In the beginning, it’s tempting. You’re looking at your overheads, and you see a tray of lashes for £5 on a random website or a bulk-buying app. You think, "A lash is a lash, right? If I save £10 per tray, that’s more profit in my pocket."
I’m going to be completely honest with you: Cheap lashes are the most expensive mistake you can make in your business.
As someone who transitioned from standard to premium, I’ve seen both sides. I realized that high-quality products aren't a luxury, they are a necessity for a profitable business.
Here is why those "bargain" lashes are actually draining your bank account.
1. The "Time is Money" Factor
Cheap lashes are notoriously difficult to work with. They often:
- Stick to the strip too firmly (making them hard to pick up).
- Have inconsistent curls within the same tray.
- Are made of stiff, plastic-heavy fibers that refuse to fan.
If a set takes you 2.5 hours because you’re fighting with poor-quality lashes, but it could take you 1.5 hours with high-quality Trays, you are losing an entire hour of potential income. That is an extra client you could have seen and an extra £50–£70 in your pocket.
2. Poor Retention = "Free" Fixes
Cheap lashes often have "stiff" bases. They don't have the flexibility to perform the Wrap technique correctly, and they don't bond seamlessly with professional adhesives.
When those lashes pop off after 5 days, your phone starts buzzing with unhappy clients. You end up doing "emergency fixes" for free. Not only are you losing time, but you’re also losing your reputation. A "cheap" tray isn't a bargain if it costs you a loyal, recurring client.
3. The "Blue" Hue and "Plastic" Shine
Low-quality PBT (the material lashes are made of) often has a blue or purple tint when the light hits it, and a shiny, plastic-like finish.
High-end clients, the ones who pay premium prices, want a matte, deep black, luxury finish. If your work looks "plasticky," you can’t justify charging "empire-building" prices.
BYKALA PRO INSIGHT
When I launched my own product range, I was obsessed with the "feel" of the lash. I wanted a fiber that was so soft it felt like silk but so dark it looked like eyeliner.
Our BYKALA Trays might cost more than a generic bulk-buy, but they fan like butter, they wrap perfectly, and they hold their curl until the day they shed. When you use quality, you work faster, your retention is better, and your clients feel the difference.
Stop spending your profits on "cheap" fixes. Invest in quality once, and watch your business grow
