7 Mistakes Beginner Lash Artists Make

    Starting off as a new lash artist can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have the right guidance and advice. But don’t worry, everyone makes mistakes from time to time! It’s a normal part of the learning process. The important thing is to recognize these mistakes early on and learn from them to improve your skills.

    Making a few blunders as a beginner doesn’t have to be a big deal. In fact, it’s all part of the journey to becoming a successful lash artist. So take a deep breath, relax, and remember that with the right training and practice, you’ll be able to avoid these common mistakes and create stunning, long-lasting lashes for your clients.

1. Improper Isolation

    Did you know that our lashes have a life cycle just like our hair? It’s true! They grow and fall out naturally, and at different speeds. That’s why it’s important to isolate lashes correctly when applying extensions. So, proper lash isolation is crucial for letting your natural lashes grow and shed smoothly, keeping your lash extensions looking fresh and fabulous!

    But when you don’t isolate your lashes correctly, they can end up clumping together and forming “stickies.” And not only are stickies unattractive, but they can also seriously harm your natural lashes in the long run. So, it’s important to separate your lashes properly to avoid these issues.

    If lashes aren’t separated properly and end up clumped together, it can be a major bummer for your clients. Not only will it cause discomfort and itching, but it can also lead to long-term damage to the lash follicles. This can cause permanent lash loss and even bald spots. It’s important to isolate lashes properly to avoid these negative effects.

2. Wrong location

    As a beginner lash artist, one mistake you definitely don’t want to make is placing lashes in the wrong spot. It’s important to remember that lash extensions should be placed just a teensy bit (0.5-0.1 mm to be exact) away from the eyelid, along the natural lash line.

    Why does this matter, you ask? Placing the extensions too close to the skin can cause serious irritation and even harm to your clients. So, be extra careful and make sure those extensions are in the right place!

    When attaching lash extensions, it’s important to place them just the right distance from the skin. If they’re too close, the lash glue can clog up the follicles and lead to infections. Over time, this can cause permanent damage to the natural lashes, resulting in loss and even bald spots along the lash line.

    Besides, placing lash extensions too close to the eyelid can have severe consequences. The lash glue can block the natural lash follicles and lead to long-term damage to the lashes.

    Additionally, applying lash extensions too close to the skin can trigger an allergic reaction to the lash glue, resulting in redness, itching, swelling, and blurred vision for your client. To ensure the safety and satisfaction of your clients, it’s important to avoid improper application and adhere to industry standards.

3. Not Using Adhesive Correctly

    Choosing the right type of lash glue is crucial for a flawless finish. But, with so many options available, it can be a challenge to find the perfect one for you. To make the right choice, it’s important to consider your personal environment and needs before making a decision.

    It’s essential to pick the right glue for your lash extension application, as it can make all the difference in getting the perfect look. The challenge is to find the right balance. A glue that dries too fast can cause problems like a fast-drying glue droplet, poor placement, and weak attachment, resulting in early lash loss.

    But using a glue that takes too long to dry can cause lashes to clump together, improper placement, and prolonged exposure to glue fumes, making it more likely to trigger a glue allergy.

    If you’re noticing that your client’s lashes aren’t lasting as long as they should be, it could be due to using the wrong amount of glue during the treatment. A common mistake is to swipe the lash in the glue dot, which creates a film of glue on the extension that dries before it’s applied to the lash.

    To avoid creating a thick film of glue on the extensions that will dry before they’re applied, try scooping the glue instead of swiping the lash in it. The goal is to create a tiny ball of glue on the lash, not a big glob. If you find yourself with too much glue, just slow down your scooping speed. If you scoop too quickly, you’ll know you’ve got too much glue.

4. Not Placing Eye Patches Correctly

    Proper placement of eye patches is the foundation of a flawless set of eyelash extensions. If not positioned correctly, your clients may feel discomfort, and the final result can be messy if clients open their eyes as misplaced eye patches can impact eye mapping.

    The proper placement of eye patches is critical for a successful application. If the eye patches come into contact with the waterline, it can cause discomfort and even eye injuries such as chemical burns or bruising.

    If your clients experience lifted eye pads in the inner corners or difficulty closing their eyes completely, resulting in discomfort or even chemical burns, consider using foam tape as an alternative to traditional eye patches.

    Foam tape can be a useful alternative to traditional eye patches, especially for clients who have issues with eye pads lifting in the inner corners due to unique eye shapes or difficulty closing their eyes completely, which can lead to chemical burns.

    With foam tape, you can still perform eye mapping by drawing and cutting it to the desired shape for your clients. Additionally, using foam tape is a cost-effective option, making it a great choice for beginners.

5. Not Using a Lash Map

    Lash mapping is an important step in creating an eye-catching design. Even experienced lash artists use it, making it a crucial aspect to not overlook.

    Achieving symmetry in a set of lash extensions is crucial for a polished look. However, without using a lash map, it can be challenging to attain. Lash mapping may take some time, but it can greatly impact the overall appearance of the extensions.

    Laying out lashes in different lengths on different layers is an important aspect of creating a stunning set. For example, placing longer lashes on the bottom layers and shorter lashes on the top layers creates a natural look when the client opens their eyes.

    Accurately mapping the eyes is crucial to creating a symmetrical and visually pleasing set of lash extensions. It’s recommended to perform lash mapping with the client’s eyes open, using an eyeliner or brow pencil to mark the center of the iris on the eyelid. Mapping with closed eyes can make it challenging to accurately locate the center of the eye.

6. Inappropriate Pre-treatment

    Proper preparation is crucial for achieving a successful eyelash extension application. Before starting, ensure that all makeup, dirt, and debris have been thoroughly removed from the client’s lashes.

    To achieve optimal results in eyelash extensions, it is important to follow a thorough pre-treatment. This includes cleaning the lashes with lash shampoo or protein remover pads, and following up with a cleanser and primer.

    Even when performing infills, it is essential to follow these steps. Use microfiber brushes or lip gloss applicator brushes to effectively remove any makeup residue, dust, or grime from the roots.

    It’s advisable to request clients to come without makeup or not to wear waterproof mascara on the day of the lash treatment. This will save valuable treatment time and ensure the cleanliness of the eye area as waterproof mascara can be difficult to remove and can only be removed with an oil-based makeup remover, which can be time-consuming and tedious.

7. Not Sanitizing the Tools

    Maintaining clean and sanitary conditions in your work area and with your eyelash extension tools is critical to ensure the safety and comfort of your clients.In fact, one of the major causes of eye irritation during eyelash extension treatments is often due to unclean work environments or tools, not the eyelash extension glue itself.

    Proper sanitation of lash tools, including tweezers, cleansing brushes, wands, and hands, is vital to prevent the spread of eye infections among clients. Neglecting hygiene in the lash room can result in eye irritation and other health concerns.

    We highly recommend taking 10-15 minutes between each lash service for proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic!

Conclusion

    As a novice lash artist, mistakes can be common. But by heeding the seven common mistakes highlighted in this blog post, you will be on the path to becoming a professional lash artist.

    Mastering lash artistry can be challenging, but consistent practice and determination will lead to gradual improvement in your skills. Don’t give up, keep practicing!

    Hope this blog post is useful to you and wish you all the best on the road to becoming a lash expert! Stay tuned for more!