Lash-Ed Magazine Issue 4 October 2019

lash-ed.com

Issue 4

Oct 2019

LASH Styling THE Menopause

World Lash UNIVERSITY Lash Extensions | Business | Wellbeing | Safety Magazine for Lash Stylists, Trainers, Suppliers and Enthusiasts

Welcome from the Lash~Ed team!

Hey there!

Welcome to the 4th edition of Lash~Ed. We’ve been joined by even more talented feature writers. I’m overjoyed to welcome Frankie Widdows, Hanna Putjato, Sylvia Liu, Dominique Graupner, Kristina Shepherd, Inese Stepanova, Dimitra Gkouzou and Tania Withers to Lash-Ed's amazing writing team! They have so much knowledge and lash love that they are only too willing to share. I'm sincerely grateful to them!

Julie Knight Editor

It’s been a busy and challenging time since the last edition. I'm not one for laying bare but I'm conscious that this edition is not as timely as I would have liked.

Like many readers, I've had to deal with my fair share of personal challenges around family and health - and so it continues!

You'll notice that we have 2 special features in this edition with one being about the menopause. It's something that until you realise you're going through it, you may not have given a second thought. Its impact can be life-changing at the time and many of us consider giving up work, and many do. Our clients and those we work with may be coping with symptoms that need to be considered.

Antony Knight Technical Director

Shan-Bethan Artistic & Creative Director

My long awaited operation eventually took place in March (a bit of me putting of the inevitable and a bit of snow making it a super busy time for our healthcare system). Whilst it's helped with one rather debilitating menopause symptom, many others are so much worse now. By definition, the menopause is a day in your life but for 80% of women, it’s 4-9 years coping with anything up to 35 different symptoms. Around 77% don’t know they’re going through it. I didn’t until recently and it explains why I can't work at the level I used to a year ago! I recently become a bit of a Menopause 'champion' and held workplace conferences and awareness raising workshops with a fantastic company called Talking Menopause. To my surprise, our local BBC radio station interviewed us in the studio on their live Breakfast show.

We have 2 experts featured in this edition and 1 shares her incredible story and as a consequence, is leading a campaign in the UK to ensure that education for young women and doctors is in place.

If like me, you think you’re too young for the M word, think again. 1 in 100 will be under 40 and 1 in 1000 under 30. If you know what could come at you, you can be better prepared to look out for you as I'm now having to do! If you're an employer, then you'll need to be thinking about reasonable adjustments for staff as you have a duty of care.

I've taken part in a lot of women’s development events as a guest speaker and facilitated some work/life balance workshops. There was plenty of realisations, tears and hugs! I regularly worked over 90 hours a week for many years with a young family so my 1st marriage breaking down came as no surprise. Lessons learned that I happily share.

I've been privileged to judge a number of online lash competitions as well and featured on Lash Boss Radio and Life of KG podcasts with many of my Lash Idols! My wonderful business partners Katie Godfrey, Zoe Mizon and I have worked tirelessly to organise a sensational educational, motivational, inspirational event called World Lash University and we hosted the first day conference and evening gala in May. I’d love to thank all the speakers, sponsors, competition and award participants and those who came along. You would be very welcome to join us at our second event next May as we have another amazing range of speakers and sponsors. See for yourself at www.worldlashuniversity. com I said we have 2 special features. I asked readers what they would like to see in Lash-Ed and many asked for advice about styling. This industry has grown for the better as it was more about getting them on okay when I started out rather than thinking about what would suit each client!

As you know, Lash-Ed is all about education and inspiring stylists to be the best they can be. It's created by the industry, for the industry in an effort to truly support it. As a reader, you probably have some amazing advice or tips to share with your lash colleagues. You too can be a writer. You don’t need to be great at it. I have helped many to tell their story or finesse their articles so the only thing that’s stopping you is you! See how you can be published in a magazine by visiting www.lash-ed.com or email me at julie@lashed.com Finally, I'd like to take a moment to thank all the writers featured in Lash-Ed who have contributed their knowledge, passion and time to share. I am truly thankful to you and you are welcome to wear your 'as featured in Lash-Ed magazine' badge with pride!

Thanks for reading,

Julie Knight Editor P.S. Let me know what you would like to see in future editions x

I’ve been involved in a few different things this year.

If you have longed to be featured as a writer or contributor to a magazine, now's your chance. It's free to be featured (other than direct advertising) and you'll be accredited for your work. You'll receive your 'As featured in Lash~Ed' digital badge to acknowledge your contribution that you can display with pride on your website, social media and marketing materials. See our website for more details on getting featured. www.lash-ed.com

Meet our regular feature writers Frankie Widdows CEO of Eyelash Excellence

Sylvia Liu CEO of Lash Heaven

Katie Godfrey Zoe Mizon Founder of KG Salon / KG Founder of High Lash Couture.

Professional. Lash Stylist & Lash Stylist & Trainer Trainer

Hanna Putjato Founder of London Lash Pro

Front cover by

Dominique Graupner Founder of Lashes by Dominique

Clare Creed Professional Photographer

Jamie Butler Chief Marketing Officer LashBase

Kristina Shepherd Founder of 27 two 6 Beauty & KSLA

Zoe Thompson Lifestyle & Wellbeing Coach

Karen Baguley Founder of Arch Angels Beauty. Lash Stylist

Inese Stepanova Founder of I.NOVA Studio

Merlin Callaghan Founder of MLAB, Lash artist, Trainer & Judge

Ria-Jaine Lincoln Accountant, Lash Artist & Behind the Mask Champion

Tania Withers Founder of The Beauty Training Group

Manami Edwards

Photography by Akiko DuPont Read more about them at www.lash-ed.com

Dimitra Gkouzou Award winning Lash Artist, Trainer, International Judge & Speaker

Could this be you?

Ask Julie about what's involved!

Disclaimer notice: Lash~Ed magazine takes reasonable and proportionate measures to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes. Lash~Ed are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for any matters arising as a consequence. The material is provided for information and should not be solely relied upon or used as the main basis for making decisions. Any reliance on this material is entirely at your own risk

What's inside >> Lashes

36 When is the right time to grow? By Katie Godfrey

6 Introduction to Styling by Frankie Widdows

37 Standing out and moving with the time by Zoe Mizon

8 Asian Eye Styling by Manami Edwards 10 Styling Consultations by Hanna Putjato 11 Styling, it's easy when you know how, by Arune Mooney

38 To rent or not to rent by Karen Baguley 39 Live competitions by Karen Baguley 40 Choosing the right educator by Tania Withers

12 Styling tips by Julie Knight

41 The VAT attack by Katie Godfrey

14 How Cindy Nicholls creates an award winning masterpiece

42 Reward for investing by Ria-Jaine Lincoln

15 Meri Antonić's fantasy world

44 Your tech questions answered by Antony Knight

16 Tips on lash mapping by Helga Toth-Halapi 17 See how the Sprit of Yuletide was created by Mai Châu 18 Lashes, colour and styling by Dominique Graupner 18 You're a designer by Inese Stepanova 19 Dimitra Gkouzou talks about whether colour really matters 20 Elena Obukhova shows the Kim K effect created in colour 21 Polina Glebanova on the Kim K trend 22 Introducing . . . some lash artists work

43 Set yourself apart by Kristina Shepherd

Wellbeing 46 Why menopause matters by Diane Danzebrink 48 Menopause: Do you really need to know? By Julie Knight 49 Menopause and work by Talking menopause 50 Get set for success in 2020! by Zoe Thompson

Safety

23 Do you HAVE to lash ALL the lashes?

52 Megan's story. When it doesn't go right but viral

24 World Lash University Class of 2019 winners

53 Who's liable by Lynne Baker

Business

54 The Ultimate OSCAR© by Leanne Harber

26 See what happened at World Lash University 2019!

28 A week in the life of Katie Godfrey 30 It's all about your team! By Katie Godfrey 31 The Cleanest Salon on the block by Sylvia Liu 32 Gabriella Giannini has taken that jump!

33 Extending your treatment list by Elizabeth Grieve 34 Behind the Mask Free online training!

35 Introducing Lash Boss Radio by Shelby Tarleton

14 17

Lashes

Introduction to Styling

By Frankie Widdows Those who follow me will know my passion for lashes and If the distance between the eyes is less than the width of an eye – they in particular creating those bespoke lash sets for your would be close set: clients. In this article, I am going to be discussing Eye Styling, the importance of it and some tips and tricks for you that I have learnt over the years!

In the lash industry we tend to find that Eye Styling is not seen as important or vital to learn and most technicians complete their beginners’ course and then rush into volume. In my opinion this is a BIG MISTAKE and was a mistake I made myself!

So why is Eye Styling so important? For those of you who normally do the same style on each client have you ever done a set of lashes and thought wow those look really good and suit that client, then on another client thought they look awful. If so this is because you haven’t styled your client accordingly. You could be the best technician in terms of application and creating perfect fans BUT if you get the styling wrong your set can look completely wrong and no one notices that lovely clean, perfect work.

The reason you need to distinguish if your client is wide or close set or if they are balanced is because this will determine what style you create on your client. For example, if a client is wide set you do not want to place length on the outer of the eye as this will accentuate their eyes being wide set as it draws your eyes outwards! Equally if someone is close set you do not want to place the length over the middle of the eye as this will accentuate that they are close set by drawing the eye inwards.

Think about it. We have so many options for lashes to use, thickness, lengths, curls, classic, flats, volume, so why wouldn’t we choose lashes that are going to complement our clients and accentuate their beauty and maybe disguise what they don’t like.

This is where the different lash styles come into play. You generally have the 4 detailed below:

Eye Styling is really in depth and I would highly recommend you take a course, or attend a workshop to learn more, however I am going to share some of my knowledge on this subject to help give you a flavour on how you can style your clients.

For me, the first thing to consider is whether my client has wide, close or balanced set eyes. If the distance between the eyes is more than the length of one eye – they would be wide set:

However it is not just the style you want to use correctly but also the correct curl and lash direction. The diagrams below explain the style, curl and lash direction to use whether you are correcting wide set or close set: Wide Set Eyes:

Drooping outer/corners (sad eye) – DO NOT ever do a CAT on this eye you will only accentuate their sad eyes! Consider if they are wide or close set and choose a style accordingly. The difference with styling a drooping outer corner is you need to use a strong curl on the outer to add lift and keep lengths short on the very outer. Length draws the eye outwards and elongates! Use CC & D curls in the drooping area.

Deep Set – the client’s eyes almost look like they are set back in their head. You need length on these clients, add 1-2mm on length extra to counteract the mm lost through the deep set nature of the eye.

Feline eyes – do anything on these! Consider whether they are wide or close set. I personally think a Kitten looks fab on them and accentuates their feline eyes!

The last thing I am going to discuss to consider is the client’s face shape, you need to think about whether they have a long or wide face.

Close Set Eyes:

This is just one aspect you need to consider when eye styling. You also need to consider the shape of someone’s eyes and their face shape, again put the wrong style on them and you could accentuate a feature you don’t want to! So the shape of the eyes you need to consider are they: Almond shape – if they are balanced and aren’t wide or close set then you can do anything on them!

Round eyes – you want to soften their eyes so using flatter curls like a B and C curl. If they are close set then do a Cat (providing outer lashes can support). If slightly wide set then do a kitten, the reason you wouldn’t choose a rounding or dolly if doing a round eye that is wide set is because they can make a round eye look even rounder and give quite a startled look!

As you can see there are lots of elements to consider when styling your clients, and there might be more than one feature you need to take into account. If there is two features that contradict one another for styling then what I advise students is to go with the most prominent feature to disguise.

Frankie Widdows www.eyelashexcellence.com

Styling Special Feature | 7

Asian Eye Styling Know the difference and style your client better!

I would like to start by describing the characteristics of the Asian eye and eyelashes. As can be seen here, generally -

By Manami Edwards

They're often downward facing so care is needed.

- Work with lash layers. Consider your placement to avoid gaps.

This can happen as there are less lashes and layers.

The eyes are smaller The eyelid is heavy Their tends to be a wide distance between the eyes and eyebrows The eyelashes grow downwards There are fewer lash layers along the lash line The average number of natural lashes along the upper lash line is between 80 - 100. This tends to be less than those from Europe who tend to have between 120-150 lashes.

The eyelashes tend to grow downwards at an angle of 80.9° degrees.

The lashes grow at a slightly slower rate too with a daily speed between 0.1mm to 0.18mm when compared to 0.18 – 0.3mm.

The 3 types of Asian eyelids 1. Single / Mono eyelid 2. Double (crease) eyelid 3. Semi double eyelid

The key to styling Asian eyes is - To understand your clients styling preference.

Around 80% will not want heavy looking lashes.

Darkness or density that covers the eyelid may be too heavy.

- Assess their eyelid so you know its type. There are 3.

- Consider the direction of the natural lashes.

These are Asian terms or description. Older people in Asia would know what they mean, even the men!

1. Single / Mono eyelid The single mono eyelid is heavy looking as the eyelid is hooded The lash line is completely hidden by the eyelid so it tends to make the eyes look small The natural lashes tend to grow downwards because the hood resting on it The ideal curls to use would be CC, D, L, LC, LD so that they show from under the hood.

I don't use L curls. Personally, I think the L curls are too harsh. I’ve had my lashes treated with them one time and I looked permanently surprised like I had walked into a wall. I have the double eyelid so there was too much lift for me so I usually wear a B or C curl.

This next image and map what we call the Camel style, like the animal! I started with a C curl at the inner corner and then dropped to a less curly B curl for the final quarter of the eye near the outer corner.

If the outer corner is raised then this is a good way to soften it as a curly curl will make it look more lifted. This is what I usually have for my lashes.

Use slightly longer extensions as the base of the extension will appear to sink in where it’s hidden under the hood. Your 12mm will look like a 10mm. As you need length, think about thickness and the number of lashes in a volume fan so you don’t overload.

Tell your client to keep their eye area clean as the hood of the eyelid is resting on the extensions where the bonds are.

3. Semi double eyelid The semi double eyelid is like a combination of the other two. It’s half single and half double. With open eyes, a very narrow double (crease) eyelid can be seen along the lash line with the rest being a mono/single eyelid as highlighted here at the outer corners.

In this example, you can see an untreated lash line. The lashes are hidden under the hood. In the picture of the treated eye, I used 2 curls and kept the overall appearance looking light to avoid heaviness. My lash map shows how I used a C and D curl.

You'll see that the longer 12 and 13mm lengths do not look like they are because some length is hidden under the hood.

2. Double (crease) eyelid This eyelid is more European looking so it doesn’t look heavy and the lashes are visible. These are the most common Asian eyes.

The creased eyelid tends to make the eye appear bigger than the mono/hooded eyelid.

If you can see the lash line, the ideal curls may be a B, C, CC, D and style as usual.

These are a Classic set of lashes in a B curl that are 0.10mm thick.

Most of the clients in my salon are Asian and we use C curls mainly.

I treated these 3 ladies with C curls and varied where I placed the longest lengths to suit each of them.

The eyes can appear less heavy looking than single/ mono eyelid and you will need to assess where the lash is and isn't visible. Where it’s visible, style as usual with a B, C, CC or D. Where it’s not visible then consider using either CC, D, LC or LD curls.

You can see how I treated a semi double eyelid below.

The single/mono lid is at the inner corner and the double crease) eyelid's towards the outer. They also look sad.

You can see how I have changed the shape of the eye to disguise the sad look. I did this by using C curls and didn't over extend. I put the longer lashes at the inner corner and used shorter ones where the lash line can be seen.

It’s like the Cat eye map in reverse as you need longer lashes where the lash line is hidden.

Manami Edwards manamilash.com

Styling Special Feature | 9

Styling consultations

by Hanna Putjato A good consultation process makes up 50% of a successful lash appointment. The other 50% of course being the application! If you want to guarantee happy, satisfied and returning customers, we highly recommend spending time with your client before the treatment to discuss everything from the process to the styling.

Before you start working you need to find out as much as you can about your clients lifestyle and her expectations. Ask if there is any special occasion that she decided to get her eyelashes done for, if she has had eyelash extensions previously and if she has, enquire what was her experience was like. It is always a good idea to ask the client to bring some pictures of the eyelashes she likes (it may be the lashes she has seen on a celebrity or perhaps on her friend) it will give you some idea of what your client desires.

However, it is important to ensure that the client has realistic expectations.

If the client wants the lashes for every day a good question to ask is how active she is. Many clients run a very active, busy lifestyle and one of the reasons for getting eyelash extensions may be to save time. They may not be aware that if they use the sauna or steam room on a regular basis, the extensions will not last as long. The consultation is the perfect time to make your clients aware of this and recommend more frequent infills.

Choosing the right style for your client isn’t as simple as it may sound! It takes years of practice - so don’t panic!

When choosing the right style you need to take into consideration: • clients age • clients eye shape and bone structure • clients natural lashes The majority of the time clients don’t have any idea what would suit them, so it is your responsibility to guide them and give them the best advice you can. If your client, for example, is looking for a cat eye effect but you can clearly see that her eyes won't suit the look, advise an alternative style i.e. kitten/squirrel and explain why.

Always remember that by giving strong reasoning you will most likely be able to convince the client to follow your advice. After all, you have all the knowledge you need! All you have to learn is how to find the right way to sell that knowledge and experience to the client.

Choosing the lash extension colour is another important step; especially as now there is a much wider selection available on the market. Don’t just stick to black lashes! During the holiday season why not recommend coloured lashes, it doesn’t have to be a full set. The small accent of colour in the outer corner can give an amazing effect!

Top Tip! We recommend advising black brown lashes for clients who prefer a more natural, softer look. (You can purchase black brown lashes on London Lash! We may be biased but we think they are ) It is also important when choosing the curl to always explain to your client why you decided to use that particular one. If the client is not looking for a strong, dramatic curl, but you feel like a bit of a lift would actually help with the overall look, suggest using a stronger curl on the bottom layers only and fill the top layers with soft curls to mitigate the effect.

As you can see there is quite a lot to discuss before the treatment, but by taking time to get to know what your client wants during the consultation process, you will save yourself and your client a lot of disappointment. So never neglect the consultation process!

Besides, it’s a great opportunity to get to know the client, and make a great impression. After all, you want her to stay with you for as long as possible!

For more tips and tricks, be sure to: Follow us on Instagram @london_lash_pro Check out our blog on www.londonlashpro.com

by Hanna Putjato

Styling It's easy when you know how Just like in any other walk of life, nothing is easy until you’ve been given instruction and taken the time to practice and perfect.

Arguably, styling is the most important element of our work. Each style we choose must compliment the client’s features, and make each of them look and feel beautiful.

So, when giving consideration to which style would suit each client, there are a few factors to consider, such as eye shape, how high or low the eyebrows are, the shape of the eyebrows, what kind of eyelid she/he has, the distance between the eyes, the direction of the natural eyelash growth, the condition of the natural lashes, and, of course, the clients preferences.

All styles taught on my training at ‘I AM Lash’ academy are styling guidelines, and it is very important to remember that almost always, each style needs to be adapted and personalised to each individual. We are taught natural, round, squirrel, kitten, dolly, cat styling. Then we have to adapt either one of them to upturned, downturned eyes, close or wide set eyes, round eyes, deep set or protruding eyes and hooded monolid eyes.

A lot to take in, I always used to think.

The main thing to remember is that styling is the shape and to do any shape lashes you need to use a wide variety of lengths for the best outcome. Forget 8 millimetres in inner corners, it’s time to introduce 7, 6 or even 5 and 4 millimetres. The wider assortment of lengths gives more enhanced styling, no matter which style you decide to go for, the more extended cat look, or the more rounded open eye look.

Working with layers is key in creating, not only smooth lines, but also Kim K effects. It’s almost like a reverse. In smooth lines you apply longer lashes on the bottom layer, where the longest spikes would be on the top layer for wispy lashes.

Mixing curls is very important too. Always check the direction of the natural eyelash growth and, my tip is to style with the eyes open, by making marks on the eyelid where the longest part of the styling you’d like to be. And it works with all styling, eye opening, closing or extending. It always helps to take

a portrait picture of the client. It is a good way to see the true eye shape and the difference between the eyes. Most of us have asymmetrical eyes, which cannot always be noticed by just looking at the person.

Another couple of common mistakes lash artists tend to do is just deciding the particular style they want to use, rather than working the actual eye and facial features.

Or they just use the maps which they are comfortable with, not thinking how it will affect the final result, which in my opinion, only works if eye is a perfect shape and doesn’t need correction. That’s why initially, it is so important to analyse the eye, and decide if it needs any correction at all.

What do I mean by correction? You need to decide what your aim is - to open the eye up, to make it longer, to bring the eyes closer together or more apart, to bring the corner up or down. By deciding the needed correction, you will know the styling that would suit and compliment the person best.

So, in conclusion, the importance of styling must never be under estimated. You are the architect, and you must ensure that your styling is relevant to the client’s features and preferences. Remember that there are several types of eye, and we should style in a way that best compliments the eye.

Remember also, for the best results, choose a variety of lash lengths, work with layers, and mix up the curls. It is key to understand that we need to be perfectionists, and we must challenge ourselves in working the actual eye and features, as opposed to using our own preferred styling, or using the maps that are within our comfort zones.

Now that you have been furnished with some instruction, and I just know you are going to practice like a demon, things are going to be a little easier to reach the perfection your client desires and deserves because you know how.

Arune Mooney I AM Lash Professional I AM Lash Academy www.iamlashpro.com

Styling tips For this special styling edition, I thought I’d offer 10 tips on things that a lot of my experienced lash students found useful from their coaching sessions this year.

They contradict how they’ve been taught or how they've working for years. They work for me, they now work for them and I hope that they’re useful to you too.

1. The dot mark the spot – or does it?

For lash stylists who are keen mappers and precision lovers, assessing where certain lengths or curls will be placed and where they change may be marked on the eyelid whilst their eyes are open.

I use a water soluble eyeliner on the tip of a microbrush so it’s sanitary. A lot of students were taught or self-taught to place their dots closer to the brow. They then struggle to align the position of the dot or dots when the eyes are closed as they’re now some distance from the lid. Placing them close to the lash line leaves no room for doubt! This works for me, especially when I’m mixing curls and hiding a hood. I may plot where the curlier curls start and end so they are at the start and end of the hood as the hood position is lost when their eyes are closed and the fleshy skin is stretched and lying flat.

2. A Cat is this lash map, a Squirrel is that and a Dolly is this!

Or is it?

In simple terms, we are thinking about where the longest lengths need to go and how much of the lash line they’ll occupy. Will they have a narrow section to complement an arched brow or will it be a big section because of the shape of the upper lid when their eyes are open? We also think about what the shortest length need to be.

Then we consider the place / space those lengths will be along the lash line to create the desired shape.

I invite students to think about all the features that would influence where the longest lengths would be, e.g. middle (Dolly), half way to the outer corner (Squirrel) or close to the outer corner (Cat) as well as what the longest length could be. Some of these features include face shape, eye shape, eye setting, socket setting, lid features, brow setting, brow shape, overall symmetry, natural lash density, lash layers (close or spread out), lash direction (down turned, level, up turned) and their overall health and condition. If an eye is deep set or the lashes are shrouded by a hood or lid with no crease, then longer lengths may be necessary or your work will appear shorter or lost and less prominent – that’s if the naturals can cope with them. Otherwise, use finer ones to reduce the risk of overloading the naturals.

extended so far out. The distance from the point of the outer corner to the last lash tip seems to be the distance matching about a quarter of the lash line. They remind me of moustache handles that stick out at each side like handle bars. The moment I discuss it with them, they then see it themselves and agree that it’s not the most flattering look for their client. I teach students to be more analytical, not critical, encouraging them to keep reflecting on every set they do.

So what went well and why, what didn’t and why and in turn, what they will do differently next time. Perhaps in this case, reduce the lengths and perhaps the curl if they want elongation. More on this later!

4. Are those outers doing a back flip?

When using curlier curls like a CC or D at the outer corners, have you noticed a few of those curly lashes looking offset in your pictures, despite having placed them all at an even position to the lid line, say 90 degrees? Here’s one I did to demonstrate the point.

I used D curls with the longest length being 12mm, moving down to 9mm at the outer corner. I also used shorter 8mm lashes on the upper layer as this helps to prevent them being conspicuous because they're on a much higher setting in the layers. I used the same curl range, so a D curl.

You can see the lashes are back flipping (as I call it!) at the outer corner? I could have avoided it if I had used lashes that were less curly as well as being shorter. It needs to be both as shorter lashes in the same curl range look curlier.

Even if you reduced the lengths in the upper lash layers, you’ll get that noticeable back flip because of the severity of the curl.

Here's an example of where I have taken my own advice. the outer corners are not turning inwards - or back flipping!

3. Are ‘handle bars’ a new trend? I’m seeing a lot of them! 5. Cats verses squirrels - no contest!

Is it just me or is there a trend developing? I ask students who do my advanced, volume courses or coaching sessions to send me pictures of their work as I want to make sure that they’re ready before parting with their hard earned cash! I’m seeing more and more work this year where the lash lengths at the outer corner are

I find that a lot of students are trying to do the Cat eye styling on most of their clients. It’s either what they’re used to doing or what their clients want - rather than it being the style that would best suit their client! Lashing the longest lengths all the way to the outer corner is going to create that handle bar effect and draw attention

to the elongated lashes, rather than an elongated eye. Rapidly reducing the lengths in the last 3-4mm of the lash line as shown here, will create a Cat eye and a far more stunning look. More so if the client has level or slightly upturned eyes, narrow or even eye setting and amazing lashes to work with! It’s a style that suits so few but loved and craved by many. If you’re stuck on how to style, then the squirrel outsmarts the cat any day! Think about point 3, you can place those longest lengths where you think they’ll better suit. Be tempted to experiment rather than sticking to fixed ‘squirrel’ maps.

6. Wasn't the Dolly or Rounded look meant to open the eye?

You’ll see lots of guides about the Dolly or Rounding style being great for opening the eye. The general advice is to use curlier curls and place the longest lengths at the high point of the lash line. This is usually in the mid-section. The theory is sound. It should make the eye look wider, giving the illusion that the upper eyelid is being magically lifted.

So why wasn't it working for some stylists who just wanted to make a narrow eye appear wider and more open. The answer may lie in one of 3 theories, or a combination thereof.

1. The lash stylist followed the map but created a very dense or dark look. This may have been created by using thicker classic lashes, flat ones, or using lots of lashes in their volume fans. The density and darkness can seem heavy looking and appear to weigh ihe lid down rather than lifting it up.

2. It can happen if you use lashes that are too long for that client.

Especially if the ones around the mid section or high point are longer than the full height of the narrow eye. Also, where the lash tips are close to the brow line when their eye is open. This would be especially so if they have a low set brow line. The overall style can look heavy, making the eye appear even more narrow.

3. The client had a lot of natural lashes and the stylist decided to treat all or most of them. That's great if the aim is to narrow the eye but not if the aim is to open it.

If you're using a Dolly or Rounding style to lift the eye and reduce narrowness, perhaps try less length and / or volume and see if that helps.

7. Newsflash! You don’t have to lash every lash!

Speaking of lashing them all! Most of my students were trained to think that they must lash every lash. I'm a bit bemused by 'rules' like this and ask myself why would this be advised? Isn't every client different and so too, the perfect lash style for them? This is definitely one that I invite you to break and here's 3 more reasons!

1.We’re styling, not just applying. Lashing the lot may create too much density that may not suit your client. You're creating more work for yourself and if you charge by time . . . interesting!

2. We don’t have the same number of lashes on both eyes. I had too much time on my hands many years ago and counted - on 30 different people. There's more about my findings in my other article - Do you HAVE to lash ALL the lashes? . Anyway, if you treat each lash, you could easily have one eye looking fuller than the other.

3. The numbers in each growth phase varies from infill to infill. You guessed it, I counted that too. If you’re like me and leave those infants alone to mature before they’re put to work, then you’ll have more on one eye than the other and it may be noticeable. Same too if you treat the baby lashes with finer/shorter extensions. I offer a way to work around this in the other article.

8. Are all things created equal? Sadly not so disguise it!

Styling is about accentuating beautiful features and disguising or playing down ones that the client would welcome. If one eye is bigger than the other, or set slightly lower, or one eyelid is bigger or fleshier as the creases are in different positions, a lash stylist can make the eyes appear more even. Believe me!

You need to make an assessment. Taking a photograph of your client’s full face at eye level and face on is the best study tool. Oh, don’t take it too close otherwise you’ll create the unflattering and unhelpful gold fish bowl effect and your styling plan is doomed from the start! If visual assessing and comparison isn’t your strong point, then grab a ruler and measure up. This can help when comparing the distance between the widest points of the eyes - as an example.

To balance them, you have several options - depending on how noticeable the difference is. For the smaller eye, or the one that is set a little lower or with the biggest eyelid, you could use extensions that are 1mm longer than the positions on the other eye, or use a slighter curlier curl, or both. I do both if the difference is quite noticeable but tend to mirror the lengths and curls on the outer and inner corners in most cases. Give it a try!

9. Most of us have 3 lash layers. Don’t we?

For simplicity, we generally teach that there’s a top, middle and bottom lash layer. Nature hasn’t neatly arranged our lashes in 3 layers or rows. Does it matter? Well, yes, if you want to create a super smooth top line where all the tips neatly meet or make your spiked effect look neatly messy (AKA Kim K)!

Some people’s layers are tightly arranged, making it easier whilst others are spread out and they need taking into account. For your smooth line, the usual reduction in length and curl from the bottom to the top layer won’t create the perfect smooth line. You’ll have to visually assess as you go and adjust your lengths and curls as you work so your mapping is dynamic. It’s a tough one but remember what I said in tip 4. With the spikes, you would do well to place them first, at even distances along the lash line. That way, you can choose the sitting position in the lash layer. If you go for the middle, remember that this ‘middle layer’ could be set higher or lower than the others you’ve used - or the host lash may be more downward pointing so it visually reduces the appearance of length.

10. Is Brown ever going to be the new Black?

I remember when I had to buy a tray full of different colour lashes to get those 2 brown strips I needed. I begged my supplier to start stocking brown trays and they listened! I’m a big fan. Black extensions may appear a little harsh on natural blondes or red heads, on those with a cool skin tone, those who are a little older with blemished or aging skin, or those who routinely wear brown or brown/black mascara. There’s now a slightly better range of brown tones available and they can be blended with other brown ones for texture.

I tend to blend some dark brown lashes with a black set at the inner corners if their eyes are close set, and at the outers if they are noticeably wide set. I find that this helps to draw the attention away from these features and going a bit shorter in those areas helps too. Seems to work for me – and them!

I really hope one of these tips helps with your lash styling. Feel free to give me a shout if you'd love to learn more! My head's full of it!

Happy Lashing!

Julie Knight Editor, Lash Stylist and Trainer Elite Eyelash Extensions www.eliteeyelashextensions.co.uk

Styling Special Feature | 13

How Cindy Nicholls creates an Award Winning This is my entry for Fantasy Lash Artist of the Year with Lash Inc. The theme was ‘The Four Seasons’ and my entry was titled ‘The First Frost of Autumn’.

The costume took me about 2 to 3 months to create. I gathered my information and inspiration from looking at frosty photo scenes.

I took note of the colours; yellows, orange, reds, browns of every shade.

I made my headdress from long fine twig branches and wired them together and decorated them. I frosted them with glitter over 250 leaves for this look. I made long strands of frosted string to give an appearance of leaves falling. I also used berries, flowers etc.

I have a mannequin that I use and dress up, so I can see the whole visual as it transforms from start to finish. I keep adding until I feel I have a look I am happy with.

I used Vivienne & Ruthie Belle branded lashes and it took me 3.5 hours to apply them. I used 7 colours starting from pale yellow through to black, blending them along the lash line.

For the lash art, I made lash trees of all four seasons. I used feathers, gems, time leaf cut outs made from assorted materials to give texture. I made white glitter lashes that I applied on the top layer of lashes to give a frosted effect. I attached Lash flowers, berries, seeds and any tiny items that fitted my theme with spirit gum.

The makeup that I used was Kat Von Dee as I love her high pigmented colours. On prepped and primed skin, I used a pale foundation and Mehron body paint. I also applied a few temporary tattoos.

The nails were created before the day by Abbie Richards.

On the day of the photo shoot, I did everything else myself from start to photography. It took just over 9 hours! The whole day flowed beautifully and everything happened as I had wanted it to.

It was a very long and tiring day for me and my model Tia Cooper was super patient with me. At the end of the day, she went home wearing the lashes and make up as she wanted to show her family!

Cindy Nicholls Master Lash and Brow Stylist, iLashtique www.ilashtique.com Instagram.com/cindynicholls_ilashtique Facebook.com/iLashtique

Meri Antonić's fantasy world This is my entry for the Lash Secrets Conference Fantasy Lash Art competition category.

The theme was nature and this was inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia. I won 1st place in the Masters category.

I used Royal lashes (Croatia) in brown 0.07mm C curl, light brown lashes in 0.07mm D curl, light blue in 0.07mm C curl and red in 0.07mm C curl. I used rhinestones, pearls, body paint, ivy and moss.

My team members were: Julijana Trdenić - makeup & body paint Nataša Kalak - hair Krešimir Nilić - photograpy Darko Komorski - digital artist

Tips on

Lash Mapping Have you been wondering how to If you are changing the curls, make sure that you create the perfect style of lashes for realize the different shapes are going to appear as different lengths when they are applied to the eye. your clients?

Here is Helga with some tips on how to create Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter at www. luxuryeye.co.uk/contact the perfect look with lash mapping.

Before we start to work on our set it is very important to check the client's eye shape and choose a suitable style. To make a suitable look, lash mapping is very helpful. Lash mapping is not only for beginners, so feel free to do it if it makes you feel more comfortable.

By

Helga Toth-Halapi

CEO and Director of Luxury Eye Ltd Helga has been studying and practicing lash techniques since 2014 and has won multiple awards within the industry, she now owns her own salon and training It’s not necessary to draw on the eye pads, but Academy as well as her own line of high when working with different curls and lengths quality products. as well as working with layers, it's helpful to do. www.instagram.com/luxuryeye_official Lash mapping can speed up your work and you can accomplish a perfectly symmetrical look.

My favorite technique to use is the squirrel style. It's suitable for all types of eyes, especially for ones which have the outer corner higher than the inner corner.

When you choose the style, you must consider not only the eye's shape, but how deep the eye is, and the distance between the eyes. You also must check the natural eyelash curls and the symmetry between the two eyes.

Working with layers means working with varying lengths on the different layers. I always suggest starting to apply longer lashes on the lower layer and the shorter ones on the middle and top layers. In this case we get a fuller, darker look and it creates an amazing eyeliner effect. You must work with the layers, as it will help you to avoid seeing the difference between the lengths.

Do not be scared to use different curls within a set. This will probably take you out of your comfort zone by trying to use more curls, but the look will be more amazing and really emphasizes the eye.

LASH LIFT EXPRESS PRE-MADE VOLUME HAND-MADE VOLUME

INDIVIDUAL ON-TREND COLOUR

Spirit of Yuletide My name is Mai Châu. I am 22 years old and I work as a lash trainer and lash artist in Hochiminh city, Vietnam.

I’ve always had a knack for detailed work, such as needle work or decoration, especially work that involves mixing different colours together. I was very fond of beauty and that’s why when I found out about the eyelash extension profession, I immediately fell in love with it. That is around 2 years ago.

I have entered a few Lash Competitions in Vietnam in Classic and Volume. My hobby is to browse and see other lash artists work in the world. One day, I came across the Fantasy Lash Art Competition on Facebook.

I decided to participate so I could further improve myself by learning from artists all over the world as well as fulfilling my passion for colored eyelashes.

The theme was Winter Wonderland. This inspired me to create a piece that could bring out the Soul of Christmas. Its name is Spirit of Yuletide. It describes a reindeer living in a pine forest. That’s why the main colors of my creation are the green of the pine trees, white of the snow and gold of the earth.

For the deer’s head, I went to Dalat, a mountain city in my country with many pine trees to collect suitable branches. I coated them in silver and stuck them on the base of a headband to serve as the skeleton. I decorated it with ornaments such as candy canes, snow flowers that were cut from paper, pine cones that I’d collected and coated, pine leaf wires, a house in the middle, a laurel wreath with a red paper flower and a few reindeers jumping around. All that describes the home of the spirit: In the middle of the forest, in the heart of Nature.

For the dress, I used the same decorations, but with many more pine leaf wires to signify the green element in the piece. And as for the gown, I stitched small colored pearls on it and then decorated it with pine leaf wires.

The painting on the model’s body signified the dried branches of trees covered in the snow of winter. In the middle, the branches go up to both the left and right side, creating the deer’s horn.

For the lashes, I used a D curl in green, white, a little touch of red and pink. I also made small Christmas trees with green lashes and decorated them with small colored stones. All the work took me roughly 2 months to plan the design, try it out, redo, rinse and repeat many times until I was pleased.

Although I was very well prepared, I didn’t think I would win as there are so many other talented artists competing. That’s why I was very happy and moved when I came in first place. I still have so much more to learn. One thing that I leant from this and I want to share with every passionate lash artists, is to pay a lot of attention to the detail in the work. Although they may not appear clearly in the frame, don’t skip them.

They’re what’s really worth doing in the creation.

Thank you very much,

Mai Châu Chau Lash Land facebook.com/lashwitchh

Lashes, Colours & Today we talk about making eyelashes as art. There are no By Dominique limits to art. There is no right or wrong. It is a matter of taste about what you want to design and consider is beautiful. I 'll introduce you to my art with my step-by-step guide.

Graupner

Lash mapping: First, divide regions.

Where the lines are drawn, place the colored lashes first. Just pick up 3 lashes at the same without fanning them. Then create fans in another colour and place inbetween them.

When the lash work was finished, I added a self-adhesive LED light strip on the eyelid. I hid the cable with the lash flowers in one image and with jewelery for the other. They can all be ordered on Amazon.

I hope you enjoyed my work.

If you have any questions, please contact me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dominique_graupner

Founder of Lashes by Dominique & London Lash Pro - Trainer www.lashesbydominique.com

You're a Designer!

I have noticed that techs are lacking the knowledge in styling, mapping, designing tailor made sets. I have been in eyelash industry for 5 years and my “geekyness” still has never left me. Let me share some tips on how I achieve great styling results for each person. There are 3 basic styles that most of us use: Dolly Style - opens up the eyes. Make them look bigger. Great to use to create fake, more noticeable looks. Also looks great on some Asian eyes as it covers heavy lids and uplifts the appearance of eye shape. It also helps Droopy eyes but remember to look at the natural eyelash lengths too.

the best one for her. The Cat Style looks best on upturned eyes.

To create this beautiful wing effect set, find the end of the iris. This indicates where the longest lashes will start. Mark a dot on the lid or top of the brow. When client closes her eyes, you will still see it and be able to guide yourself.

The longest length doesn’t finish at the outer corner. Cut down 2-3 lengths. These areas can be very small and will blend in better with the maximum length.

Cat / Foxy Style - stretches the eye. Makes the eyes look smaller. Gives the winged eyeliner glam look everyone desires. This style has to be learnt so I'll share tips on how to achieve that perfect “wing” look.

Squirrel / Kitten Style - combines the other 2 styles. Opens up and stretches the eye. I tell my students, “If you are unsure about how to style your client, you can’t go wrong with the squirrel style”. You still have to take care to find exactly where the most uplift has to be (max length) before you start lashing. Also pay attention to their brow. It looks beautiful when the most length falls right into the eyebrow arch.

How to style the perfect Cat Eye. Firstly, you have to observe the natural eye shape. People usually like the “wing” look but not all of them can wear it well. Daily routines of makeup and eyeliner has become a habit so they are used to that look, even if it's not

6 - 7mm lashes can be short distances (sections), 8 - 10mm wider.

I train my students to keep the short lashes for longer distances (sections) on the mapping to achieve the “wing” GLAM effect.

If you know how to mix the curls, even better. Look at the natural lash growth – upturned, curly, downturned or straight - choose the appropriate extension.

Cat eye styling complements close set eyes and will make the eyes look wider apart.

For classic or Volume lashes, if you're lashing with 6 - 12 mm lengths, 12mm will be the longest but you finish with a 9mm on the outer corner.

To get to 12mm, we have to fit in another 6 lengths. Find the first lash - 6mm should be short enough so the baby lashes are not 'abused'. The 11mm area has to be quite close to the 12mm. The distance can be short, or not too wide.

You now have now the 6 and 11mm. We have to fit 4 more lengths.

If you struggle with styling, it’s worth looking into decent training and invest in your knowledge. There's advanced styles too that can be combined in different ways, but again, we have to pay attention to natural features of each client as this will make you a great designer.

Enjoy creating your masterpieces.

Inese Stepanova www.inova.studio Training available in Bristol and Devon, U.K.

Does colour really matter?

Close your eyes and imagine a beautiful set of lash extensions. Now tell me: What colour are they? Most of you will answer: Black! And then, there will be others that will answer: Brown!

the perfect shade for them (I am still searching for the perfect brown for each client). Each set should be customized to the clients unique features and personal desires. In my opinion we should look closely and choose the colour that matches their natural colour of lashes.

If your answer is any other vivid colour like pink, red, blue etc.

I’m sure the Fantasy Lash Art Competitions is your passion.

We usually see very beautiful set of lash extensions all over internet and social media and most of the times there are black volume lashes. Even though brown lashes have been in the lash industry for many years, lately there is new wave of brown colour lashes that every client is curious about them and wants to have a look at that tray or even pictures, but very few are brave enough to have all these natural brown set of lashes on them. Natural?

Is this the correct word for this kind of colour lashes? Let’s talk about that. From my experience I can tell you that there are very few shades of brown lash extensions out there that are close to the natural lash colour.

Always use clear glue so we don’t have a “dirty” effect close to the eyelid. When brown glue is going to be a Thing? Or ever ginger glue?

“Huston, we have a problem”

Black glue should only be used on black lash extensions or black/brown ombre lash extensions.

At first sight, yes you can say they look natural. But if you think of what exactly natural means maybe you will change your mind. I believe that the natural colour of lash extensions is the one that matches to the natural lashes of each client. And here is the problem. There aren’t so many shades out there to match each different complexion of each client. We usually see light brown, medium brown and dark brown. And what about redheads? Or those with very light skin and extremely blonde natural lashes?

You can never go wrong with black lashes but with brown? You can! I am not talking about these clients who use very heavy make up on their everyday life. I am talking about those who are used to wear brown mascara but still want to add dense to their eyes but aim for a natural look with lash extensions.

We must also be very careful when we choose the quality of our brown lash extensions. Too shiny lash extensions can easy look fake, and too light brown extension can very quickly look transparent/plastic.

We can also check in comparison with their lower natural lashes and go one tone darker or lighter.

Many women ask for brown lashes so they don’t look so severe on them. We, as lash artists, should make sure that will choose

By Dimitra

Gkouzou

Award winning lash artist, trainer and international judge and speaker www.instagram.com/dimitra.gkouzou

Styling Special Feature | 19

Kim K effect created in colour My name is Elena Obukhova and I am from Tallinn, Estonia. I am a master, trainer and judge of international eyelash extension championships. I love what I do and do only what I love. I have a special love for the Kim effect and colour build-up and of late, I often combine this more and more. I am happy to share my work with you.

The creation of the Kim effect itself consists of the addition of rays (spikes). There are several options for this effect and they are all amazing! If you add colour to this, then it becomes special in all directions. With this effect on your eyes, you will certainly attract the attention and delight of others. Now, how to create such an effect.

The basic structure is usually in volume using extensions from 4D to 10D, depending on the effect you want and the condition and density of natural eyelashes. The rays (spikes) are several eyelashes in a slightly loose form.

If you make the rays a little open, then the extension looks more voluminous.

You can put the rays in different rows. The best option is to put the rays in the middle row so they are framed from all sides. If the client has only 2 rows of eyelashes, you can put the rays on the top row. If I work with coloured eyelashes, I out the rays in the bottom row so their colours are clearly visible when their eyes are open.

It is important that the rays are 2-3 mm longer than the structure and are symmetrically positioned on the eyes.

It is good to use more gentle curls for the main volume, and curlier ones for the rays - but this is optional. It is okay to leave everything in one curl. The number of rays along the eye can be more or less as it depends on your idea, the client’s desire and the features of their eyes.

Watch the direction of the eyelashes. I recommend putting the rays on strong adult natural eyelashes that grow in a straight direction. This is important in any building, and in the case of creating the Kim effect especially. It can ruin all the beauty if they are crooked.

Do not be afraid to experiment, create and you will succeed!

Elena Obukhova www.facebook.com/lash.studio.glory instagram.com/glory.lashes.tallinn

20 | Styling

Special Feature

Kim K lashes The biggest trend?

It is just hard to believe how lash industry is growing faster and faster every year. When I started my career, there were only artificial lashes that you put on natural lashes with glue. Today, there are billions of new treatments, techniques and even trends that change from time to time. If you ask me what the biggest trend is now, I’d definitely say that it is the Kim K (or Kylie) effect. This spiky look doesn’t allow anyone to stay indifferent.

For a while, I’ve been thinking why more and more clients ask for this particular look in my studio. I’ve found a few reasons for its extreme popularity. Firstly, we need to draw our attention to the famous Kardashians family. A few years ago all beauty and fashion world became insane about these famous children called Kim and Kylie. Basically, everyone wanted to be like them. Girls all over the planet started to copy their make-up, hair styling, and outfits. And of course, people brought to notice their extraordinary lash looks. It was completely different from what we had seen before. There were no perfect lash lines, but many spikes of different lengths and the eyes looked brighter and bigger.

So lash stylists started recreating this look in their work so their clients could stand out from the crowd and be more unique in their appearance. But, honestly, it was hard. No one knew how to do this in the right way. We had been creating the special scheme for many years but we now know that the look is many different schemes and different effects. It all depends on client’s desires and lash artist’s experience and creativity.

I remember the situation when trying to do Kim K effect and thinking, “oh finally, I’ll get exactly what I want” but then get something absolutely

different. And now I can proudly say that my team and I are able to make this special Kim K effects to meet every client’s desire. That is why we needed to make special training for lash artists who want to learn new technique. By the way, you can complete the course online from any point of the planet. Details are in the links below.

Going back to the roots, Kim K effect became popular also because of its anatomical naturalness. It may seem ridiculous to you but let’s think about it. First of all, natural lashes have different lengths and there’s no smooth lash line - ever. So if you want to create this super natural look, you can still work in the same Kim K technique.

I should also mention that lash artists love Kim K effect as well. There are no borders and as I said before, there are many schemes which are different by the decision about length, volume, colour and modeling. Also, there is an option to make a bigger profit for stylists as it is still something new and creative. Moreover, it gives you a big competitive advantage instead of other lash artists who don’t provide this procedure.

To sum up, the skill of making a good Kim K effect nowadays is must-have for every lash stylist who keeping up with the times and the Kardashians, of course! I could say more and more about this but you can see it by yourself. It is beautiful, popular and gives your client a special outstanding feeling.

Polina Glebanova facebook.com/polina.glebanova facebook.com/academy.lash instagram.com/polina.glebanova

Introducing . . .

We love this L curl and C+ Curl comparison by Leon Lash Trainer Valentina Leonova

Beautiful work explained by creator Valeria Likhacheva.

1. Pick the effect for the client 2. Use C curl in blue on the bottom row and the length should be 1mm ess than the main one 3. Use M curl in the middle and upper layers

4. Put the extensions at a 90 degree angle See her on Instagram @ lovelash_likhacheva

These stunning lashes were created by the very talented Lash Artist, Olga Sergeeva See more of her stunning work at instagram.com/brosqo_lashes

Do you HAVE to lash ALL the lashes?

If you ask this of any lash stylist or trainer, you’ll get different views for sure! When I’ve seen this asked in some of the forums,

We don’t have the same number of treatable natural lashes on each eye

the most popular response tends to be YES. I often wonder who makes the rules as I don't feel like I'm breaking them as I’m one of the few that seems to say ‘No, not necessarily’ Here’s why.

From one week to the next, the number of natural lashes in each of the 3 growth phases will be different. We know this as they all grow independently of each other. Each lash varies in length and thickness in line with its growth phase at that time.

It may not be the look your client wants Some clients want a natural look that’s not overly extended or heavy looking. If they have a lot of natural lashes, then treating them all could create a look that’s not natural looking. What we think is natural may not be shared by our client. If you’re in doubt, you could treat 60-80% of their lashes and then see what they think. It’s easier to add a few more if needs be. It’s so much more time consuming to treat all their suitable lashes to then find that it’s not what they want especially if they want you to thin them out a bit. I have heard of this happening. Even a couple of my clients have said that they loved their lashes even more after the 1st week when some had shed.

That’s a clue that they would prefer them to be a little less full.

If I’m not treating all the lashes, I tend to treat all those in the Catagen growth phase as they should last longer. If I mainly treated the Telogen ones, they would thin our quickly as they’re due to shed.

We don’t have the same number of natural lashes on each eye I really wanted to know if this was the case! I did an experiment 7 years ago when I was creating my training materials. I had 30 new clients over the course of a year. None of them had had lash extensions before so I could discount any trauma from previous wear. I counted the number of lashes on both eyes. What was noticeable was that none of them had the same or similar numbers on each eye. On average, the difference between them was around 10%. As an example, one person had 151 on their right eye and 165 on their left. Of those 30 people, the difference for 5 of them was quiet extreme. The difference on average was around 20%. One person had 120 natural lashes on their right eye and 149 on their left. If I was to treat all the lashes on both eyes, then one eye would look so much fuller than the other.

I don’t treat the infant lashes as I’m against ‘child labour’. I like them to mature more before being put to work so the follicle isn’t stressed, even by short and finer lashes. These still grow out and carry the weight away from where it is best controlled. I treat the young adults in the Catagen phase and the old aged pensioners (as I call them) in their Telogen phase.

One eye will have fewer treatable adult lashes than the other and I wanted to find out what the extent of that difference could be. I did another little experiment during the winter months to avoid the newly reported seasonal shedding phenomena. This time, I only checked the difference on 5 models as it takes a lot of time to do. These were friends who didn’t wear extensions as I wanted to repeat the count 2 months later without them having treatments in-between them.

Using two pairs of finely pointed tweezers, I went from lash to lash calling out ‘baby’, ‘adult’ or ‘pensioner’ to another bemused friend who took notes. The results were really interesting. The number of adult (Catagen and Telogen) lashes varied by about 20% between both eyes on ALL 5 people. One model had: Right eye: 105 adult lashes and 50 infants so a total of 155 lashes Left eye: 135 adult lashes and 36 infants so a total of 171 lashes I repeated this on all 5 models, 2 months later. That model had: Right eye: 122 adult lashes and 34 infants so a total of 156 lashes Left eye: 144 adults and 24 infants so a total of 168 lashes You can see the difference between the two eyes over the 2 month period more clearly in this chart.

If you had treated all the lashes, or just the adult lashes on both of these occasions, then one eye would have always looked fuller than the other. This is why you may notice that your client's infills look fuller or less so from infill to infill - thanks to the lashes growth cycle.

I used to lash by doing both eyes at the same time but I now find that I am much quicker when concentrating on one at a time. I visually assess and guess the difference when I prepare a client for treatment. I certainly don’t count them anymore. If I am lashing as many treatable ones as possible, I always start on the eye that has the fewer number of lashes to treat and treat a few less on the other eye. If the eye with fewer treatable lashes can cope with a bit more volume like 4D on a select few rather than 3D, then that’s a way to balance otherwise them.

Hopefully, this shows why I believe that we don’t have to treat every lash so we get the style and the balance right for our clients.

If you have any questions about the research, feel free to get in touch.

Julie Knight Editor, Lash Stylist and Trainer Elite Eyelash Extensions

www.eliteeyelashextensions.co.uk

World Lash University Class of 2019 Online Lash Competition Winners

Award Winners

Classic Beginner

4-6D Master

Samantha Rose Salon

1st - Dayna Tames

1st - Lossi Harding

2nd - Ruby Wilson

2nd - Cristina Lozovan

Classic Master

4-6D Expert

1st - Emma-Jayne Smith

1st - Dionne Thomas

Classic Expert

2nd - Jessica Hall

1st - Kim Jinks

Classic Professional 1st - Marta Wieleżyńska 2nd - Carmen Palmiste 3rd - Desislava Slavova

2-3D Expert 1st - Jess Martin 2nd - Joanna Lee 2nd - Dionne Thomas 3rd - Arianne Angrove

2-3D Professional 1st - Carmen Palmiste

4-6D Beginner 1st - Zivile Adomaviciute 2nd - Ionela Dudau 3rd - Jodie Nobel

3rd - Jessica Hall

Best Lash Academy Chelsy Holland

Best Educator Chelsy Holland

Best use of Social Media Arianne Angrove

4-6D Professional 1st - Jolita Shishmanova 2nd - Marina Litvinova 3rd - Marta Wieleżyńska

Male Lashes Master 1st - Lossi Harding

Best Corporate Responsibility Chelsy Holland

Best Achievement over Adversity Chelsy Holland

2nd - Chloé Letitia Kilby

Male Lashes Professional Ms. Congeniality 1st - Carmen Palmiste

Kim K Expert 1st - Vanessa Hill

Chelsy Holland

Lash Artist of the year Jolita Shishmanova

Kim K Professional 1st - Danuta Bialek 2nd - Marina Litvinova

Fantasy Expert 1st - Sarah Johnson

Best Salon

Congratulations to all our winners and all those who took part!

World Lash What was it all about?

It was Sunday 17th May 2019 and the sun was shining. Class of 2019 was underway at the award winning Belfry resort near Birmingham in the U.K. Organisers Julie Knight, Katie Godfrey and Zoe Mizon were joined by a room full of amazing ticket holders, speakers and sponsors of around 100 people. It was to be a motivational, inspirational and educational experience with a lot of fun thrown in. Some of our speakers were really in the spirit!

Wendy Mordue and Karen Armit from BrowMasters know how to entertain (pictured top right), something tickled Ria-Jaine Lincoln (left) and Marina Larskaya (middle) for sure! Just after lunch, Cheryl Taylor put fellow speaker LashBase Jamie Butler through a workout (right), much to everyone's amusement!

WLU would like to sincerely thank all their Class of 2019 speakers that includes Sadie Welder, Cindy Nicholls, Leanne Harber, Zoe Thompon, Hanna Putjato, Julie Knight and Shelby Tarleton. You were all AMAZING!

World lash University's chosen Charity is . . .

Each year, World Lash University will be holding a charity raffle and their very worthy cause is Stepping Stones Luton. They are a vulnerable women’s charity supporting women and children who are experiencing Domestic Abuse and the issues surrounding it.

A big thank you to every amazing Lash Artist and Lash Company who donated so generously towards the raffle prizes that raised £1,295.

As day turned to night, the conference closed and the evening gala got underway!

Stunning dresses (and suits!), 3 course meal, music, raffle followed by the online lash competition and award winners announcements. Now for drinking and dancing until midnight!

Evening guests were surprised by another packed to the brim Goodie bag as the event was sponsored by more than 25 very generous companies. WLU would like to extend them the biggest thank you there is they are delighted to welcome many of them back as sponsers for Class of 2020! See who's already signed up at www. worldlashuniversity.com/sponsors If you would like to sponsor Class of 2020 WLU day conference and evening awards gala, contact info@worldlashuniversity.com to find out how WLU can help promote your brands products and services.

Congratulations to Chelsey Holand (pictured above left) who scooped 5 WLU Business Awards and to Jolita Shishmanova wjho placed 1st in the Volume 4-6D Professional nomination (above)that also earned her the title of World Lash University Lash Artist of the year based on her fantastic scores.

Dayna Tames won 1st place in the Classic Beginner nomination (right). On hearing the news, she said, 'I’m constantly striving to be the best version of myself and competing is a wonderful way to receive unbiased feedback. Once I saw the Judges Panel, I knew the insight I’d gain from participating in this competition would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m honored to have taken first place and am motivated to continue to compete and perfect my craft. I believe that dedication, hard work and passion for what we do, has helped me to win and I’m excited to continue to grow and learn within this amazing industry! '

We loved it so much, we’re doing it again!

For the Class of 2020, we have 10 amazing speakers lined up including Jill Heijligers-Peloquin, Courtney Buhler, Kim-Jaynes, Frankie-Widdows, Miranda-Tarpey, Ryan Power, Dionne Thomas, Soo-Jin Yang with 2 more being announced soon!

Your ticket gets you the Day conference with speakers who are proven subject matter experts. Two course lunch, pastries, biscuits and cakes with unlimited tea/ coffee throughout the day.

Evening Graduation celebration and gala with online Competition and Business Award announcements.

Includes a 3 course dinner.

Graduate with honours with your certificate and enjoy a fantastic goody bag filled with generosity from our sponsors. There’s a free entry to the online competition and the Business Awards.

Monthly payment plans available for a limited time.

www.worldlashunversity.com Get your ticket to join Class of 2020

A week in the life of . . . .

Katie Godfrey One of the main reasons I love my career so much is every day, let alone week is completely different.

I have a rough routine to guide me so I’m not all over the show, but I need to slot in new projects in between. Running salons, training academy, product range, podcasts, business mentoring, World Lash University along with being a single mummy we can say life is busy, but I love it.

Monday In the mornings, I try my best to get up around 5.30am/6.00am. For me, this is extremely important as it gives me ME time. Time before my little girl, Lola-Rose gets ups. I will have a 30-minute workout from home, have a peppermint tea after, breakfast and then shower and get ready all before Lola-Rose wakes. Setting your morning right will set your day up. Lola-Rose is so lazy as a 3-year-old, I always have to wake her up. Then we will do the morning getting dressed, teeth, hair oh and let the dog out! Then I will do a 40-minute drive in the traffic by 7.45am to get her to nursery ready for her breakfast!

Then I will go off to work. On Monday’s this could be our head office, or I could be teaching. This Monday, me and one of our other lash trainers went to a college to teach 40 students classic lashes! Yes 40 students.

Working within the colleges is always an interesting and funny day. We finished around 4pm and then I went to the Head office to do our weekly accounts until 5.30pm, then to pick Lola-Rose up at 6pm. I actually was really naughty that evening and took LolaRose for a McDonald’s!! I know…. bad mummy!

She did have fish fingers with cucumber instead of chips, so it wasn’t that bad. Me on the other hand, had a big mac large meal because I deserved it after teaching 40 students!

Off we go home, I put Lola-Rose to bed and I then catch up on my emails and social media.

When I have a full day to catch up on from being out the office most the day, there is a lot to get through! I went to bed around 11pm.

Tuesday 6am start today with the same routine as I do every morning, workout, shower, makeup, hair to then wake up little miss!

Again, Tuesdays, she is in nursery for 8.30am. Poor baby has long days, but she totally loves it which makes me feel better.

On Tuesdays, I tend to be in our flagship salon which is based in Barton Le Clay, Bedfordshire. I don’t do any treatments now but it’s a chance for me to catch up with my team, maybe do a team meeting, order stock and see our clients. Some Tuesday’s I might need to go to one of our other salon locations to check in and meet with the franchisee. In the afternoon I normally record an episode for our podcast “The life of KG” This week I interviewed Kim Jaynes from Borboleta Beauty in the USA. She is super inspiring you should check her out. I will then edit the recording and upload it on our podcast station.

Then throughout the day, I will be checking emails and liaising with my assistant, Sascha who is based in our head office to arrange anything else that needs doing before the day ends. I then finish up and off to get little monkey for 6pm. Today we went home, I made dinner, had a bath and then put LolaRose to bed! I try and make it as easy as possible in the evenings for myself, plus I hate cooking – Well actually I don’t…. I can’t cook! So I buy prep meals. They are SO good.

They help me maintain a good balanced diet plus I put them in themicrowave and they are ready in 3 minutes. Perfect for my lifestyle. Lola-Rose is easy to cook for so that’s OK. Once Lola is asleep, I then carry on working. A lot of people ask why, but I love it. It’s not a job to me it’s a hobby too.

Plus, the more you put in, the more you get back. Bedtime around 11pm.

Wednesday Guess what…. It’s a 5.30am start as usual!

For my me time. So, my standard morning routine happens. On Wednesday it’s mine and Lola’s day off. Yay. So, in the mornings before she wakes up, as remember she is lazy lol. I will do all my emails and social media whilst she is sleeping and just let her wake up when she wants. Wednesdays are all about Lola, so we will always go out and do something. This week we went to see Aladdin in the cinema. Of course we got VIP seats and lots of sweets and nachos. If you’re going to go cinema you have to do it properly right?! Aladdin was amazing, and Lola kept saying through the movie “I love you mummy” because she was enjoying it so much…. Too cute!

After, we went for lunch at Zizzi’s, we then had a walk along the river and then went home. The normal routine of bath, dinner and bed. But because I have had a “day off” which by the way in these “days off” my phone still goes off a million times and I’m still answering the “Important” emails and enquiries around whatever we are doing that day. So, when these days happen, I have a huge backlog of work to do. Emails, ordering, booking my business students sessions, writing posts, blogs, updating websites etc. So, I may be up till around 1am these days but It so worth it to have a day off with Lola-Rose.

Thursday 5.30am start, workout, my peppermint tea, shower and get dressed. Thursdays is a half day for Lola in Nursery, so she gets to start at 1pm which means she gets a lay in this morning. Normally on a Thursday morning we stay at home until the nursery run. She gets all her toys out and turns the house into a play house and I will do the company salaries. One of my companies are a weekly payroll, so I will do this every week along with their pensions. Then me and Lola will go for a cheeky Costa to have on the way to work. Babychino for her and a hot chocolate for me. Then I go to the head office. I will catch up with the team there and we make a plan for the weeks ahead and go over anything we need to catch up on. I also hold a lot of my business mentoring sessions on a Thursday. This week I had one of my yearly students in for a session. I adore business mentoring. To be able to help other salon owners and those that are self-employed is my calling in life. I just love helping others.

6pm, I pick Lola up. This day she fell asleep in the car on the way home which is a complete nightmare. Why? Because I can’t wake her which means she then wakes at around 9.30pm and she thinks she has had the best nap and is now wide awake! Lucky she is no bother at all, so we do our evening

routine a little later than normal and as she’s still wide awake, she will watch her IPad while mummy works as she knows it’s not playtime when it’s late. She will crash whenever, and I’ll go to bed about 11.30pm.

Friday Fridays are a very similar day to Tuesdays.

As always, my morning routine and thank god it’s Friday as I’m now tired and I want a lay in. Nursery run for an 8.30am start and I’m off to the flagship salon for the day. I actually don’t NEED to go there because it runs itself and I’m not needed but I just love going. The downside is I get NO work done! I’m too busy chatting away to customers and will most probably get my eyelashes done. But it’s Friday right so why not. I will do a podcast recording in the afternoon and edit it up ready to upload

on the weekend. Lola doesn’t finish nursery until 6pm but on Fridays, I try to pick her up a little earlier. We will always get a takeaway on Friday night. If it’s up to Lola it will be Domino’s pizza with cookies for dessert.

So… that’s what we have. We will have a movie night and a cheeky late night, NO work! As I’m writing this it’s Friday so I’m getting all excited for tonight.

Saturday Saturdays are super special to me. Why I hear you say? Being in the beauty industry and owner of salons you know Saturdays are the busiest day. For 10 years I have been working every single Saturday. Even when I was pregnant until I dropped. Then I was back at it around 2 months later after she was born. I stopped lashing when I was 3 months pregnant due to starting to prepare the clients and team for me stepping out of the salon, but I was still there working on the reception. When I went back after Lola was born, I was lashing on Saturdays. The beginning of 2019, I decided I was going to STOP working on a Saturday.

This was such a huge thing for me. Like super huge and I was riddled with guilt that I wasn’t there on a Saturday. But, after seeing how happy Lola was that she got a full weekend with her mummy that guilt soon left me. My daughter needed me at the weekends for us to have a “normal” life.

I’m still on call in case the team need me, but they are so amazing and never bother me. So, Saturdays we both have a lay in, and no working out for me. We will then get ready and I’ll clean the house. Then we will be out all day. Whether that is at the park, the zoo or just catching up with friends. This Saturday Lola stayed at my parents’ house in the evening, so I could go out that evening with my girlfriends. Dinner and drinks with friends is perfect for me to let my hair down, have no stress and just be me for the evening.

Sunday I refuse to ever work on a Sunday! Sunday is a day of rest for me and no matter how busy you are you NEED a day off. Your brain and body need to rest. Sunday is my family day. This Sunday Lola was at my parents as she stayed the night before. So, I got up at my own leisure, went for a run as I would never be able to do that if I had Lola, got ready and drove over to my parents’ house.

We had a nice, chilled day and went for lunch. In the evening Lola and I went home and prepped for the week ahead. The perfect end to the week!

Katie Godfrey CEO at KG Salons and KG Professional www.kgsalons.com

It’s all about your team!

One of the most common things I hear that most salon owners struggle with is their staff. Sometimes it even makes salon owners sell their businesses so they can work from home or start a new career instead as they find it so stressful! Some of the problems they face are staff calling in sick all of the time, no respect, doing what they want, not keeping up to standards, bitching and the list could go on. No matter what business you have, staffing is one of the biggest stresses.

Why is this? Without a team you cannot grow your business. It is impossible to do everything yourself. A lot of salon owners I mentor are doing a full column each day and then working on their business at night. To be able to get the right balance and work on your business each day, rather than in your business you need to have a team. When you have a team you need the time to invest in them and that’s hard to do when working on clients all day.

So how can you build a team this without the added stress? Unfortunately, there is stress and difficulties in any area of business, that will not go away. But, you can make it easier and to have your salon running how you want it to run, but, you need to do the following: Recruit right. Take your time and don’t rush into hiring the first person you see because you’re desperate for someone! Speak to them on the phone, have a face to face interview and always do a trade test. When you recruit you need to ensure that they will fit into your existing team. Employing someone that doesn’t can cause a lot of trouble with the team you already have. Sometimes I even ask my team what they think and I always take their views on board. Will they represent the culture of your salon and carry out treatments to your standard? Always get their references when you can.

Regular team meetings. These are key. It’s a

time for everyone to get together. To have a positive outlook on what’s been happening in the salon and also outline any problems.

Make team meetings fun, positive and something that will boost your team. Don’t always make it all doom and gloom about problems in the salon.

Be open. I am always very open with my team.

They know what’s going on in business whether it’s good or bad! New things we are looking to bring into the salon or any struggles we might be having in certain areas. They also know important things happening in my personal life. We work as a TEAM, so it’s extremely important they know exactly what is going on, so they can support you and your business. It works both ways. If you have a supportive relationship with your team, then they will come to you with their needs in whichever area they need help with so you can support them. This might also mean extra support on a treatment, or they might be having family problems outside of work and just want a chat. You might even need to offer them some outside help to support them on something they are going through outside of work.

Invest in your team. It’s not just about employing someone and then away they go.

You need to make sure you invest time into them. Give your team your time, let them shadow you, let them see how you like treatments to be carried out and customer service to be. Also, invest in their training and education. It takes time to become an awesome therapist. Having a column of clients and ongoing training is going to help this. Keep updated with new treatments and techniques coming in and always get your team trained.

Call them your team. You will never hear me

call my team either ‘staff’ or ‘employees’.

They are my team. Without them my salons wouldn’t be even half as successful as they are. It’s very important to understand that you wouldn’t be able to do this without working together as a team.

This year we held our first ever team bonding day event where everyone that works for KG got together in a beautiful manor house. We had speakers attend to motivate the team and played team building games. Everyone was given a goodie bag with lots of surprises in and we even held a mini KG awards to show off everyone’s talents. It was such a lovely day for everyone and the reason I wanted to do this was for learning, motivation and most of all to treat everyone and thank them all for their hard work.

We even had our first ever team member, Chloe Harle (pictured with Katie above), reach her ten years of service and I loved rewarding her with a £1000 cheque to thank her for all of her hard work, dedication and loyalty over the years.

So, the moral of the story is, look after your team and they will look after you and the business. Create a culture in your salon for everyone to follow and always keep motivating and inspiring to build up those around you.

Katie Godfrey CEO of KG Salons and KG Professional www.kgsalons.com www.kgprofessional.com

The cleanest salon on the block!

Growing your lash business involves more than just and more--and close the cover. The steriliser will complete the delivering a beautiful set of lashes. Offering a clean, hygienic cleaning process in just 59 seconds using UVC, which is also widely environment for your clients is essential to building a reputable salon. First impressions matter to your clients—so make sure you’ve swept the floors, laid out newly washed, clean-scented towels or silky couch roll, and sanitised all your lash tools properly and effectively.

Clients trust their lash artists with the most delicate part of their face—their eyes. They deserve professionals who follow clear and strict sanitising procedures and use the right cleaning equipment. Wow them with your top-notch lash skills, but keep them coming back by offering a friendly and hygienic environment.

Here are 5 ways to show clients that hygiene is your top priority: 1. Talk to your clients. Don’t be afraid to chat through your cleaning and sterilising procedure with them. It will give them a sense of confidence and they’ll trust that you care about the well-being of your clients as much as you care about your lash techniques.

Say out loud that you’re now going to sterilise the equipment and talk them through the steps. When you leave to wash your hands, inform them of what you are doing. When you hand them a new towel, tell them it’s been freshly washed for them. By having natural conversations about salon hygiene, your reputation will soar.

2. Create a cleaning checklist for your salon. You’ll never miss a step if you refer to a cleaning routine. Tick off your tasks once they’ve been completed and you’ll have a visual cleaning record to impress your clients. You’ll want a daily checklist for tasks like washing windows, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms and maintaining a pleasing salon appearance. But it’s also important that you have a hygienic checklist for cleaning procedures in between clients too. This will involve washing your hands in hot, soapy water, cleaning your equipment with Saloncide or another disinfectant of your choice, sterilising your tools with a UVC LED steriliser, and laying out fresh towels or linens. Your cleaning checklist will not only show clients that you value a hygienic workplace—it will also ensure that your staff know what’s expected of them and that they adhere to the same standards you’ve set out.

3. Invest in the right cleaning equipment. Your tools must be sanitised and germ-free between each client. Thanks to new technology, this doesn’t mean you need to buy a bulky, heavyduty, old-school steriliser that you can barely lift. Instead, consider a portable steriliser like Lash Heaven’s UVC LED Steriliser. It’s never been simpler or quicker to sanitise your equipment. Just lay all of your lash tools in the steriliser--lashes, tweezers, scissors

used on medical equipment in hospitals and is known to kill 99.9% of germs. It’s also voice activated and once the sterilisation process is complete, you and your clients will both hear that the tools are ready for use. This type of voice-activated transparency gives your clients another added layer of comfort. When they see you using the latest technology for hygienic purposes, they’ll trust your judgement and professionalism. Lash Heaven’s UVC LED Steriliser is quick, convenient and affordable, ensuring you can get back to doing what you do best—lashing.

4. Store your tools hygienically. Store all your products in a place that is free from dust and in a dry place, like air-tight boxes and drawers. It’s likely you’ll want special storage equipment like a tweezer case, but you can also leave your day-to-day tools in your steriliser. This is ideal as we recommend sterilising all tools and lashes first thing in the morning. Do this with your UVC LED Steriliser before your first client arrives and you’ll be ready to start the day on time and in perfect hygiene health.

5. Think about the environment. Salon cleaning equipment has historically been associated with negatively impacting the environment. But there’s no reason lash artists can’t think “green”. It’s time to ditch harmful chemicals and consider the environment as you implement health and hygiene standards.

When you wash towels and linens, make sure the washing machine is as full a load as possible before starting the cycle. As you sterilise your lash tools, consider a steriliser that uses LED, which is energysaving and more environmentally-friendly. Turn off the lights in the parts of your salon when you’re not using those areas, and consider emailing receipts to customers instead of printing out copies. Reduce the negative impact you have on the planet and don’t be afraid to share with clients the ways in which your lash salon is “going green”. You can share this in your newsletters, on social media and on your digital receipts.

Salon hygiene is so important. Think of it from your clients’ perspectives—they want to feel like they are in the hands of a skilled lash artist and in the cleanest salon too. Give them both and they’ll become your best customers and your best ambassadors too. Your attention to establishing a safe and hygienic lash salon is what will set you apart from the competition and grow your business. 1,2,3, clean!

Love,

Sylvia Liu & Team Lash Heaven www.lashheaven.uk

Take that Gabriella Giannini (right) left secure employment with all its benefits to become self-employment and self-fulfilled.

When I was 18, I joined the Metropolitan police force and I began working in uniform. During my

I was going to leave a full time, stable and solid career that paid both annual leave and sick pay to become self-employed and rely completely on myself .

career I took my detectives exam and, spent 6 months training and begun working as a detective in CID (Criminal Investigation Department). Policing was all I ever wanted to do, until I turned 23. Working long hours and taking home just enough money to live became tiring and deflating.

I have been getting my own lashes done for about 5 years now and it was always something I was interested in (not becoming a lash tech, just seeing beautiful lashes). Sadly, I had my lashes badly damaged and began looking for somebody who could help me fix them. This is when I found Bryony, the owner of LAE training and a phenomenal lash artist. As soon as I spotted her work, my interest grew. I began following and having conversations with her, quickly realising that I needed a side job to keep me going. Lashing would potentially help me out financially. I borrowed £450 off my father and promised him that I will pay him back with every client I get.

My only plan was to become a part-time lash artist and stay in the police force. Within two months, I was working 90+ hours a week as I was working in the police and then coming home to start lashing.

I became well and truly obsessed with lashing and began packing in as many clients as I could. I had a full client base within 4-5 months which was continuing to grow fast. Within three months of training in classics with B, I took a Russian volume course with her and remember feeling SO proud that I was able to pay for it myself. If you’d have taken me back to November, I barely had two pennies to rub together.

Policing became less interesting. As much as I loved it, coming home to my small, messy and certainly not decorated beauty

room was what I looked forward to. After all, people wanted to see me in my beauty room. I didn’t get physically or mentally abused there. I didn’t have to wake up at 4am to start there!

I was on holiday in August 2019 with Bryony.

By this point, she had well and truly taken me under her wing and is now one of my best friends. Bryony had mentioned before this holiday about me becoming a trainer for LAE. I brushed it off because I thought it was a joke. I genuinely didn’t think that within 7 months I could be a trainer until she ‘officially’ asked me on holiday.

Instantly, (sitting in our hotel room in Italy), I paid for and began working on a teacher training course.

Training for LAE is an actual dream come true, I still don’t really believe that Bryony trusts me to train beginners up, but equally, it’s all still fresh in my memory and guiding people is something I get such a huge feeling of happiness from. Once I got back from Italy, I handed in my notice with the police. I was well and truly done. Lashing had taken over my entire life!

Leaving the police was something I had been thinking about doing for a few months. I used to almost break down when I spoke to B about it.

I remember the exact words that Bryony said to me. Those were, ‘my kids have 6 weeks off in the summer, I barely work any of those. I just work harder coming up to it so that I can give myself that time to spend with my kids.’

Taking the jump and leaving my job has been the best decision I have ever made Although I have not long not been a police officer, I am so much happier. I am already more financially stable. I have a full client base and I come into work every day (at my own house!) and see wonderful people who are nothing but kind to me.

I recently managed to save up enough money to re-decorate my whole beauty room and I honestly love spending time in it. November 2019 will be one year since I ever picked up a tweezer. In just ELEVEN months, my whole career has changed for the better and I am so grateful that I took that jump.

I am taking off a whole week at Christmas having worked every Christmas for the past 5 years and I am not even worried about it.

I urge anyone wanting to take that jump to do it.

Gabriella Giannini x Full time Lash Artist and Trainer www.instagram.com/lashes_gia

Lashes and more Extending your treatment list When first training in the beauty industry, it can seem daunting.

Which are the right courses for you to attend?

I first trained in eyelash extensions and fell in love with the art of lashing straight away.

I had so many clients that would come in for their regular lash appointment and ask me to do their eyebrows at the same time.

I realised I was missing out on a huge opportunity so, I very quickly attended a brow course so that I was able to offer this to all of my clients and, potentially reach new clients with this new service.

I trained in brows and I would say that now 90% of my lash clientele add an eyebrow treatment to their lash appointment.

Nowadays everybody wants a fuller brow, as we know brows frame the face and so, it compliments lash treatments perfectly.

It is also good to advertise both treatments together as a combination appointment and, the image you get when both are done together is simply perfect. There is a high profit margin in brow treatments and there is so much more scope than there used to be. From a simple brow wax and tint to henna brows or brow lamination for fluffy full brows, there are many brow courses which you can attend that go alongside your lash treatments perfectly.

Equally we all have had those clients who can’t have eyelash extensions, this could be due to having an allergic reaction to the products, not able to maintain infill appointments which are regularly needed or, they don’t feel they want or suit them! I found that to combat this and rather than lose a client, I would train in and offer an alternative for them. This is where I found the lash lift and tint treatment. This treatment is actually one of my favourite services to offer. It is a simple treatment that is very relaxing for both you and your client. Anybody can have this (patch test dependant) and suit it as it uses their

natural eyelashes to lift, curl and tint them adding definition to their eye. It provides them with that “wake up ready” look every day and, there is very little maintenance needed. Perfect for those clients not wanting the upkeep of extensions. This treatment lasts clients up to 6 weeks and wears off gradually. If they want the treatment again then they can be a regular returning client for your business whereas, without offering an alternative to eyelash extensions you wouldn’t have retained them within your salon.

My advice to anybody doing eyelash extensions is, don’t limit yourself or your clientele. Look at training in other treatments which compliment lash services and add these on to your service list. Just ensure that you train with a trusted brand and educator and, use quality products to ensure client safety and, of course, fabulous results! You will soon see an increase in your customers and, gain great job satisfaction at the same time.

Elizabeth Grieve Senior Educator for Hello Gorgeous Beauty and Training instagram.com/beautybyelizabeth facebook.com/Lizzienailsandbeauty

Business |33

Behind the Mask Can you see it?

What do you say or do?

What signs could you notice if a client is experiencing domestic abuse? Spotting the signs is not always obvious but what you notice and what you do could be life changing.

Many people think that abuse involves violence and that a person will have obvious injuries like bruising on their face. Sadly, it’s often far more complex. Abuse may be psychological, sexual, harassing, coercive, controlling – as well as physical and some injuries can be masked by clothing or makeup.

Statistics say that a quarter to a third of all women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their life time. We are bound to know many people who have, are or will be…

I see my nail therapist 17 times a year.

After 7 years, we've come to know each other quite well as we've chatted for hours since we first met. With some insight, our unique relationships with clients (or colleagues for that matter) can reveal signs that invites us to be professionally curious.

- Are you okay? You don’t seem yourself?

- You seem a bit down. Has someone upset you?

- We haven’t seen much of you recently. Is everything okay?

- They text you a lot. Do they do that all the time?

- I’m worried for you. I saw that look and you seemed scared They may choose to dismiss what you say and reassure you that they're okay. Respect their decision and don't be disheartened.

You’ve shown that someone cares. You could say ‘you know where I am if you need an ear’. They may accept that offer later . . .

But what if they do pour their heart out?

Often, our first instinct is to say, ‘you have to leave’ or ‘why are you still together?’. That's not helpful. If it was easy, they'd have done it.

There may be a list of reasons to stay. If they are being controlled, threats to harm them, the children, family pet or other family is a strong enough reason. Some may not know that they have options and this is where you can help by signposting to specialist support who will listen and offer options. Ultimately, the choice is hers but if she feels she has support, she may find the strength. You could ask -

Our unique relationship invites us to be professionally curious

With a regular client, you may notice: - they’re not as chatty as usual - they appear withdrawn or anxious

- Is anyone helping, like a friend, advocate or the police?

- they're taking care when sitting, laying or getting up

- Do you know where to get help or impartial advice?

- they may be overdressed for the weather conditions

- (If not) There's specialist services who can listen & advise about your options. I know where to find out about them if you would like to know more?

- they ‘have to’ respond to messages from their partner - they’re in a hurry to get home & seem anxious about it - they may tell you as they trust you - you may see it for yourself - They may not show up or cancel at short notice.

Whilst no shows are a pet hate, with experience, we tune in to genuine sounding reasons for this, especially if you know your client well. If someone has recently been injured or instructed that they can't go out or their money has been taken, then they may have no option.

How can you approach a client if you think that they are experiencing domestic abuse?

We need to be mindful that we could be wrong! It’s best to consider not only what you say, but how you say it and where you say it. In open plan treatment areas, it can be hard to be discrete so think when and where your opportunity may be. It could be as they are paying and booking their next appointment perhaps. Trust your instincts to help you choose your moment – you’re being human after all.

Depending on how any conversation went or their behaviour, something like this may help:

- (If yes) Would you like to use our phone so the call doesn’t appear in your call history?

Here’s a few who can help . .

National Domestic Violence 24 hour Helpline on 0808 2000 247 www. nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk For women experiencing domestic abuse, their family, friends, colleagues and callers on their behalf Broken Rainbow National Helpline on 0300 999 5428 / 0800 999 5428 www. brokenrainbow.org.uk Domestic Violence helpline for all LGBT communities, their family, friends, and agencies supporting them Victim Support on 0808 16 89 111 www.victimsupport.org.uk A support service for victims of any crime Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327 www.mensadviceline.org.uk Providing advice and support for men experiencing domestic abuse Respect Phone line on 0808 802 4040 www.respectphoneline.org.uk Offering advice and support to anyone wanting to stop being violent & abusive towards their partner Bright Sky app www.hestia.org/brightsky Offers advice, tools and information on where to get support.

Free online course is available at www.behindthemask.online

Introducing I started Lash Boss Radio as a passion project that had the potential to move the industry in a positive direction.

I myself, am a salon owner with two Sometimes artists discover a new lash You may find that it motivates and inspires salons in Austin, Texas; Pink Lady Lash. boss via the show that they may not have you just as much as it has for myself and I have been a solo artist, I have been an employee, I have been a mobile artist, and even a booth renter. Through my experience in each situation, I am able to connect with both my audience and my guests. However, I did not want the show to be about me. I have had the pleasure of meeting so many lash masters and educators over the years and wanted to bring these “Lash Bosses” in-front of my audience. I knew that this would help to push the importance of continuing education and lashing with integrity.

Naturally, I believe so strongly in the future of our industry. Lash artists, educators, and business owners all carry a huge responsibility to keep the bar raised and not allow our industry to lose its value. I try to put the right voices on Lash Boss Radio to help spread this message.

I went with a podcast platform because I knew it could reach artists from all over the world. My goal was to capture the attention of new and seasoned artists alike by bringing on guests they may be familiar with or look up to in some way.

otherwise known about before. Artists love plugging in their headphones while working to listen to the stories from the guests on Lash Boss Radio.

many other artists around the world. You can listen on Spotify, ITunes, Google Play, or any podcast app in your phone.

The guests vary from solo artists, salon owners, trainers, brand ambassadors, brand owners, and product developers.

Each episode is a little different and the take-away message can vary from story to story. However, the overarching theme in every episode is about pushing through adversity and chasing your dreams no matter how big or small. I tend to ask almost every guest about a time in their life that they were sure, in the moment, that they had failed. Their stories are so inspiring to artists at any level because we all deal with similar issues. It’s nice to see that even some of the biggest stars in our industry have also dealt with comparison, burn-out, financial trouble, relationship woes, etc.

I encourage you to have a listen to Lash Boss Radio

By Shelby Tarleton lashbossradio.com Business | 35

When is the right time to grow?

By Katie Godfrey In April it was 10 years ago when I decided to take Renting space in a salon the leap and open a beauty salon. I look back now This is very popular at the moment.

Another way to grow your client base without high risk but still have and think “I must have been crazy” - I was 19 years old - NO client base. I mean, not even 1 client - Over £60,000 investment to set up. So a very high risk of going under - Set up in an area I didn’t know - Low on qualifications Yes, I was mad!

But I had dedication, dreams, goals, vision and wasn’t scared of hard work or risks.

10 years on and I’m still here. With not just this salon but, a salon franchise with 4 locations, a product range which is sold worldwide and a training academy.

Was it hard? Hell yes! I nearly gave up like 5 times. The pressure was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I had sleepless nights.... well as an entrepreneur that doesn’t stop. Not a day off for years, didn’t pay myself for about 3 years. I was totally broke, and worked my arse off paying off my debts and trying to build a client base in an area that had no idea who KG was.

The salon now has won over 14 awards and is fully booked most of the time. We have the most wonderful team and now KG is a brand which is recognised not only nationally but globally.

So when is the right time to grow or what options do you have?

Everyone is very different and everyone has their own dreams and aspirations. Let’s take a look at what opinions there are for you in this industry.

Working from home This is the perfect way to set up. To start your career without it being any risk to you at all. You can set up in a spare room you have and make it really welcoming for clients and your little hideaway to start your business. Some people even have little cabins in their gardens they turn in into a salon.

This is a great way to work around your family, work your own hours, have no risk at all and grow your client base.

The downside is, your home is home and work! You can sometimes feel very isolated or have no privacy.

to pay rent of the room so you get used to paying some overheads.

It looks professional to clients and you get used to being in a salon environment. The downside is, it’s not your salon and you have to make sure it’s completely self-employed without any “employment benefits” otherwise you could get in trouble with the HMRC.

Employment There are plenty of amazing salons that are looking to grow their team. If you are looking into getting more experience and are passionate about treating clients and doing treatments, grow yourself within a salon. No risk at all, do what you enjoy and grow within a company.

Salon owner Investing in starting your own salon like I did myself. You must be ambitious and determined. Be able to become a manger and boss as you will be starting a team.

This is also a great way to start a brand. Risk is extremely high and a lot harder than any of the above choices, but the rewards once you are up and established are endless.

So there are your options for working within the beauty industry. None of the above are wrong or right. It all comes down to what you want for your life and career and only you know that as we are all different.

If you need any further advice on any of these options please feel free to get in touch.

Katie Godfrey CEO at KG Salons and KG Professional www.kgsalons.com instagram.com/KGSalon instagram.com/KGProfessional

Standing out and moving with the times Just like every other career, product service etc. times and be able to showcase yourself better. change and things are always evolving.

Some of my favorite books include: It is so easy to get stuck in a rut when you are busy with clients, training etc. However this is one of the most important things you need to do to make yourself stand out from the rest.

Constant training and improving your skills is a must in this industry, this then can then be passed onto your students and clients making you a cut above the rest. You need to be excited and feel the passion when you're learning new skills and techniques and have the fire burning in your belly to make this infectious to your students and clients. They will sense the passion and this is the main cause of recommendations. I have had so many people comment on the way I teach as I try to make each student reflect on their own businesses, give them tips and ideas to build them and help them grow. You instantly see their cogs ticking in their heads and the amount of people that comment about receiving so much more than just lash training with me.

You want to stand out in this industry. What do you do or what can you offer that no other local competitor can offer? You need your unique selling point to be consistent. You need to know what market you are targeting and make everything consistent to appeal to them.

Some of the mistakes salon owners/trainer/artists make are doing training course on the same things over and over again and then thinking that they are not learning anything new and then think it is a waste of time or money. You need to push yourself, try something completely different. I don’t necessarily mean doing a different treatment, I mean looking at things like management skills, business studies, marketing and branding even self-help, wellness. The list is absolutely endless. It is all about growing yourself as a person and bettering your knowledge even if is just something as simple as time management, it will all help you in your day to day life and can be so valuable.

If you don’t have time to take courses you can do online short courses, read books or listen to podcasts. It is so important to reinvest in yourself as you will learn so much more about yourself

The secret hero by Rhonda Byrne Rich dad poor dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki Get rich, lucky bitch -Denise Duffield-Thomas How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie Chimp paradox by Prof Steve Peters 7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen R. Covey My favourite podcasts include: The Tony Robins Podcast Secret diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett Life of KG The BEAUTY BUSINESS podcast The life coach school Standing out is not always about giving your all on social media.

There is no better recommendation than word of mouth. If you do everything with passion and love this will show and will speak volumes making you stand out without even trying. Obviously social media can be a great way of making yourself stand out just be careful to showcase what you want people to see and know because it can also do the exact opposite and show off flaws and show weaknesses.

Always give your all. Remember, you should be your own biggest fan and you should always put yourself first. Invest in you and everything else will fall into place.

Zoe Mizon Founder and CEO of High Lash Couture Award Winning Lash Trainer/Master www.zoemizonlashacademy.co.uk

To rent or not to rent?

By Karen Baguley That’s the question but what’s the answer?

Well there’s no definitive answer to this as each situation is different and unique to you. There are a few things to consider though for example, your client base, location, working hours and probably most importantly cost. So let’s tackle these one by one.

Know your target market This means your client base or potential client base if you’ve just started out in you career, that’s your target market. If you’re not sure what your target market is you should ask yourself the question; what services am I offering and who will benefit from them? To give you an example, I’d say for me the majority of my clients are 18-45, female and working either full or part time. They like having lash extensions for the ease of getting ready on a daily basis. This frees up time for them to sort the kids out for school or grab an extra 10 minutes in bed, and also still allows them to look like they have made an effort with their appearance.

Location, Location, Location Where are your clients situated? Are they local to you or do they have to travel? Are they scattered around your local area? Do your clients live or work near to you? Knowing where your clients’ live/ work is important so you can gain a visual map of their location, this helps to decide on whether commuting between clients is feasible.

Your working day Look at your working hours to assess if there are any patterns on when you work the most. Are there days / times you are busier then others. When are your quieter periods and do these working hours fit into your work life balance. Do you have time to travel between clients or would it be easier for them to come to you?

What can you afford?

So now you have a mental picture of your clients, along with their locations and appointment times, the next thing you need to consider is cost. How much, if anything can you afford to pay out each week?

Alongside outgoing costs, you also have to think about income and if an initial outlay in renting will bring you more footfall and so increase your revenue.

What are the options?

When it comes to renting a good place to start is to rent a small space in an existing salon. This not only helps to keep your outgoing costs down as opposed to renting your own salon but also give you good exposure to the salons existing client base. When renting a space in a salon you need to consider how you pay your rent. Would you pay a set amount each month or work on a percentage basis?

You will have greater profit if you choose a set amount however if you have quieter days or are still building your business then working on a percentage basis can sometimes work in your favour.

Some people choose to work from a home salon as it better suits their work life balance. However this also comes with pros and cons.

Some people find it hard to separate the work life balance as they have people coming and going at all hours. Others however find it easier to work from home as they can minimise their outgoings whilst still being free to work as and when its suits them. One important thing to factor into working from home is to check with you local council and home insurance that you are allowed to run a business from your property. This is the same regardless if you use a room within your home or have a cabin or separate building at your address.

The final option is working mobile, which means commuting between clients and working at their address. If this is your preferred option you really need to have your own transport as you will have a lot of equipment and kit to transport with you. Ensure you have business cover included in your vehicle insurance policy and if not add it on or you won’t be covered in the event of an accident. You also need to consider the environment you will be working in, as it will be ever changing. Ensure you have a drink to hand as you may not always be offered one. Be strict on who you allow in the room with you. I’ve heard of people who are expected to work in the living room whilst the rest of the family all sit around eating dinner or watching TV. While for some people this would be too much of a distraction others wont find it a problem.

So what about me?

I started out mobile but could only hack it for a few weeks as I found moving around was too much for me. I was still building up my client base and couldn’t really afford to take on a salon of my own so I decided to rent a space in an existing business. I had exclusive access to the room and was able to come and go as and when it suited me. At the start, I appreciated the footfall from the other business, which gained me some new clients. Three years later and I was still renting the same space, although I had grown my business and built up my own client base. I choose not to advertise anymore as the majority of my new clients come thorough word of mouth, which are mostly recommendations from existing clients, plus I sometimes struggle to accommodate everyone.

I’ve always wanted to have my own salon, for me it was one of the goals on my 5-year plan. The main thing that kept holding me back was that my outgoings would increase but my income would remain the same. I looked at premises within a multi tenanted building, so

although the surroundings were nicer than where I was I wouldn’t really be any better off. I would still be renting a room just somewhere else. I was about to give up hope a shop came available in the local town right next door to where I was currently renting, it seemed too good to be true. It was! The place needed a lot of work!! But I had a lot to think about, the location was perfect as my clients didn’t have far to go and if they did forget I’d moved they only had to pop next door to find me. I talked it all over with my husband who was so supportive and told me that whilst it needed a lot of work, it also had lots of potential. The rent was a little higher than I would have liked so negotiated. Being an office and facilities manager in previous jobs came in handy. I came to an agreement with the landlord on the rental cost but had to sign for 2 years to get the best deal. It was a big step but one that I knew I had to take.

So couple of weeks later in December 2018, I picked up the keys to my very own salon. The first job was to rip out everything and take it back to four bare walls. Luckily for me my husband is a joiner and partitioner. He worked tirelessly over six weeks, juggling his own work with the salon fit out. A very good

friend with his own electrical contracting company and my dad who's a plumber helped too. I did the painting and decorating and was also site labourer, making the brews and sweeping up. Even the kids got involved! The salon space was coming together and I am hoping to rent some space out to help someone grow their own business, just as I had all those years ago.

I would never have believed three and a half

years ago that this day would ever come. I’m so excited to finally have my own salon andI’m optimistic that I can make this just as successful, as I have done with my business.

It just goes to show if you put in the work you will reap the rewards. I’m sure you can all achieve your goals if you just have a bit of grit and determination.

By Karen Baguley

What it’s like to compete in a live lash competition!

I was looking for my next challenge. I reviewed my 5-year plan and it was staring me in the face. I had to compete. One of my all time goals was to participate in a lash competition. I looked into the different competitions across the UK and found the one for me. I plucked up the courage and entered the Professional 3D Russian Volume category in the North Lash Championships in Manchester.

Preparation: I knew this would be a big challenge for me and so I had to make sure I was fully prepared the only problem being was I'd never entered a lash competition before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I read through all the competition rules and made sure I knew them inside out. Selecting the right model was also important, as I needed someone with strong lashes that faced the right direction and had a good eye shape. If I'd taken the wrong model then I could have made by job a lot harder. The competition was time bound so this would have been an extra obstacle that needed to be avoided. After I selected my model, I assessed her lashes and eye shape and choose lashes and styling that complimented her eyes and face, whilst also making sure I stayed within the competition guidelines.

Competition Day: I was so nervous as I was walking into the unknown.

I kept reading the competition rules over and over to make sure I knew what was expected. Firstly, I made sure I knew where I had to be and at what time. I tried to relax and not over think it to help manage my nerves. My category was the last and seemed like forever to come around. In the competition area, I chose a bed that was the perfect height for me and set up my station. I checked how to work the lamp and adjust the brightness and height. Before we started, the judges called a meeting with us and ran through the rules to avoid confusion.

I had two hours to produce a 3D set of Russian volume lashes. So I got to work. I kept a track of the time and allocated 15 minutes blocks on each eye. My aim was to ensure that my fans were spot on, the right

distance from the lid line and facing in the right direction. I worked eye to eye until the last 5 minutes. I then checked through my work for stickies. before the judges announced 'tweezers down'.

They asked us to leave the area whilst our work was critiqued. I packed up and left my model with the judges. I had a nervous wait of around 30 minutes. I kept looking at the other Lash Artists work as their models were discharged. I wondered how their lashes looked so full for 3D? I thought 3D meant 3 lashes to a fan but it didn’t. It meant Russian volume!

How could I have been so stupid? I thought I knew the rules but I'd made assumptions based on what I class as 2D, 3D, 4D, etc. It shows that you need to know the rules inside and out. Most of my clients have 5/6D so I found 3D hard! Oh well, it's experience.

Results Time: The judges called the competitors to the main stage for the results and award ceremony. Given the number of entries, only the winners were being called on the stage. I was disappointed that I wasn’t called but as this was my first competition, I had achieved my goal by competing,. After all the winners were announced, everyone was invited to go up on stage and collect their certificates. I was completely bowled over to find I had placed second in my category.

Did I find the whole experience nerve wrecking? Yes! Would I do it all again? Absolutely!

To keep moving forward, you have to learn from your experiences. I certainly learnt a lot from this. Here's to the next competition, wherever that may take me.

Karen Baguley Arch Angels Beauty archangelsbeauty.co.uk

Business | 39

How to choose the right Educator or Company for you Education is BIG business!

Some readers may be new to the industry, others may be advanced and looking to expand their knowledge with a new course. Regardless, many of you will have thought “where do I start?”

Some people point blank, care only about the cost of their training.

But let me tell you, there are so many other factors that need to be considered before deciding. You may have already learned the hard way and paid for a sub-standard course and quickly regretted it, so below are a few key points to consider before booking your next course.

The cost Now I totally appreciate the cost has to play some part in the decision with who you train with, but there are other important factors that need to be considered beforehand. If not, the chances are you will end up paying again to train with someone who is really worth it!

Save a little longer, research and wait a little longer and the chances are it will have been worth it.

Don't judge a book by its cover The first thing I would advise naturally, is that you research the company and/or the Educator that you will be learning with. There are thousands of Education companies around these days, so it’s no wonder people have difficulty deciding on whom to go with. Don’t get too drawn in to the fancy marketing stuff though! You may find a company that looks pretty swanky, with a nice logo, nice website, talks the talk, has a banging Facebook or Instagram advert, the price is right and so on… but have you actually seen any of the Educators work?

If I am going to invest my money with a company, I want to see some of the work, from the ACTUAL Educator who is going to be teaching me. I mean, let’s face it, if their sets of lashes are messy, clumpy, pics are edited, extensions are clearly overloading the natural lash etc, what on earth am I going to learn from them? I want to be taught by someone whose work is consistently flawless, who demonstrates an excellent standard of work day to day. Who cares about how their work looks and that it is safe for their client and can demonstrate a range of techniques – one trick ponies are boring.

Big companies - Big knowledge or big pockets?

I am seeing more and more Educators enter our industry that either have a lack of knowledge in the field they are teaching, or they just don’t care and are in it for the money! What’s worse, some companies are taking on people to train for them so that they can expand their brand and cover more areas, but again, the standard of work delivered by the Educator is sub-standard. Quality should ALWAYS come first and the person you are learning from should pride themselves on working safely and flawlessly at all times. Some of the bigger brands have huge marketing budgets and become well known, but are they up to date with knowledge, education, facts and trends? Are their Educators at the top of their game? Delve a little deeper.

Never stop learning Educators who truly have a passion for what they do, will stand out amongst the crowd when you put their work against their competitors. They may not be the most popular in their area, but their passion will shine through and their knowledge and treatments will be on point. Many great Educators continue to undertake regular training courses themselves too, as they know how important further education is. They themselves want to stay up to date with the latest changes in the industry.

Something I live by is ‘never stop learning’, even at Educator level.

Someone will always teach me something new and I love it! I don’t ever want to get to the point where I think I know it all and just stop learning. I will always strive for better understanding, for new ideas, to gain more education for myself and my students.

Comparison is key Find a couple of Educators or Companies you like the look of. Check their feedback on their Social Media pages from clients as well as students. Ask for recommendations from people who have trained with them and make sure these recommendations aren’t just from their ‘Ambassadors’ who often receive benefits for referrals. It’s even better if you can get a recommendation from someone who has trained with BOTH companies – but remember, this is their personal opinion, so take it into consideration and listen to both positive and negative points before making your own decision.

Good vibes?

Something else I would advise is to actually speak to the Educator if you can, either via the phone or in person. You will usually get a good feel for their personality and know if they’re the right Educator for you. You need someone who’s approachable yet professional and will be there to support you afterwards. Ask if they will be on hand when you need them. There is nothing worse than waiting weeks for someone to get back to you or they send you a 1 line reply for a case study when you want some detailed feedback. That’s not good enough support! Support is about being available when you need them. Support is about offering in-depth and personalised feedback, guidance and advice to help you progress and reach new targets and goals, and most importantly it should be positive and encouraging.

The Beauty Training Group My brand is built on offering high quality training courses at affordable prices and providing ongoing support to students. Our Educators are handpicked by me personally, based on their knowledge, standard of work, passion and who thrive on helping others succeed.

Our courses are not the cheapest, but I am confident that they are amongst

the best available! I hand write every training manual myself, with the support of my Educators, allowing them to have an input too.

This ensures the information and techniques are up to date so that we can give our students as much knowledge as possible from us as a group – that’s a lot of knowledge! The manuals are professionally printed and written in an easy to understand format for future referral.

Knowledge is key Every one of my Educators specialise in just a few subjects. I feel this is super important so that their knowledge in each area is not spread thin. That old saying ‘Jack of all trades, Master of none’ is spot on with some companies. Having one Educator teaching around 10 courses from Waxing to Massage and Lashes to Pedicures makes me wonder where their passion lies. My personal opinion is that it is difficult to specialise in every single one of these subjects and have the knowledge and passion to be able to teach them all to a high standard. From experience with courses I’ve undertaken myself, its noticeable when an Educator specialises in a few chosen subjects. I would always choose to go to a specialist in a specific subject than go to someone who only does each one on a part time basis, or isn’t passionate about something.

It will be noticeable when they’re not passionate and that can leave you, the student, with lack of motivation, confidence and encouragement.

Decision time Hopefully this article will help and give you some points to consider when booking your next course. Don’t rush! Spend that hard earned money wisely and INVEST in your future.

The Beauty Training Group are proud to offer a large variation of courses, taught by Educators who specialise in their chosen fields.

All of our courses are fully accredited and insurable and we are proud to offer ongoing and unlimited support to our students.

We offer courses from Beginner Level right through to Advanced and run regular Skill Building Workshops to provide further support at an affordable price.

We have our own range of branded products which we have worked hard on for many years to perfect. We are excited that both our courses and our products are continuing to grow and we love the excellent feedback we regularly receive.

Tania is pleased to be able to offer in-house training across the UK and is flexible in terms of hosting courses at YOUR venue or location.

For detailed information on our range of courses and products, please visit our website www.thebeautytraininggroup.co.uk or give Tania a call direct on 07803 310513

Tanya Withers Founder of the Beauty Training Group

The VAT I thought I would write this article after another salon owner, a good friend of mine, Kristina needed some advice on going VAT registered.

As a salon owner, we have so much outgoings, stock, rent, bills, salaries, pensions, tax & NI. As soon as we start getting near the VAT threshold, we all start to panic that 20% of our turnover is going to go to the VAT man and we are not going to cope with that extra bill.

It is a very scary thing. I remember when my salon went VAT registered. I completely freaked out. I thought how on earth am I going to be able to afford to cover all my bills and expenses if 20% of my taking are now being taken away. 20% is a huge taking - Bear in mind, profit for the salon in most cases, average only 6%.

(I coach salon owners to try and push this figure to 20% and for small businesses, VAT can completely wreck a company if this isn’t planned for in advance.

The threshold for VAT at the moment is £85,000. So as soon as you get near this figure in the year, you need to register for VAT. If a small business isn’t expanding more than this growth then that is when it is dangerous for that business as it will be taking their profit.

So the key thing is to GROW! GROW! GROW! A lot of advice is to stay under the VAT threshold. Please tell me why you would want to stay under this? Do you not want to grow? You are not going to be running a super successful salon under £85,000.

Plus, if you are near the £85,000 mark, that's AMAZING! You are already doing so well, why would you not want to grow this and expand?

All my businesses are VAT registered. My first business took a few years to reach this. This is where I totally panicked and thought it was the end of the world, until I pushed myself and my business to realise it wasn’t. My goal with my other businesses was to hit a figure that would defiantly take me over the VAT threshold each year. Within a few months of opening, they had to register for VAT.

Don’t panic. Instead, focus on how well your business is doing to even come near this figure. £85,000 is A LOT of money. If you are hitting this, it shows that you have what it takes to make even more.

Get planning and budgeting before you get VAT registered so it doesn’t affect you. Get marketing and advertising plans in place and push your business to grow and expand even more. Use it as a really exciting time that you are doing so amazing and hitting the next step in business. It is defiantly a positive rather than a negative.

Now go and smash your business!

I am far from an accountant. But I do have several businesses in the beauty industry and a salon franchise. So I can just give you my advice and guidance.

My good friend Ria-Jaine Lincoln is an accountant specialising in the beauty industry. She can help with anything you need to know about VAT, registering and flat rate schemes. You can email her at info@riajaineaccounts.co.uk or see her services at www.riajaineaccounts.co.uk All the best

Katie Godfrey CEO at KG Salons and KG Professional www.kgsalons.com instagram.com/KGSalon instagram.com/KGProfessional

Business | 41

Reward for investing I have been working alongside a company called Govgrant to explore ways in which businesses can be rewarded for investing in their business.

There are lots of businesses retailing more products than ever in the industry from glue and lashes to acrylic powders and training hands! One thing that we don’t see much of, are businesses investing in the development of their own products for retail. I’m not sure why this is as the government have some amazing incentives. I’m excited to work alongside Govgrant as I think a lot of businesses in the industry could benefit from this cash back incentive, especially with the market becoming so saturated, meaning now is a great time to innovate and make your place in the beauty space. I was fortunate to be able to hold a Q & A with Shenal Wijetunge, a Senior Business Development Manager from Govgrant and I hope this helps.

Who are Govgrant and give us a little information on your role GovGrant helps innovative businesses in the UK maximise funding through government incentives. We assist companies with Research and Development (R&D) tax relief, Intellectual Property, Patent Box and Capital allowances.

GovGrant has a national coverage and clients range from start-ups to the FTSE250. We can work with businesses to develop their R&D tax strategy that rewards the ongoing investment in the business. By deploying our methodology of identifying eligible activities for R&D for tax purposes, we help companies unearth what projects can drive their freedom to operate and early stage consideration of tax incentive benefits. We have a well-established, strong relationship with HMRC and, because we prepare R&D claims daily, GovGrant is always on top of the latest changes in legislation. You can rely on our expertise, leaving you your clients with time to focus on their core business.

As one of the longest established R&D tax credit specialists in the UK, we have a wide presence nationally with industry experts such as engineers, scientists and IT specialists alongside qualified tax professionals. I am a Senior Business Development Manager at GovGrant and mainly focus my time on helping SME (small or medium sized enterprise) and large businesses identify the opportunity for them to access government funding through R&D, Patent Box and Capital Allowances. My background is as a Chemical and Process Engineer (Process and Product Development) with experience in Food and Beverages, FMCG and Pharmaceutical Industries prior to moving to EY, KPMG and now GovGrant specialising in

R&D Tax. What is R&D and is this really something that an SME can qualify for?

R&D for tax purposes is much broader than the basic understanding of R&D in industry.

As long as the business has been trading in the UK for more than 12 months and they meet the definition of R&D for tax purposes, they have the potential to claim. If you are an SME seeking scientific or technological advancements (tangible or intangible) and overcoming scientific or technological uncertainty you can potentially benefit from R&D Tax Relief. And now more than ever, irrespective of sector, we see that businesses are on a daily basis undertaking activity that qualifies for R&D for Tax purposes but they fail to realise that what they do is a qualifying.

Upon making a successful R&D claim, your business can potentially get back up to 33p for every £1 of expenditure incurred on activities that qualify for R&D Tax purposes.

The following are the key categories of expenditure: Expenditure on staff including salaries, employer's NIC and pension contributions.

Expenditure freelancers.

on

subcontractors

and

Expenditure on materials and consumables including heat, light and power that are used up or transformed by the R&D process.

Expenditure on software.

How easy is it for an individual to make a claim for R&D if they simply do not have time to look into the relevant criteria?

R&D Tax Relief is an entitlement for businesses. It must be the first place businesses should look for funding. It is a much clearer process than grants which can take a significant amount of time come with a number of conditions on how you can spend the money if you lucky enough to receive the grant in the first place. With R&D Tax Relief, there is no restriction on what you can do with the benefit you receive. We have partnered up with Ria-Jaine to provide the expertise required to further identify and maximise your qualifying R&D expenditure and help you fully unlock the innovation incentives available to your business.

What are the time limits to make a claim?

There is a legal deadline to make an R&D Tax Relief Claim. As a business can go back and look at expenditure incurred over two historic accounting periods, a claim must be made within two years of the accounting period end.

For example for a company with a 31 March year end therefore has until 31 March 2019 to make a claim for 2017 accounting period. I would urge businesses to make sure that they do not miss out on their entitlement and engage before the end of the accounting period.

If you had to describe an activity that qualifies for R&D in just 5 words what would you use?

Bespoke Product Design, Development, Scaleup & Manufacture What happens if the product that is being developed fails after years of testing and never makes it past development stage, can a claim still be made?

Yes. Failure is a key indicator of uncertainty.

Even if a project fails, the efforts of that business can be rewarded through R&D Tax Relief. So not everything is lost!

What information is required to make a claim for R&D? We merely ask for a data dump of the costing and project information along with the company accounts. Clients often get worried that they do not have internal time or project tracking systems. This is not a problem at all, we will work with every company to develop a methodology most suited for that business and their availability of information.

Whoah!! Lots of information and technical tax talk in there, even for me a tax accountant.

However if you are thinking of ways to innovate your brand to scale your business or you may have already developed a product and would like a back dated claim then please do check out this Research and Development incentive.

I actively seek to find opportunities in this area for my existing clients but do get in touch using any of my contact details below if you would like to know if your business activity qualifies.

This includes online platforms that you may have created or products that are developed overseas but you work closely with the manufacturer to get the product up to standard. The list is not exhaustive so do not miss out on this opportunity.

Ria-Jaine Lincoln Director Ria-Jaine Accountancy and Tax Advice www.riajaineaccounts.co.uk

Set yourself apart as

The Best Lash Artist Tips on how to set set yourself apart as the best Lash Artist in your area.

Who are you aiming at?

Are you proud to be the cheapest in your area or do you want to be at the higher end and earn well?

Not everyone is your client and you’re not aiming your business at everyone. You will always have clients who shop at the bottom, mid and top end of the market. Aiming your business at the cheaper end means you will always be slashing your prices, doing deals and chasing clients who will leave you for someone cheaper.

Higher end clients don’t want cheap prices and certainly don’t want cheap lashes, they want to pay more and have quality, they are a lot more loyal and respect you and your time.

Think about which end of the market your business fits in. Are you happy with where your business is? or do you want to change it? Do you want to make good money in less hours?

If you want the best clients who are happy to pay what your worth, become very loyal, allow you to be booked up for weeks - if not months, then read on.

Clients are clients, not friends We get so close to clients we learn about their personal lives, divorces, baby news and everything else. But don’t blur the line. If you want the best high paying clients, you need to keep things ultra-professional. When talking to a client even if you’ve known her years use her name not babe or Hun. Keep your work space professional, if you work from home keep the kids out, the dog or cats completely out. Don’t become friends and socialise with clients. Once you blur that line, clients feels its okay to say things like” oh I can’t pay you now can I bank transfer you on pay day” ….

Err no! does she go into Morrisons and say this at the till? Of course not, but you have allowed this to happen, you have taken away the professional barriers by the way you have spoken to her and the impression you give.

How do you greet a client?

Set your standards from day one. With all new clients it’s a firm hand shake, introduction and lead them into the treatment area. Welcome them, take their coat and seat them ready for the consultation. No waving at them from the treatment room door and beckoning them over. Everything you say and do is giving off a vibe to your clients. On their first visit they are deciding if you’re the lash artist for them.

First impressions are vital.

Your client decides if they like you in the first 10 seconds Look smart! Set your uniform whatever you want it to be, just remember it’s giving off the brand and feel of your business so it should reflect this. Avoid wearing your own clothes and opt for a tunic or smart clothing, hair up, and perhaps a fob watch to keep things super professional.

What does your appearance say to your clients? How professional do you want to go?

Be consistent if you’re going to have a professional uniform ensure you wear it every day.

Straight talking Make sure your policies are very clear from the start to avoid any awkward situations, everything from your booking fee, cancellation policies, lateness and children.

This is a big one. Are you going to allow children into your salon or work space? Have you checked with your insurance?

You might be fine with it, but once that child has knocked your wax pot over themselves and the mum is blaming you, will your insurance cover you?

We have a no children policy in my salon. This is because I don’t want babies or children breathing in any fumes from adhesives, nor do I want them running around disturbing the peaceful atmosphere. Plus, who will be watching them if your client’s eyes are closed?

You’re a lash artist not a babysitter. Ensure your clients are aware of all salon policies.

Don’t ask, you don’t get!

Reviews! Ask your clients to leave an honest review on Google and Facebook. Don’t be afraid to ask! New clients will always check reviews before they book you and its great for bringing in more work.

Handling a bad review correctly can, turn a bad review into a good one. Firstly, always reply to that review starting with the client’s name, “Hi …. So sorry you were unhappy with your visit” then state some of your knowledge and why you did that on her lashes. This allows the client to understand, although she was unhappy, you have a lot of knowledge and have explained how you do things and why.

Explain she is a valued client and very important to you. Invite her back in so you can investigate this further and rectify the situation for her. This shows that you value a client even if she’s unhappy and left you a 1 star review. You have shown your professional knowledge and you have invited her back to ensure she’s happy.

Professional development Learn! Learn! Learn! Our industry is full of incredibly talented lash and business experts.

Find people who inspire you the most and appreciate what they have done. Do a course or mentoring session with them because you might just learn that one thing that takes your business to the next level. Never stop learning. You should try to take a lash or business course a few times a year to stay on top of this constant changing industry.

Will all your client’s leave you if you increase prices?

No! I’m a big believer in charging what your worth. Especially if you’re someone who consistently develops your lash skills by going on courses, researches the industry, takes time and care over every client, invests in good products, decor and branding.

All that takes a lot of investment of both money and your time. We do this to ensure our clients receive the best lashes in luxury surroundings and enjoy their visit to our lash salon or studio, luxury does come at a price.

If someone wants a Rolls Royce, they can’t expect it to cost the same as a KA. This is all down to who your target audience is? Who your aiming your business at and the type of clientele you want to attract? Look at your competition - a lash artist whose work is similar and compare prices - but only as a guide.

If you feel you invest a lot on lash development courses and mentoring then the cost of this will need to be passed on to client in their lash services.

Don’t be afraid of the shed You will lose some client’s during a price rise and that’s okay. These clients are no longer your target client. You’ve moved into a higher price range and that client doesn’t want to follow.

You need to shed clients who no longer want to pay your prices in order to fit new clients in who can. If you don’t, you won’t grow your business. Just ensure they know you understand perfectly and wish them well.

Kristina Shepherd Owner of 27 two 6 Beauty www.2726beauty.co.uk

Lash-Ed Tech expert Antony Knight takes your questions . . .

My Instagram account was hacked. I use it for business and I lost everything and had to start again. What can I do to stop this happening again?

I'm sorry to hear this. It must have been heartbreaking for you.

Sadly, usernames and passwords can be guessed or stolen. I highly recommend that you have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) in place for all you important accounts. This is a way of 'double checking' that the person trying to access an account like your Instagram - is actually you. In addition to your user name and password, you need a code that you receive on a device that you have to hand. This is likely to be your phone. It could be sent to you by text or is created in an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Many accounts have this option, like Facebook.

You can use the same app to set up Two-Factor Authentication on any accounts that have this as an option. I like the apps as you don’t need to wait for your text to arrive and that could be a problem if you have a poor signal. It’s so simple to set up too.

The National Cyber Security Centre recommends this really helpful website that walks you through how to do it for accounts including Instagram, Facebook, Apple and Amazon at www. turnon2fa.com/tutorials I recommend spending a few minutes getting this done for all your important accounts - right now. Nothing is 100% foolproof but it’s going to make it so much harder for cyber criminals to hack you.

with tempting names like ‘free_wifi’ or ‘coffeeshop_wifi’. If you connect to them, they can capture any information you send.

Using your Social Media, banking or checking and sending emails could leave you really vulnerable.

If you want to use your Social Media and work on emails or use your banking app when you’re out and about then it’s best to use your 3G, 4G or 5G connection as it’s encrypted. Otherwise, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting to public Wi-Fi. All your data will be encrypted so if it’s intercepted, it can’t be read.

VPN can be downloaded as an app onto devices.

Remember!

Public Hotspots are unlikely to be secure Beware!

Criminals can capture data when you use insecure Wi-Fi networks Prevent!

If you need the internet, use your 3G, 4G OR 5G or VPN connection

I’m so bad at remembering passwords and admit to having the same one for everything and I know that’s bad. Have you got any tips?

Your most important accounts are probably your email, social media and online banking. You’ll need strong passwords for each account and they must all be different. If your email is hacked, they could take control of your online accounts.

You can create a password easily by choosing 3 random words.

Is public Wi-Fi networks safe to use? I do a lot of social You can make it stronger by swapping out letters for numbers media posts when I’m out with friends and I heard that it’s like an E or a 3 for example. a bit risky.

Wi Fi connections or ‘hot spots’ in cafes and public spaces are great for free internet when you’re out and about. However, you need to be mindful that this freebie may cost you. Sadly, not all Wi-Fi connections are safe and secure and they can and do get exploited by criminals. When you connect, you don’t know who else is on the network. Cyber thieves can intercept your data and also get your passwords, even automated ones - that’s where you dive straight into Facebook, Instagram and emails without entering your username and password.

I’ve heard about criminals setting up their own Wi-Fi hot spots

It’s really not wise to use words that are closely related to you as they may be easy to guess such as names of family or pets, birth place or favorite things like a football team or idol.

You could use a password manager like KeePass. It’s free to use and helps you to manage your passwords securely. It puts them in a highly encrypted database database and you only need to remember one master password. See for yourself at www. keepass.info

Got a tech question for Antony?

Get in touch at ant@antandtech.com

Wellbeing

Why Menopause Matters In July 2012, I underwent hysterectomy surgery including removal of my ovaries which put me into surgical menopause overnight. Having received no information or advice about menopause either prior to or after my surgery, I was discharged from the hospital after 48 hours and told to visit my doctor in about six weeks time.

The hot flushes began almost immediately but at my appointment with the doctor a few weeks later I politely refused HRT (hormone replacement therapy) when it was mentioned. The doctor didn’t ask why and I didn’t tell her, I had read some things I didn’t like the sound of and had decided to see a nutrionist who had promised she could help, sadly, for me, that turned out to be an empty promise.

I felt useless, hopeless and worthless A few months after my surgery things went very wrong very quickly; I seemed to lose my confidence overnight, I was constantly anxious, I couldn't sleep, I became increasingly emotional and irrational. I had never experienced depression but each day felt darker than the last and I felt like I was dragging myself through waist deep treacle. I felt useless, hopeless and worthless. I was no longer functioning; I had lost my joy.

Life got very scary and I remember thinking that if this was what life was going to be like I was not sure that I wanted to be here in anymore. Soon after I came very close to taking my own life and on the same day my husband rushed me back to see the doctor.

I was terrified as I was convinced that I would spend the rest of my life on anti depressants or the animal derived HRT that I didn't want to take.

46 | Menopause

Special Feature

I stuck my first HRT patch on that day and quickly noticed an improvement.

The doctor explained that the major loss of natural oestrogen when my ovaries were removed was causing the symptoms and in my case only HRT could replace it. Through the sobbing I explained my concerns and it was only then that I was told there were different types of HRT and that I could have one that was plant derived. I stuck my first HRT patch on that day and quickly noticed an improvement. Initially I was delighted but then I was angry, why had nobody given me the information that I needed before my surgery and how many other women were struggling with menopause symptoms the way that I had?

It is fair to say that the experience changed my life and I now counsel other women experiencing menopause, present to organisations looking to understand menopause and support their staff and lecture to wellbeing professionals about the impact of menopause and how they can support their clients.

. . .poor menopause education for health care professionals is a barrier to getting the right help and support.

It has become clear in my work supporting women that poor menopause education for health care professionals is a barrier to them getting the right help and support. Although we have NICE guidelines in menopause care they are not enforced and many GP’s have not read them. I have counselled women who have been told they are too young to be experiencing menopause; told they are depressed and prescribed anti depressants or that they

must have stopped having periods before they can consider treatment.

If you are planning to visit your doctor about menopause, ask if there is one who specialises in this area.

Whilst hot flushes and night sweats are the symptoms most people think of when menopause is mentioned, it’s actually the psychological symptoms that are most likely to appear first; anxiety, low mood, irritability, brain fog etc.

Oestrogen supports many bodily functions and one of them is cognition, serotonin, our happy hormone is supported by oestrogen so when it starts to fluctuate so can our mood and cognitive ability. Anxiety causes a rise in cortisol production and cortisol eats, yes you guessed it, serotonin, causing a spiral effect.

Many of the women that I counsel tell me how they are considering giving up careers that they have spent a lifetime building and sadly by the time they find me some of them already have. Many say their decision to leave the workplace is because they felt unsupported and unable to discuss their situation with management. We currently have 4.3 million women in the workplace over the age of 50 which is a 72% rise since 1992.

Menopause should be part of every wellbeing programme and supporting women to remain at work by implementing a few simple adjustments is not rocket science. If organisations want to retain valuable members of staff there needs to be recognition that menopause awareness in the workplace is a win win situation.

Personal relationships can be tricky at any time but particularly during menopause. I often counsel women who tell me that their relationships are in trouble or in the saddest cases have already ended.

Relationships can be complex but if you don’t understand what is happening to you it’s unlikely that your partner will and they can often feel excluded and helpless. Many women are unaware that recurrent UTI’s and vaginal symptoms including dryness and soreness can be related to menopause but if they are struggling with those and find it difficult to discuss physical intimacy can be affected leading to a further breakdown in communication. There are very effective localised treatments available for both urinary and vaginal symptoms and it is vital to address them early.

Menopause can be a transformational time in a woman’s life and if you have found yourself with strong yearning to retreat to spend time alone you are in good company. Many women speak to me about a desire to be free of the responsibilities and distractions that come with putting others first to enable them to reflect on the past and consider the future. Menopause should be a time of self care but in today’s 24/7 world that can be very difficult but we must make some time to care for ourselves.

Many women find it a challenge to put themselves first but simple

things like giving yourself regular time away from your phone and social media, a cuppa in the garden or a couple of hours with a good book can be a great start. Menopause is an ideal time to review your lifestyle, its worth considering you’re eating and drink habits, your exercise regime and looking at including some mindfulness and yoga in to your week. A gentle Hatha or restorative yoga class can be really beneficial for both your physical and mental health and there are now some excellent mindfulness apps available including CALM and Headspace.

Menopause is often depicted as a very negative time in a woman’s life and whilst it can be tricky for some it’s important to remember that with the right advice and support it doesn’t have to be. Every woman deserves access to factual, evidence based information upon which to make an informed decision about how she manages her menopause symptoms.

Personally I have never been happier, healthier and more confident than I am now although it has very much been a work in progress. I no longer do things I don’t want to do, go to places I don’t want to go or spend time with people I don’t choose to. If any of that sounds selfish don’t be mistaken, its exactly the opposite, this is self care and it’s vital if you are to give your very best to those you care for and the endeavours you choose to focus on.

My top tip for navigating this stage in your life is educate yourself.

Knowledge is power and it is so important to understand what is happening during menopause. If you are one of the 75% of women who will experience some symptoms knowing how you can manage them before they happen can be very empowering.

Menopause is a natural stage of life but to navigate it well we need to take control of our own health and wellbeing. Most importantly recognise that this is an ideal opportunity to be kind to yourself.

On the 18th of October 2018 (World Menopause Day) I launched the #MakeMenopauseMatter campaign in Parliament to improve menopause care and support for all women throughout the U.K both now and for future generations. We currently have over 15,000 signatures on the petition. The campaign calls for 1. Comprehensive menopause training to be a compulsory part of GP education 2. Menopause guidance in every workplace 3. Menopause education and awareness included in the PSHE curriculum I would be delighted if you would support the campaign by signing and sharing the petition by visiting menopausesupport.co.uk

By Diane Danzebrink www.dianedanzebrink.com Diane is The Menopause Counsellor, a Psychotherapist and Wellbeing Consultant with professional nurse training in menopause. She is the founder of Menopause Support and The Menopause Support Network, a private Facebook community which currently supports over 5,000 women.

Menopause. Do you really need to know about this stuff?

By definition, it's a day in your life . . . more like 5-9 years, on average!

I was rudely awakened early one morning with severe pain raging through my lower abdomen.

I’d never felt pain like it - other than giving birth.

I recall my terrified looking husband about to call an ambulance as I begged (ordered) him not to do so as I was expecting a busy day at work. A few hours later, my concerned looking Doctor insisted that I go to hospital. I thought I knew better. I didn't have the time so I just laid up quietly for a couple of hours in the hope that it would pass. To my delight rather than medical insight, the pain eased at lunchtime so I went in to work.

Within 2 weeks, I had a rather intrusive scan and told that ‘it would probably be wise to have surgery as it would probably solve a lot of problems’. They said the word probably twice.

This gave me my excuse to put it off for now! I was 41, with a deluded belief that I couldn’t stop working so my body would just have to wait until I could fit it to my diary. What was I thinking? I put it off as I was terrified.

7 years on, I was booked in for surgery on my daughters 21st birthday in February. Spookily, it was scheduled at the same time she was born and in the same hospital building. She begged (ordered) me not to postpone. She said it was a good sign - despite the fact that I was 'getting rid of her first home'. Her exact words! It was rescheduled for March due to bad weather!

The term Menopause means your last menstrual period. A natural life event. After more than 7 years with horrendous ones, my menopause day was coming, thanks to the operation that I shouldn’t have put off. A lesson learned. You’re taught about starting your periods in UK schools but they don’t tell you the bit about when they stop. When they start, that's a day in your life and you know it. Whilst by definition, the menopause is a day in your life as it’s that day 12 months since your last period, there's a lot that can go with it for 5-9 years, so before, during and after. Joy! I didn't know - as many women don’t - that I was in perimenopause, the phase leading up to the menopause. I’d only heard about this term last year when in hindsight, I should have known and prepared for it years ago. It explained so many of my symptoms as I had so many at the same time. I’d buried my head and put it off until I was older. Now needing to know, I found lots of information in so many places and became the champion for it in an organisation that employs around 6000 people with a fast changing age demographic. They were totally clueless too! I

learned that 80% of women will experience some or many of the 35 menopause symptoms. For 25% of them, they will be severe. Half will not see their Doctor and many Doctors in the UK have little if any menopause training. This is subject of a campaign by Diane who you may have just read about over the page. It’s startling as around 77% of women just don't realise that their symptoms are due to their menopause and many are being misdiagnosed.

I didn't have a clue and in hindsight, I had 15 obvious symptoms with 5 being severe. During the last year, they have had a significant impact on my ability to work at the pace I once enjoyed!

It’s been so frustrating.

Each woman’s menopause experience will be different - and for different lengths of time.

Aren’t we lucky? Due to surgery, one of my major symptoms was resolved. I won't miss the years of heavy, painful periods and the months where they didn’t stop. I started out my lash career offering a mobile treatment services.

I really struggled with the limited facilities available. The loss made me exhausted and looking back, I wonder how I coped! I think it was the lash addiction that pulled me through!

As I ticked that one off the symptom checker, another one got me – brain fog. Unless you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to explain. Woman often talk about their baby brains where they forget things when they’re pregnant or after giving birth. For me, it was a million percent worse than my baby brain! I took for granted that I could do or oversee several things at once and keep track. Now, I have to stay totally focused on one task alone. My husband knows not to interrupt me as I’m typing as it breaks my concentration and I have to get back into the zone again and that’s time consuming. If you’re used to life in the fast lane, this is a nightmare! Also, add 18 months’ of nights where I averaged 3-4 hours’ sleep, my mood and concentration levels were being challenged!

I recall many clients having hot flushes during treatment and my couch covers would be drenched in sweat. I didn’t mind as they just suddenly come on and they can’t help it. The moment I had my first hot flush a couple of years ago, I realised just how uncontrollable they can be. I had a strong desire to stand outside completely naked in artic weather conditions – that’s how bad they can be. Now I know what it was like for my clients, and why one begged me to let her lay naked on my couch as I lashed her a few years ago . . .

For too long, the menopause has been a taboo subject or one of humour and ridicule rather than empathy and understanding. That came to bear when my friends 2018 Christmas gift

was a hanging plaque that says 'Mood swing due in 6 minutes. Be afraid, be very afraid'.

My family point out the factual inaccuracy. It should read ‘6 seconds. Run away!’. This is bonkers as I was proud of my extremely high level of tolerance. I certainly needed that for my lifelong career in policing!

I could go on with many other symptoms but you can probably guess how it severally affects my ability work at the pace that I used to enjoy. This is one of the main reasons why we have a gap between editions 3 and 4 of Lash-Ed. I hope I’ll be forgiven! Please . . . .

So why am I talking about something so personal?

Three reasons.

1. As a woman experiencing it, I wish I had known more before I started going through it. It was affecting my work and my close relationships and I had no idea why. I had no idea how I could help myself. Neither did my Doctor.

2. My clients experience it and I now feel better able to cater for their needs and put them at ease 3. As an employer, I have responsibilities for the health, safety and the needs of my age-diverse team. A legal and moral duty duty.

I think most of our readers are either women, employers or both. 80% of women are likely to experience symptoms that can have a significant impact on their lives and their ability to work. It’s wise to know what may be round the corner as the symptoms can be both mental and physical.

Psychological symptoms include anxiety, mood swings, irritability, brain fog / forgetfulness, difficulty coping, panic attacks, loss of motivation and drive, loss of libido, confusion, feeling helpless, lower confidence, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating and depression (passing or clinical).

Physical symptoms include night sweats, hot flushes (sometimes called flashes), heavy or irregular periods, aching joints, palpations, itchy skin, headaches, nausea, vaginal Dryness, hair loss, bladder weakness, urine infections, brittle nails, weight gain and osteoporosis.

As Employers, we have a duty of care to our staff. If their menopausal symptoms are severe, they could have a substantial adverse effect on normal day to day activities. This may meet the legal definition of a disability under the Equality Act, one of the Protected Characteristics (England and Wales. There may be similar laws elsewhere). >>

Many employers have nothing in place to support women coping with menopausal symptoms. Failing to make reasonable adjustments make employers vulnerable if it's raised in an Employment Tribunal.

More women will go through it during their working life as more are working and working for longer. 25% consider leaving their job because of it and 10% do.

Employers are losing knowledgeable and talented staff because of a temporary phase in their lives.

My symptoms have had a huge impact on my productivity, for others, the quality of their work may suffer or it may affect their relationships with colleagues. It could be the cause of absenteeism or you may notice that their behavior has changed.

Providing awareness raising training about it and how symptoms can cause difficulties for some women at work is quite easy to do. Both staff and managers will know that there are some simple things that can be done to help those going through it feel more comfortable so they can continue working. Some simple adjustments for some symptoms could be: Hot flushes: consider room temperature and ventilation. Opening salon windows can be an issue so desktop fan s are useful. Positioning their work station away from radiators or unncovered windows in the summer helps. We can protect our clients from the chill with heated blankets and covers. Ensure that cold drinking water is readily available. If you supply uniform, is it lightweight and breathable? Perhaps a light cotton alternative and issuing extra, so they can freshen up and stay at work after an episode.

Heavy periods: Quick access to a restroom helps.

Reassure that it’s okay for them to look after themselves.

If sleep is disturbed, is a later start time possible? I know this can be an issue with bookings but perhaps thinking ahead for a period of time would really help them to continue working.

I lead menopause awareness raising and implement good practice in an organisation that employees around 3000 women. I worked with Talking Menopause who specialise in workplace awareness raising. They are a fountain of knowledge! We have held 3 events reaching over 300 people with more planned as word got around about how helpful they were. Over 50 people contacted me after the events to say that it has changed their lives. That or any form of awareness training was worth the investment.

I sincerely encourage you to look after you and learn more about something that affects over 80% of women and can last for years. If you lead a team as an employer or manager, you need to be prepared so knowing more about it and thinking about reasonable adjustments will not only help them, but your business.

For further reading, I highly recommend a book called ‘Menopause: All you need to know in one concise manual’. It's written by a renowned menopause specialist Doctor called Louise Newson. Her website is very informative too www.menopausedoctor. co.uk If you’re interested in arranging professional training for your team, it’s worth having a chat with Talking Menopause at www.talkingmenopause.co.uk Thanks for reading and remember, if it’s yet to come and go, it’s on its way. . .

Julie Knight, Editor

Menopause and Work Every woman will go through the menopause, so why is it rarely discussed openly in a work environment? A significant cultural shift is required in the workplace to openly discuss menopause. Currently, women are afraid to speak up about their own symptoms and ask for help when they so desperately need it. It is a serious issue considering every woman will go through the menopause.

The average age range for menopause in the UK is 45 to 55-years-old, and depending on demographics, this can represent a large percentage of a workforce. Menopause symptoms are wide-ranging from hot flushes and memory / concentration challenges to brain fog and severe anxiety with mental health issues. Every woman’s menopause experience is different, lasting for different periods of time.

The menopause is a life event, not an illness.

Around 80% of women going through the menopause in the UK have symptoms and 25% of these have severe symptoms. Over 75% of women do not realise their symptoms are due to the menopause. This can be a challenge for them, their colleagues and employers.

There are increasing numbers of menopausal women in work. Two-thirds of women going through the menopause say they have no support at work meaning they choose to introduce their own reasonable adjustments such as avoiding promotion, taking a lesser role, reducing hours, and 10% even leave work altogether.

Results of recent Talking Menopause client surveys showed women were embarrassed and ashamed, saying they feel weak and have been mocked and made a joke of when discussing menopause at work.

Engaging in the menopause at work Given this lack of awareness of menopause and support for women, it’s important to consider how menopause aware your organisation is.

Consider - Is your organisation engaged in the menopause and are women given the confidence to be open about their menopausal challenges? Are the health, safety and wellbeing of menopausal employees effectively managed?

How can women be supported on their menopausal journey to ensure productively levels are managed and optimised for individuals, their colleagues and the organisation?

Positive menopause discussions Menopause needs normalising, acknowledging and accepting across all levels of an organisation. It should not be treated in isolation. Women often tell us they are uncomfortable talking to managers about menopause, how employers do not understand it and the impact and challenges it can bring. However, by having these conversations a positive and inclusive working culture can be developed.

Managing menopause at work When menopause is managed well, for example by an employer providing simple reasonable adjustments such as the provision of a desk fan or flexible working arrangements, it can prove beneficial for both parties, including reducing associated issues such as absenteeism, and improving productivity.

Raising awareness through workshops and conferences also helps to give women the confidence to speak up and ask for help as well as get a clear understanding of their symptoms and impact by facilitating menopause conversations.

It is recommended that organisations conduct a review of practices and procedures on current support for menopausal women. For example, existing women’s networks, informal and support or interest groups can be positive places to initiate menopause discussions.

So, where can an organisation start? Firstly, by understanding that menopause is more than hot flushes, and secondly, simply by talking openly about it, making it visible, normalising it. How about asking ‘Why are we NOT talking about menopause?’

Talking Menopause focuses on engaging and leading positive menopause discussions and support across all levels of the workplace through tailored, interactive programmes aligned to the organisation’s culture.

Lynda Bailey Sarah Davies Directors of Talking Menopause www.talkingmenopause.co.uk

Menopause Special Feature| 49

How to set yourself up for success in 2020!

If 2019's been a rough ride, then this one's for you!

Take some time to reflect. Whether or not you choose to take action after you do, is your choice.

I see a lot of people make the same mistakes when trying to make changes in their lives. These are often things people talk about when they first come to work with me, the reasons why they have failed over and over and not moved on to be the person who they want to be. All of these can be an incredibly frustrating situation to be in. Blame gets placed on other people, on situations, on timing or on anything else other than looking a little closer to home. Yes, external factors can make a huge difference, but the accountability and responsibility must start with you – then you look elsewhere!

This is what I hear a lot of If at first you don’t succeed, do the same thing, the same way and fail again! In a new year, people start to think about what they want to achieve, what they want to do, who they want to become.

Many people will be rushing ahead without stopping to think about this last year. What did they set out to achieve in January 2018? What were they all enthusiastic about, excited to get going on? How did they imagine 2020 to be?

Did it happen? If yes - How? If not – Why? What will you do more of because it worked well?

What will you do less of because it didn’t get you the result or impact or outcome that you wanted?

If you don’t take time to sit and reflect on the year, you will go leaping enthusiastically into the next and repeating the same behaviours and habits. Even if 2018 was a year of success then spend some time reflecting on why so you can make it happen again in 2020!

It’s all balls!

Life throws everyone curve balls. How we handle them is what sets us apart. Sometimes life throws us a ball shaped like none we've ever seen before and so we must get help from others to help us handle it, so it doesn’t floor us. Has 2019 thrown you some new balls?

What have you learnt about yourself?

What positives can you pull out of the experience that you can take in to the next 12 months?

Did you learn that you are more resilient than you thought?

Did you learn that it is okay to ask for help and seek support?

Did you learn more about the internal resources that you already had that you can apply to other situations?

What did it tell you about the people around you? Did they show up and step in when you needed or asked?

If 2019 threw you a ball that floored you, what would you do differently next time? What do you know now that can help you stay on your feet if it happens again?

Life throws the balls – You ultimately have the decision on whether you learn how to play or you sit on the bench.

Failing by choice. When the status Quo becomes too comfortable.

Confession time. Put your hands up if staying the same was easier than trying to change. Be honest!

You started off with great intentions, lots of energy, you could see the positives of making all the changes you were setting out to make but as time went by it was just a lot easier to slip into the behaviour and habits you know.

Life got difficult, (as it often does) and so it was a great ‘excuse’ to just return to what you know and what is comfortable and put the goals on hold ‘for a bit’ until things settle down. You have to WANT to make the changes, you have to want to put in the energy and effort into it.

Start small, embed the changes so they no longer feel different and become the ‘new normal’. Small daily consistent effort is a lot easier to continue regardless of what is going on around you.

5 things to ask yourself when setting goals for 2020 1. Who are you setting the goal for and why are you setting it?

2.What are you prepared to give up and take up to make it happen?

3. Are they in alignment with who you are, and what is important to you? (values/needs/purpose) 4. What old behaviours and habits do you need to leave behind to make these happen?

5. What internal resources do you have, what external resources will you need to support you?

If you are determined to make 2020 a success but know that you need support to get you there, lets have a chat and see how I can best support you to become who YOU want to be and live the life YOU choose next year.

Zoe Thompson Phoenix Life and Wellbeing Coach www.phoenixlifecoach.co.uk

Safety

Megan's story We’ve all heard horror stories about awful lash applications.

Those who needlessly suffer during and after treatment due to poor practice or malpractice. It takes one client to post their story on social media to warn to others and the case can go viral, just as it did for Megan Rixson.

Megan is a 20 year student in her 2nd year of studying Criminology at the University of Bedfordshire. She’s had lash extensions many times in different salons. They’d always taken over an hour to do and she’d always had a good experience. Being a fan of a dramatic look full of volume, she knew that each lash stylist worked a little differently to others and that her lashes would look a little different at the end too.

On Friday 19th October last year, this stunning young lady visited a small beauty salon in a Bedfordshire town to get her lashes done. Sadly, her experience was far from what she expected – and indeed, what any of us would expect in an industry that we hold dear to our hearts.

With no appointment, she walked in and was seen straight away.

There was no consultation to check for contraindications, no patch test and no discussion about what she was hoping for. What followed was 25-30 minutes of significant discomfort that cost her £45. She took to Twitter to warn others and she tells Julie her story.

Thank you for talking to lash-Ed magazine Megan. Our readers are passionate about high standards in our industry and many will have seen your story and will be saddened by your traumatic experience. It really is the opposite of what we strive to do. What happened to you that day?

At first, she sat me in a chair and was going to do it there but another lady needed it so she took me into a back room and I laid down. So that’s how I’ve had it done before. She didn’t use any tape or anything on my lower lashes and told me to keep my eyes open. That surprised me as I’ve always had them closed when I’ve had my lashes done but I thought different people did them in their own way.

The moment she starting putting them on, immediately, my eyes started burning. I was closing them as it was like getting shampoo in your eye. She kept telling me to open them and said the glue was strong so they would stay on a long time and perhaps I was sensitive. To keep my eyes open, I had to hold it open with both hands and my eyes were streaming with tears because of the burning. She called another women in to help and she then held my eye open. I was given a fan so I was fanning myself but the tears kept coming. When first eye was done, I had it tightly shut and told me to hold the eye open to dry. She said, ‘don’t worry, it’ll wear off’.

I’ve never had anything sting this much. It felt like I head bleach in my eye and I couldn’t open it without actually holding it open. I couldn’t open the other eye. The other woman did it and I was told to keep fanning myself. The fan was helping but the moment it stopped, they were burning again. When she finished, I just couldn’t open my eyes. I was so scared and panicking because they were stinging too much. She said, ‘it okay, don’t worry, it’ll fade away’.

I needed to call for help. I wondered how I was going to do it.

Thankfully, I used the fingerprint on my iPhone and called my boyfriend. I said you need to come as I can’t open my eyes. He thought I was being a drama queen but came straight over. I still couldn’t open my eyes so he walked me back to my flat. When I got there, I could just about open them but I couldn’t see properly.

Everything was so blurry, just colours. My eyes were still burning and streaming. Even when they were shut they were still stinging.

I got my pyjamas on and laid in bed, not knowing what to do. I spent two hours in dark with my eyes closed. I called 111 (UK non-emergency medical helpline). They said that if it’s still a problem, to put water on them. The water made it worse. I managed to fall asleep though my eyes were stinging for days.

I’m so sorry that you had that experience Megan. How are you feeling now?

When I wake up, my left eye is blurry for longer. The Optician said that my left eye is taking longer to dilate and it’s more sensitive but I’m told the damage isn’t serious.

How do you feel about what happened?

You put your faith in them. You think they should know what they are doing as she’s the beautician, not me. I put my trust in her.

Did you speak to anyone at the salon about it?

I went back with my boyfriend the next day. They didn’t want to take them off in case they take my lashes off and get blamed for it. My boyfriend asked what they had done to my eyes as they were swollen, red and bloodshot. They said that I must have had a reaction. He asked them to show us the glue that they’d used so we can see what’s in it. When she showed us, someone getting nails done said ‘that’s nail glue!’ The women in the salon said that it’s ‘multipurpose’.

They offered to give me a free treatment. I didn’t accept it.

Did you manage get the lashes removed?

The Doctor said to get them removed. The salon refused to do it as they were worried because of how my eyes looked and about me losing my own lashes.

I went online and saw lots of advice about using oil to remove them. Half of them were coming off anyway but I tried using oil in the shower and it really hurt and my eyes were stinging. I managed to get them all off after a couple of days but I lost a lot of my own

of my own lashes. Thankfully, my lashes are really strong so they’re okay now.

Have you taken any legal action against the salon or intend to?

Everyone was saying ‘Sue! Sue! Sue!’ but at the time I was up to my eyes in uni work. I didn’t have time to do anything about it.

For me, it’s not about money, I just didn’t want anyone else going through that.

Have you had lash extensions since?

I haven’t, but I will. I’ll make sure I’m going somewhere good. I’ll go on recommendations, I’ll look at their reviews and I’ll make sure they ask questions and patch test. I’ll also ask to see their glue so I can see that it’s for lashes. I think anyone who’s reputable will be happy to do that.

Were you surprised by the responses to your twitter post?

Yes! I thought what’s happening? I thought my friends were winding me up but so many people commented about their experiences and then I was being contacted by journalists.

Megan posted a video on her Twitter feed that day to warn others about her experience. With the video, she posted, “Girls be very very careful where you get your eyelashes done!!I got my individuals done today somewhere new and it turns out they used nail glue on my lashes. I genuinely lost my sight for 2 hours. Thankfully the swelling has gone down, but there still very sore. Be careful” In her video, she says, “This one’s like on fire (points to right eye) but this one won’t open as much (points to left eye). This is as far as I can open them and this one’s like more closed (points to left eye). I’m not crying because I’m sad I’m crying because like my eyes are continuously watering but everything is very blurry, like very blurry".

Her tweet went viral and a number of reporters were soon interested in her story. It’s been featured in The Sun, Daily Mail, Cosmo and numerous digital platforms. At the time of our interview (March 2019), her tweet had just under a million views and was retweeted 2500 times. It had 4.6k likes along with 178 comments. Some are rather interesting. People similarly sharing poor experiences and many advising her to sue.

Lash-Ed would like to thank Megan for sharing her story. She didn’t receive any remuneration or reward for it. Lash-Ed are not sensationalising it, simply telling it. Countless people have read her story and others like it and we all know that she's not alone in her experience. It doesn’t make for pretty reading for the beauty industry. I recall watching a programme a few years ago where TV presenters set up a makeshift treatment room in a shopping mall. Potential clients assumed that they were in safe hands as why else would they be there, offering treatments?

This all highlights the need for better regulation, checks and balances in the interest of safety. Megan shared her story to raise awareness of the dangers. It’s quite sad that she felt the need to do that. We sincerely wish her well.

Julie Knight Editor

Who's liable?

I was asked to offer advice to the Health and Safety Executive regarding a salon which has injured two clients.

I thought it might be useful for you to know what I have learnt as part of this process.

If you have self employed staff, both the therapist and the business owner are liable for any injury caused.

It is the responsibility of the business owner to: - check that the therapist has the right to work in the UK, is qualified and competent to carry out the treatments for which they have been engaged - keep accurate, written records of the therapist’s contact and training details - keep accurate, written records of when the therapist is in the salon - keep accurate, written records of the clients the self employed therapist has treated While there is no legislation that requires a therapist to be trained and insured, if a client is injured, you can be prosecuted under the Health And Safety At Work Act 1974.

If the salon owner attempts to close down a limited business in an attempt to avoid prosecution, the HSE will instruct Companies House to bar the winding up.

If the business owner or therapist does not have the correct training and insurance, you can be prosecuted under the Health And Safety At Work Act 1974 for endangering the public.

Even if you have unpaid staff, the business owner has to ensure that the working environment is safe for all employees and clients.

This is just a flavour of some of what I’ve learnt. The thing which surprised me most is the fact that a business owner cannot dodge any responsibility simply because the staff member is self employed.

By Lynne Baker Founding Director Calla Distribution Ltd Luxury Cosmetic Distributor UK for Swissdermyl, Cozmetic Lab, eyeSlices and Novita

The Ultimate

OSCAR©

By Leanne Harber Leanne Harber is the International Lash Master and Editor of Lash Inc Ireland who's launching the first OSCAR© Approved Centre within the Lash Industry.

Her new webpages are coming soon along with an extensive range of training and competency based assessments, here's what she has to say.

"The Ultimate OSCAR© – A year in the Making! And what a Journey it has been!! So what does this mean for our Industry?

It's great news, that's what it means!!! Currently, we are struggling with standards and regulations within our sector of eyelashes and the industry as a whole. We are seeing lots of bad work, clients lashes being damaged, students being poorly taught, inturn damaging our reputation as a whole as a Lash Artist or a Training Provider"

So what can an OSCAR© Accreditation do for us?

“I believe it will raise the bar in high standard setting for you all to follow and obtain recognition of your work and abilities to carry them out.

So, let me put it another way, when we are looking for a builder, or any tradesman, we make sure they are licensed or go and

look on 'check a trade' or if Corgi registered so we know they are competent at their job? Or if we are looking for a great restaurant we look how many stars they have got to see how good they are?

Well, this is the same if you have an OSCAR© in your field, then Clients and Students alike will know you're the best and would rather go to you than to someone who is not Nationally recognised as competent and look you up on the National Register?”

Having been awarded the non-construction sector privilege in spearheading the roll out of cross sector curriculums, Claire Moffatt-Lonsdale of Profile in conjunction with Neil Whitfield, both like-minded and passionate about skills development and deployment, joined forces to extend his Construction Sector OSCAR© solution to the ‘rest of the world’. Well, it has arrived with Ultimate, honoured to represent the whole of our Industry.

This unique method of accreditation & recognising outstanding skill sets, Ultimate is now working together as Venture Guardians of the Standard – Health & Wellbeing.

We are able to extend this methodology within the UK and Internationally. Believing there to be a ‘gap’ or shortfall between Academic qualifications, NVQ’s, VT’s, QCF’s being able to, in effect, join the dots in enabling candidates to shout out to the rest of the world “Hey!! I’m brilliant at this”!!

In the past it may have been difficult for really talented individuals to achieve recognition and for all sorts of reasons: The lack of affordability to attain - one or the other or none at all The Lack of opportunity - Nothing that matched the job/ skill in hand de-motivational & cumbersome paths to attainment Traditional qualifications not keeping up with new products & services New Innovations or fast moving Technology

The lack of these ‘awards’ by no stretch of reality means that our people cannot do the job in hand to a high standard, yet, leaving those with highly competent skill sets without a standard benchmark of a ‘certificate’ – out of the ‘limelight’.

Ultimate standards are high, so you will have to work hard to obtain the OSCAR© thus raising our standards and pushing these cowboys, tech and trainers out, or it could encourage them step up or get left behind?!

Every consideration is being made for Equality of Opportunity - so it doesn't matter whether you work in your bedroom or have a plush salon, it’s as long as you meet the criteria and pass the assessment.

If you can do it, prove it, OSCAR© it!

To be eligible for an OSCAR© you will need proof of residence, your certification in your field i.e. lash lift, classic, volume, trainer and your proof of insurance. If you have all of these then all you have to do is to undertake your live assessment and show us what you are made of!!

So how did we do it?

We worked together on the basis of pulling the zillions of curriculums together in devising 4 generic focus Guardians to accommodate:- Construction > Technology > Health & Wellbeing > Professional Management. We needed already established, forward thinking movers, groovers and culture shakers who are UK and Internationally recognised providers to pick up the gauntlets & spearhead being the first of these ‘guardian’ AC’s – Approved Centres.

We needed a slick, fully inclusive communication process, digitised ‘paperwork’ – simplified to the extent that ‘no training is required’ for Candidates, Companies, Assessors and Providers, with zero Tech barriers, including hardware.

We needed a mechanism to tell the world, unfettered, tamper free, without dispute, who, what in, where, when, which individuals gained their OSCAR© – thus without question, speeding up the recruitment, development, sales & growth paths for key decision makers and end consumers.

We did it!!! Be the first and join us in our baby steps in bringing back & drumming up motivational drivers and going to work to live AND ENJOY IT and not to live to work – barhumbug stuff!!

Currently, Ultimate is only offering an OSCAR© in the lash industry, coming soon will be other sectors, such as brows, nails, hair and all beauty treatments.

Leanne said,

“I am very excited about this and I have worked extremely hard to get it right and to help you all, so if you want to join Ultimate in raising the bar in our amazing industry and you want the lash version of an Michelin star please email me with all your questions or complete our quick enquiry form here & I will get back to you".

We are also looking to set up satellite AC’s - Approved Centres around the globe - so if you want the OSCAR© in your Country simply ask and view our App. Remember “it’s not what you know, it’s what you do with what you know that counts” - If you can do it, prove it and OSCAR© it!

By

Leanne Harber

Founder of Ultimate

So, to gain an OSCAR© you need to demonstrate and pass a set of criteria within a working environment, your knowledge and ability will be assessed within your chosen treatment.

Safety | 55

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