Refilling someone elses work

[clarityskincare]

I have a new client coming in on Friday that wants me to "fill" her lash extensions that were put on three weeks ago by someone else. She's stating that they have almost all fallen out.

1. How would you change this client?
2. Would you plan on removing the remaining lashes to start from a clean slate?

If the person who initially applied these is who I think it is, I've seen some of their clients and the lashes are almost always a bit wonky and way too many natural lashes seem to be missing.

[i-LashNYC]

I explain to clients that I may or may not be able to fill in someone else's work, it is all depending on the quality and amount left. I explain that it may consist of a new set and to be prepared either way. I haven't had any issues. If I can work with what they have its a fill price, or a little extra if I do just a bit extra. Anything that equates the labor of a new set would have to pay for a full set. I leave it up to them.

[Eyecatching Lashes]

My policy is that I don't refill someone else's work. In my experience people change therapist if they are not completely happy with the work done. I recently took on two new clients both had had sets applied, one was unhappy with the no of lashes lost after one week and the other thought that her lashes looked unkempt. In both cases I advised that they could either wear off the lashes,or come to me for removal and a new set.

By refilling another's work you may find the end result unsatisfactory, the treatment time, if a lot of corrective work is required may take as long as a full set but more importantly if the client was to experience more problems then they may apportion the blame to you. In both of the above cases the client agreed to have a new set and re-booked for refills.

[Lash Out! Administrator]

I totally agree with the above replies. Sometimes its not worth committing to do a lash fill when you have no idea what they are going to be like. A refill could be a new full-set if they come in with 5 or 6 lashes on each eye, leaving you confused as to what the charge should be.

Personally, I offer to remove the remaining lashes at No Charge. Only takes about 15mins. I explain that unless all the other glue/lashes I cannot do them. If they have a reaction or a problem - you don't know whether its YOUR application/glue or whether it was the previous set causing the trouble. Anyway nothing looks better than a fresh new set!

[ilashes4u]

I usually have the person come in for a consultation and since I live on an island I can usually find out where they got them done and what product was used. By doing it this way I can see what needs to be done and can book accordingly. There is always a reason they are calling me. Its either my fills are cheaper or they werent happy with what was done, sometimes their girl moves and the person doesnt want to travel off island. My fills are 60.00 so what happens is sometimes the person would rather pay 60.00 then travel for 40.00 and sometimes its the other way around. I'm a hairdresser so 40.00/hour doesnt make sense for me. The going fill rate is 40.00 here but they dont have the experience either and my full set is now 200.00 so sometimes the client gets a full set for 150.00 or less and is willing to travel for that but wants a fill from me. Its all very sticky. The moral of this long diatribe is that I never turn down someone who wants to give me their money.
ILashes4U

[clarityskincare]

Thanks for all of your comments. I wanted to tell you what happened.

My client had her lashes done in Texas about 3 weeks prior. She was in Michigan on vacation and her mother lives near my shop. She came in with approx 5 lashes left on either eye. There were about 5 natural lashes attached to each of the lash extensions. It took me 20 minutes to get them unstuck. After I got them off I proceeded to do a full set that turned out very nicely.

I informed her I would be charging her for a full set. And she was fine with that.

[Lash Out! Administrator]

Clarity, your lucky.
Some clients get upset when they have to pay for a full-set.
I hate some of the work that other people have done that come in for removals.
I had a client come in with a set that had 5 or 6 natural lashes glued to one extension.
There are alot of people out there that have no idea what they doing!

[eyecandy]

These poor clients with ugly lashes are looking for someone that is skillful in the application of lash extensions. Why turn them away? Unless the lashes are in clumps of glue and the work is really bad, I usually take everything off and start again. Otherwise, I add to what they have and within 4-5 fills they are usually rid of the old lashes and wearing mine.

[ilashes4u]

I got a new client yesterday for the simple fact that she found me on the web and doesnt want to travel to Boston ( 1.5hours) away. If I hadnt taken her yesterday for a fill I would have never know she was looking for someone local and actually lives here year round. I'm so happy I decided to fill someone else's work.

ILashes4U

[lusciouslash]

I also have a new client who wants me to fill another extensionist's work. My question is - how do I prep? She has a set from Xtreme, I use Novalash products. Will my remover work on her adhesive? What about IPA or protein remover for cleaning - will that destroy her current extensions?

[Lash Out! Administrator]

Hi Luscious, I would allow an extra 15 mins if you don't know what state her lashes are in. If they are really bad (heaps of glue & lashes clumped together), remove them - clean them well and re-book her for a full set at a later date if you don't have time.

If your using the Gel glue remover, it is very compatible with all types of glue and works quickly to dissolve any type of glue. Any protein remover or IPA can be used, as these products do not effect glue that has already hardened/dried.