How to get the look of mink eyelash extensions, with the use of semi-mink

For my clients that like the "natural look" or the same tapered look of mink eyelash extensions, those clients tend to stay away from semi-mink eyelash extensions.

Mink, is without a doubt, the most natural looking, luxurious, but also the most expensive eyelash extensions on the market.

Why?

Cost:
One thing to really think about is the price point of what your client is looking for, and what they are looking to spend. Especially if they are re-peat clients coming back for fills. Depending on the brand of lashes, Mink can cost a pretty penny. Semi-mink is pretty decently priced, but buying mink lashes, can cost ad much if not more than the adhesives. Why? Most higher end brands guarantee no animal cruelty and/or no animal testing. The lashes are also dyed/tinted (to hold the color) and cured (to hold the curl). Because of quality of the lashes, where they are made and or manufactured will also raise the bar on the price of the mink lash services. Compared to semi-mink, make sure to tell you client the pros and cons of mink vs semi-mink.

Brand:
Again, depending on the brands of each eyelash extension company or products, the lashes can vary from mixtures (like semi-mink, mink, silk, etc.) Make sure to find a brand that is made and manufactured in the usa or even uk, no animal testing/cruelty, tinted, cured, and only sold to licensed professionals. This can set the standard of eyelash quality, of all kinds, and products. 

Weight: 
Mink lashes are without a doubt the lightest eyelash extensions around. That's why if the lashes are 100% mink, you will notice it has no weight dimension on the label. It will not have a 0.20, 0.15, or other weights labeled on the package. Mink lashes are great for clients with jeopardized natural lashes that cannot carry heavy lashes or heavy semi-mink(depending on the weight used.) Or they are great for clients that want the natural tapered appeal.

Flexibility:
Depending on the brand, Mink no matter what is flexible the most flexible lashes. Again, depending on the brand, semi-mink has vastly improved it's technology. More higher end brands offer semi-mink lashes that are softer (mimics the feeling of a hair follicle), flexible (not stiff or needle like feeling), and they offer a variety of lash dimentions for weight, lengths, curls and more.

The Tapered Look (lengths, types, and more): 
The "Look" of being more natural or tapered can be achieved with mink and semi-mink.
Even though mink eyelash extensions are naturally tapered, because they are natural hair follicles,
the same look can be achieved with semi-mink. The only downside to mink, is depending on the brand, it's hard to find cured (to hold the curl), tinted/or dyed (to hold the color), or that they are not offered in various lash sizes or curls.
 With this being said, unlink mink, semi-mink are synthetic black fibers, that are soft, flexible, and come a various weights, lengths, curls, colors, and types now-a-days.
Even though it may be easier for technicians to just label there clients eye/lash pattern with only using, say for example:
9,10,11 mm's of mink c curl.
Because the weights and they are tapered, tech's only have to use those lengths and the one size (mink), and they don't have to use mutiple lengths or weights to achieve a natural look.
Because, it's a natural follicle and tapered of course.
But what if you could get the same look with semi-mink?

You can.

Again, depending on how well educated or motivated each eyelash extension technician is, this could be a possibility. 
Most eyelash extensions are pretty "uniform."
Meaning they are all the same weight, and a uniformed length.
Such formula as
0.20 = 9,10,11, and 12 mm
Most times, uniformed lashes can make eyelash extensions more evident.

My guess would be 0.20 or .25 lashes from 9mm-12mm.

 From this photo you can tell that the lashes are uniformed. Which can make lashes appear like "strips" or false lashes......Which is the look of my natural clients want to stay away from.

Here's an example of false lashes.

Looks similar doesn't it? Maybe not the exact pattern, placement, or lengths, but you can tell that all lashes are uniformed.

Why do some technicians like the uniformed pattern or why is it used so often?

Well, because it's easy.....which means that either the client want's that look or the tech is lazy.

Depending on what your client wants...being able to lay out the pattern by using one size weight, curl, and lengths, is just lazy.
Now if clients want that look, than thats a diffrent story.
But again, I am outreaching for my more natural looking clients that want to stay away from the heavy or dramatic look.

Lashes that are 0.20, 0.25 or heavier, and thicker. They help achieve a thicker fuller look, and help cut down time, or the tech my not have to hit or apply a lash to every single natural lash in order to get the thicker or fuller look. Problem is, they are heavy! They can fall off faster, not last as long, or depending on the natural health or integrity of natural lashes can be jeopardized or damaged.
Again tech's, you should be able to identify this problem! Just because your client wants texas size lashes, but her natural base is short, sparse or gaps, does not mean that the lash length or weight can be accommodated. In other words, clients cant always get what they want.
Don't be the fool the jeopardizes your clients natural lashes.

So how can you get a natural look with semi-mink, without being damaging or having the "pixie" type effect?
Easy.
Use MIXTURES.
Again, find out what each client wants with client consultations, but with natural clients, (or for eveyr client.) have the ability to use multiple sizes, weights, and offer mixtures of curls. 
In the pattern of
9, 10, 11, and 12mm
where the 9's are located on the pattern, add some random 8mm's
in the 10's add some random 9's
in the 11's add some random 10's
and in the 12's add some random 11's.

Again, use multiple weights. For me, depending on the clients, I hardly ever use 0.25 or heavier.
But I tend to use 0.20, 0.18, 0.15, 0.12, 0.10, 0.07's
If a client want's fullness (volume or classic sets regardless, and say the clients natural lashes are healthy), I'll use a mixture of 0.20, 0.18, and 0.15.

Using multiple weights give a little more depth and dimension, and help chop up the texture of looking uniform.

Using multiple or random lengths (again i'd only use 1-2 mm in difference, more than that may give your a very dramatic or extreme pixie look.

eyelash extensions that have multiple widths and lengths.

You can obviously tell with mixtures it's undisputed more natural looking. And without the help of mink.
And this proves that semi-mink (synthetic) can look natural.

It's just up to the technician to use more sizes, widths (weights), pattern play, and more.

Don't be afraid to brake some of the rules and try something new. 

Science of Eyelashes: Your Eyelashes Should Be This Long

First off, Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Hopefully all of our bloggers and readers are wearing green today!

In celebration of having a fun day, and thanks to our client Elizabeth, we wanted to share a fun article from the "Scientific American." Called, "Your Eyelashes Should Be This Long, Science Say."
You can find the Resource link here:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/your-eyelashes-should-be-this-long-science-says/

Here are some of the highlights from the article,

"Cosmeticians probably won't agree, but scientists say eyelashes have an optimal length: a third of the width of the eye.
This ratio helps keep the eyes wet, according to a new study that attempts to answer the question: What are eyelashes for anyway?
"They've been hypothesized to act as sun shades, dust catchers and blink-reflex triggers," said David Hu, a mechanical engineer at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. "But there's been no really systematic study of what their true benefits are."

"Hu and colleagues suspected eyelash length might have something to do with channeling airflow, and they devised an experiment to find out. In the lab, the researchers made mock human eyes out of small petri dishes fitted with fake eyelashes of different lengths and a bit of water, meant to mimic the thin tear film on the surface of the eye. The researchers tested how quickly water would dry up from the dishes in a low-speed wind tunnel. They found that the lashes of optimal length were the best for preventing evaporation.

Eyelashes create a "speed bump" that diverts airflow away from the surface of the eye, Hu said, so having no lashes would leave the eyes vulnerable to evaporation and incoming particles like bacteria that can cause infections. You might expect this speed bump to get more effective as it gets bigger, Hu said, but eyelashes that are too long might actually funnel airflow into the eye, causing more evaporation and drying the eyes.

At this point you might be wondering: Are you telling me I should toss my fake eyelashes? Well, maybe not. But perhaps you should take your beauty cues from the camel.

"The more dense you could make your eyelashes, the better it would be," Hu said.
Camels have two rows of dense eyelashes — likely an extra defense against the dry, sand-laden desert air. Eyelashes of high density (or low "porosity" as the researchers say) are better at blocking airflow from the surface of the eye, the experiments showed.
This benefit might even hold true for humans with unnaturally long lashes. In their paper, Hu and colleagues wrote that "wearing curved false eyelashes of low porosity can potentially provide extra protection to the eye and reduce dry eye.""

If you have any questions, leave a comment below and we will return your comment as soon as possible. Or e-mail us at UrbanLashSpa@gmail.com.

P.S.  Happy Saint Patrick's Day! 

From the Urban Lash Staff

Eyelash Extension Medical Exemptions (#7-10)

 Depending on where eyelash extensions technicians receive there education, unless they are licensed estheticians or cosmetologists (or specialty licenses in Texas), most techs are oblivious to medical needs or diagnosis that may tamper or exempt clients from eyelash extensions. It's scary that certain states have not regulated eyelash extensions in ALMOST ALL STATES, except Texas. With this being said, most techs are not licensed estheticians or cosmetologists that have no experience, education, or knowledge of diseases, sanitation, safety, medical problems/issues, medical needs, etc.
If you aren't sure, please check my original article http://urbanlashspa.blogspot.com/2014/08/eyelash-extension-licensing.html

Obviously we're only human, and as we are human, we can still be exposed to diseases, illnesses, viruses, and more. With this being said, I don't think it takes to much common sense to tell your clients who have a bad cold or flu to NOT show up to there appointment. But what about other diseases?
So I've decided this week to make a "Basic" medical list of who is exempted from getting lash extensions, and who is not, but needs a little more care or assistance with a medical issue.

SO first:
The Exemption List:
This list exempts all clients or perspective clients from receiving eyelash extensions until all candidates are no longer suffering from illness, disease, treatments, etc.

For our first #1-6, visit http://urbanlashspa.blogspot.com/2015/01/eyelash-extension-medical-exemptions-1-6.html

Alopecia

Alopecia is essentially hairloss. If clients have a history of hairloss from the past or present, lashes may be exempted to them. It's not that a technician WANTS to exempt a client from an amazing service, but we are actually SAVING a client from spending or wasting a ton of money on something that will be more of a drama than a quality service.
Hair loss, also effects your lashes, brows, body hair, and etc.
When having hair loss, we unfortunately cannot attch any extensions to the skin, only to hair follicles (lashes.) With this being said, we ask client so seek a doctor or medical attention provider.

What is Alopecia? 

Hair grows everywhere on the human skin except on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet, but many hairs are so fine they're virtually invisible. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin that is produced in hair follicles in the outer layer of skin. As follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are being pushed out through the surface of the skin at the rate of about six inches a year. The hair you can see is actually a string of dead keratin cells. The average adult head has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs and loses up to 100 of them a day; finding a few stray hairs on your hairbrush is not necessarily cause for alarm.

At any one time, about 90% of the hair on a person's scalp is growing. Each follicle has its own life cycle that can be influenced by age, disease, and a wide variety of other factors. This life cycle is divided into three phases:

• Anagen -- active hair growth that lasts between two to six years
• Catagen -- transitional hair growth that lasts two to three weeks
• Telogen -- resting phase that lasts about two to three months; at the end of the resting phase the hair is shed and a new hair replaces it and the growing cycle starts again.

As people age, their rate of hair growth slows.

There are many types of hair loss, also called alopecia:

• Involutional alopecia is a natural condition in which the hair gradually thins with age. More hair follicles go into the resting phase, and the remaining hairs become shorter and fewer in number.
• Androgenic alopecia is a genetic condition that can affect both men and women. Men with this condition, called male pattern baldness, can begin suffering hair loss as early as their teens or early 20s. It's characterized by a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair from the crown and frontal scalp. Women with this condition, called female pattern baldness, don't experience noticeable thinning until their 40s or later. Women experience a general thinning over the entire scalp, with the most extensive hair loss at the crown.
• Alopecia areata often starts suddenly and causes patchy hair loss in children and young adults. This condition may result in complete baldness (alopecia totalis). But in about 90% of people with the condition, the hair returns within a few years.
• Alopecia universalis causes all body hair to fall out, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair.
• Trichotillomania, seen most frequently in children, is a psychological disorder in which a person pulls out one's own hair.
• Telogen effluvium is temporary hair thinning over the scalp that occurs because of changes in the growth cycle of hair. A large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, causing hair shedding and subsequent thinning.
  
  
  
  What causes Alopecia?
  Doctors don't know why certain hair follicles are programmed to have a shorter growth period than others. However, several factors may influence hair loss:
• Hormones, such as abnormal levels of androgens (male hormones normally produced by both men and women)
• Genes, from both male and female parents, may influence a person's predisposition to male or female pattern baldness.
• Stress, illness, and childbirth can cause temporary hair loss. Ringworm caused by a fungal infection can also cause hair loss.
• Drugs, including chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatment, blood thinners, beta-adrenergic blockers used to control blood pressure, and birth control pills, can cause temporary hair loss.
• Burns, injuries, and X-rays can cause temporary hair loss. In such cases, normal hair growth usually returns once the injury heals.
• Autoimmune disease may cause alopecia areata. In alopecia areata, the immune system revs up for unknown reasons and affects the hair follicles. In most people with alopecia areata, the hair grows back, although it may temporarily be very fine and possibly a lighter color before normal coloration and thickness return.
• Cosmetic procedures, such as shampooing too often, perms, bleaching, and dyeing hair can contribute to overall hair thinning by making hair weak and brittle. Tight braiding, using rollers or hot curlers, and running hair picks through tight curls can also damage and break hair. However, these procedures don't cause baldness. In most instances hair grows back normally if the source of the problem is removed. Still, severe damage to the hair or scalp sometimes causes permanent bald patches.
• Medical conditions. Thyroid disease, lupus, diabetes, iron deficiency, eating disorders, and anemia can cause hair loss, but when the underlying condition is treated the hair will return.
• Diet. A low-protein diet or severely calorie-restricted diet can also cause temporary hair loss.

Resource:
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/understanding-hair-loss-basics?page=2

Trichotillomania 

 Client's who are diagnosed with this current condition, will be warned not to receive eyelash extensions. Due to the diagnosis, lash technicians have to apply individual eyelash extensions to actual hair follicles. Eyelash extensions are NEVER applied on the skin. Because of the technical science behind this, unfortunately, technicians are not left with a lot of  natural lashes to work with. If a decent amound of natural lashes are missing, or if natural lashes have large gaps or balding, unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to apply lash extensions.

People normally can get thus because of nervous behavior, anxiety, habit, or stress.
If you have this issue, please seek medical attention for treatment, or try a lash stimulators such as serums: like latisse or revita lash, or take biotin (vitamin to help stimulate and grow your hair follicles- lashes.)


What is Trichotillomania?

People who have trichotillomania have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair, usually from their scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows.

Trichotillomania is a type of impulse control disorder. People with these disorders know that they can do damage by acting on the impulses, but they cannot stop themselves. They may pull out their hair when they're stressed as a way to try to soothe themselves.

 esides repeated hair pulling, other symptoms may include:

• Feeling tense before pulling hair or when trying to resist the urge to pull hair
• Feeling relieved, satisfied, or pleased after acting on the impulse to pull hair
• Distress or problems in work or social life due to hair pulling
• Bare patches where the hair has been pulled out
• Behaviors such as inspecting the hair root, twirling the hair, pulling the hair between the teeth, chewing on hair, or eating hair

Many people who have trichotillomania try to deny they have a problem and may attempt to hide their hair loss by wearing hats, scarves, and false eyelashes and eyebrows.

Resource:

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/trichotillomania 

Blepharitis

If client's come in with signs or symptoms of Blepharitis, we may end up rescheduling there appointment unti'll the client is completely healed.
Blepharitis is irritation and inflammation of the eye and lids. Because of this, adding eyepads, tape, makeup remover, lash primer, lashes and adhesive (with fumes) may be too much for eyes to handle, while they are obviously fighting off the B-infection. With this being said, adding more water to a pot of water that's already overflowing would be pointless. Unti'll clients are completely healed, than lashes will be done. For more medical identification, speak to your local medical care provider.

What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids that causes redness, itchiness, irritation, and scaly skin at the edges of the eyelids. Blepharitis is one of the most common eye problems in older adults.

 Inflammation is a general term used to describe the process by which white blood cells and chemicals produced in the body protect us from foreign substances, injury, or infection. The normal body response of inflammation involves varying degrees of swelling, redness, pain, warmth, and change in function. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, causing red, irritated, itchy eyelids, and the formation of dandruff-like scales on the eyelashes. It is a very common eye disorder with a wide variety of causes. It affects people of all ages. Although it may be uncomfortable, annoying, or unattractive, blepharitis is not contagious and generally does not cause any permanent damage to eyesight. The condition can be difficult to manage because it tends to recur. Another term for blepharitis is granulated eyelids. Angular blepharitis is a term used to describe blepharitis which primarily affects the outer corners of the eyelids.
Resource:
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blepharitis-eyelid-inflammation-directory

Why you SHOULDN'T play or touch your eyelash extensions

Ever wonder why your eyelash artist or technician tells you NOT to touch your eyelash extensions?

Believe it or not, there is a reason for the madness.

First of all, Eyelash extension adhesives are predominantly made with "oil based" ingredients. When someone starts to play with there lashes, not only do the oils from your hands can loosen the bonds, making them last less or come off faster, but by tampering with your lashes, you can make extensions fall out faster. Playing with your lashes in the first place is a no no! Jeopardizing that you may pull, yank, twist, snag, or pluck lashes or extensions off, can lead to messing up your lash cycle, damaging your lashes and/or cycle, and/or damage of premature lash balding/shedding. Even though lash extensions can feel like left over mascara, and may feel addictive to pick at, try your best to re frame! You'll thank us later, and you're tech will thank you! :)

The next reason not to play with your lashes,
is conjunctivitis. In other words, Pink eye.
People who play with there lashes usually are doing it out of habit or "subconsciously." But when most people are "on-the-go", no one ever stops to think about, "How clean was the gas pump I just touched before touching my lashes?" or "How clean was the money I handed the gas station clerk, before touching my lashes?" or other things of that nature.
Chances are, unless your a germ-a-phoebe (which I am), you are not always thinking about it how clean your surroundings are. Because of this reason, this is how a lot of people who have eyelash extensions get eye infections or problems.
Example:
Say you stopped to get gas, and now your touching your lashes.
Chances are you touched the machine (to swipe your card), pressed buttons (for pin, zip code, or picked the gas # you wanted), or you've touched the pump with the gas lever.

Who knows who's touched that machine, lever, pump, etc.
But if someone went to the bathroom and hadn't washed there hands, someone who had an itch "downstairs", or other reasons similar to these, and they DID touch those items before you......
And now your touching your lashes. Not only is that somewhat gross, but that's the gateway to pinkeye.
Even if someone went to the bathroom and forgot to wash there hands, and started to play with there lashes.....it's that easy to get.

Another reason not to play with your lashes, is since they are falling out faster, time is money. And money to get your lashes done, and finding the extra time to do it, because you played with them......isn't fun. Try to be conscience when it comes to your budget, especially if you are tight on your finances, or be conscience to your technicians time if shes busy/slammed.


A forth reason to resist the urge, is that your could also get bacteria infections. Like pink eye, other diseases like bacteria infections, eye infections, eye allergies or allergies, or other medical issues, can prevent you from getting eyelash extensions (full sets or fills). Not only can some of these medical issues be contagious, but can also set you back for re-couping, if you are to catch something....again, all because you decided to play with your lashes.

The last reason, is simply because you can irritate the eyes. Irritating the eyes more often, can make them inflamed, make you want to touch/rub/etc. and can make the eyes sensitive, water or tear. With more tearing, irritation etc. These can make the lashes come off faster, and can make the whole experience until a lash correction, not a fun experience. With a small irritation, can be the gateway to the above reasons medically to start.



With all of this being said, most of the time a lot of eye problems, medical issues, etc, are due on the client or customers own time. Depending on what technician you see, how experienced, clean, or particular they are with cleanliness, or if they follow state board (or if they are licensed) can also be a reason on the technicians behalf. Here at Urban Lash Spa, with all technicians being current licensed estheticians and cosmetologists, certified and certified/trained trough Urban Lash Academy, and following state board guidelines, we have never had to worry over situations regarding our shop or staff. Not only do we sanitize all of our tools, but we also sterilize.
Ask you technician or the spa/salon/boutique that currently see's you for lashes, and ask them how they clean they're tools.

For clients, if you can't stop playing with your lashes, at least carry a bar of soap to wash your hands, hand sanitizer and some wet ones.

Have questions? Ask us and comment below, and we will answer them shortly!

Eyelash Extension Tips! #6-10

(Updated March 2nd, 2021)

Helped to design aftercare, information, tricks, myths, and more. 

But we've decided to share some of our tips, no matter what day of the week it is. 

Enjoy our tips #6-10!

6) Eyelash Extension Sealer (Clear or Black) 
Eyelash extension sealer can be beneficial for someone who wants to have long lasting eyelash extensions.  Eyelash Extension sealer can be applied daily or every other day, making each eyelash extension and bond last longer. By coating them with a clear or black sealant, they help protect each eyelash extensions and bond from humidity, oils, water, debris, and more. This is a great "extra" for clients to use right after a freshly applied full set, since it will help cut down drying time and help with getting rid o any fumes that still linger.
Make sure to double check where the product comes from, and what the ingredients are.



7) Beware of "pre-made"or incorrect volume eyelash extensions
I've had a few clients walk in from competitors, that have these horrendous pieces of lashes on them. Not only can these cause damage, be too heavy in weight, and irritating, but they ALWAYS clump together. Looking like you have a lot of natural lashes, are great! But looking like you have a thick heavy lash,when it's truely 5-6 thin lashes bonded together or pre-made, are not true volume lashes. Volume lashes is an actual technique, NOT a pre-made lash extension. Pre-made extensions always clump, have a previous bond, and are usually to heavy. Imagine putting a cluster lash on one natural lash, it wouldn't be pretty. Make sure to ask technicians how they apply these volume lashes. If they say they are pre-made" than run for the hills. However, if they say it's a manual technique, request to see a few pictures of there work to help give you a visual of what you are looking for in particular. Volume lashes are usually a great way to hide spots that lack natural lashes, and help blend and camouflage the area, or are for clients who do not have a lot of natural lashes in the first place. Save yourself the difficulties, time, money, and more. If you want more information on volume lashes, read more here:

8) Make-Up Removing Tip: on Lash, Lid, and for make up removal
For my clients who are avid make-up junkies, this will be extremely beneficial for you! Eye shadow's and liners are meant for eyelids, not lashes! SO for clients that use high pigmented eye shadow's or eyeliner that flakes off, transfers or has a light dusting that won't come off of lashes, DO NOT FEAR! There is a solution! Try to avoid using Q-tips, since the cottons can snag, but instead use either a make-up sponge (triangle) or a lip gloss tipped wand. You can find either at CVS or most beauty supply stores. These will never snag or leave a residue on lashes. But take a business card or whatever you have on hand that's stiff and that you don't mind getting wet or make-up on. You can place the card over your lashes or under. By placing it above you can have an easier time applying mascara or cleaning. With the card being under neath (the opposite) take a sponge or lip gloss wand and get them damp or moist with a bit with water or water/soap, or make up remover (make sure to use oil free!). Slowly brush down and wipe off the residue off the lashes! Its that easy. You can also use the trick to put mascara on, to make sure you never get it on your skin, and more.

9) Problem with fumes? Have good circulation
Feeling a little "wiped out" after getting your lashes done? Burning, like chopping an onion feeling, or if your sinuses are feeling like you've been breathing a strong fume, the culprit may be the adhesive. It's not usual, but each technician should be able to help accommodate the issue. Don't suck it up or lay there uncomfortable. Ask your technician if they can have better circulation, like a fan to be set up - at least on a low or minimum setting, that way the fan will not jeopardize there work, but the small amount of a consistent breeze will help keep the fumes away from each client and help with drying time. If client's experience a fume or burning, it may not be the fan, ask your technician to check the tape, or if the eye pad is too much of a barrier, or check to see if your eyes are closed the entire way. These can be a few culprits, but will be better in the long run, especially for full set and fills.

10) Stay away from Oil based, waterproof or fiber mascara's. 
We can't preach enough about staying away from OIL anything. This also includes a few mascaras. Luckily, most mascaras are mainly clay and or water based. And these are OK. Especially for clients who want to apply mascara on the bottom lashes or for a more dramatic appearance, or all over in-between lash fills. Most clients who get eyelash extensions, don't care to have mascara, since the eyelash extensions and bonds are already "black", curled, cured, thicker, longer, etc. But each woman want's to achieve something different. So for our clients, or avid make-up mascara wearers, there is hope. But let us explain.
Since most eyelash extension adhesive is oil based, we suggest to stay away from any oils. Oil mixed with Oil will MIX, meaning our adhesive used with oil based products will combine and loosen the bonds, meaning you'll lose lash extensions and bonds faster than normal. Because of this, check the ingredients and make sure you're mascara is water based, and contains no oils or mineral oils. Another mascara to stay away from would be waterproof, because it's a pain to get off and contains oils, and fiber mascaras. Fiber mascara's are almost 1000000000x worse than waterproof and oils. Because your applying a layer of fibers that are hard, and coating mascara on top. With 1 or more layers in between, it'll be a disaster attempting to get this stuff off. Not only does the mascara contain oils, but whats the point of eyelash extensions if your applying more crap on top? If your looking for more length, curl, height, or fullness, ask your technician to change the length, curl, width, etc. This may help achieve the look you want, without the extra make-up.

Celebrities with Eyelash Extensions

I honestly don't like to report on celebrities, because they get enough attention as it is. However, most of my clients that come in will ask for particular eyelash patterns, shapes, or lengths, based on whatever celebrity's lashes they've seen. Depending on what each client wants, compared to the reality of their natural lash health, some lashes might not be for everyone. However, when clients have an idea of what they would like, based off of a picture or whatever celeb has whatever on, this can be easier for techs during lash consults.

For some celebs, and even clients, most women are "shy" about spilling some beauty secrets. I honestly think it's pretty silly, considering that it's not a big deal, and most beauty secrets will get spilled by there technicians, stylists, or artists.

So who has eyelash extensions?
 

Kim Kardashian

She was probably one of the first celebs that started getting eyelash extensions, and everyone wanted to know her secret for awesome lashes. She stood out more, considering that she attached lash extensions to her bottom lashes for a dramatic appearance. I personally think only a small percentage can get away with having lashes on the "bottom", based on the brow shape, eye shape, eye size, lash length and patter. I still to this day get constantly asked, "I want Kim K lashes, is that possible?" Even if Kim isn't the best role model, I'll give the girl credit with her lashes. They are amazing, and she's got the look for them. She uses mink, but not sure who the exact technician is, however I have found the eyelash extension confession here:
"Celebrity eyelash expert Alicia Hunter, whose client list includes Dina Lohan, Lindsay Lohan’s mother, reveals for the publication that Kim is using eyelash extensions made of mink" 
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Kim-Kardashian-Has-Permanent-Mink-Eyelash-Extensions-292598.shtml 
The only brand I know that she rocks is Lash X Mink Eyelash Extensions.
http://www.destefinosouthside.com/tag/eyelash-extensions/ 

 Kylie Jenner (Kim's sister)
Go figure that "family apples, don't fall far from the tree." Sister of Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner also is a fan of the fabulous eyelash extensions. She posted this photo in the winter of 2014, showing off her awesome eyelashes. I have tried to find the research of who does them, but I will give them a standing ovation. To be honest, Kylie has beauty natural eyelashes, from what it looks like. If you see her bottom lashes, they are just light covered with mascara. With that being said, her lashes seem to curl and have length, so I would have assumed that lash extensions wouldn't be something she'd care to have. But with the extensions, they make them fuller, longer, noticeable, and rides the fine line of guessing if they are "natural" or not. She flaunted her lashes, and still I am unsure of her technician, but like her sister Kim, they look fabulous. See for yourself here: http://instagram.com/p/wPC48ZnGgU/?modal=true

Julianne Moore
Yup, go figure that all celebs opt our for eyelash extensions. Who wants a red carpet look, that will be natural looking, perfect, and lash longer than just a day? Well, apparently Julianne Moore is also a huge fan of  eyelash extensions. I tried researching where she may get her eyelash extensions, but came up empty handed. It's obvious that they are eyelash extensions, considering the natural lash pattern, the way the lashes are directed and spaced, and her finished look. She looks amazing, and I am so glad she didn't use strips. Strip lashes are a quick fix, but sometimes can appear to have a demarcation line, or can bunch together if you cry, the adhesive can come undone, etc. Not to mention that strips are too "uniform" looking, with eyelash extensions, you get a natural but fuller, longer, and darker appearance. Every. Single. Time. :)

Eva Longoria
With fabulous and exotically beautiful women, such as Eva, go figure that she'd have an amazing eyelash extensions too.  one of the original star's of "Housewives" I also imagined Eva not having the "need" for false lashes, nor eyelash extensions. However, it appears that no matter how beautiful or exotic, every woman needs the extra little "something" to bring everything together. I am not saying that Eva looks awful with natural beauty, but what I am saying is that when you compare her photo before and after, there is obviously a huge difference. She seems to be an amazing woman both on and off the camera, and with or without natural beauty. And unfortunately, like other celebs, it's next to impossible to see who does her eyelashes, but it's already enough validation with these photos.

Katy Perry
One of my personal favorite celebs, Katy Perry, is also a huge fan of lashes. Katy, who also owns her own personal line of false (strip and party) lashes, sold at major beauty boutiques and even at places like Walgreen's, Rite Aid, and CVS (Sav-On), still utilizes eyelash extensions as well. As a talented music, beauty, and "girl power" icon, Katy can put on one hell of a show, whether its music or when she's polished for the red carpet. I tried doing research where she gets her lashes done, but came up empty handed. I was a bit on the fence, since she uses her own lash line a majority of the time, but some pictures of her lashes, are not "uniform" or appear to be falsies. Nor does she have the demarcation line when she shuts her eyes. If you haven't seen her documentary on her life, I would highly recommend seeing it. Her make-up artist Todd Delano is incredibly talented, and I assumed maybe he was an eyelash extension technician. He might be, but I doubt it. But even though I'll never know who does Katy's eyelash extensions, they'll be a mystery of "amazing-ness."

With Lash Extensions

Kate Middleton  

What? The duchess gets eyelashes? Well, after checking out some of her before and afters, just mascara, or falsies, I came across some photos that appear to be eyelash extensions. No demarcation line, adhesive line, the lashes aren't uniform, but the lashes are longer, thicker, fuller, than just using mascara.  But with research, I came across where she gets her lashes done! Ha-le-lu-yah. "Flutter Eyelash Extensions" in the UK, is apparently the lucky culprit to have the honor doing Kate's lashes. With so much time traveling, events, and more, Kate doesn't have time to deal with make-up touch ups, or dealing with non-curled lashes. Especially for touching or tear jerking events, she can cry, and still look beautiful without having to deal with running make-up, mascaras, false lashes, etc.
Read the article under "eyelashes" here:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2125187/Help-Im-turning-Kate-Middleton-LIZ-JONES-falls-victim-Duchess-Cambridge-effect.html

With Eyelash Extensions

Taylor Swift
Even the princess of Country and Pop Music gets eyelash extensions!? Yes, its true! Similar to Kim K, she also used or uses a brand called, "Lash X Mink Eyelash Extensions. "
The only brand I know that she rocks is Lash X Mink Eyelash Extensions.
http://www.destefinosouthside.com/tag/eyelash-extensions/ 
T-Swift appears to wear a lot of falsies, but has since than switched to eyelash extensions. With her main insecurity of having smaller eyes and blonde lashes, mascara ain't cutting it anymore. According to http://enticelashes.com/salt-lake-city-eyelash-lash-extension-blog-information-research/2013/3/6/taylor-swift-lash-extension-photos, "Taylor just had her Cover Girl mascara add banned, because as it turns out mascara doesn't cut it anymore, "I have blonde eyelashes and blonde eyebrows, so my typical insecurity is that my eyes go away when I don't have makeup on." Like any "Cover Girl" Commercial is real without the help of falsies or other types of enhancements. Hah! All we know is, Taylor swift looks amazing with lashes than mascara or falsies.

I am sure more than these celeb's have eyelash extensions. Rumors has it that Beyonce, Jennifer Aniston, and Megan Fox have either used or still use the help of eyelash extensions. But until celebs have more close-ups, spill the beans on their beauty secrets, friends, family, or personal stylists, technicians or assistants fess up, we'll be waiting.

Other Sources of Eyelash Extensions:

 http://www.destefinosouthside.com/tag/eyelash-extensions/
http://www.divinelashesbrisbane.com/celebrities-who-look-different-without-eyelash-extensions/

Attention Eyelash Extension Technicians: "Paying your due's"

I know what both business, commission, and rental positions consist of, and what responsibilities come with each. So if you are a technician that wants to build a career in eyelash extensions, if your a NEW technician wanting to know which direction to take, if you are a eyelash extension technician that is doing this on the side, or as a "back burner" job, please read. 

When I started cosmetology school I thought I was going to have a career as a hairstylist. I was excited to learn, and acted like a sponge ready to soak in any and all information about beauty services, products, and more.

After completing my educating and after receiving my license, both cosmetologists and estheticians like me that are "new" and fresh out of school have a rude awakening, that comes with the territory of being "new."

Rome was not built in a day.

And neither will your clientele. 

I call this  "paying your due's."

As I write this, I am a bit disturbed by the new generation of stylists, technicians, and especially eyelash extension technicians that are or are not licensed. If I could describe the new generation today, the word I would use is entitlement. 


"A common criticism that many employers have about young people entering the workplace is that 20-somethings want all the trappings of a successful career but aren’t willing to put in the work needed to earn them. Young people just don’t want to pay their dues anymore." -http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/08/31/the-importance-of-paying-your-dues/

I don't think it's just young people, I think this applies to new or beginner technicians and stylists, no matter what age.
No, it's not Bull$%&#. 
If you act, there will be a reaction. If you do nothing, nothing will happen. 
Some people's expectations are to have everything come to them, is not only greedy, but it reminds me of someone believing in a "get rich quick" type of scheme. 

We are recently dealing with a high volume of eyelash extension technicians who are licensed that expect more from being a commission tech, even if I am handing them everything on a silver platter.
From access to your clientele records, your own room that you do not have to share, we pay for all of the lash tools, lash products, laundry, client beverages, legality, insurance, wifi, education, training, media, website, competitive pricing (which in our area, we are the most expensive) and more.

To make things fair, we explain that depending on your skills, schedule, situation, and when you first start a probationary percentage could be in affect for a 30 day period, etc.
 Also know that if you are schedule, as an example, Tuesday through Saturday,10:00am to 6:00pm, please be aware that when you are commission we expect that businesses expect that you will be at the time and place your agreed to. Just because you don't have 1 client the entire day, is not my problem. And that does not mean that the technician or stylist doesn't have to show up, or leave early, or show up late. Because if there is another commission stylist there, and walk- in's or if someone calls for an appointment, that client will go to those technicians or stylists who are available and not absent. Some businesses don't allow you to choose the work times, some will have them scheduled for you.

If you want the clientele, you have to show up. If you can't put in the effort, you won't get the clients.

But like any NEW technician licensed or not, building your clientele means we will do EVERYTHING possible to market you and your business and our business. But we also EXPECT that YOU are also SELLING your business (yourself) as well. 

This comes with the Territory. 

Wanting MORE than commission would be rental. But that means you have to have the clientele to support your renal position. Don't get the two confused. There is NO such thing as being commission with rental benefits, or vise-versa. It's one or the other.

When I started, I knew what I was getting myself into. My neighbor, who has been my hairdresser since I was a child, had told me the "pros" and rewards of her career, but had also told me the "cons." One of them being that when you first begin, you may need to assist, or be at a high volume commission salon (places like Fantastic Sam's, Sports Clips, etc.) But she had warned me, that in beginning, building your clientele will be difficult, and sometimes challenging. She had told me there may be days that I have a lot of clients, and the following day I may have none, and sit there for 8 hours not getting paid. It comes with the territory of our career and being new and commission. 

Asking someone or a place of business that you believe you deserve more, means you think very "highly of yourself." Which is a wonderful thing!, and we believe you deserve more as well. We are able to offer more, but when hiring a new candidate, that's like donating or contributing to a unknown business. For all we know, that mystery business could be a meth lab or a charity to help fight cancer, but without the homework, how would we know?
So as a business, we don't know what we're walking into when hiring someone new, so what we ask is " Show Us." (Prove it! ;) ) 

I have worked for salons, spas, and lash boutiques popular in Orange County, California. With this being said, some of these "business owners" have little or no previous knowledge or licensing with the beauty industry. Meaning, some are not licensed estheticians, cosmetologists,etc. Which translates into my brain screaming, "They should not run a beauty business." Sad, but true. Some of these businesses have no idea what "state board" cleanliness is really about, some of them do not follow state board regulations, some of them will not allow you to have access to clientele records (so if you are commission, how are you suppose to build your clientele?), not all the staff holds proper training, licensing, or education, and I'd write the rest of the dirty laundry list some of these shady places do, but it could take a week. Some business owners and technicians, both licensed or not, that have not had a lot of experience in salons, spas, or beauty boutiques can get commission or rental confused and customer service confused. I find this to be the main reason for the deteriorating service in eyelash extensions, services, and customer service in general.... SO to straighten out some things for technicians or future technicians, I have filed commission vs rental, down to basic benefits pro's/cons....

Commission vs. Rental Basics

Commission stylists are usually people who are new and have not fully built there clientele. The salon, spa, or boutique will usually take a commission rate depending on the location, prices, skill, or situation,  by splitting commission rates, these being the most popular, 50,50, 45/55, 40/60,etc. if Salons are taking 40%, it's due to the fact that 60% may be for the stylist or tech to purchase products that they are not sure or capable of doing. This is also a main reason for specialty services. The salon, spa, or boutique should be responsible for 1) giving you a station or place to work at (may be subjected to share the space with multiple people, which can interfere with appointments), 2) give you access to all needed to or products needed for services, 3) marketing and business information (promotions, website, media, business cards, etc., 4) help you set up pricing/competitive pricing, 5) access to all clientele records, since it's the technicians and the businesses clientele, 6)Because they are trying to build a clientele, new clients will be refereed to new technicians (unless referrals) , and more. 

Rental is usually a stylist or technician who has built there clientele, that rents a space, station, or place to work.Since they have built there clientele, there is no urgency to keep adding to there already flourished clientele. They handle all of your own clientele,and keep there own records as well.. They are responsible for paying for ALL of there own products, tools, and etc. They have access to other community products, wifi, backbar, towel service, website, promotions, marketing, etc. since that should come with rent. And more.

Which has technicians and others asking, how do I keep my clientele....

CUSTOMER SERVICE.

The courtesy and standards for customer service has been getting dismantled lately. Which is AWFUL. The poor performance, as far as eyelash extension technicians, needs to stop and change!

As a previous commission hair stylist, hair assistant, hair receptionist, sales associate, eyelash extension technician and a a rental eyelash extension technician, no matter what, technicians, stylists, etc, should be building a relationship. Make sure you customer service is on point!  Give proper consultations, keep track with your clients, etc. This is what will keep them coming back. Write your formulations down each time they come in, or notes, problems, or even notes if they we're going on vacation,etc.

To me, this is a very personal service. Don't just throw on lashes that you think would be best.
You don't see hair stylists throwing on red hair color on a blonde, just because they think it would look better. Talk to your clients, have consultation cards, forms, info sheets, etc. Build your relationship, like a hairstylist would do with you, like a massage therapist, doctor, nurse, dentist, etc.
Improve your customer service!