Questions from a newbie!

[spiritspa]

Hello Everyone!!

I am only new at applying eyelash extensions and completed a two day one-on-one training course last month (with Lash Out! Lashes). Since then I have done 6 full-sets and have a few questions that I hope you can help me with!

I am having some trouble with 'stickies'. I am using the Flash Lash glue, however I am still getting lashes sticking together, especially the lashes in the middle part of the lash line. By the time I get to this part of the lash line, the glue has started to get a bit thicker and stringy. The lashes only seem to stick together when the glue is thick and gluggy. When I find the glue getting thicker I will get some fresh glue and keep going. I just wanted to see if anyone else has this problem and if they have any tips and tricks to prevent stickies from happening. I have also been using a blower to help dry the glue on each lash before moving on to the next one on the other eye. Does anyone have any techniques they use to stop stickies as they are working?

Also, because I am only so new at this art, my full-sets have been taking about 3.5 - 4 hours to do!! Is this normal for a newbie? I have been trying to apply an extension to every single lash. When you were new, were you only applying to every second or third lash until you picked up a bit of speed? I'm not sure if I should continue to glue onto every lash or just do every second or third. My trainer said to only do every third lash until I get more confident, however the girls I have done requested thick sets so I felt like I should do every single lash. Doing every lash then takes almost 4 hours and by the end of it I am so exhausted and the client is usually quite restless!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you

[Lash Out! Administrator]

Hi Spiritspa and welcome to the Chat forum.

In regards to the issue your having with the glue thickening....I'm under the impression your using a JADE stone? As the FLASH LASH™ Glue is a thin consistancy, being exposed to air for the period of time your working (3-4 hours) will cause it to do this on a flat surface. I strongly suggest that you use a GLUE WELL to keep the consistancy workable throughout the entire day.
Obviously the glue will take longer to dry if it does thicken.
I believe this is causing the lashes to take longer to dry as your working. As the Flash is 3 second dry glue, the Blower should not be required, until the end of the treatment. Also, try placing the lashes further apart (every 5mm) across the lash line, starting from the outer eye to the inner eye. Then go back and fill in between each one. This gives the lashes time to dry as your working. You must go through your work, FREQUENTLY to unstick any lashes as your working. Do this at least 3-5 times during your full set application.

If it makes you feel any better my first REALY full set took 4 hours when I was learning....and yes this is normal. Obviously your a perfectionist and take pride in your work. Its only a matter of time before you fix the above mentioned issues and your time will get faster. And don't be discouraged by your clients wanting a thicker lash line. Just do what you can in 2.5 hours and if they want more...tell them to come back in a weeks time for a refill so you can give them more time (at their cost). Your only human and you can only do what your can do...don't be so hard on yourself sweetie!!

If you want me to explain in more detail about the glue/lashes issues, please do not hesitate to call me at the office on 03 98743336
Tami

[spiritspa]

Hi Tami!

Thank you for responding and answering my questions!

Yes, I have been using a jade stone! I have purchased some glue wells and the stainless steel glue ring today so hopefully they will help!! Do you have any tips on using the stainless steel glue ring? I'm worried the glue will pour out onto my clients face whilst isolating a lash! haha. Also, how many drops of glue should I put into the well?

And yes- I am a bit of a perfectionist and won't let the client go until I am 100% happy with the way their lashes look!! I did a full set on an older lady last night which took almost 5 hours!! She had such small, fine lashes which were extremely hard to see but she was very happy with the result!

I will try applying to lashes 5mm apart as you suggested and then fill in as much as I can in 2.5hrs!

I also tried to glue lashes on the outer and inner corners first and meeting in the middle of the eye. This seems to really help with preventing stickies as the glue is well and truly dried by the time I work next to it! Do you think this is a good technique? I am worried about placing bones in different sizes along the lash line as I may forget what size I am up to when filling in between!! I suppose I will get better with practice!!

[Lash Out! Administrator]

If your right handed, put the glue ring on your left thumb and twist the ring in the direction so the cup sits up right. About 5-6 drops should be enough. Don't freak out if you do spill some on the clients forehead/hairline. I did it once and nearly hyperventilated lol, but I can assure you, if you are unfortunate to do that...you will never do it again

With your lash application, I suggest working from the outer corner to the inner corner. You only need to apply 4-5 on each eye to get started. That is called PASS ONE. Be sure to work BOTH eyes at the same time. Each time you go through the lashes working outer to inner, its another PASS. On PASS TWO, put an extension between the existing ones you grafted earlier.
Keep doing this over and over until you have enough lashes evenly distributed. Be sure to check through the lashes after every two passes and pull apart any stickies.

5 hours is an excessive amount of time for a client to be still. Perhaps you can cut it down to 3 hours and get her back in with the same week to finish them. Remember, try to make the experience a pleasurable one...not a tedious one lol

Another great tip, is to use a sharp point permanent marker to draw on the eyepads. You can mark out which lengths to place where. Sometimes when your concentrating, its hard to see the forrest through all the trees. Working so close, its easy to forget where you are at. Eventually, you will develop an eye for it over time and you can throw out the Marker pen ;D

[bella]

I've been doing lash extensions for about 9 mo. I feel that my technique is better but it still takes me about 3 hours to do a full set, and 1 1/2 hours for a good fill. What are some tips for a quicker application that looks full? Also what are the lengths and thicknesses that you experienced extensionists prefer to use. I find that I'm all over the place and wondering if I'm using too many different sizes in an application.