Why Stickies Should be Avoided
Why Eyelash Extension Stickies Are Giving Your Lash Business A Bad Reputation!
Are you noticing a dip in your clientele? It might be time to take a closer look at your lash sets. Those seemingly insignificant eyelash extension stickies can actually be giving your lash business a bad rap! Stickies not only cause discomfort and irritation for your clients but also reflect poorly on your technique and attention to detail. So let's take a look at why these little nuisances are a big problem and how you can ensure your lash sets are always flawless and free from stickies.
First Things First, What Are Eyelash Extension Stickies?
So, as you probably know “Stickies” is lash industry slang to describe one lash getting stuck to a neighbouring lash. This is usually due to poor isolation or applying too much lash glue to the eyelash extension. It’s perfectly normal to have a few stickies come up during your work - it happens to us all - just be sure that you spend at least 10 minutes at the end of your lash treatments to check for them and separate them.
What Are The Different Types Of Eyelash Extension Stickies?
The first type of stickie is when a short 'baby lash' gets stuck to an eyelash extension. These are one of the most common, and one of the most damaging types of stickies.
The second type of stickie is when 2 lash extensions are stuck together. This type of stickie is the easiest to spot when checking your work, and arguably the easiest to separate by gripping one eyelash extension with your Isolation Tweezers, and pulling the other one off with the lash tweezers you use for picking up and applying eyelash extensions.
Finally, the third type of stickie is when two natural eyelashes are stuck together. This can happen if you've placed an eyelash extension on a natural lash but have taken it off again, either due to poor positioning or too much eyelash glue. With the natural lash still being covered in glue, it can easily adhere to the neighbouring lash when you come to re-isolate the surrounding lashes. These are the ones you have to watch out for because they are very easy to miss!
Why Are Eyelash Extension Stickies So Bad?
The reason it's so important to check your work for stickies is that they are extremely damaging to the natural lashes. But what makes them so damaging?
Well, we know that the natural lashes have different stages of growth. Shorter 'baby lashes' grow much quicker than a full-grown lash that is in its 'resting stage'. If a baby lash is stuck to a fully grown lash, it will keep growing and can pull out that resting lash, permanently damaging the hair follicle. If you're very lucky and it doesn’t pull the lash out, it will create a loop (as shown in the image below) and push the eyelash extension in the wrong direction, creating a very unflattering look.
Remember we want a full, and fluffy set of lashes, not spider’s legs! Stickies aren't only damaging to the natural lashes, they're also damaging to the reputation of the lash industry. How many times have you heard “Lash extensions completely ruined my lashes/my friend’s natural lashes”? Well, if it wasn’t for dreaded stickies or poor application, eyelash extensions should never cause any damage to the natural lashes.
How Do You Prevent Eyelash Extension Stickies?
The first step to prevent stickies is to correctly isolate the natural lashes. Using Tape can be a very helpful way to isolate and work in layers without the rest of the lashes obstructing your view. However, regardless of how careful you've been, stickies will still occur from time to time, which is why it's vital that you always check your work when you've finished a lash set.
Making sure that you're using the correct amount of eyelash extension glue is another way you can try to prevent creating stickies. Just a tiny ball, not a blob, of eyelash glue is enough. A lash glue that dries too slowly can also contribute to stickies.
There are different techniques you can use to avoid creating stickies, the first of which is called “lash by lash”. This is where you simply apply the eyelash extension to a natural lash, then apply an eyelash extension to the natural lash directly next to it. It's important to keep in mind though that his technique can be risky - if the lash glue of the eyelash extension you've just applied hasn’t dried properly, you can easily get into a sticky situation when applying the next eyelash extension. This technique is better used by more advanced Lash Technicians who are using a fast-drying eyelash extension glue.
The next technique is probably the safest - it’s what Lash Artists call “carcass”. This is where you apply one eyelash extension, then leave a gap of about 10 natural lashes before applying the next eyelash extension, giving the adhesive on the first eyelash extension time to dry. It is also beneficial to work evenly across both eyes - giving the eyelash glue even more time to dry before lashes are moved once again.
How To Check Your Work For Eyelash Extension Stickies
Checking your work for stickies is as important a part of your lash procedure as applying under eye patches - it’s all about safety! Always ensure you save at least 10 minutes at the end of each eyelash extension treatment in order to do this thoroughly and correctly.
The first way you can check for stickies is to check each individual lash from root to tip with your eyelash tweezers, not forgetting to check every natural lash to ensure that there aren't any baby lashes stuck together anywhere. Then, you'll need to check the lash layers, because lashes don’t grow in just one row - you're almost guaranteed to find at least one stickie between the layers!
Don’t let those pesky eyelash extension stickies tarnish your hard-earned reputation. By paying extra attention to detail and ensuring every lash is perfectly placed, you can elevate your clients' experience and keep them coming back for more. Remember, happy clients are your best ambassadors, and a flawless set of lashes speaks volumes about your professionalism and skills. So, take a moment to double-check your work, invest in high-quality tools, and let your impeccable results do the talking.
