Private Lash Rooms vs Open Lash Rooms vs. Mobile Lash Techs

So this week, I had a client ask me if I could travel to there home.

I wasn't against it, but it ends up costing almost double the normal price. 

Which in the end, she decided to continue to come to our lash salon.

What made my client choose our location in the first place( and from what I hear from other clients)  

was that we have private lash rooms. 

 Here's two of our rooms out of five at our location :

 

   

Licensing & Certification should be posted up by each tech! 

  

Feeling comfortable in "your own bubble," is a priority to us. We want you to feel at home, but have the same comfort feeling and privacy. At our location, we want to omit a spa like atmosphere, where you can relax while getting lashed! Fall asleep, relax, stay awake and chat, or whatever your heart desires when getting pampered. Have a comfortable one-on-one experience with one of our lash techs in one of our 5 private lash rooms.

Compared to competitors, most Lash Boutiques/Salons have lash chairs or beds, out in the open in one room. Each lash station is staggered closely to others, creating a "  We don't want any clients feeling insecure, uncomfortable, or feeling "too close for comfort." 

Here are some examples of "Open Lash Rooms"

 (Open Lash Boutiques/ Open Lash Salons)

    

 

 Feeling a little crammed yet?

I don't know about you, but I personally would prefer a one-on-one experience. I wouldn't want to have my consultation with my doctor, dentist, esthetician, or masseuse out in the open, while someone next to me is talking loud, and another is breathing harsh. Ever fell asleep and started snoring? Don't be embarrassed or risk the feeling. For whatever the reason, lashes shouldn't be treated as a nail service or hair appointment. 

With that close of a proximity, I know the "germ-a-probe" in me would come out. People who are sick, coughing, etc. No thanks!  

Ain't nobody got time for a cold, fever, illness, etc.

Make sure your tech wears a mask, or feel free to wear one at your own appointment as well.

Now, I have worked in previous lash salons, similar to the open lash style. And let me tell you,

some of the conversations I've heard have left me awkward, speechless, or in shocked. 

Some of these conversations have been between other lash techs and there clients or lash tech and lash tech, client and client, or a group conversation. The top two things any salon, spa, or most businesses will tell you NOT to talk about 1) religion and 2)politics. But you get a bunch of women together in a "salon" type of setting, the chit chatter is bound to happen, but can also be a ticking time bomb. Anyone challenges anther's beliefs, statement, or just discussing something inappropriate, is a chatter box disaster waiting to happen. 

 But, for the people who want to relax, its disappointing that they don't get the option with chatter boxes. After a long day, week, or to get "pampered", some clients just want to relax and enjoy there time, get a quick power nap in, or just to balance their "chi". 

But because of these factors, most clients don't get to have a lash experience in open lash boutiques.

Ever thought that your eyes are closed for a long period of time?

Unless you clinging to them, your valuables, 

most of the time, clients are able to put there items, like purses, jackets, wallets, etc. in a basket or bag on the floor at the foot of the bed, or that slides under the bed. 

Now, private rooms are more secure than open lash rooms, due to the "traffic" of techs, clients, etc. vs one-on-one. Open lash rooms/boutiques can make theft easy, mistaken items or make items vulnerable. Why risk the chance?

My advice? Pick something with a "spa" style setting and private rooms.

Now my next rant, Mobile or Free Lance Lash Techs.

 Every week, I'll troll through Craigslist or google local mobile lash techs, and usually my research is disappointing. Even though clients are in the comfort of there own home, still doesn't take away the fact that you have invited a complete stranger into your home. Without stating the obvious, that theft, or scam artists could easily be the person a client has called to get there lashes done. But it very well could be a professional mobile lash tech. Usually mobile techs have a massage table or set up that they will  accommodate. Some techs who are trying to establish themselves may want to use your couch, bed, etc.in replace. But just an FYI, if lash adhesive spills or you find lashes stuck to your couch, it's not going to be fun trying to remove or clean up the mess. It also difficult to lug around lash lamps/lights, fans, product, massage table, bedding, etc. 

Sometime the hassle of bringing lashes to a client can be much more or a hassle to the techs, and or techs and clients.

Everyone is different, so who am I to judge? 

But let me show you some recent pictures of "mobile" or free lance lash techs I have found as advertisement photos via-craigslist in LA, OC, SD, and googled. 

 

A "full set"........more like a partial? Not all of the lashes are uniformed.

This just looks painful! Too much adhesive and applied to closely to the lid/skin.

You can see the extra adhesive because lashes are beginning to bunch.

Yikes. Lashes don't have enough drying time, and are not uniform.

You can see that lashes have been cut towards the inner tear duct. Which is a huge No No!

You can also see extra adhesive applied to the lashes. 

..............No......Just no. 

Claims to be "a full set".

See how many natural lashes are left bare?

I counted the lashes, and there is a total of 25 lashes. 

A full set is normally suppose to be 80-125 lashes.

........really?

Have you been traumatized yet?

For most mobile or free lance techs, they are usually not license estheticians or cosmetologists. 

Most reputable lash boutiques will not accept lash techs who are not licensed or certified. 

However, bargain lash boutiques or mobile techs who are not licensed, will deter to these two options of employment. (Please see Great work ain't cheap. Cheap work ain't great. post #2)

Usually mobile techs are a mystery when it comes to product, education, licensing, and experience. Most cannot obtain decent lash products, and are left with purchasing mystery or faulty product from china, south korea, etc. These tech's are usually trying to establish themselves, or this is a "hobby" or second/side job. However, not having enough experience, can lead to the above pictures.

Right when you think your safe in your own bubble, you very well may not be.

Take my advice, do the research, and pick a reputable Lash Spa,

with private rooms,

and licensed & certified techs,

with a reputable FDA approved Lash Product Line,

and get confidence

so you can stay in your comfort bubble.