Ask the experts

Is it good business practice to offer a half-set of lash extensions?

There’s no denying that the trend for enhanced yet natural-looking lashes is fuelling the professional lash extension industry at the moment. Some therapists offer a half-set of lash extensions to give clients that much sought-after look. However, training staff in this service could have a negative effect on your business.

For lash extensions to look their best over time, all lashes need to be bonded so that the shorter extensions can support the longer extensions as they grow, otherwise the extensions may flip, twist or become messy after just a week or two.

This results in unhappy customers, which in turn could be detrimental to your business as clients share their negative experience with family and friends. Remember, your clients’ lashes are walking advertisements for your work, so it’s imperative you follow a technique that produces the highest quality results every time.

The best thing to do is offer a bespoke service for each client based on their eye shape, lash texture and desired look. When clients ask for a natural look, most of the time what they really want is a thicker, darker lash line – not increased length. However, you need to be extremely thorough during consultation to clarify this. If it is what they want, then bond every natural lash possible using thinner diameters and match the length to the client’s natural lashes.

In my opinion, applying a full-set instead of a half-set will not only deliver better results over a longer period of time, but will keep existing clients loyal, as well as introducing new ones to your salon through positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

Sarah-Anne Barham is brand ambassador for Novalash and the company’s Lash Artist of the Year 2017. She also owns Sarah-Anne’s Beauty salon in Felixstowe.

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The 10-step Korean skincare regime is really popular. How can I explain the benefits to clients?

The 10-step Korean skincare regime has been in the press a lot but the concept is not as new as you might think, as it’s actually in line with what a lot of skincare therapists already recommend here in the UK. The steps ensure skin is thoroughly cleansed, hydrated and treated, protecting it from premature ageing and environmental aggression.

The concept is simple and a must for clients who wish to achieve better skin for life.It’s a routine of eye make-up removal, double cleanse, tone, serum or concentrate, eye cream, lip product and moisturiser, plus an exfoliator and face mask. However, a broad-spectrum SPF should also be considered for application in the morning.

As therapists, we know that every single one of these steps is imperative to get the very best from skin and its genetic type – be it dry, oily or with tendencies to these conditions. It’s also important so we can treat skin conditions that are side effects of clients’ lifestyles and environments, which may include the signs of ageing, sensitivity or dehydration.

A client who only commits to a quick cleanse and moisturise regime will never get the same results as another who follows the Korean steps, so drive this message home to customers.

Now is the perfect time to make Korean skincare a topic of conversation between your therapists and clients. You could even host an in-salon event to show clients how easily achievable the 10 steps are – realistically, it takes two minutes in the morning and two minutes in the evening.

Kirsti Shuba is managing director of Fraser Muir and co-founder of Katherine Daniels Cosmetics, a skincare brand developed to solve typically British skin issues, which she created with Donna Tait.

How can I market male waxing treatments more effectively?

Waxing is a bread-and-butter service for most salons, so offering a wide range of treatments for men can help increase revenue as well as the number of clients coming through your door.

And here’s the good bit – you already have a database of male clients that you can tap into. Most female clients you treat will have a partner, brother or friend that could become a potential customer. Make them aware of your male services and offer a discount if they refer someone.

Your reputation will always vouch for you, so never underestimate the power of word of mouth. Make sure you’re outstanding at what you do, then let your clients do the advertising for you.

Male grooming is a booming area where clients are seeking out these services, so make it easy for them to find you. Advertise in places where male customers are likely to be, such as gyms and fitness clubs, and look at what sort of local businesses surround your salon. Perhaps you could swap cards with the local barber shop and cross-promote each other?

Offers and discount codes are also a great way to entice clients, and treatment packages work well, especially for seasonal dates like Valentine’s and Father’s Day. Social media is the most cost-effective and easy way to advertise to large audiences, but ensure you’re using the appropriate language and hashtags for the market; for example, #malegrooming.

Lisa Stone is a Salon System educator specialising in hair removal. She trains beauty therapists up and down the country. Stone has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.

How do correcting concealers work to hide imperfections?

A perfect complexion is what most clients want. By minimising and neutralising imperfections on the skin or, as I like to call it, “cancelling them out”, you can hide everything from dark circles and breakouts to bruising, rosacea and even tattoos.

Multicolour correcting concealers are growing in popularity because they give this kind of coverage. These palettes have an array of concealer colours, each with a specific use and goal. If you use the colour wheel (pictured), then it becomes much clearer which colour does what and when you should apply it on your client.

The rule of thumb is the colours that sit directly opposite one another on the wheel neutralise each other. For example, green is opposite to red, so a green colour corrector will cancel out any redness caused by spots. Lavender sits opposite yellow, so a lilac shade would cancel out yellow undertones.

This is how and when you should use correcting concealers on clients: green neutralises redness and works well to hide broken capillaries and rosacea; lavender eliminates unwanted yellow undertones in the skin; apricot hides the signs of fatigue and hereditary or severe dark circles, as well as brightening sallow and olive skin; and yellow hides veins and bruises, as well as blue and purple tones in the under-eye area.

Ger Kealy Cunniffe is national make-up artist for professional make-up brands Artdeco and Misslyn Cosmetics. She works with Artdeco’s Most Wanted Colour Correcting Palee to hide skin imperfections.

How can I make myself stand out from the masses when applying for jobs?

Firstly, you need a catchy profile on your CV. I can’t tell you how often I see “I’m good at working independently or as part of a team”, or something similar. This is great but it always screams: “I’m unoriginal and the same as everyone else”.

Generally, you get five to 10 seconds to impress whoever is reading your CV and the first few seconds will involve them skim reading your profile, so this is where you should aim to impress the most.

Secondly, you need to shout about your achievements, which means taking the time to really think about things you’ve done that you’re particularly proud of. This is something many of us struggle with; generally, we’re better at realising what we’re not so good at.

There is a new and increasingly popular way of highlighting exactly why you are so hireable and someone that a potential employer doesn’t want to lose. Think of positive feedback you’ve been given in previous appraisals, or by clients, regarding your work and note that down. Listing how competent you are with different machines is another good idea as it’s a great indication of your skill level.

Thirdly, keep it relevant. Most people tend to have one general CV that they send out for everything but that doesn’t work. Your CV should be relevant and carefully tailored for each job you apply for. Potential employers want to see your relevant work history, skills and qualifications, and how it’ll apply to the job they are offering. PB

Helena Corcoran is a senior recruiter at Butler Taylor Aesthetic Recruitment. She has worked in the industry for two years and specialises in headhunting aestheticians and clinic managers.