Fanning Like a Pro: How to Nail the Perfect Lash Fan Without Losing Your Rag

So you've finished your traditional sets and are now eyeing volume lashes, thinking, "Yeah, I want some of that drama." The only problem? Fanning. When the experts do it on TikTok, it appears to be simple: they swipe their tweezers, the lashes spread like magic, and you sit there wondering, "Why do mine look like a spider fell in the glue pot?" Don't be stressed, Hun. Perfect fans require practice, patience, and a little of know-how. Let's go over how to up your fan game without throwing your tweezers across the room.

1. Tools Make or Break You 

First and foremost, if your tweezers are in poor condition, you are fighting a losing battle. You need tweezers that grasp the lashes rather than ping them across the room. Look for ones with a sweet spot (the area that grips properly when squeezed). Every lash technician has a favourite form; some swear by 90-degree angles, while others like curved. Play around until you've found your preferred weapon.

Keep them clean, hun. Gluey tweezers are not your friend.

2. Know Your Lashes 

Not all eyelash trays are made equal. Cheap, plasticky lashes do not fan well, regardless of how talented you are. Choose excellent lashes with a delicate, matte touch; they fan smoother and retain their form. Also, determine if they are easy-fanning or regular - newbies typically begin with easy-fanning since, well, it does what it says on the tin. However, learning to fan your lashes regularly will improve your skills, so don't avoid it forever.

3. The Pinching Method 

One of the OG tactics. You take up a handful, squeeze the base with your fingers, then spread the points out to form a fan. Sounds easy, but it's difficult at first. Do not squeeze as if you are crushing chips in the bottom of the bag; instead, be soft. Pinch too firm, and they'll clump; pinch too lightly, and they'll fall apart.

Pro tip: Practise on the sofa while watching television. Muscle memory develops quickly when your hands are not under pressure. 

4. The Flower Bouquet (a.k.a. Wiggle Method) 

This one requires you to spread the lashes on the strip with your tweezers, wriggling them side to side until they resemble a pretty little bouquet. Then you take them up in one fell swoop. Sounds great, but it takes work to get them even. Don't worry if they seem like a wobbly broom; just keep at it. 

5. The Lonely Fan Trick

When you attempt, a lash will just split off, appearing forlorn and solitary. Instead of putting it away, utilise it to practise your glue control. Place it carefully, observe how it connects, and remind yourself that "mistakes" might teach you something. 

6. Glue Control is EVERYTHING

Whether you have a perfect fan or not, if your glue game is lacking, it will close faster than a nasty kebab restaurant. Dip only a tiny amount, not a complete dunk. The foundation should be slim, crisp, and not thick. Consider "wet paintbrush," not "lollipop." Is there too much glue? The fan will close. Is it too little? It will not stick. Get that balance right, and you'll be giggling.

7. Patience, Hun – Rome Weren’t Built in a Day 

No one achieves ideal fans overnight. It takes hours of effort, dropping fans and shouting at tweezers, and then suddenly - bang - your hands get it. Do not compare yourself to lash technicians who have been fanning for years. Everyone starts with shoddy, unsteady fans that appear to have had a tough night out. The glow-up comes with constancy.

8. Practise on a Mannequin (No Shame in It) 

Your mannequin head may be weird, but it won't whine about untrustworthy fans. Put on some strips and perfect your positioning and fanning techniques. That way, when you meet a genuine customer, your muscle memory will already be crisp.

Getting ideal fans is not a magic trick; it takes much work. With the correct tweezers, excellent lashes, and plenty of practice, you'll be fanning like a pro before you know it. Don't rush, don't beat yourself up, and appreciate the tiny victories, such as your first fan who stays open on the strip rather than collapsing like a damp tent.

Remember that every lash boss you look up to was once sitting in their bedroom, crafting terrible tiny fans and wondering, "Am I cut out for this?" Stick to it, hun. You'll get there, and your settings will look like the chef's kiss.