Is Eyelash Extensions a Good Business in 2025? Profitability, Start-Up Costs & High-Margin Strategies

Launching an eyelash extensions business in 2025 remains one of the most profitable beauty opportunities—both for beginners and established beauty professionals. With rising global demand, improved materials, and easier entry barriers, this segment continues to outperform many other beauty categories. Below is an expanded, deeply optimized guide designed to help you understand profitability, market direction, and high-margin strategies for growth.

Why the Eyelash Extensions Business Is Still Highly Profitable in 2025

The global lash industry has shown strong momentum in the past 24 months, and the outlook for 2025 is even more promising.

Key profitability insights

• Profit margins remain at 80–92%, especially for trained lash artists and small studios.

• Lash appointments offer recurring revenue every 3–5 weeks, creating a stable customer cycle.

• Startup costs remain comparatively low—even for those researching how to start a lash business from home.

• Consumer willingness to pay has increased due to more advanced lash materials and better retention technologies.

With simple cost-management strategies and the right supplier partnerships, achieving high-margin, sustainable profits is more accessible than ever.

2025 Market Trends That Strengthen the Lash Business Opportunity

1. Breakthrough Materials & Technologies

The industry is shifting from traditional lash materials to more advanced, eco-safer, and high-retention solutions:

• Magnetic & hybrid magnet–adhesive systems improving application speed and comfort

• Heat-bonded fiber technologies creating better retention and lighter feel

• Ultra-soft, weightless fibers for extended wear

• Growing demand for formaldehyde-free lash glue and medical-grade adhesives

These innovations are reshaping product selection for salons, wholesalers, and OEM buyers.

2. Demand for Customizable & Personalized Lashes

Consumers now prefer styles tailored to:

• eye shape

• lifestyle

• lash health

• cultural beauty preferences

“Custom lash mapping,” “personalized lash sets,” and “lash menu customization” are becoming high-value service add-ons that improve profitability.

3. Sustainability & Eco-Safe Material Preferences

More clients—especially in the US, Canada, EU, and Australia—are asking for:

• biodegradable lash trays

• recycled PET lash boxes

• cruelty-free and vegan lash fibers

• eco-backed supply chain transparency

Offering sustainable lash lines increases retention, brand trust, and pricing power.

4. Emerging Markets Growing Rapidly

While the US and Europe remain strong, 2025’s biggest surge is from Southeast Asia:

• Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia show double-digit annual growth in lash extensions demand.

• TikTok Shop Southeast Asia has produced several breakout lash brands—
  for example, one Chinese lash brand surpassed 126 million RMB ($17M USD) in the Thai market alone.

This signals powerful opportunities for international wholesalers and OEM clients.

Profit Margins: What You Can Expect in 2025

Average Profit Margins

• Classic sets: 78–85%

• Hybrid sets: 80–90%

• Volume sets: 85–92%

• Mega volume: up to 94% with premium pricing

Why margins are so high

Materials cost remains low (often under $4 per full application), while the service fee ranges from $70 to $250+ depending on region.

If you’re analyzing lash business profit margin in 2025, these are among the highest margins in the beauty service industry.

Cost Breakdown for Starting a Lash Business (With or Without a Salon)

Whether opening a studio or exploring how to set up a lash room, the entry costs stay beginner-friendly:

Essential Startup Costs

• Training & certification: $150–800

• Lash bed/chair: $100–250

• Ring light or panel light: $40–120

• Professional lash kits (extensions, glue, removers): $80–200

• Hygienic supplies: $20–50

Total estimated startup:

$350–1,200, depending on equipment and training quality.

This affordability makes lash services ideal for freelancers, home salons, and small beauty entrepreneurs.

Compliance, Safety & Quality Requirements

Key requirements for professional lash businesses

• Use formaldehyde-free lash glue and low-irritation adhesives

• Ensure suppliers provide documentation proving:

  • EU Cosmetic Regulation compliance

  • MSDS certifications for adhesives

  • Latex-free, cruelty-free, and vegan materials when required

• Maintain strict sanitation protocols

• Follow patch-test recommendations

• Use medical-grade tools and stainless-steel tweezers

Choosing a Supplier: What to Look For (With Practical OEM Guidance)

To reinforce trust and strengthen commercial intent, this refined list includes:

• supply chain transparency

• safety compliance

• OEM suitability

A high-quality lash supplier should offer:

• Proven experience in strip lashes, cluster lashes, and lash extension manufacturing

• Consistent quality control with EU-level standards

• Formaldehyde-free adhesives and MSDS-backed safety documents

• Ability to produce custom styles, private-label packaging, and OEM solutions

• Fast delivery timelines

• Low MOQs for new businesses

• Competitive bulk pricing

Partnering with a reliable manufacturer like Shewincosmetic ensures product stability while supporting business scaling.

Case Study: How Better Lash Quality Improves Client Retention

After switching to premium lash fibers and EU-compliant adhesives from Shewincosmetic:

• client retention increased by +32%

• service time reduced by 18%

• average revenue per client grew significantly in 60 days

High-Margin Strategies for 2025 and Beyond

• Add custom lash style services (cat-eye, doll eye, anime lash sets)

• Offer membership plans and pre-booked refill packages

• Sell retail products (lash shampoo, aftercare kits, lash serums)

• Build TikTok Shop or Instagram Reels content to increase visibility

• Provide lash training or beginner workshops

• Explore OEM lash brand creation with low-MOQ suppliers

Each strategy directly boosts profitability and long-term customer loyalty.

FAQ: Eyelash Extensions Business in 2025

1. Are eyelash extensions still profitable in 2025?

Yes. Eyelash extensions remain highly profitable due to rising global beauty demand, growing salon services, and strong consumer interest in low-maintenance beauty. Many lash artists report profit margins between 75%–92%, depending on pricing, retention, and product quality.

2. How much does it cost to start an eyelash extensions business?

Startup costs typically range from $3,000–$10,000, depending on training, certification, equipment, lash supplies, and salon setup. Home-based lash businesses cost significantly less and are easier to scale.

3. How do beginners start a lash business with no experience?

Beginners should start by getting proper certification, practicing consistently, choosing a reliable lash supplier, and offering entry-level services. Partnering with experienced OEM manufacturers like Shewincosmetic helps ensure high-quality products from day one.

4. What is the profit margin for eyelash extension services?

Most lash businesses enjoy a profit margin of 75%–92%, especially for volume, hybrid, and mega volume sets. Refill services provide recurring revenue with even higher margins.

5. What should I look for in a professional lash supplier?

Look for a supplier that provides formaldehyde-free lash glue, safe materials, stable curl retention, wholesale pricing, OEM/private label services, and third-party safety certifications (EU standard / ISO). This ensures service quality and customer retention.

Call to Action

Whether you are a beginner, a salon owner, or an international distributor, Shewincosmetic provides:

• premium lash extensions

• OEM/ODM solutions

• training support

• fast global shipping

• competitive wholesale pricing

👉 Contact us to request bulk pricing or explore custom lash designs for your brand.

Author: Mia Chen

Senior Lash Trainer & Product Development Manager, Shewincosmetic

Mia has over eight years of experience in lash product development, supply chain management, and salon training. She has led more than 200+ OEM/Private Label projects and provides consulting for lash entrepreneurs worldwide.