In today’s beauty world, the sky’s the limit with enhancements to have done. Tightening, colouring, contouring, shrinking, filling and the list goes on. As a lash tech, I often hear “eyelash extensions have just started to become popular”. Not, the case. This craze has been stewing for more than 5 decades! The fibres were once made with real hair, gross. With the addition of mink, which is animal hair! EVEN GROSSER. During the ’70s only Hollywood actors and the ultra-rich could afford these eyelash enhancements. There weren’t many services offered and products had a heavy price tag. Costs being 100’s and in those days 100’s was lots. With many reports of major eye infections and lawsuits over cat hair, the market started to change. For the better!
Evolving Lash Industry 
Lash tech products now are made from synthetic fibre which offers a much safer alternative. In this last decade, lash services have started to drop in price making it easier for people to become addicted. The lash industry is not regulated so, everyone and their grandma not only have lash extensions but now offer the service at some level. Taking things a step further there are thousands of lash courses available offered by huge corporations to online lash DYI’s on youtube. Basically, you can learn from anywhere, buy a spa bed get some supplies and off you go.
Lashes IMO
In 2014 I began to consider the lashes everyone was getting. Excited, I booked a time. During the consult, I was asked what I wanted and I was specific about my envision. After my 45min beauty nap with her dog lying about 2 feet behind my head, I was done. I looked in the mirror and thought ok… I guess I can get used to it. They looked like my friends. I was so disappointed and now self-conscious. She said great and showed me the door. I held back tears while my husband held back his laughter. Then loving said you nice hunny. During my lash fill, I asked if we could go shorter, relax the curl maybe have the inner corners not poke me in the eyebrows. She said well I only have one type of lash and that’s all I use. Bummer…
Do we keep spending more money?
Being disappointed but excited to try again. I tried a new lash tech this time but it was strike two. The day after the application they all fell out. Every one! When I called to see what happened they blamed it on me and said I must have done something. For my third attempt, I was going to spend 300 at a fancy spa for sure they will be amazing! First, I didn’t even get a smile when I entered their premises. No hello, how are you? Just straight to it. Starting to feel discouraged they showed me to the spa bed. They didn’t ask me what look I wanted or how long, nothing. I thought “oh they are so good they just know!” Strike three you’re OUT! It was the worst set of them all! I was over it.
How I started my Lash Business
After the drama, I started to think, I can totally become a lash tech and open a business. Quit my 9-5 and work from home. But, how can I do this and make women not just look great but feel great?! How can I be different? I decided there has to be a better alternative to these crazy lashes. I did some research and found Xtreme Lashes a company I grew to have much passion for. They thought in extremely high detail making me feel confident I was on the right path. More on Xtreme to come but in conclusion, all these experiences gave me inspiration to open my business, Custom Lash and Laser! The laser part comes much later. https://xtremelashes.ca/en/school-partnership
My lash tech passion
Lastly, eyelash extensions should compliment a person’s natural look and not have the look take over the entire face. Lashing is an art and it’s simple once you get the hang of it. However, the journey can be long and tedious if you want 
to excel. Having different eye shapes, eyelids, and eyebrows all of these things need to be considered when planning a complete set. Essentially, what looks good on you will most likely not look good on me. Therefore, part of a job as a lash tech is to ask clients the right questions to make sure the final outcome is amazing! These past experiences lead me to one of my greatest passions. To make people happy so they feel beautiful inside and out. To me, this is one of life’s greatest gifts!