What Is LashCon? The Lash Artist Conference, Explained

If you've spent any time in lash groups online, you've seen the name pop up every autumn: LashCon. It's part masterclass, part trade show, part reunion. We make lash products in Korea and pay close attention to what happens at shows like this, so here's a straight, no-hype rundown of what LashCon actually is and whether it's worth your time.

So what is LashCon, really?

At its core, LashCon is a professional gathering for the lash industry. Artists come to level up their technique and their business; educators come to teach; brands and suppliers come to show new products. It has grown into one of the anchor events on the US lash calendar, and 2026 is its eighth edition. The organiser, LashCast Productions, was founded by Paul and Tussanee Luebbers, and the event leans heavily into community, not just curriculum. People go for the classes, but a lot of them keep coming back for the people.

What actually happens there?

More than you'd expect from a "conference." A typical LashCon packs several things into one long weekend:

• Education. Main-stage keynotes plus smaller breakout sessions, covering both hands-on technique and the business side: marketing, branding, pricing, and growth.
• The trade show. 50-plus vendor booths where you can touch products, compare adhesives and tools, and pick up show-only deals.
• The Lashie Awards. A red-carpet night that recognises people across the industry.
• Star Search. An open-stage competition for up-and-coming voices; the 2026 finalists compete for a speaking slot at LashCon 2027.
• The social side. Karaoke, a gala, themed parties. It's genuinely built to help people network.

Sessions are typically recorded and made available to attendees through the event app afterward, so you're not forced to choose between two talks in the same slot.

When and where is LashCon 2026?

There are two 2026 dates to know:

Dates, venues and ticket tiers change year to year, so treat the above as a starting point and confirm on the official LashCon site before you book flights. Tickets usually come in a standard and a VIP tier, the main difference being how long you keep access to the session replays.

Who should go?

Anyone working in lashes, at any level. New artists use it to close skill gaps fast; experienced techs come for advanced classes and to stay current on trends. Salon owners and educators go for the business track and the hiring and networking. And because there's a full trade show, it's also where brands, distributors, and private-label buyers scout products and meet suppliers face to face. You do not need to be licensed or certified to buy a ticket.

Is it worth it?

Honestly, that depends on what you want out of it. If you're chasing a specific skill, one focused class plus a weekend of practice at home might do more for less money. But if you want three things at once, current technique, real business coaching, and a room full of people who do what you do, few events pack all of that together like LashCon. The trade show alone can be worth the trip if you're deciding what products to stock, because comparing adhesives, tools, and lift systems in person beats guessing from a website.

A manufacturer's take: why we watch shows like LashCon

We'll be upfront that we're a lash manufacturer, not the event organiser. But shows like LashCon are useful to us for the same reason they're useful to a brand founder. They're where you see, early, what the market is about to care about. The last couple of seasons that's meant the Korean lash lift, glue-free systems, and a lot more questions about ingredients and safety documents than we used to hear. If you're building a lash line, that signal matters. It's also a reminder that the products on those booth tables come from somewhere, usually a manufacturer you can talk to directly, which is often cheaper and more flexible than it looks from the show floor.

How to get the most out of it

Frequently asked questions