Falsies--Eyelash Extension Courses to Build Your Biz

I have been wanting to step up my eyelash extension skills, and while I learned strip and cluster falsies in school, I wanted to branch out into the semi-permanent eyelash biz. The strip and cluster lashes don't last very long where the semi-permanent can last up to two weeks (or longer for some lucky people). I could have taught myself but I decided to sign up for some courses, and one of the classes I enrolled in was "Natural Lash" online because it is approved by the Associated Skin Care Professionals and upon passing the course I will be rewarded with a pretty, little certificate that I can turn into the ASCP to get coverage for eyelash extension. Currently, most esthetic insurance does not cover you for accidents with falsies! Most likely neither does your employer--they might tell you that you are covered but make sure before touching any one's eye area.

Falsies of any kind are better than the eyelashes I was born with, and while I don't normally wear lashes every day it is nice to have bold eyes when I feel like it. Some people will not be seen without their falsies so going the semi-permanent route is ideal. As an esthetician who has not had much opportunity to get practice with this on the job, I decided I want to learn more. I went on an interview where the current estheticians were doing these semi-permanent falsies, and I wanted to feel competent as well. That is how I got to "Natural Lash."

I enrolled in the class, and the price is enough to make you want to fall over, but hey this is to help my career. It was $325.00 with my mannequin head (you don't have to purchase this if you still have one from school) and all the included supplies which are the following: lashes of various sizes, adhesive, adhesive remover, tools, eye-gel patches, eye solution, blower, brow brushes, and other misc. tools for success. When you sign up for your course you schedule a date about 7-10 days from purchase to allow for your kit to arrive. You have 3 days to complete your course so make sure you allow plenty of time to read and do all the quizzes, and allow for practice time. I have kids--I didn't plan this well at all--I planned it for a weekend and let's just say lashes and kids don't mix! Chaos!

The course is pretty easy and the videos are enough to get you started doing the lashes. It has different modules and you have to complete each module and then take the quiz. You have three attempts to pass each section with a 100%. You would have to be on another planet if you can't pass these quizzes--they seem to be designed to help everyone succeed. Remember, if you can't get it the first two times you have a final third time to get it right.

The course is a great basic course for learning how to apply these semi-falsies, but the bottom line is you still have to rely on your own skill and technique to master this. I am not even close yet. I will probably spend at least a half hour to an hour a day practicing until I get it right--on both live models and mannequins. It is not as easy as watching videos and perfecting the craft. These are eyes we are working with, and sticking a sharp object and adhesive and a lash near that sensitive eye area takes skill and concentration. I admire the eshtys that already have this technique down--and let me tell you they deserve every penny they make doing this because it is hard work.

The course goes through the basic sanitation guidelines and contraindications--mostly things that are commonsense or you already learned in esthetics school. Then they talk about marketing and how to set prices, and of course all the other products you can buy at wholesale from "Natural Lash." 
Then it teaches through videos and written instructions how to pick up lashes and do it efficiently (yeah I got that part down quickly) and then it goes on to teach how to put them on (I am not so good at this yet) and then how to remove them.

Some of the other courses, both online and live- in person are $599.00. The benefit of live classes are that you get a two-way communication with instructor help right then. "Natural Lash" will offer free questions and answers with their reps after the course for a limited time, but I feel like in person would be better. If you are on a time crunch and too busy with your current job this is the perfect answer to learning more without having to attend a live class.

Personally, for $325.00 I would have like to received a little more in supplies and books. "Natural Lash" will not allow you to print any documents from your course. While I understand their need to protect their copyright, as a student of their course, I might want to flip back through the notes in a couple weeks and I won't have that option. I think for $325.00 they could kick in a workbook. They do include a place where you can download customer forms, but no actual book of information for students to go back and review.

Estheticians don't always make a ton of money, especially early on in their careers, and I think some of these post-graduate courses including "Natural Lash" are pretty steep. While I understand they are in business to make money, it is certainly hard for struggling estheticians who are trying to expand their knowledge base and money-making potential to drop $325.00 for a course. I am all about estheticians expanding their education, but now post-graduate courses seem to be BIG BUSINESS--with the bottom line being the most important part--not the education.

All and all I would recommend "Natural Lash" for estheticians who want to get a certificate for insurance purposes and possibly add some good revenue to their businesses, but I would balance that with how much money you allot to your post-graduate courses. Only you can decide what courses are best for your future. Good luck to you all! Grace Riley.

 

Some of the included supplies.

 

 

My Mannequin

Changing Discrimination Against Recent Esthy Graduates One Esthetician at a Time

As you approach graduation you will be most likely be excited to jump into your esthetics career. Why wouldn't you? You've studied like a mad man, you've worked hard and you vigorously send out resumes only to find that no employers are calling you back, or the ones that do call you back only tell you that you don't have enough experience. Not enough experience? What do you mean "not enough experience?"

What do these employers think you did all day at school? What do they think you did when you were on the clinic floor? Do they think you worked on mannequins the entire time? Don't they realize you touched live human beings throughout your schooling? Isn't an esthetics license proof that you are qualified?

Having a few years behind me now myself, it is one of the saddest moments for me when I hear recent graduates tell me what a hard time they are having getting an esthetician job. I was there not too long ago and it feels like  massive discrimination. The employer's won't give you a chance no matter what because they have red-flagged you. It is frustrating to say the least, and I have found some of the best estheticians are fresh out of school because their passion for the industry is still on fire and they aim to please clients. Nonetheless employers red-flag these students which is a shame because they are missing out on some terrific talent--I would know because I  network with so many recent graduates that are extremely talented yet doors are slammed in their faces.

In this industry, I think much of the responsibility should lie with the esthetician schools. I think most esthetician schools could do a much better job networking with employers--NOT JUST A JOB BOARD--but really networking and helping estheticians get internships while in school and help them secure something when they graduate. Instructors know who the prized students are and at least these students should be referred out to hot spas.

The fact is in every industry we all have to start at the bottom and work our way up, but in no other industry that I know of are graduates openly discriminated against simply for being a "recent graduate." 

All of us esthys, as we advance in our own careers, have to work together to change the misguided notion that recent graduates are not skilled or worthy enough for these jobs. Unequivocally,  some of the best estheticians are students or recent graduates, and it is unfortunate that employers are missing out on this fine talent.

If you are reading this blog and you work as an instructor or for an esthetics school please help be the voice that changes this ridiculous discrimination. You have the power to change this unfair discrimination.

Doing Lashes? Read This First Before You Risk Your License & Business

I remember in esthetics school that some girls really got into the whole lash concept, and why wouldn't they when you can make your customers' eyes pop with artificial lashes. The lash industry is a booming business, and any esthetician that has the patience and passion to do lashes can rake in the dough transforming ordinary eyes into extraordinary eyes! Women want beautiful eye lashes but they can't seem to figure out how to do it themselves so they turn to the professionals. They don't want to wait for a doctor to prescribe a lash growing prescription;they want instant eye-popping beauty and that is where estheticians come in. Before you dive into the lash business you need to think about a few things.

First, the eye area is super sensitive and people can have reactions to adhesives, and the first person they will come after is the esthetician who performed the eyelash extension. Many of you might think you are covered by your liability insurance, but in most cases that is not true. And it is unlikely your employer's insurance covers you. In fact, many esthetician insurance companies require that you take an "approved lash extension" course before they will cover you.(This is true for Brazilian waxes too if  you didn't already know it).

Why would you need insurance for something as simple as eyelash extensions? And why wouldn't your liability insurance cover a  common esthetics service? With the eye area being so sensitive and the potential for serious adverse reactions is the reason why most insurance companies require estheticians to take an approved course. Most esthetician programs, mine included do not spend nearly enough time showing students the proper way to do these lashes, and more importantly the safety involved in protecting the eye. Insurance companies don't want to risk numerous payouts because estheticians aren't properly trained in eyelash extension.

I signed up for one recently through Associated Skin Care Professionals. I know how to apply lashes but I wanted to become certified. In doing so, I found out that liability insurance doesn't cover lash extension in the menu of services for estheticians unless they take an "approved course" so I thought I would bring it to your attention so you are fully covered. If you are self-taught or previously taught in school, make sure to call your esthetician liability insurance and guarantee you are covered before applying lashes to any client. You don't want a $50.00 service to turn into a $300,000 service. Is it likely? Probably not, but people are sue happy today so protect yourself!