7 LASH ARTIST RED FLAGS TO AVOID

There is a weird and discouraging trend that I am seeing where unprofessional lash techs have ridiculous policies set in place, demanding way too much from the client and giving little to sometimes even nothing in return!

We understand that for some service providers there is no such thing as "the customer is king", but there should always be the bare minimum of decency when doing business and in my opinion, the customer should be treated like a king whether or not they are. These are some common red flags for you to avoid if you ever see them on a lash techs social channel(s) or website:

1. OBLIGATORY PICTURES - Some lash techs make it a requirement for you to let them take photographs of you wearing the lashes and sometimes before. The problem with this is that not all clients want to have their pictures taken. Not everyone wants to be published on social media for the world to see even if you're not a model and prefer to stay as private as possible. There are some lash artists out there who make it a requirement regardless of your feelings about it, if you want to book with them, you need to allow them to take photos and use them for marketing purposes without even giving you a discount. We believe it should be optional for the client to allow it, not a requisite.

2. DM ME FOR THE PRICE - We understand how it is better to hide your prices to obligate potential customers to contact you directly to know the prices and create a connection directly with them and thus increasing the chances of booking. But, when your prices are not out in display for these types of services then it could mean that the technician varies the price from person to person, and that could lead to discrimination.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA BACKGROUND CHECK - On that note, what if you don't even have social media? Did you know that there is lash tech that runs their own mini background checks and check you out on social media to see your own 'reviews' or style? And oftentimes, if the account is new or private then they won't allow you to book! And not to mention that you need an account to book in the first place, done are the days of booking via phone or even just showing up.

4. LATE AND LAST MINUTE FEE - Some places charge a last-minute fee which may be understandable since the lash tech could have a very busy schedule and had to rearrange certain things to accommodate your last minute, but charging a late fee while only serving them during the time remaining on their late appointment is cruel and unnecessary and should be considered theft, in my opinion. You paid for a timeslot so regardless of arriving late, it doesn’t change the fact that you will probably leave with fewer lashes since there is less time to fill them now if the artist has another client right after.

5. LAZY AND INEXPERIENCED - Sometimes inexperienced or lazy lash techs charge extra to deter clients such as charging extra for curlier or blonde lashes or lash baths. In my mind, why should the client be penalized for making the lash artist’s job slightly more complicated? It is one thing to charge more if you’re doing a personalized corrective style of lash extensions as that will require more time for mapping out a custom set, but just because someone isn’t blessed with perfectly thick, straight, and dark lashes then they shouldn’t have to pay extra for inconveniencing the artist. Unless the lash artist charges by the hour, then it is fair for both parties as the customer will get fuller lashes with better isolation and the tech can take more time to do it properly.

6. CHARGING FOR LASH BATHS - This one is a big debate in the lash world and honestly, we’re a bit torn but even though I do believe customers should shampoo their lashes frequently, I lean more towards the lash bath or shampoo should always be included with each set. If the lash tech wants to charge more for it, then they should add it to the price of the service. But just like you expect to get your nails and hair cleaned for you whenever you get serviced at the salon, you should always get your lashes cleaned, plus it helps with retention!

7. UNPROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR - This is something you won't notice until it happens to you so you can't get away but you can avoid returning to them in the future if this bothers you. Some lash techs have the audacity to cancel or reschedule at bad times for the client and keep the deposit, even though it wasn't the client's fault! I know of lash techs that bring their pets and kids into work, are distracted by their phones constantly during the service, eat, listen to offensive music, smoke in the room, other lingering odors, have no accessible washroom for the client (not necessarily applicable during COVID times), etc.

   Of course, you can book with whoever you want and this doesn’t mean their work is bad, they might be the best in the world, there must be a reason why they are “allowed” to get away with it. But these are suggestions to lower your expectations when you go to a place like this because they are more interested in their bottom line than customer satisfaction.

These are the most common red flags to keep in mind whenever searching for a lash artist to avoid any future disappointments. Feel free to comment below if you know of any other incredibly entitled behavior from other techs!