opening day.
and
Can be added once the salon is generating revenue.
Your studio doesn’t need to be 100% finished on day one.
It can grow together with your business.
14. An Expensive Lesson: Measure Everything Before You Buy
Measure the width of the doors.
Measure the room.
Measure the space around the treatment bed.
Measure the height and position of power outlets.
Measure where the lamp will go.
Measure the cabinet space.
Measure the route you’ll need to use to bring large equipment into the room.
I strongly recommend making a simple floor plan before buying furniture.
Place these items on your plan:
Treatment bed.
Chair.
Trolley.
Lamp.
Cabinets.
Waiting area.
Walkways.
You’ll discover many problems before you have to pay for them.
A beautiful treatment bed that doesn’t fit through the door is still a beautiful treatment bed.
It’s just standing in the hallway.
15. Another Expensive Lesson: Don’t Spend Your Entire Budget Before Opening Day
Suppose you have €15,000 to open your studio.
The mistake I would avoid is thinking:
“Great, I have €15,000 to renovate and buy equipment.”
No.
You still need money after opening day.
Rent.
Electricity.
Insurance.
Software.
Marketing.
Restocking.
Taxes and other obligations.
Unexpected expenses.
And most importantly:
time to build a stable client base.
If you spend almost everything on furniture before opening, one slow month can immediately put the business under pressure.
I want a new studio to have a financial buffer.
A chair that is €500 more beautiful won’t help me sleep as well as having that €500 still in the bank when first-month revenue is lower than expected.
16. Lash Salon Equipment Checklist
If I were making my list from scratch, this is the checklist I would use.
Treatment Area
☐ Lash bed or treatment chair
☐ Client support pillow
☐ Height-adjustable working chair
☐ Professional work lamp
☐ Trolley or worktable
☐ Lash palette
☐ Lash inspection mirror
☐ Trays or containers for tools
Lash Extension Tools and Supplies
☐ Isolation tweezers
☐ Classic tweezers
☐ Volume tweezers if offering Volume services
☐ Lash trays in appropriate curls, thicknesses, and lengths
☐ Lash adhesive
☐ Adhesive storage container if needed
☐ Gel pads
☐ Tape
☐ Lash brushes
☐ Necessary disposable supplies
☐ Lash cleansing products
☐ Primer if required by your working process
☐ Lash remover
Environmental Control
☐ Thermometer
☐ Hygrometer
☐ Appropriate ventilation
☐ Humidifier if actually needed
☐ Dehumidifier if actually needed
☐ Air conditioning or another temperature-control solution if necessary
Hygiene and Storage
☐ Appropriate surface-cleaning products
☐ Handwashing area
☐ Soap and hand-hygiene supplies
☐ Storage for clean tools
☐ Separate area for used tools
☐ Waste bins
☐ Disposable hygiene supplies
☐ Storage cabinets
☐ Floor and room cleaning equipment
Client Area
☐ Waiting chair(s)
☐ Coat hooks or coat rack
☐ Space for bags and personal belongings
☐ Mirror
☐ Drinking water if you want to offer it
☐ Signage and price list
Business Operations
☐ Phone or tablet
☐ Computer if needed
☐ Wi-Fi
☐ Booking system
☐ Payment terminal
☐ Appropriate client-record system
☐ Accounting/invoicing system
☐ Booking and cancellation policy
☐ Necessary insurance
☐ Check local legal, hygiene, and business requirements
17. The Final Pre-Opening Checklist: Lie Down on Your Own Treatment Bed
I genuinely recommend doing this.
Pretend you’re the client.
Walk in through the entrance.
Hang up your coat.
Put down your bag.
Sit in the waiting area.
Lie on the treatment bed.
Look at the ceiling.
Stay there for 30 minutes.
Check the lighting.
Listen to the sounds in the room.
Use the bathroom.
Then switch roles.
Sit in the lash artist’s chair.
Turn on the lamp.
Pick up your tweezers.
Reach for your adhesive.
Take a gel pad.
Throw something away.
Wash your hands.
Get a fresh product.
Go through the entire process as though a real client were there.
You’ll discover things that a beautiful floor plan won’t show you.
The power outlet is in the wrong place.
The trolley is too far away.
The lamp gets in the way of your head.
There’s nowhere for the client’s bag.
You have to stand up to reach the waste bin.
And that pillow that looked amazing on Instagram turns out to be surprisingly uncomfortable.
Find these problems while the salon is still empty, not while your first client is lying on the bed.
Your First Salon Doesn’t Need to Be Your Dream Salon
If I could go back to the time when I was opening my first locations, this is probably what I would remind myself most often.
You don’t need to build the salon you hope to own 10 years from now.
You only need to build a first version that is good enough to start operating professionally.
Invest more in the things you and your clients use every day.
Save money on things that are mainly decorative.
Buy according to real demand.
Keep part of your budget as a financial buffer.
And let future revenue pay for future upgrades.
After a few months, you’ll understand your studio much better.
You’ll know which cabinet you genuinely need.
Which lamp you want to upgrade.
Which services clients request most often.
Which inventory needs to be expanded.
And which parts of the salon are worth investing in next.
A good studio doesn’t necessarily have to be finished on opening day.
It develops through hundreds of days of real work.
So if you’re standing in the middle of an empty room with a three-page shopping list, don’t worry too much.
Start with one simple question:
“Will this help me serve my clients better or run my salon better right now?”
If the answer is yes, move it to the top of the list.
If the answer is:
“No, but it would look really nice in photos...”
Maybe that one can stay on page two.