Eye Q

It is so important to not only research the lash artist doing the job, but also the company they represent, so that you know that you are not only getting a high quality lash artist, but one that uses high quality products and sanitary practices as well.  Most importantly, ask to see photos of their work.  Not just the "company" or salon photos, but actual work that he or she has completed.  Ask for references and recommendations, ask questions and look for answers.

Don't go to anybody just because they "do lashes."  Reality is that anyone in the beauty industry can apply lashes (that doesn't mean they should be), all they have to do is order them from an industry catalog - no training required and that's bad.  Not only that, they are buying extremely inexpensive products and charging the consumer the same amount as a trained lash stylist.

Unfortunately, lashes are not regulated.  After having seen some of the work that other "lash stylists" have done and the damage to the client's lashes, I wrote a lengthy letter to the State of WA business cosmetology licensing department and the only response I got was, "nail salons are not allowed to apply lashes" and "write to your legislature."


Training classes with Xtreme are expensive and only someone who takes their profession very seriously would even consider paying to ensure they get the best training available.  Xtreme Lash Stylists' training begins with a 2-week training at home just prior to your training class - practice on mannequin, online tutorial and online test.

Level 1 - this is the first training class.  2 day class, 11 hours each day.  Graded each day.  Pass or fail.  If you fail you have to retake the class.


Certification - 2 day class, 8-10 hours each day.  Graded each day.  Tested on number of lashes perfectly applied in a 2 hour period.  If you don't pass, you have to retake the class.

Directory Certification - 2 day class, 8-10 hours each day (you can pass your directory certification at your certification class, which I did).  Tested on number of lashes and quality of work.  Photos of your work at sent to corporate offices to determine if your work is good enough to be on their Xtreme Lashes Referral Directory website.  You are notified after they have blown up your work on a big screen and analyzed it whether you made their directory or not.

Advanced Certification - 2 day training in advanced procedures.  I can't wait to take this class!

I had one woman call me and tell me that she wanted to get eyelash extensions for her teenage daughter.  She asked me how much I charge which is $200 (as a Directory Certified Lash Stylist with Xtreme, I am actually required to charge more) and then said, she only wanted to spend $30-$50 on a full set.  Why would you take a chance, especially on your child's eyes?  Horrified that she would take a chance with her daughter's eyes, I pleaded with her to at least find a stylist that was certified with a reputable company.  But, as we said our goodbyes, I knew that wasn't going to happen, she was on a mission, determined to get a bargain on them.

Which brings me to the next point.  Discount website coupons . . . Yes, Groupon, Amazon and Living Social all SEEM like great deals, so why not?  I can't say it enough, why would you take a chance with your eyes and eyelashes?!  There is a reason they are advertising with discount coupons:  they don't have enough business and usually if they don't have enough business, it's because they aren't that good.  I'm not saying that is set in stone, it isn't, you've probably got at least a 1 in 10 chance of getting someone good.

* * * 

Eye Caramba!

The other day I was doing a lash fill on one of my clients/guests.  She said that her brother had noticed her lashes and how great she looked.  She told him she was getting eyelash extensions.  He proceeded to ask her questions like, "don't they hurt?" and "do they stay on?" because he had heard that they do and they don't.  Her brother, who works at a hospital, was conversing with some of the nurses about eyelash extensions.  The nurses said that they had gone to an "eyelash party" together at someone's house and had their eyelash extensions applied.  (raised eyebrow)  They proceeded to say what a horrible job was done, how their extensions fell off in a few days and that their eyes were itchy and their lashes were glued in clumps and that they were never going to get extensions again.

Okay, so just because you go to McDonalds and order a ceasar salad, doesn't mean you will walk out with the same one you would get from an upscale 5 Star restaurant like El Gaucho.  Not all ceasar salads are created equal (and neither are lash artists).  If you had a bad experience, don't give up on lashes if you love the idea of taking a half hour less to get ready in the morning, skipping the mascara and liner because when you look in the mirror you will see a set of  gorgeous eyes twinkling back at you!  But, be extra careful who you let apply extensions to your lashes again.

I came up with that analogy from another one of my guests who said her friend was going to a local "lash chain," which she called the "fast food of lashes."  She mentioned that her friend gets in and out in about 1/2 hour for her fill.  As an experienced lash artist, I can confidently say, that it is nearly impossible to do a complete lash fill in that period of time with any care or precision.  So, either they are walking out of their appointment with only 50% of their lashes done (not a bargain or a good trade off that I can see), or they have several lashes stuck together (which means, that they will lose their natural lashes, not just their extensions in a short period of time).

 A proper lash fill should take at least 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours - my fills average 1hr 15min.  I make sure you walk out of my treatment room feeling gorgeous with stunning and lush fabu-lashes, just like your very first appointment!  Any less time than that means they are rushing you in and out and getting the next one in, like a drive-thru.  It should be a more luxurious experience, like dinner at El Gaucho.  After all, it is a luxury service and you are paying a significant amount for your lashes, it should be a beauty experience not a rushed appointment.

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall . . .

Do you ever go to the mirror and wonder . . . when did I start looking like my mom?  Although that can be a compliment, most of us thought of our moms as older.  I for one, do not want to look older and will fight it kicking and screaming all the way!  There are several ways you can combat aging:  surgery, botox, restylane.  But, there is another really  great alternative to going under the knife or needles (and a lot less expensive too) and that is to receive a series of microcurrent facials.  Microcurrent treatment is 46% more effective than a standard facial.  It visibly firms and lifts muscles, improves skin texture, penetrates and stimulates cell renewal; reduces fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, enlarged pores and acne.  Your skin is left radiant, smoother, firmer and perfectly prepared for product infusion and hydration.

Another remarkable alternative is to have a peel treatment.  There are several different types of peels:  Jesner and PCA are two.  Pevonia Botanica’s peel is just as effective, but it’s not a “chemical” peel, it is an all-natural peel that is gentle to your skin.  Rather than aggravating, inflaming or chafing your skin, it simply infiltrates it with a rosy glow so there’s no healing time with amazing results.

Here’s another little tidbit of fabulousness:   Did you know that department store skin care is not FDA approved to penetrate your skin, so it just sits on the top layer?  Pevonia Botanica is one of only two companies that offers both all-natural products that are chirally correct.  This means that they contain only correct molecules that match the skin’s and will be recognized and used by the body as intended, to actually penetrate your skin cells and provide dermal correction without any irritation.

The combination of Pevonia’s skincare with microcurrent will deliver outstanding results that you can actually see!  It will change your life!  It’s like casting a banishing charm to lines and loss of elasticity, so when you ask: Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall, Do I Look Old?  The response will be:  You Look Maavelous Dahling!

For Lashing Out Loud!

You know the saying, "you get what you pay for."  Why would you accept a "blue light special" on eyelash extensions?  You wouldn't expect to go to a 4-star hair salon and pay the same prices that you would at "bargain cuts."  Nor would you expect to get the same high quality cut or color.  There are reasons why the service prices are a little higher and why you should reconsider.

What is the Product Quality?  What is the quality of the eyelash adhesive?  Were their lash products purchased  from a beauty supply/mail order catalog or from a reputable, specialized, award winning company?

Have you seen before and after photos?  Do the lashes look natural and beautiful or are the lashes clumpy, stuck together, slanting every which-way or spidery looking?

What are the Lash Stylist’s skills?  You are also paying for the quality of service and application skills that the Lash Artist provides.  What is their background?  Are they experienced or have at least some expertise in the beauty industry?  Does the Stylist take into consideration the length and integrity of your natural lashes before slapping on 1 inchers?

What sort of training did they receive?  Did they train themselves, take a 4-hour beauty supply class or did they take an in-depth, intense, 22 hour training seminar that was closely monitored by an expert trainer?  Are they continuing their education, refining their skills and getting certified?  Companies will only certify a Lash Stylist if the Artist has achieved expert level because that Artist is representing their company.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

WhipLash!

Now that you know what all the fluttermania is about . . . how would you like to help me perfect my LashDip artistry skills?  I will provide extra special pricing, which will include your 2-week follow-up Lash Fill Appointment and an after care kit.  Please email me for details and to make your appointment with me!  If you would like more information about LashDip, you can also visit their website at www.lashdip.com

This is my client before her 3-week Xtreme Lashes extension fill & before applying LashDip on lower lashes

 This after her fill & after application of LashDip on lower lashes

You can see a photo of this client before any eyelash extensions were applied and more before/after photos of my work at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.100154780076610.69.100153663410055&type=3

Well, Talk About Eye Candy!

I just had my first experience with LashDip!  I try to provide my clients with the best skin care, cosmetic and beauty treatments and this is outstanding!  What is LashDip, you ask?  It's the most exciting and newest way to go from caterpillar to butterfly in a blink!  First, if you can answer, yes, that's me!  to any of the questions below, then you are the perfect candidate to try this revolutionary new eyelash enhancing treatment.

• I am in lust for a little drama without the racoon eyes
• I am NOT a mascara picker or lash fondler
• My mascara always clumps, clusters, flakes, smudges
• I want the look of mascara, without spending 10 minutes a day on curling, applying & removing
• I am just too busy to fuss with makeup
• I like a natural look, but would still love to emphasize my eyes
• My lashes are already long, I just want them to be darker instead of spidery
• After curling my lashes and applying my mascara, my lashes go right back to being straight
• I love the look of separated, blackest-black, velvety, clump-free lashes!
• I already have eyelash extensions!  Please read on . . . 

Well, my dears, you're in luck!  LashDip brings a whole new meaning to eye candy!  It is a semi-permanent mascara replacement that lasts up to 6 weeks.  Really?!  Tell me more, right?. . .  You can enjoy flirty, fun and fabulous lashes round the clock!  And, it's not just for women.  Does your man have white or blonde lashes that don't show up?  Let's man glam him with a skinny dip -- it looks perfectly natural (but will make those baby blues pop!).  With proper maintenance, LashDip is perfectly safe for your lashes - it's hypoallergenic, paraben free and metallic free.

No need for naked lower lashes any longer!  This is the answer to:  But what about my lower lashes?! for those of us who wear eyelash extensions!  For really captivating divalicious lashes (as long as your natural lashes can safely support this luxurious duo treatment), you can get dipped over your eyelash extensions!  This will also extend the life of your extensions!