Let's talk lashes ladies! In todays world, it is so simple to find someone to do a service and call it a lash extension. We all want beautiful perfect lashes, but all extensions are not created the same way. Navigating through this high dollar industry making smart choices can mean the difference of being thrilled or extremely disappointed with your outcome. Below are a few tips from my experience as a certified lash artist to help you select an industry professional who is perfect for you!

1. MAKE SURE THEY ARE LICENSED AND CERTIFIED

Now, don't get me wrong. Just having a license does NOT mean an artist will do a satisfactory job. What it should mean is that they have received the proper training in individual placement of lashes, safety, and sanitation while providing for their clientele. Finding a great artist means starting with qualifications. Next comes the proof!

2 ASK TO SEE A PORTFOLIO
 
There is nothing at all wrong with requesting to see someone's work before paying them a significant amount of money in exchange for a meticulous service. Even if a particular professional came highly recommended by a friend or family member, you still want to look over their style to make sure it fits in with what you are imagining for yourself. With lashes, one size definitely doesn't fit all. The composition of the lashes is SO important for the final look. If they're crooked, clumped, or there is too much adhesive used, you won't get a good result. 

                         -Look for clean bases (no clumps)
                         -Lashes need to start in the tear duct and continue to the very edges
                         -You want shorter lashes near the nose and the outer corners of the eye

3. ASK ABOUT THE LASHES

With so many different options, choose what is important to you. Are you a vegan? You would want to make sure that you choose synthetic lashes, as these are cruelty free. Do they do volume or individual lashes? I've had clients come to me from other salons who literally knew NOTHING about what they had been paying for. Part of choosing a great artist, is being able to trust their decision making, but you definitely want your desires and requests to be heard. (i.e. length, thickness, curl, volume, etc.). There are also different diameters and degrees of curl. The measurements are represented in millimeters and the curl is coded with letters. See below: 

This is when it makes a huge difference to have a lash artist who is tasteful and skilled in selecting the perfect lashes for each client. So many artists get comfortable with one look, however, short thin lashes could definitely not stand up to the 0.3 mm thickness above! You would have breakage and crooked or drooping lashes. NOT GOOD! Another negative of using a lash that is too thick and heavy is poor retention. This brings me to my next point...

4. ASK ABOUT THE ADHESIVE

You can purchase eyelash extension glue on eBay for a couple of bucks. Let's all go ahead and agree that this (basically the equivalent of Lee nail glue) would not be something you would want to pay anywhere from $140- $250 to have applied to your eye area. Unfortunately these cheap adhesives generally contain formaldehyde, which is a cancer causing agent. The fumes can be very unhealthy if you're not in a large and well ventilated space, and these adhesives are much more likely to cause an allergic reaction. Preferably, find someone who uses an adhesive that was manufactured in the USA. If your artist can't answer these questions with ease, move on to the next artist on your list!

5. CHOOSE AN ARTIST YOU GENUINELY LIKE

This one might sound silly, but think about it, girls. You'll be going for bi-weekly fills and spending a good bit of time with this person. Wouldn't that be misery if you truly just didn't get along or have anything at all in common? You also need to be able to have an open dialogue with your artist of choice. I think in this industry, we as artists can get overworked and become so concentrated on completing our day that it's easy to forget to build a rapport with each client. So many of my customers complain about never feeling welcome or important at other salons. In fact, they have been asked to do some pretty unprofessional things to accommodate the artist! That's backwards!! Finding trust with your artist will make all the difference in the world. 

Here are a few other little tidbits:
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-For the love of lashes....make sure the artist sanitizes and rinses her tools, unless they are prepackaged. Believe it or not, I inherited a client who had never seen any type of sanitization. Ewwww. 
-Your artist should tell you to brush your lashes. If they don't, there's a problem. It's a necessity. If you try to brush and can't easily get the brush through from base to tips, RUN!!! They haven't set them properly. 
-Enjoy and care well for your lashes. Ask questions and follow directions to maintain great retention! Sometimes, it takes a few times working together to fall into a routine. 

​-TJ 

Spring brings new life, new growth, and at The Lash Room, a new service! Airbrush spray tanning is coming to Simpsonville and I couldn't be more excited! The website will be updated with pricing, product information, and starting dates. 

Thank you to our loyal clients for your continued support. 

1. We all need hydrated skin because we are all aging. However, during the winter months, extra hydration helps to keep away the dry, flaky skin that plagues so many. Boots botanics facial oil is one of my favorite products to help with this! My skin drinks it in, but I never feel oily after use. The best of both worlds!
2. My go to eye shadow palette, Urban Decay Naked Basics works for anyone, at a great price. Each shade is matted has great pigmentation. I use these colors for almost all of my photo shoots, but it makes the perfect neutral eye for a winter day or evening!
3. Glo Luxe Liquid Foundation is my daily foundation. It's super bendable, with build able coverage. I like to use Porcelain in my t-zone and Almond around the perimeter of my face for easy contouring. This foundation stays on all day and offers SPF, which we still need in the winter, ladies!

A little over a month ago, a client sent a beautiful bible verse to me and it was so relevant at that moment in my life. Isaiah 41:10 says Don't panic, I am with you. There's no need to fear, for I am your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady and keep a firm grip on you. These words would prove very grounding to me in the recent weeks as my professional life has changed in the most beautiful way. My husband and I have been praying for guidance as to God's plan for our businesses, and through much heartache, our path is clear for The Lash Room. So, here is the news!

The Lash Room is getting it's very own space in a new city! We're moving to Simpsonville on Main Street to a quaint little building perfect for this  business and the precious clientele we serve. We have lots of plans for the next few years. I can't wait to bring you the same high quality services in a brand new location made just for you! 

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. I'll announce the opening date and post before and after photos soon.
2. Clients are cashing in on our referral program every week! Ask for details. 
3. Check out the gallery where I'm adding new photos all of the time. 

-TJ

Sometimes seeing the good in a bad time is easier than other times. In light of the horrific events that have been transpiring around the world, it seems as though this is one of the more difficult times to follow Fred Rogers' deeply wise words. We often forget about the beauty that can come from tragedy. I struggled with anxiety and stress over events that are totally out of my control for many years of my life. It took much of my joy and peace away. Even after becoming a Christian, I still let the fear creep in and cripple me. If I am totally honest, some days are very difficult to deal with, even when there are no tragedies around us. So, how do we find rest?

I fall into the promise that we have been given in the book of Jeremiah: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." This does NOT mean that no harm will ever come to us, or that our road won't be bumpy and broken. What it does mean is that we always have a gracious Father to catch us when things fall apart. His intentions are good (Romans 8:28) and His plan is perfection. 

I'm praying for Paris, for America, for our leadership, for revival, for people struggling with addictions, marriages that are falling apart....the list could go on. The best part is that God knows the list in it's entirety and has already covered it all in His precious blood that was shed for you and I.  -TJ

Autumn is the time of year when changes happen all around us. The leaves transform, the air turns crisp, and there is, for me, a sense of an end. This idea seems fitting for my life currently. I have contracted for the same company for 2 years, almost to the day. Leaving my job was difficult, however it was necessary for my professional growth. I LOVE doing lashes, making women feel great about themselves, and building a relationship while we chat and share our lives! This is the beginning of a new and exciting adventure, and I couldn't be more thrilled to share it with each of you.

I wanted to take the time to let my customers and future customers alike know where I will be providing services from now on. The Lash Room will be housed at Regency Salon and Spa nestled in the heart of Greenville. The space has been freshly renovated and the spa is my most favorite place! Imagine getting your lashes done in a chic and gorgeous spa room that is quiet and private, while offering waxing and esthetics service for your convenience! I'm so excited about this concept. I will show some photos of The Lash Room this weekend. Stay tuned!

Regency Salon and Spa
477 Haywood Road 
Suite C
Greenville, SC 29607
864-991-8877

​Call for an appointment soon! I'm already booking up.