C Curls....
We all love the look a C curl provides but where do you place them for the best bond?
Try placing your C curls on the side of the natural lash. Its easier to get a good bond right from the base and stops the end forking or kicking up.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Blepharitis the enemy of eyelash extensions!!
More and more our stylists are telling us that they are seeing new clients with Blepharitis, so we thought we best get you some information about it and what you can do to prevent it!
What is Blepharitis?
Well it is basically 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.
What does it look like?
The easiest way to recognise Blepharitis is that the the eyelash follicles become itchy (between the extensions/natural lashes).
Also there are tiny small white flakes between the lashes that look a bit like dandruff. 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.
Below is a picture that gives you an idea of what Blepharitis actually looks like:
What is the difference between Bleph and an Allergy?
Allergies present themself within 48 hours after the application of eyelash extensions. The client will either be allergic to the Acrylic or the Formaldehyde that ALL eyelash extension glues contain. Bleph can be an existing condition or a new one, that gets worse with eyelash extensions - especially if the personal hygiene is not maintained.
How do I prevent it?
MANY clients go out and get a full set of lashes and pay a lot of money for them. They figure "If I don't touch them, wet them, or wash them, they will last longer"....Wrong!!!...Its quite the opposite. Your clients should be washing their eyes with a soapy based cleanser at least 2-3 times a week. Baby Shampoo (no more tears) is a cheap alternative or else you could suggest my favorite - Neutrogena Fresh Foaming cleanser. I tell ALL my clients to wash their eyes in the shower with their fingertips to prevent getting Blepharitis at least TWICE a week. Its primarily a HYGIENE requirement, not just a way to remove makeup.
Do eyelash extensions cause Bleph?
Only if they don't wash their eyes or the condition was pre existing Before they had their first full-set.
Many people have Bleph for years and don't even know they have it. Putting Eyelash extensions on a client with an existing Blepharitis infection, will only enhance the condition and make it worse.
In order for clients to rid themselves of Blepharitis they will need to go see their GP and get a topical ointment, wash with warm soapy water and throw out all their contaminated make up products.
Blepharitis can be passed on from client to client so the best thing for you as a stylist to do is, inform your clients of these things and educate them on how to look after their lashes and this includes washing them weekly. You should also adhere to proper hygiene in your salon and always sanitize your tweezers and equipment after each client. In Australia we are not so strict with our laws but its a good habit to get into using disposable tools as much as possible to avoid cross contamination. using a new drop of glue for every client and a fresh clean set of tweezers for each client is also a great practice to get into.
Your reputation is hard to build and easy to have torn down - dont let something so preventable give you a bad rep!
What is Blepharitis?
Well it is basically 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.
What does it look like?
The easiest way to recognise Blepharitis is that the the eyelash follicles become itchy (between the extensions/natural lashes).
Also there are tiny small white flakes between the lashes that look a bit like dandruff. 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.
Below is a picture that gives you an idea of what Blepharitis actually looks like:
What is the difference between Bleph and an Allergy?
Allergies present themself within 48 hours after the application of eyelash extensions. The client will either be allergic to the Acrylic or the Formaldehyde that ALL eyelash extension glues contain. Bleph can be an existing condition or a new one, that gets worse with eyelash extensions - especially if the personal hygiene is not maintained.
How do I prevent it?
MANY clients go out and get a full set of lashes and pay a lot of money for them. They figure "If I don't touch them, wet them, or wash them, they will last longer"....Wrong!!!...Its quite the opposite. Your clients should be washing their eyes with a soapy based cleanser at least 2-3 times a week. Baby Shampoo (no more tears) is a cheap alternative or else you could suggest my favorite - Neutrogena Fresh Foaming cleanser. I tell ALL my clients to wash their eyes in the shower with their fingertips to prevent getting Blepharitis at least TWICE a week. Its primarily a HYGIENE requirement, not just a way to remove makeup.
Do eyelash extensions cause Bleph?
Only if they don't wash their eyes or the condition was pre existing Before they had their first full-set.
Many people have Bleph for years and don't even know they have it. Putting Eyelash extensions on a client with an existing Blepharitis infection, will only enhance the condition and make it worse.
In order for clients to rid themselves of Blepharitis they will need to go see their GP and get a topical ointment, wash with warm soapy water and throw out all their contaminated make up products.
Blepharitis can be passed on from client to client so the best thing for you as a stylist to do is, inform your clients of these things and educate them on how to look after their lashes and this includes washing them weekly. You should also adhere to proper hygiene in your salon and always sanitize your tweezers and equipment after each client. In Australia we are not so strict with our laws but its a good habit to get into using disposable tools as much as possible to avoid cross contamination. using a new drop of glue for every client and a fresh clean set of tweezers for each client is also a great practice to get into.
Your reputation is hard to build and easy to have torn down - dont let something so preventable give you a bad rep!
Lash FX Tips....
Here are some more great styling techniques:
Geisha Fan:
7,8,9,10,11,12,12,11,10,9,9
Angel Wing:
7,8,9,9,10,10,10,11,12,12,10
Fire Frame:
7,8,9,9,10,10,10,9,9,9,8
Natural:
7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10,10,9,8
Remember its the intensity of lashes that determine the look - the more lashes the more dramatic the look - the less lashes the more natural the look!
Experiment with different sizes and thickness and get creative!
Geisha Fan:
7,8,9,10,11,12,12,11,10,9,9
Angel Wing:
7,8,9,9,10,10,10,11,12,12,10
Fire Frame:
7,8,9,9,10,10,10,9,9,9,8
Natural:
7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10,10,9,8
Remember its the intensity of lashes that determine the look - the more lashes the more dramatic the look - the less lashes the more natural the look!
Experiment with different sizes and thickness and get creative!
Removing Lashes..
Every once in a while you will need to remove a full set of lashes or maybe just a few. Removal is a very delicate process and at no time do you want to damage the clients lashes.
Clients may wish to have lashes removed for a variety of reasons such as:
What ever the case may be, dont be upset when a client comes to you to have their lashes removed. The alternative is usually them pulling the lashes out themselves and this is a definite NO NO!!
Whenever I am removing eyelashes, I always elevate the client up. I also apply pads under the eyes so the solution does not get on the clients skin. I really like to use a microbrush as my tool of choice, other tools that may work well are an eyelash comb, disposable mascara brushes. Just do not use anything with cotton. The best advice I can give you, is to let the product work for you. I believe it takes about 5 minutes with the product on the lashes for them to easily slide off.
When you are sliding them off, do not be forceful, if they do not come off right away after 5 minutes, apply more solution to that area. Be patient!! After the lashes have all come off, I remove the pads, clean and prep the eyes with protein remover, dry the eyes, reprep and now I am ready to lash.
Be super cautious of using the remover near the eye area. As a general rule you should always use a gel remover as a liquid can easily drip into the wet line and sting the eyes.
If I have time I will clean the clients eyes as above, remove pads and have the client go and wash eyes, this is to ensure any glue residue is completely gone. You will need to make sure the lashes are completely dry before you start your lash application.
Try our glue be gone Gel here:
Hypnotic Lashes Glue Be Gone Gel Remover
Clients may wish to have lashes removed for a variety of reasons such as:
- They can no longer afford lashes
- They have been poorly applied by another lash stylist
- Client has a reaction to the lashes
- The client may not like the feel of the lashes
- The client may like to have lashes fully removed and then have another fullset applied
What ever the case may be, dont be upset when a client comes to you to have their lashes removed. The alternative is usually them pulling the lashes out themselves and this is a definite NO NO!!
Whenever I am removing eyelashes, I always elevate the client up. I also apply pads under the eyes so the solution does not get on the clients skin. I really like to use a microbrush as my tool of choice, other tools that may work well are an eyelash comb, disposable mascara brushes. Just do not use anything with cotton. The best advice I can give you, is to let the product work for you. I believe it takes about 5 minutes with the product on the lashes for them to easily slide off.
When you are sliding them off, do not be forceful, if they do not come off right away after 5 minutes, apply more solution to that area. Be patient!! After the lashes have all come off, I remove the pads, clean and prep the eyes with protein remover, dry the eyes, reprep and now I am ready to lash.
Be super cautious of using the remover near the eye area. As a general rule you should always use a gel remover as a liquid can easily drip into the wet line and sting the eyes.
If I have time I will clean the clients eyes as above, remove pads and have the client go and wash eyes, this is to ensure any glue residue is completely gone. You will need to make sure the lashes are completely dry before you start your lash application.
Try our glue be gone Gel here:
Hypnotic Lashes Glue Be Gone Gel Remover
Lash FX Tips....
So we thought we would start a post that gave you hints and tips on getting great effects or FX on your lash sets.....
Check out the tag Lash FX Tips to see all the ones that we have come up with to help you try new styles and get some different looks happening in your lash business!
Lash FX Tip:
Try a whole set in C and D curl using 0.15 thickness. Once you have gotten all the top layer of lashes done, grab your tape and tape the lash line up and go in underneath with shorter lashes in 0.10 thickness.
Guaranteed to give you that fluffy doll eyed look!
Try using B and C curl for a less dramatic curl look!
Check out the tag Lash FX Tips to see all the ones that we have come up with to help you try new styles and get some different looks happening in your lash business!
Lash FX Tip:
Try a whole set in C and D curl using 0.15 thickness. Once you have gotten all the top layer of lashes done, grab your tape and tape the lash line up and go in underneath with shorter lashes in 0.10 thickness.
Guaranteed to give you that fluffy doll eyed look!
Try using B and C curl for a less dramatic curl look!
Sensitive Clients With Sensitive Eyes..
We all have clients who are sensitive to glue. The level of sensitivity varies from person to person and you have to be aware and take precautions to avoid irritations.
A few things that will help are....
There is something wrong with the seal of the eye if a client is having any negative sensations or problems. This happens to all of us .. we're going to get clients who's eyes water! If we're using eyepads properly, and not interfering with the eye closing properly by having eyepads getting in the way or taping an eye - especially upper eyelids! - so it is not closing naturally, then we're not to blame ... it can be the client who's eyes "flutter" thereby cracking open!.. or the chick who falls asleep on the table and her eyes pop open a bit... or the type of client who's eyes open slightly when they talk.
At no point in time should you allow your clients to open their eyes for any reason at all! This is when they are most likely to suffer a chemical burn and have what we all keep referring to as sensitive eyes!
Glues that are sold as sensitive are not referring to the sensitivity on the yes themselves but that of the skin. In saying this at not point in time should you be getting any product what so ever on the skin. The obvious exception to this is tape.
If you feel that you, as the stylist, are becoming sensitive to the glue you use then you should be wearing a mask and also specs, to at the very least protect yourself from day to day exposure.
For your clients, the best thing you can do as their stylist is ensure a really great seal of the eyes. Dont allow them to open during the procedure and always give a good amount of time at the end to dry.
A few things that will help are....
- The adhesive (in my experience - no matter which one you use) will cause irritation to the eye if the eye is allowed to open or if it is not sealed correctly. The eye must stay sealed properly throughout the procedure and for at least 2 minutes (with the use of a fan of some sort as a final step - or 5-7 minutes without).
- If the eye is closed (and stays closed) properly, how can the eye itself get irritated? It cant, plain and simple. Always ensure that you have a really good seal on the eye. This will prevent the fumes, if any, from getting in and affecting the membrane (whites of the eye).
There is something wrong with the seal of the eye if a client is having any negative sensations or problems. This happens to all of us .. we're going to get clients who's eyes water! If we're using eyepads properly, and not interfering with the eye closing properly by having eyepads getting in the way or taping an eye - especially upper eyelids! - so it is not closing naturally, then we're not to blame ... it can be the client who's eyes "flutter" thereby cracking open!.. or the chick who falls asleep on the table and her eyes pop open a bit... or the type of client who's eyes open slightly when they talk.
At no point in time should you allow your clients to open their eyes for any reason at all! This is when they are most likely to suffer a chemical burn and have what we all keep referring to as sensitive eyes!
Glues that are sold as sensitive are not referring to the sensitivity on the yes themselves but that of the skin. In saying this at not point in time should you be getting any product what so ever on the skin. The obvious exception to this is tape.
If you feel that you, as the stylist, are becoming sensitive to the glue you use then you should be wearing a mask and also specs, to at the very least protect yourself from day to day exposure.
For your clients, the best thing you can do as their stylist is ensure a really great seal of the eyes. Dont allow them to open during the procedure and always give a good amount of time at the end to dry.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Glue Clogging Up???
Sometimes we have customers that admit they are a little messy with their glues... They say that they are getting clogged bottles and lots of mess around the tip.
The best way to avoid this problem, is to turn the entire bottle upside down when you squeeze out the glue. This prevents the glue running down the neck of the bottle and causing it to dry up at the opening. The lid must be placed back on immediately.
Another good tip is to use a new drop of glue for each client - remember you should always have the clients best interests at heart - and that means clean and disposable where ever possible!
The best way to avoid this problem, is to turn the entire bottle upside down when you squeeze out the glue. This prevents the glue running down the neck of the bottle and causing it to dry up at the opening. The lid must be placed back on immediately.
Another good tip is to use a new drop of glue for each client - remember you should always have the clients best interests at heart - and that means clean and disposable where ever possible!
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