Last week I was able to offer an experienced Lash Artist some advanced training in lash extensions.  It was a great experience for both of us.  This particular lash artist has been doing lash extensions from her home for several months.  She has been unable to complete a full set of lashes in less than 4 hours or a fill in less than 2.  This is a major hinderance to her business.  

When I found out about her problem I strongly suggested she take some advanced training from me.  We went over the basic Do's and Don'ts of lash services.  It turned out that she was making SEVERAL rookie mistakes that were eating up precious service time.  

After only 2 ours of direct 1 on 1 training she learned a handful of invaluable skills and techniques that should easily help her cut her service time in half making it possible for her to take twice as many lash clients! Not only that, but with shorter service times and happier clients she will likely tap into those valuable referrals and repeat clients.  

I LOVE TRAINING!  

If you or anyone you know does lash extensions or want so learn how contact Salt City Lashes today!  For a small investment and a short amount of time you could easily double or triple what you make doing lashes!  It is WELL worth it!  

It seems that everywhere you look online there are businesses offering what they call the best lash extension training course... Well how do you know which to pick?

Here are a few red flags to look for in unprofessional training/certification courses:

1-  They do not require licensure prior to training as required by their state laws.  Here in the State of Utah it is required to have an active cosmetology or esthetics license in order to do lash extensions for compensation.

2-  They offer a training DVD if you buy their kit. There is absolutely NO way that you can learn how to properly and safely apply lash extension by watching a DVD.  This company is out to make money on you and does not care if you injure your client or put your license and name sake at risk.

3- Training takes place at un undisclosed or TBD location.  You could very well be training in someone's messy living room or a dingy hotel conference room.  Ensure that your training set up is sanitary and professional.  

4-  The trainer is not named.  You could very well be trained by someone who has little to no experience doing lashes at all... THIS happened to me.  I found out after the fact that my trainer was no licensed, and has only been doing lashes out of her own basement for a year... 

5- They don't teach proper removal or they have you work on a mannequin. Learning proper removal is vital to any successful lash business.  It is often removal that causes the most injury.  Do not sign up for a training that does not teach this. (I did and had to learn it after the fact on the job)  You also cannot possibly learn all the necessary skills you need working on a mannequin.  You need a real model to learn about proper isolation, position, style, posture, etc.  

The best lash extension courses will teach you all the aspects of lash extensions without the fluff.  You can't just look at the time spent training, you have to consider the quality of the education.  Consider class size, location, professionalism, quality of products used, experience of the trainer, continued support offered, etc.  

If you have any other questions about the training that Salt City Lashes offers or if you are having trouble comparing our offerings to another company's we encourage you to contact us.  We are glad to guide you through this process as it is a very important decision that could easily make or break your career. 

FASCINATING article on fashionstyle.com today about singer Rihanna's beauty regimen.  

We at Salt City Lashes are always fascinated by the beauty habits of celebrities because these are women how have tons of money and can afford any treatment or products and have to look good at all times.  

According to the article, Rihanna has a personal eyelash extensionist who travels with her everywhere as she typically gets adjustments to her lashes done daily!  How nice would that be?

So there you have it, the real truth.  Celebrities are just as obsessed with their lashes as we all are.  They just happen to have the money and need to have them professionally maintained 24/7.  

I can't decide if I would hate or love that job... Maybe if Rihanna ever comes to Salt Lake City without her lash artist she'll hit us up :)  

I'm also curious where this lash artist was trained.  So many questions. I'm positive Salt City Lashes offers the best eyelash extension training so I want to see this person in action!

I love WebMD.  Here's what they say about Eyelash Extensions.  Salt City Lashes approves this article :)  FYI we have save glues that are formaldehyde-free and medical grade.  We get all of our products from ExtensionsForEyelashes.com who buys direct from the manufacture.  

^^^^^^^
The 411 on Eyelash Extensions

Tempted to invest in these luscious add-ons? Here's how to do it right.

By Sonya Collins

Reviewed by Mohiba Tareen, MD

WebMD Magazine - Feature

If you're like most women, mascara is a key item in your makeup bag. Some 65% of us whisk it on our lashes in hopes of making them look longer and fuller. But do you ever wish your lashes were just longer and fuller to begin with?

Your wish might be granted: Eyelash extensions are a growing trend at spas and salons. "Extensions look beautiful when they're done right. They completely eliminate all need for mascara," says Sophy Merszei, founder and CEO of NovaLash, a Texas-based company that certifies eyelash technicians.

Eyelash extensions are individual lashes, made of a synthetic fiber such as nylon, which a professional glues one by one to each of your top lashes. "It is one of the hardest beauty procedures for a cosmetologist to learn. It's like microsurgery," Merszei says.

Using long, pointed tweezers, the tech brushes a single synthetic lash in a dab of adhesive. With another pair of tweezers, she separates the natural lashes to isolate just one. She places the synthetic lash on the natural lash, holding it for a few seconds while the glue bonds. The tech repeats the process, one lash at a time, attaching 40 to 100 lashes per eye. The tech will use several lengths of lashes, attaching the longest artificial lashes to your longest natural lashes.

Eyelash extensions last a few weeks to 2 months and fall out when your natural lashes do. "You should still have 50% of the extensions remaining after 30 days. Then all you need is a little touch-up once a month on the regrowth," Merszei says.

Find a Good Eyelash Extension Technician

Eyelash extensions are relatively new in the United States. The FDA does not regulate the products, and Texas is the only state that regulates the industry.

"Individuals need to advocate for themselves. Is the facility clean and neat? Are the technicians well trained? Does the facility have a good reputation?" says Philip R. Rizzuto, MD. He's an eye doctor and communications secretary for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Merszei recommends you first choose a national brand that certifies technicians, and then find a technician in your area. That way, you can research the training, the products, and who can buy the products. Some brands sell only to licensed beauty or health professionals, so if a salon uses that product, its techs have credentials.

"We get calls and emails every week from people who end up in the doctor's office," Merszei says, "because they had a poorly trained technician."

Unqualified techs might apply lashes to the eyelid instead of the lash, which can cause irritation or even serious injury. Or they might apply several lash extensions to one natural lash, causing lashes to fall out prematurely from the weight. Some may glue strips of false lashes to clients' eyelids with permanent adhesive. All of these are dangerous, improper techniques.

Find a Good Eyelash Extension Technician continued...

"The technician should go through all the risks and benefits of having eyelash extensions" before applying them, Merszei says. The technician should also ask about any conditions you may have that would make eyelash extensions unsuitable for you.

Online, you'll find a lot of conflicting information about formaldehyde in eyelash adhesives. Many adhesives do contain at least trace amounts, as do many cosmetics, including some mascaras. A small percentage of people are allergic to the chemical. Some brands offer adhesives with formaldehyde levels too low for a lab test to detect or trace amounts below the maximum the FDA recommends for cosmetics. Many adhesives are intended specifically for sensitive clients.

Seek brands that openly share this information."I'm not here to talk people out of getting eyelash extensions. But not everybody is a good candidate," Merszei says. "I've had mine on for about 9 years now. I just keep touching them up, and I love them."

Eyelash Extension Tips

Rizzuto offers these pointers for readers interested in eyelash extensions.

Don't confuse semi-permanent eyelash extensions with a surgical eyelash transplant -- a procedure that only a doctor can do.

Eyelash extensions are a spa or salon procedure that takes 2 to 3 hours for the first application, which can run from $150 to $600, depending on your location. Monthly touch-ups range from $50 to about $65.Look for a salon that uses medical-grade adhesive, like the type used to close wounds in lieu of stitches.

Choose a brand that discloses ingredients. Many companies post safety and toxicity reports on their web sites or provide them upon request.

"The biggest concern with regard to eyelash adhesive is whether a person is sensitive or allergic to anything in the glue," Rizzuto says. "She should ask what type of adhesive is used and what the ingredients are. Then she can assess whether or not she may be allergic to any of the ingredients."

Find more articles, browse back issues, and read the current issue of "WebMD Magazine." 

I would like to start a series on this blog about the art of eyelash extensions.  I have a background in art. I used to do drawing and painting before I had kids so I feel that I have an eye for shape, style and proportions.  Look at this set of lashes, what do you see?

Clearly they are long, well placed and full.  Kudos to the artist.  Although... Here's what I see:  There are no extensions at all on the inner 1/5th of the eyelid.  That bothers me.  I like to taper down and do as many lashes as I can so that the black long lash extensions don't just come to an immediate end.  

What else do I notice?  The lash extensions are so long that they almost touch the lower line of the eyebrow.  You need to carefully examine the size and shape of your client's feature before determining what length would be appropriate.  

At Salt City Lashes we do so much more than just glue individual eyelash extensions to your natural lashes.  We create little works of art.  We will help you find the perfect length, curl, and style to suit your style, features and personality.  

Glamour.com just posted a tutorial on the smokey eye look.  I love that they mentioned lash extensions as a must.  Not individual specifically, but c'mon, there's nothing better! 

An no place offers a better service than Salt City Lashes.  Come see our Professional, Licensed & Experienced lash artists who are passionate about YOUR lashes.  

NDTVcooks.com posted an article online today about skin care in your 30s. Since I just turned 30 this year, I thought I should read this... 

Sadly, I can relate.  While My hair hasn't changed, and I don't have any wrinkles yet, my 30s hormones have manifested themselves in the form of severe acne... sigh... There are some great tips in this article about skin care for people in their 30s.  

At Salt City lashes, all of our lash artists are licensed estheticians.  if you have any questions about general skin care, feel free to pick our brains during your next service.  

Here are the tips given by Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj

How to look fabulous in your 30s:

To stay gorgeous through your 30s and after, follow these 8 simple steps:
 
1. Cleansing - Cleanse your skin each morning and make sure to remove all makeup and cleanse again before bedtime. This allows the skin to perform its essential protective and renewal functions well. Always use products suggested by your dermatologist as there are many products available in the market and picking the right can be confusing.

2. Exfoliate - Exfoliate at night rather than in the day. Overnight skin is in renewal mode and removing dead skin skin prior to bedtime enhances the skin's function. Exfoliate gently, just to remove dead skin and if your skin is oily or you've got acne then exfoliating twice a week should be sufficient.

3. Protect - Protect your skin during the day by combining an antioxidant serum or vitamin C serum with sun screen as they enhance each other. Be sure to apply the sunscreen first.

4. Stay hydrated - Make sure that the skin is not dehydrated. Don't spend more than 5 minutes in the shower and use lukewarm water. Use a moisturizing body wash as acts as a protective moisture barrier for the skin.

Here's a golden nugget of advice for working professionals: Add 4-5 drops of essential body oils or if nothing then almond oil/vitamin e oil/sesame oil in 2 mugs of water and splash it on the body to form a moisturizing coat.

5. Sunscreen - Wear a sunscreen with broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection every single day of the year, including raining days and on overcast winter days. UVA rays are "slow agers" which remain constant throughout the year.

6.  Moisturize - Rub in rich intense moisturizing body lotion or apricot oil daily after bathing on slightly damp body for a healthy, hydrated skin.

7. Drink water - Drink plenty of water to also stay hydrated internally. Add lemon or lime juice for an extra boost. Eat a healthy and high-fiber diet and workout for atleast 15-20 daily.

8. Stay stress free - Of course that's easier said than done but indulging in a hobby of ones choice works wonders for the skin.