Last week I wrote about the best habits to develop to make your lashes last the longest. Today, on the flip side of that coin, is about finding a lash artist who won’t wreck your lashes!
The thing I, sadly, hear the most is that a particular studio gets a ton of clients because they’re offering $50 full sets of extensions. People are going there because they’re drawn to that price. I will admit, I’m often drawn to a particular service or product based on that factor as well! But the old adage, You get what you pay for, is never more true than in this case.
Price is often predicated on location. There are some cities that have such a saturation of lash artists that are working to price each other out, that a $50 full set isn’t unheard of for quality lash artists. Here in the Portland area, however, good lash artists aren’t “racing to the bottom”. You can find a really great, experienced and educated lash artist who offers full sets of extensions anywhere from $150-$300. It should be noted, that higher price does not equal better. I’ve personally had to fix and replace lashes that the client said they paid over $250 for. It should also be noted, sometimes lash artists offer special pricing; occasionally offering a discount doesn’t mean they’re a poor choice.
So an important factor to consider, then, since you cannot choose on price alone, is their portfolio. All good lash artists post their work on their Instagram account or some other medium. Dig deeper. Look through their pictures, and zoom in - do the lashes look glued together? Do you see big shiny lumps of glue at the base? Do they look overly edited or photoshopped? Do they look sparse and spidery? Great lashes will be fluffy, evenly spaced, straight, and blend nicely across the lid from inner to outer corners. You won’t see much adhesive. Photos won’t be pixelized (indicating they were overly tampered with).
Another factor to consider: cleanliness. This is something you may actually have to schedule a consultation to determine. Most lash artists offer a consult, either free or for a small fee, that will be the perfect time to ask questions, check out their space, and assess cleanliness. Licensed estheticians in Oregon are held to extremely stringent standards, normally - but now in 2020, it’s even more strict. Make sure they’re abiding by laws and guidelines. Ask to see how they disinfect tools and how often. This sounds like a lot of research, but really - it’s your EYES we’re talking about! And your health!
Speaking of licensed estheticians… lash artists are required to be licensed by the state of Oregon in esthetics, hair design, or cosmetology before they can become a certified lash artist. When was the last time you asked to see someone’s credentials? Ask to see their license and certificate(s), and ask if they’re insured. Actually, this one should be listed first! Anyone can watch a YouTube video and claim to know how to do lashes. That’s…scary. You have no recourse, no insurance to fall back on should they ruin your lashes or worse, damage your vision.
When it comes down to it, in my experience, the best way to find a lash artist isn’t by price - it’s by word of mouth. Ask around before you start researching. Does one of your friends have lashes to die for? Ask her who does them! If they’re not taking new clients, ask who she recommends instead. Never, ever just go to someone because they’re the cheapest. 100% of my current client base found me from referrals.
You’re getting what you pay for, and you’re “getting” more than just lashes - you’re getting peace of mind, quality, a trusted relationship, true art, and your eye health. Take the time up front, and you won’t have to pay double for fixes down the line.
