Lash Extension Supplies: How to Choose the Best Materials
Last updated: August 2026 | Reading time: 6 minutes
The quality of your supplies shows up directly in your work and in your clients' eye health. When I was starting out, choosing materials was stressful — too many brands, contradictory reviews, and every manufacturer insisting theirs is the best on the market. Over the years I have worked through dozens of brands, and here is an honest review of what actually matters.
Adhesive
Adhesive is the heart of your work. The wrong one means poor retention, allergic reactions and unhappy clients.
What to look at: Drying time — match it to your own speed. Beginners want 1–2 seconds; experienced artists work comfortably with 0.5–1 second. Sensitivity to humidity and temperature — the same adhesive behaves differently in a dry room in winter and a humid one in summer. Shelf life after opening — usually 4–6 weeks at most. Fume level — clients with sensitive eyes need a low-fume formula.
Storage: Keep unopened adhesive in the fridge, never the freezer. Once opened, store it at room temperature in an airtight container with silica gel. Never use adhesive more than 6 weeks after opening, even if it still looks fine.
Lashes
Diameters: 0.03mm for mega volume. 0.05–0.07mm for volume. 0.10–0.12mm for hybrid and light classic sets. 0.15mm for classic.
Curls: B, C, CC, D, L and M each have their place. The most versatile are C and CC. For hooded eyes, reach for D and L. For monolid and almond Asian eye shapes, L and L+ sit best.
Material: Virtually all quality lashes are synthetic PBT fibre. "Mink" and "silk" are marketing names for different textures of that same synthetic material. Genuine mink fur lashes are effectively out of use — they lose their shape and they are not cruelty-free.
Tools
Tweezers. Your primary instrument. You need at least two: a straight pair for isolation and a curved pair for picking lashes and forming fans. Do not economise here — cheap tweezers lose their precision within weeks. A good Japanese steel pair lasts years.
Under-eye pads. Hydrogel patches that isolate the lower lashes. Choose hypoallergenic ones with no added fragrance — scented patches cause irritation far more often.
Jade or crystal stone. For your adhesive. A fresh drop goes on the stone and is replaced every 15–20 minutes; the stone keeps the adhesive at a stable temperature.
Micro brushes. For cleansing and priming. Single use — a fresh one for every client.
What I use, and why
Over the years I have settled on a handful of brands that deliver consistently. Everything I use in the studio is available in my shop — because I only sell what I trust completely.
I deliberately do not name specific brands in this article. The market shifts constantly, and what is perfect today can be beaten by something better next season. Judge by the quality criteria above and test materials on your own hands instead.
Where to buy supplies in Canada
Your main options: direct from manufacturers through their own websites, Canadian lash supply distributors, specialist shops including mine, and Amazon Canada — with care, because counterfeits are common there. Be wary of buying from AliExpress for professional use: quality varies from batch to batch, and you have no reliable idea what is actually in the adhesive.
FAQ
What does a starter kit cost in Canada?
A minimum professional kit runs $300–$500 CAD. That covers adhesive, lashes in several diameters and curls, two pairs of tweezers, under-eye pads, micro brushes, primer, a jade stone and lash combs.
How often should tweezers be replaced?
Good tweezers, properly cared for, last one to two years. Once the tips stop meeting cleanly or lose their grip, replace them.
Can I use the same supplies for classic and volume?
The lash diameters differ — 0.15mm for classic, 0.05–0.07mm for volume — but adhesive, tweezers and consumables carry across both.