5 things Brides should consider before getting: Eyelash Extensions

Love is in the Air. 

And no matter what life event is planned in the future,

people LOVE to look they're absolute best.

So Eyelash Extensions and Weddings go hand in hand. And these photos, the one to my left, if my Sister and her fiance, and the one on my right is (like a sister) my best friends sister. Both we're beautiful brides, with awesome lashes. 

With that being said, I am sure some brides are thinking, 

"GENIUS. I want lashes."

Well before you are completely sold, there's some things to think about before diving head first into the world beautiful lashes. Honestly, this applies to everyone, but I believe people gravitate to getting lashes (especially for "special occasions" or events) without asking questions. I believe people offer this as a gift, or as a fun incentive, or opportunity to have a fun service to try. Similar to setting up nail appointments, tanning appointments, etc. before a event for wedding party's, prom groups, etc.
Those clients do not get them all the time, but that also means clients should be given a heads up, or hopefully clients are or have been doing some research of what to expect, what the aftercare is, and more.

So for my lash first timers,  here's 5 things to consider before eyelash extensions...

1) Do your research on eyelash extension technicians/salons/spas in your area.
The best way is through yelp. Google will only show you places that are nearby. There are a lot of businesses not on google and are on yelp. Those hidden gems may be far better than those on Google. Find 3 places that you'd be comfortable with, that have good reviews, and compare the services, time, pricing and more. I'd also call and ask what availability is like for a trial appointment at least 2 weeks before and to book for a full set a few days (2-3 max) before the wedding.(I'll explain why in reason #3.) Explain that you have an event and you are afraid of allergies, irritation, etc, and that you wanted to try a few lashes, with enough time away from the date, in case an allergy were to occur to heal. If they cannot offer or accommodate a trial appointment, DO NOT BOTHER. They may offer a patch test, which will be explained in #4, but unfortunately, if a lash boutique can't offer a few free lashes, don't bother.

2) Make sure you technician is a Licensed Esthetician or Cosmetologist AND a Certified Eyelash Extension Tech. 
As of December 2014 in California you have to be a licensed esthetician or cosmetologist to offer eyelash extensions. Most licensee's who offer the service are also "certified." Reputable certification, such as Nova lash, Extreme Lash, Lashfully, Bella lash, and more have reputable eyelash extension technician trainings and academy's. If they have learned from a "no-name," ask for photos of current work, or compare with another technician. Please note, the more expensive technicians may use a higher end product, have a higher education, and quality work. The saying "you get what you pay for" definitely suits the situation. More of these "no-name" educations or certifications (especially before 2014 (in California! Please check each state effective date regulations.) could have been held or taught by people who were not even licensed. Which is a bit terrifying, considering it's your EYES. Please, don't be cheap when it comes to lashes. Please reframe from using Craigslist, getting talked into lashes by a nail tech (because they are guaranteed clusters), and/or finding a good deal through groupon. Sure you got a good deal, but is the place really up to par. Again, like reason #1, do your homework.
Don't be bashful to ask your technician for proof of her licensing or certification they're information isn't visible or if they are hesitant to give it out. It's for the protection of consumers. Utilize it.

To find out each states regulations visit:
http://urbanlashspa.blogspot.com/2014/08/eyelash-extension-licensing.html

3) Book a trial appointment at least 2 weeks before the day of your event/wedding/etc. 
At our location, Urban Lash Spa, we offer "free trial appointments." Try a few free without having to shell out any money. Because eyelash extensions can be an expensive service, trials are a great introduction and without the pain of a hefty price, especially if any allergy occurs.

Please note: Competitors or other boutiques, salons, or spas that offer eyelash extensions may not offer trials, or it may be labeled as a service. Some places may charge $20 or less (which to me is ridiculous.) But, ask your location or technician about trials

Free Trial appointment are also aimed for....
-New clients - Eyelash Extension Virgins/ First Timers
 -New clients (from competitors)
-Event clients
-Great for clients with allergies or sensitivities

What does it consist of?
It's a FREE 30 minute appointments, jam packed with a client consultation, lash consult, 15-20 lashes on each eye, aftercare bag and a follow up.

Note: Depending on where you go, it could be less or more time, or some places may charge $20, give or take. 

Why?
 -New clients - Eyelash Extension Virgins/ First Timers
For clients who are new to eyelash extensions, those clients may have concerns such as, will they be itchy, irritating, will they feel heavy, are they damaging, etc.
With just a few lashes on each eye, not only is it a great way to see if they like the length, curl, and pattern, but it's enough to get the idea of what they would look like fuller, what they would feel like, and if they have an sensitives, allergies, or irritations. Technicians, Please make sure your client does not have an event to go to prior to a week minimum, in case of irritations or allergy. Clients, please make sure that you book a trial during a time that is at minimum 1-2 weeks before any major event, party, wedding, etc.
 -New clients (from competitors)
With all the benefits and same treatment of First Timers, new clients from competitors can also get the idea of the difference between us and the last visit from there competitor.
Chances are, clients that are new from competitors may have had a bad experience in the past. Chances are that these clients has bad experiences from technicians or location that was not properly trained or certified, nor licensed. This also may have affected the product they may have used or carried, which could also have led to irritations or allergies depending on the product ingredients.Technicians, Please make sure your client does not have an event to go to prior to a week minimum, in case of irritations or allergy. Clients, please make sure that you book a trial during a time that is at minimum 1-2 weeks before any major event, party, wedding, etc.
-Event clients
 With all the benefits and same treatment of First Timers, this is also great for event clients. I will assume that these clients are new clients, and it's a great introduction to eyelash extensions. Usually clients who get lashes for events, such as weddings, like to do a little more dramatic. Please note that lashes can last between 2-4 weeks, in between fills, and that clients may not want them "overdone" for everyday where after the event. Technicians, Please make sure your client does not have an event to go to prior to a week minimum, in case of irritations or allergy. Clients, please make sure that you book a trial during a time that is at minimum 1-2 weeks before any major event, party, wedding, etc.
-Great for clients with allergies or sensitivities
With all the benefits and same treatment of First Timers, these are also great for new, event, and allergy clients. Depending on where the technician, salon, spa, boutique received there product, and what quality, where it's made/manufactured, what the ingredients are, and more. These reasons could jeopardize the goal of having awesome lashes.  Technicians, Please make sure your client does not have an event to go to prior to a week minimum, in case of irritations or allergy. Clients, please make sure that you book a trial during a time that is at minimum 1-2 weeks before any major event, party, wedding, etc. Most clients with sensitives may just be allergy or sensitive to any or all adhesives, sometimes even tape, eyepads, lashes, and more. With a trial for clients with allergies or sensitives, or say a new client acts up (even 24 hours later), it's a SAFE way to see how each client will react to certain products. This also is a great way to understand if clients do have an allergy, irritation, problems, or other issues when it comes to the adhesive. It also gives the client time to see how it will feel, look, and appeal. With just a few lashes, it will also not be a "bad" or full blow allergy, considering the presence of lashes is at 5-20%, compared to 80-100%. Similar to, if you we're sensitive to egg, but it was baked in a cake or cookies and only had a presence of 5-20%, chances are clients would be ok, or not nearly as bad as compared to eating eggs by itself (80-100%.)  It will also give the technician a way to narrow down what they can or cannot use on each client, or if the client has a flare up, that the client has enough recovery time before an event... which leads me to,

4) Allergies, Irritation or Allergic Reaction
Free Trials, like I explained in #3, is a great way to get the idea if clients new, event, new competitors, or sensitive clients, and more.
Why?
1) Allergies or sensitivities, with a trial (a few lashes) won't be nearly as bad as a full set if an allergy or irritation were to occur. (Occurrences can be 20 minutes to a 24 hour delay.)
2) Having a 2 week window of time before an event, will give the client enough healing time before there event, if an irritation or allergy did occur. 
3) A way to gage if clients have a sensitivity to adhesives.
Please note: Technicians should have or offer multiple variations of adhesives. If you are allergic to a particular ingredient, please tell you technician.
Some clients may do better with organic, but organic only has a lash life from 1-2 weeks max. Compared to mos adhesives (medical grade or not) they can last from 2- 4 weeks or more.
The higher the fume content or irritant may not be a good idea for sensitive clients.
4) If the client has "allergies", use less fume or sensitive/organic adhesives, or reframe untill allergies have cleared up.
5) If one adhesive fails, another could work. Think of it as a "trial and error" period. Some adhesives may work for some people, than others. If one doesn't work, try another. More than one trial shouldn't be an issue.
6) Instead of focusing on the adhesive, if the technician is using silk or mink lashes, and you have any allergies to bugs, animals, like cats and dogs, have them switch to a semi-mink (synethtic) instead.
7) Instead of focusing the allergy on lashes or adhesive, also consider it could be a product, tool, tape, gel pad, or more.

Allergies can be caused by adhesives, tools ( like nano misters), tape, gel pads, lashes, or more.
Allergies or irritations can be "jump-started" when clients are currently "under the weather" or especially during spring when "allergy season" may effect some clients with sensitivities to pollen, dust, and more. 
For signs of why allergies happen you can read:
 

5) Lash Design & Lash Product
Depending on what your tech has and uses. Make sure your tech has
1) Good circulation (fans for any fume to dissipate during the appointment and for faster drying time.)
2) Make sure all product, lashes and adhesives are made and manufactured in the USA (UK is ok too.)
3) Make sure all product, especially mink lashes if used, is ANIMAL CRUELTY and ANIMAL TESTING FREE.
4) Make sure to have options, techs may offer a variety of sets, like volume, classic, mink, synthetic, etc. I'd recommend semi-mink (synthetic) or mink. Make sure the tech isn't using a thick( heavy )lash, unless desired. 
5) Ask your tech for the product information or ingredients list if any allergy or problem occurs. If they do not have the ingredient listing, chances are the products we're re-labeled. Meaning, no it's not specially formulated for the company as advertised, but most likely from china, south korea, etc. Just double check that it's from the US. Most quality US and UK brands have ingredient listings now-a-days.
6) Please stay away from nano-misters, or any moisture.
7) Stay away from clusters, party lashes, or pre-made volume lashes.

8)You should have options. Any client should. make sure you get to pick the
-Lash design (Like cat eye, shorter in the corner, long like strip lashes 115, etc.)
-Lash curl (C is similar to a lot of eyelash strips, but there are J's, B's, D's, L's and others too! Yes you have options :)!)
-Lash Length (This can be tricky, considering some people want short, average of long. Anywhere between 7mm- 20mm, the possibilities, are endless. Make sure to do a trial, that way you can get an idea of what the longest point would be, and how it would look.)
- Mixtures! (You should get to be able to mix a b and c curl if you want, or have pixie lengths in certain area ( like 11mm in the 10mm area.) Don't be afraid to ask your technician.

Our reasons are pretty detailed, but we hope this helps! :)

Have any questions? Feel free to comment below or email us at UrbanLashSpa@gmail.com

XOXO