Being an eyelash stylist is more demanding than you think and the way we hold our tweezers is very important. Step by step, I’ll explain how I hold my tweezer and how I position my hands so you can have an easy, pain-free lashing experience.
Set yourself up for success by holding your tweezers correctly so you have complete control without harming your health.
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How to properly hold eyelash extension tweezers
![Isolation tweezers in the left hand and volume tweezers in the right hand.](https://divinelashes.ca/wp-content/uploads/holding-lash-tweezers-1024x768.jpg)
1- Hold the isolation tweezers
The isolation tweezers always go in your non-dominant hand. It’s important to hold the tweezers near the top between your thumb and middle finger, with your index finger adding a little extra control and support.
The tip of the tweezers should rest gently near the base of your index finger. Then fold your ring and pinky finger underneath so they can act as a support and guide point for your entire hand.
This type of grip distributes the pressure in a more balanced way, so it’s kinder to your hands, but still allows you to have a lot of control over the tweezers.
Below is an example of how to position your hands using non-professional tweezers.
![Isolation forceps resting on the open hand.](https://divinelashes.ca/wp-content/uploads/isolation-tweeezer-hand-opened-1024x768.jpg)
![Isolation tweezers on the left hand. Closed.](https://divinelashes.ca/wp-content/uploads/isolation-tweezer-hand-closed-1024x768.jpg)
2- Hold the Application Tweezers – Classics
The application tweezers should go in your dominant hand, as fitting the extensions requires much more control. Hold the tweezers similar to isolation tweezers, with your thumb and middle fingers controlling most of the opening and closing.
The key here is that you don’t place your fingers either too close or too far from the tip of the tweezers. You need to find the point where you have maximum control over the opening and closing so that you can easily gather and apply the lashes.
3- Hold Application Tweezers – Volume
Once again, grip the tension tweezer so that your thumb and middle fingers are responsible for closing and opening. However, there are some key differences that will make it easier to pick up, ventilate and install volume fans.
In addition to the middle finger, also place your ring finger near the tip of the tweezers for an extra level of control. The tweezer should be angled upwards, with the bent end of the tweezer parallel to your client’s lash line. The tip of the tweezers should rest against the second knuckle of your index finger.
This in-depth demonstration by Yegi is helpful if you’re having trouble visualizing all of this:
4- Position your arms and body
As you whip, it’s important to support your hands and wrists. I like to place a soft towel over my client’s forehead, which I use as a gentle resting point for my fingers and the base of my wrists. Note that I do not put pressure or weight on the client’s head.
Depending on the position of the treatment bed and the eye you are working on, you may be able to rest your wrists on the table and your fingers on your client’s forehead – that’s okay too! The key is to avoid unnecessary strain on your hands floating in the air.
It is also important to maintain good posture. Bring your chair close to the treatment bed so you can keep your arms close to your body.
I cover these tips in detail in this video:
3 Common Mistakes
There are a few mistakes I often see new lash stylists make that I recommend you watch out for when lashing.
The most common is to hold the tweezers with just your index finger and thumb. While this might be okay once in a while, it can affect the timing, so practice holding with your middle finger and applying more pressure.
Then there are artists who hold the tweezers either too close or too far from the tip. Holding too far away doesn’t give you enough control. Too close forces you to apply a lot of pressure to get the tweezers to close. If you feel like you don’t have enough control over where you grip the tweezers, practice using your finger near the tip, holding all four fingers.
Finally, some stylists forget to fold their pinky and ring under the tweezers. This makes you lose an important resting point for your arm and can be very tiring.
Ergonomic tips
Since we’re already on the subject of how to apply lashes, I have a few more suggestions!
- Play with your grip or adjust it a bit depending on what works for you. It’s possible that changing your reservation during a busy day could help prevent repeated strain. Some lash stylists find they prefer to grip the tweezers with their index finger instead of the “dynamic quad grip” that uses the middle finger.1
- Perfect your setup. Make sure the treatment bed is set high enough (about chest level) so you don’t have to round your back to look up at your client, and make sure you have a comfortable chair that supports your back well.
- Stretch your arms. Daily stretching will help keep your hands more flexible and pain-free. If you’re already in pain, talk to a physical therapist, but otherwise, the stretches suggested by Harvard Medical School is a great place to start.2
The bottom line
We don’t spend much time thinking about how we hold our eyelash extension tweezers, but it’s actually a very important issue! I’ve found that by being careful how I hold my tweezers, I can become a much better lash stylist.
For my clients, a proper grip means a faster, more comfortable experience. For me, it means I have an easier time controlling my tweezers while reducing my risk of injury.
How do you usually hold your tweezers? Have you had trouble positioning yourself for lashes? Leave a comment below and let me know!
– Asako 🙂
bibliographical references
- Rebecca Joy Stanborough (2019). Healthline. A touching story: How to hold a pencil. Retrieved from (Accessed March 12, 2023)
- Harvard Health Publishing (2018). Exercises for hands without pain. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/exercises-for-pain-free-hands. (Accessed March 12, 2023)
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Asako Ito is the co-founder of Divine Lashes and a certified lash stylist. She has gained recognition for her modern techniques in the eyelash industry.
Holding multiple certifications and licenses including Luxury Eye, THE LASH SHOP, World Microblading and The Lash Bible, she has a constant thirst for knowledge. These credentials reflect her commitment to excellence and staying at the forefront of lash and brow art.
With over 10 years of experience, Asako is constantly increasing her knowledge as both a technician and educator by working with top lash artists worldwide. You can read her full bio here.