Hypnotic Lashes Blog: November 2010

Monday, November 29, 2010

SEO and Stuff..

So Im back on the business end of the stick!
Iv been looking into SEO - Search Engine Optimization. I kept hearing it when talking to my designer and marketer so I really wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. Apparently there is a huge fuss, and now I know why!

SEO is basically how easy you and your website are to find. For me, owning my own business, I never really got into the marketing, promoting and online stuff. I have recently changed my tune though! Iv been reading up on SEO heaps and Iv found some really good info that I thought I should share.

If you have just started a website and your now wondering where all you visitors are then Iv found some basic stuff that might help you out!
There are these things called KEYWORDS - they are basically what people type into search engines to get what they are looking for ie. A person may be after MakeUp brushes, they type in Google "buy makeup brushes". You should always pick the best keywords you can to direct traffic (customers) to your site. You may need to do some research to see what key words your competitors are using. There are plenty of free services on the web that will help you do this - try searching for free keyword research tools. There is also a nifty trick that will give you a sneak peak into what exactly they have used......

Find the competitors website. When the page has loaded click on VIEW in your menu. THen click on view source - this will give you the source code of their website.
Now how to decipher the code....
You want to look at the header tags for a start. DO you see <head> at the top or in the first few lines? This is usually their business name.
The next thing to look at is the title - which may have something that looks like this:
<title>cupcakes, wedding cupcakes, bakery,cupcake supplies,buy cupcakes Sydney Australia and New Zealand</title>
it will usually appear below the header tag. You should make note of the keywords that the business is using. The less words you have in the title the better, but you should have your main keyword phrases in the title too.
Now you should look below this and see what keywords they are using in the meta tags and make a note of them.
<meta name="description" content="Hands on Cupcake baking Training Program, Buy cupcake Products, cold bake cupcakes, Individual cupcakes, cupcake flavoring , Call: 1800 cupcakes" />

<meta name="keywords" content="little miss cupcake, cupcakes, cupcake patty, cupcake baking Training Program, Find stockist, cupcake Products, Professional Bakers" />

A good guide is to repeat your main keywords or keyword phrases a few times in your description, making sure it still makes sense!

Also have a close look at the competitors website - do they have bold words or underlined words? Can you see an ongoing pattern?

I have found some other great articles on SEO and related info:
Everything you need to know about Keyword Density
Search Engine Optimization made easy for beginners
Website SEO Secrets to boost your ranking

Have a read and feel free to correct or comment

Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Complete Wedding List To Prepare for the big day!!

So many of my clients ask me how I was so calm on my wedding day. I guess good planning comes into it, knowing that you have everything ready and leaving the rest up to fate!

I have rustled through my wedding box (yes I had a wedding box so I wouldnt loose even the tiniest bit of paper!) to find my wedding planner list.

I have posted it here in the hopes that you can print it and use it yourself to make the best day of your life just a little bit easier!

As soon as you get engaged:

Announce your engagement to your family and friends
Get your self a folder or box and start putting every bit of paper you have in relation to your wedding in it - starting from the cutout of your engagement ad to pictures and receipts! Trust me it will save you loads of time and stress!
Place an engagement announcement in the newspaper
If you are having an engagement party book it and send out invitations
Set wedding date, you may need a couple of dates in case the venues you chose are booked out. - make sure you notify all overseas guest asap so they can arrange travel.
Determine wedding ceremony and reception style, casual or formal, reception centre, marquee, garden, beach or any other ideas.
Determine the number of guests that you may be looking at - remember this may have an influence over your venue - remember its quality not quantity!
Set your wedding budget, now is the time to decide who will be contributing and how much - I have written another post on the traditional contribution guides that may help in this area.
Start thinking about your wedding dress, look at different styles and cut out pictures or ideas from magazines so that you have a real life idea of what you would like.
Look for a suitable ceremony location and make tentative booking
Look for a suitable reception location and make tentative booking
Chose a marriage celebrant or check if your priest is available for your date.
Confirm your ceremony location and pay a deposit
Chose a caterer and book them
Choose and order your wedding dress or at least start paying it off
Chose and book a photographer - my pick here is Ashford Studio
Choose and pick your videographer - my pick here is Action Productions

9 - 11 Months Before Wedding Date:

Begin your guest list, ask parents for a list and do your own wish list, this can be finalised closer to the date.
Select your bridal party and ask them if they would do you the honor
Meet with your priest/wedding celebrant to discuss the ceremony, fill in all forms and discuss religious requirements.
Select the colour scheme for the wedding, you will need to think about the colours for your chosen ceremony and reception location and the attire for your bridal party.
Select your reception entertainment or DJ and start listening to demos
If you are planning an outdoor ceremony decide if you would like a wet weather option (chapel or marquee) book this in.
If you are planning an outdoor reception book the marquee and all other party hire such as tables, chairs, floor etc

6 - 8 Months Before Wedding Date:

Book reception entertainment
Choose and book ceremony entertainment if required
Chose and order bridesmaids attire - make sure you include everyone in this
Chose and order junior attire such as page boy flower girl - make sure you allow for any growth spurts they may have!
Chose formal wear for groom and groomsmen, organise fitting and book to hire.
Meet and book florist, decide which flowers you will require and what style you would like - again photos are a great thing to show exactly what you have envisioned
Chose a gift registry. Try and look for a store with a large range. If you would rather money towards something in particular, arrange a wishing well that guest can put their money gift in.
Choose your wedding cake and order it.
Place on hold some hotel rooms near by for your out of town guests
Inform all out of town and overseas guests of the wedding date as they will need to make travel arrangements.
Decide on wedding invitation wording and design, dont forget to involve both sets of parents.
Plan honeymoon or wedding trip
Organise passports, VISA's, birth certificates for your trip.

4 - 5 Months Before Wedding Date:

Finalise guest list
Finalise caterer and reception details
Reserve bridal suite for wedding night
Finalise wording for all stationary and order it
Order wedding rings
Finalise ceremony arrangements with priest/celebrant including marriage licence
Select gifts for each other
Select gifts for bridal party
Choose a hairdresser and make up artist - or have the Hypnotic Creative Team take care of all your hair and make up needs on the day - call 0450 LASHES or visit www.hypnoticlashes.com
You will need to consider trials for both hair and make up so book them now
Hire wedding vehicles for the bridal party, you will need to decide what sort of transport you need and where the two parties are getting ready.

2 - 3 Months Before Wedding Date:

Chose and purchase bridal accessories, veil, headpiece, jewellery, lingerie and shoes.
Chose and buy grooms accessories, shoes, cufflinks etc
Any new beauty routine should be started now. If you want to experiment with hair colours or styles now is the time - Make sure you check out our beauty Must Do's post to get you ready for the big day.
If you plan a diet and exercise routine start it now.
Pick up your invitations and start addressing them.
Confirm fittings and delivery date of your dress.
Confirm with all bridesmaids that they have organised their dresses and shoes - its a good idea to have them try them on a week before the wedding in case they need altering.
Decide on bombonieres and order them.
Ask special guests to do readings or take part in the ceremony in any way that you would like
Chose an MC, this can be a guest or a professional one
Select ceremony and reception music - you will need to music for such things as walking down the isle, signing the register, the first dance, cutting the cake, and any other specific moment you have.
Talk to the maid of honor and best man about the hens/bucks nights and any kitchen tea you have chosen to have. They will need lists of names and addresses you wish to invite.
Mail wedding invites out 6-8 weeks before the wedding
Have your hair and make up trial - call 0450 LASHES
Purchase anything required for the honeymoon.

6-8 Weeks Before Wedding Date:

Decide on vows and readings for the ceremony
Write your ceremony program
Add more gifts to registry if required
Have your final gown fitting and confirm when dress is to be picked up
Order drinks and alcohol if not included in catering package
Work out wedding day times before you confirm booking such as make up, hair, cars etc
Confirm your honeymoon reservations
Book in to have nails and toes done 1-2 days before the wedding - you might want to take your bridesmaids with you as well.
Whiten teeth

3 - 4 Weeks Before Wedding Date:

Organise your rehearsal and rehersal dinner
Contact everyone in the bridal party and ensure they know what is expected of them leading up to and on the day - you might even want to give them a print out of our Bridal Party To Do List!
Make sure all bridal parties shoes and attire are ready
Make sure you are following your beauty and fitness routine
Have a meeting with your priest/celebrant to finalise ceremony structure and let them know about your vows.
Pick up wedding rings and make sure they fit
Pick up wedding dress and store it carefully
For specific traditions make sure you have what you are using for something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Make sure you have a garter
Call all guest who havnt rsvp to confirm final numbers
Confirm all reception details including menus and numbers
Arrange seating for reception and make sure the venue and caterer has this asap
Name your place cards and deliver them to the reception centre
Check that you have luggage ready for your trip

1 Week Before Wedding Date:

Have rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and confirm your ceremony details and time with priest/celebrant.
Confirm your ceremony location booking, including time.
Confirm flowers ordered and delivery location and time with florist
Confirm cake order and delivery location and time with baker.
Confirm photographer time and location
Confirm videographer time and location
Confirm ceremony and reception entertainment and music
Confirm any party hire such as marquee, tables, chairs etc
Confirm any decorations or specialty items that have been booked
Confirm Bombonieres number and delivery details
Confirm transport to ceremony, to photo locations, to reception location and leaving the reception including times.
Confirm hairdresser and make up on 0450 LASHES
Confirm nail treatments
Confirm formal wear
Confirm MC
Confirm wedding night accommodation
Confirm with guests who are doing readings
Confirm honeymoon arrangements
Pack for wedding night
Pack for honeymoon
Arrange refreshments for bridal party while dressing
Check that you have all accessories that you need - shoes, jewellery, veil, lingerie, extra pair of stockings all your extras like something borrowed, something new, something used and something blue.
Have your hens and bucks nights
Groom should have a hair cut if required
Prepare your speech
Plan the night before the wedding - who will stay where
Leave a copy of your honeymoon itinerary with someone
Organise cash for anything that will need to be paid for on the day

1 Day Before the Wedding Date:

Pack car for honeymoon
Organise someone to transport wedding accessories
Organise someone to return any hires
Pick up tux
Review schedule with wedding party
Gather together everything you need to get ready on the wedding day - see our list of wedding day necessities
Drop off anything required at the reception venue
Check all formal wear items have arrived and are the right size.

AND MOST OF ALL REMEMBER ITS YOUR DAY, MAKE IT THE WAY YOU WANT TO REMEMBER IT!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Business Stuff - Marketing

So I have started reading a great business book -

The Vibe - Gary Bertwistle Buy the book

The marketing handbook for every product,
service and industry.

While most companies claim to have a brand, only a few make an authentic connection with customers or clients. The rest simply have a logo that gets slapped on to the side of a truck or onto a shirt. Today it's brands that will thrive and survive, and to build a brand, you need to create the right vibe around your business.

In The Vibe, Gary shares his secrets, stripping away the jargon and highlighting the essential thinking required before you spend time, money and energy on promotion and advertising. Whether you're a commercial, industrial, retail or service company, this book gives you the tools to create a powerful brand in the minds of your customers.

Easy to understand, practical and relevant for businesses of all sizes, with real examples of Australian businesses
- The Vibe is what every brand needs!

I will post more once i get more of the way through the book - Im only up to the second chapter but loving every word of it. I guess Im liking it so much because usually all the marketing books I read, seem to be overseas based - this one has great Australian business examples.

Friday, November 5, 2010

All About Lashes & Eyelash Extensions

What are Hypnotic Lash Extensions?
Hypnotic Lash Extensions are comprised of individual synthetic eyelashes that are curved to replicate a natural eyelash. The synthetic lash is thicker at the base and then tapers to a fine point.

They are applied your natural lashes, one extension at a time, for a natural look to lengthen and add fullness to your existing lashes. Synthetic lashes are made from synthetic polyester. Synthetic lashes respond better to wear and tear than other materials. they also minimise the chance of allergic reactions with human skin. You are more likely to suffer an allergic reaction to eyelash extensions that are made form animal hairs such as mink.

What do they look like and how do they feel?

With proper application Hypnotic Lashes look and feel completely real. Each application is customised to suit the individual. There are many thicknesses and lengths of lashes as per the image below.

Your stylist should also suit the styling of the lash extensions to how you would like your eyes to look and also take into consideration the shape of both your face and eyes.

There are endless possibilities of what you can do with eyelash extension some examples of lash styling are given below

You also have the option of selecting coloured lashes. These can be used to give you a fun look or be used to give your lashes highlighting effects. Below is an example picture of the variations in colours that are available.

What are the benefits of wearing Hypnotic Lash Extensions?

Most women chose Hypnotic Lash Extensions to lengthen their natural lashes, while other want their lash line to look fuller. Some who have naturally lighter coloured lashes chose to darken their exiting lashes. Some just love the look they can achieve with different colours and layering.

Hypnotic Lashes can create a younger looking appearance on many clients. Above all the main advantage of Hypnotic Lashes is how much time you can save during your beauty regimen. Hypnotic Lashes allows you to spend less time applying make up such as mascara as you will not need to use mascara!!

How long does the procedure take?

Depending on the experitise and experience of the lash stylist and also the number of lashes being applied, it generally takes between 60 to 120 mins to apply a full set of Hypnotic Lashes. Infills can take as little as 20 - 60 mins.

The application process...

You will be lying down on the beauty bed with your eyes closed while your lash stylist applies the Hypnotic Lash Extensions. There is no discomfort or pain involved in the process. In most cases, clients fall asleep due to being so relaxed.

Do you need lashes to get lash extensions?

Yes. As Hypnotic Lashes are applied directly one to one on your natural lashes you will need to have your own natural lashes for this application process.

Can I apply hypnotic Lash Extensions to my own lashes?

No. Only qualified and trained professionals should apply lashes to you. Ensure you check that your lash stylist has plenty of experience and does great work. Unqualified, inexperienced or unprofessional application may cause injury, lash damage or unnatural looking lashes.

How often should I get Infills?

A natural lash typically sheds every 60 - 90 days and is replaced with the growth of a new lash. After 2-4 weeks approx 1/3 of the lashes will have gone through their cycle. At this point, infills are required to replace the lashes that have completed their cycle.

What do I do if I would like them removed?

As the natural lashes go through their cycle they will shed and fall out, your lash extensions will fall out with them. However, if you would like them removed prior to this for any reason you should contact your lash stylist to have them properly removed. The removal process is quick and painless but ensures your own natural lashes are not damaged.

NEVER TRY TO PULL YOUR OWN LASH EXTENSIONS OUT!

Doing this will not only create big gaps in your lash line but it will be painful and you will have to wait up to 4 weeks for them to grow back

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Get Educated - Blepharitis the ELE enemy!

A great topic to know about if you are an ELE stylist!

So to start Im going to refer you to a link:
Images of different Blepharitis

The above link has some great info about Bleph and also shows you visual images to help you identify Bleph in a client. Basically Belpharitis is inflammation of the eyelid(s). It is an infected eyelash follicle that has become blocked. The sebum (oil), dead skin cells and bacteria on the eyelid block up the natural lash follicle. Over time the mouth of the follicle (at skin level) becomes inflamed and red. The natural lashes become thinner and sparse causing big gaps between the natural lashes.

The start of Blepharitis usually appears to look like dandruff between the lashes and is usually accompanied by itchiness. Pull the eyelid and stretch the skin out to the side (like your drawing eyeliner on it) and have a good look at the follicles. The skin around the lashes will look raised, bumpy and white.

Some symptoms of Bleph are as follows:

Redness of the eyelids.
Flaking of skin on the lids.
Crusting at the lid margins, this is generally worst on waking.
Cysts at the lid margin (hordeolum).
Red eye.
Debris in the tear film, seen under magnification (improved contrast with use of fluorescein drops).
Gritty sensation of the eye.
Reduced vision.

What Bleph means in the ELE industry:

Your clients will usually develop Bleph due to poor eye hygiene. Most clients feel that if they clean the eye area they will cause the ELE to fall off and therefore they dont clean the eyes as well as they should be cleaned!

You should always point out to your clients that they should clean their eyes at least twice a week with mild baby shampoo - as it is less likely to cause any irritation. They should use our foaming bottles (which can be purchased off the website www.hypnoticlashes.com) mix one part shampoo to two parts water. This will assist to remove any make up and oils that have accumulated on the skin.

If you have a client that you suspect has Bleph, you need to inform her in the gentlest way possible. Be polite, ask questions about her cleaning routine, the best thing YOU as a stylist can do is make sure all your clients are informed. Let your client know that Blepharitis requires medical attention by an eye specialist. The treatment will involve removal of all the ELE, so that the follicle mouth can be washed with hot soapy water followed by the application of an antibiotic cream. Unfortunately it is not possible to cure Blepharitis completely; however the symptoms can be managed. Once the symptoms are managed and hygiene is introduced, ELE can be reapplied.

The one thing you will need to inform your client is that all her eye makeup and possible some of her foundations may be contaminated - your client will need to dispose of her make up and replace it or she will continue to keep getting it back. This is where you as the stylist will need to keep a close eye on her eyes to ensure there is no reoccurrence - if there is then you need to start at the beginning and question her hygiene routine, if she has had treatment and if she has replaced her makeup.

The below instructions have been taken from www.allaboutvision.com

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Use a cotton-tipped swab to apply cleaning solution recommended by your eye doctor. Rub gently around the edges of your upper and lower eyelids, but do not get cleaning solution in your eye.

Blepharitis can be difficult to manage because it is often chronic, meaning that it never goes away completely. Your eye doctor may recommend one or more of these steps involving good eyelid hygiene and massage:

Apply a warm compress such as a washcloth to the outer eyelids.
Cleanse the eyelids with a commercial lid scrub or other recommended product.
Gently massage the outer eyelids.

A warm compress loosens the crust on your eyelids and eyelashes before you clean them. The warmth also can loosen any blocked residue in the oil-secreting meibomian glands in your eyelids.

To use a warm compress:

Wash your hands, then dampen a clean washcloth with warm water.
Place the washcloth over your closed eyes for several minutes.
Open your eyes, and then use fingers to rub gently around the outer eyelids in a circular motion. Don't press too hard on the eyeball.
Follow your doctor's recommendations on how often to use a compress and how long it should be kept in place.

When you first begin treatment, your eye doctor may suggest that you do this several times daily, for about five minutes each time. Later on, you might apply the compress once daily for a few minutes.

Cleaning the eyelids is essential to blepharitis treatment. Your doctor will recommend what cleansing agent to use, such as warm water only, baby shampoo diluted with warm water or a special over-the-counter product made specifically for cleansing the lids.

To clean eyelids:

Wash your hands, then dip a clean washcloth, cotton swab or gauze pad into your cleaning solution.
Make sure you squeeze out any excess moisture.
Gently wipe across your lashes and lid margin.
Rinse with cool water.
Repeat the process for your other eye, but use a different washcloth, swab or pad.

Your eye doctor may have you clean your lids several times daily to start, and then once daily thereafter. — GW