The Making of an Esthetician

A couple of Saturdays ago, Sandra and I decided to come to school with no makeup on so we could do each other’s makeup and get a sign off for it. While Sandra was able to do mine, I could not do hers because she got a client. She did a great job, and all the girls said it looked really nice. Working at Sephora (a cosmetic, fragrance and skin care store) for a few months helped me to get used to doing makeup on strangers. I think the most important part is prepping the skin properly so that the makeup goes on smoothly. It’s also important to find out what the client likes and dislikes when it comes to makeup colors and products.

While Sandra was with her client, I decided to do my friend Nancy’s makeup for her. Nancy is beautiful; she has nice tan, clear skin and what’s unique about her is that she has her eyebrows and black eyeliner already tattooed on her. It made my job a little easier too! Our makeup kit only comes with a few foundation colors - a light, medium and dark – so it’s hard to find the right shade for everyone. The medium shade looked like a perfect match for her, so I tried that first doing a stripe test, and it was just right for her skin tone.

She’s a little on the oily side, so I dusted some translucent powder on her to set the foundation. I chose an orchid shade of eye shadow for her, and it looked really pretty on her. She loved it and asked me what I used on her so she could use it again.

After applying her lipstick and blush, Nancy walked me through how to apply individual false eyelashes. I have seen a demonstration once before on how to do this, but it was hard to see. I poured some glue in a small cup and dipped the individual lashes into it before adding them to her lash line. It is a very tedious process, and I dropped a few lashes while trying to get them in place. Nancy showed me how to hold my tweezers, how to space the lashes one after the other so they look natural, and also the proper place to glue them. I could see where lots of practice would be beneficial for this procedure, and it would also help me to become faster in my application. We have short, medium and long lashes to work with, and I chose the medium length ones for her. I want to practice this a lot more, so I am planning on getting my own lashes and glue so I can practice on friends, family and myself.

I found that with a procedure like that, you just have to be very, very patient. I have also discovered that when I just jump right into something new like that, and don’t allow myself time to think about it, I get it done pretty successfully and I am so happy that I have learned something. It’s great that we can all help teach each other, too. Nancy is a few months ahead of me in school, and she is a great teacher. I will miss her when she graduates.

1. Maggie
   May 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 am

   Are you really learning eyelash extensions in school? I went to the worlds most crappy school for esthetics located in Maine. We were “shown”, which is different from being taught, how to apply inidividual lashes but I’m sure those bumpkins running the school have never even heard of extensions. Where is your school?
   Love reading the blog!!

2. Colleen
   May 5th, 2008 at 11:35 am

   Maggie - our school is located in Illinois. We were taught how to apply individual lashes, just the ones that you glue on. I think that is different from eyelash extensions….but I could be wrong. I think extensions are a more difficult and pricey procedure. I am so glad that you are enjoying the blog! We are too!

3. Ashley, student - Miracles
   June 1st, 2008 at 7:41 pm

   I don’t know why but I kind of have a natural talent for doing lashes. It’s good that you have different sizes for lashes. My teacher taught us to use mostly medium lashes, with a couple shorter ones toward the inner corner and longer ones on the outside for the most natural look. If you look closely at strip lashes, most of them are shorter on the inside, longer on the outside.

4. Noreen Young, Educator/makeup artist - Noreen Young for Ther Pro
   June 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

   I enjoy reading this new Blog Adventure of Colleen and Sandra! The illustrations of them are priceless and so is the title.

   I studied to become a nursing nun. That is a nun(Who does not wear makeup) and is a nurse. That was my destiny or so I thought. Life is full of magical moments and times. I never thought I would land in the Kingdom of Lipsticks, Lotions, Potions and More.

   Much success and keep it up! I look forward to meeting you hopefully when I guest speak for Face and Body this year.

   I am very proud of you!
   Noreen Young

5. Sandra
   June 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

   Noreen: I know this is Colleen’s entry, but when I saw your name, I had to comment. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog. We’re really excited about it! And we love our little cartoon characters too! So how did you go from studying to become a nun and a nurse to a makeup artist? I understand the change in direction though. I thought my destiny was accounting. Hope to hear from you again. Thanks so much for the comment!

6. Rae, Sr. Esthetician, CLS, CPCP
   June 12th, 2008 at 11:01 pm

   I have been doing eyelash extensions for the past 3 years and can tell you there is quite a difference between applying individual lashes compared to eyelash extensions. There are also differences between lash companies and the products they supply such as adhesives.

   True eyelash extensions are made of individual synthetic lashes that are applied to isolated, single lashes. A full set, as I do them, takes approximately two hours and is an average application of 60-70 lashes per eye. Lashes shed every 60-90 days so clients return for a refill every 3 or 4 weeks, (25 to 30 lashes, some of which is filling in).

   There are many companies offering lash extension kits with DVD training. While many procedures can be learned using DVD, I highly recommend taking a class offered by a reputable company who will then certify you as a lash stylist.

   Take some time to check out each company, their products, marketing materials, techniques, customer service, and reputation. Quality education and product, along with practice will enhance your clients lashes, and enhance your bottom line!

   Notable differences:
   A client came in to have “individual” lashes applied. She had been regularly applying them elsewhere, on a weekly basis for about a month. When she came to me she had about 20 (maybe) natural lashes on each eye. I explained to her that the lashes were being glued together and the new, baby lashes were being pulled out as the other lashes grew. (No one had explained this to her) I recommended she stop wearing the lashes to give her own lashes a chance to grow in. She thanked me for educating her on lash health.

   I have also seen the results of eyelash extensions done by inexperienced technicians who either glue multiple lashes together, apply sparse “spider legs”, or cause lash breakage. While it is heartbreaking to see poor work, I have gained many new clients by showing them the difference in quality application.

   Helping a client enhance her inner beauty is very rewarding.

   “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Robert Collier

7. Colleen
   June 16th, 2008 at 11:34 am

   Rae - you know quite a bit about lash extensions. I would love to get better at this - we just don’t get a whole lot of requests for it at school. I really need to practice more. The first time I did it, someone walked me through it. I would love to get into a spa that trains really well on this. Thanks for the comment.