Changing career to semi permanent eyelash extension technician?

[rrrachel]

Hi Guys, Girls and Geeks

This is my first ever post so sorry if this is in the wrong place!!

Basically, kind of lookng for advice, words of wisdom and other peoples experiences!!! I have been wanting to change my career for ages, and semi permanent eyelash extensions are something I feel I can get really passionate about. I have researched courses and I am pretty much 100% sure which course I am going for.

What I was hoping for some words of wisdom was... I am still working in my office job, and I know it will take a while and a whole lot of hard work to build up a client base so I just wanted to know if any of you worked with your beauty/hairdressing/nails outside of a different 9 - 5 job? As much as I would love to quit, the reality is that I simply can't. I work until 4 most days so I was thinking that I would start by working evenings and weekends. I am aware that this is going to be a whole load of hard work but if my hard work persivers (spelling sorry), it will all be worth it in the end. (Just for more information, I am planning on doing more and more courses as I am passionate about the beauty industry but I am just taking baby steps )

Thanks for any information or stories you can all give me xxx

 

[lisa nails]

Have you any beauty background? Its not as easy as it looks

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[rrrachel]

Hi Lisa, thanks for replying.

No, I don't have any beauty experience. I know it isn't going to be easy. But I have got to a point in my life where I no longer just want to work, I want to work in something that I have a strong passion for therefore I am willing to put in all the work, hours, blood and tears! I have researched a lot of courses in what I want to do, taken notes, so I was just looking for advice on people who like myself have been doing a totally different career and have decided to follow their passion x

 

[pinknsparkly]

Just wanted to add.... Once you've done your course you will understand the "it's not as easy as it looks" as said by someone else. It really really isn't not trying to put you off but know a lot of people that have trained and given up, you need to be a very patient determined person and in my experience lash techs are not at a competent level for about 2 years after training. Could you not do some other beauty courses first like level 2 maybe? My apprentice has just trained and says it's the hardest treatment she's felt she has to learn. Wish you the best of luck and I hope it works out

 

[VictoriaBeauty]

Hi Rachel !

I changed careers, I went from accountancy to beauty... I was quite lucky though I went to a very well paid apprentiship in beauty so it was easy for me, however I was unhappy and I just knew that beauty was for me, I love everything about it and I do not regret anything.
In your case it is slightly different, but you seem to really want to do this, I think it is fantastic to get out there and do it. Defiantly a good idea to start with evenings and weekends as long as you think you can hack (which I think you can) ! The worst that can happen is that you decide you don't like it and have a qualification under your arm. Don't leave your day job until you are sure you have the necessary clients good luck x

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[lisa nails]

I changed my career 12+ years ago, did a nail course, its so hard, i gave up in the end, but 2 years ago i got back in, ive done the CND shellac course,and an eyelash course, im very lucky in that my work collegues/boss are so supportive, they've taught me loads, and im now doing it mobile alongside my salon job,its hard to get new clients,but i love it, im going on the Russian Volume Lash course next month, eeeek, really do your research,our industry is saterated with self taught wannabes and techs that are rubbish and ruining it for the good ones lol, basically.

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[rrrachel]

Thanks for all your replies.

VictoriaBeauty, you sound really lucky and I am glad it worked out for you! Thanks for your comments...

Lisa, I am glad you managed to get back into it and it all worked out for you. I totally understand what you are saying especially as you have yourself made the change. I have been researching for months and I have finally decided I just need to do it. If it fails, at least I know I tried hey If all goes well (fingers crossed) I will be getting as much practise in as possible around my other work commitments and see how things go. And hopefully one day, I will be in a position where this can be my main career!

 

[rippersroo]

Hi Rachel,
I was like you, but worse off as I just couldnt work employed and decided I had to work for myself!
I got into eyelash extensions and was convinced I would only ever offer them...this was December 2013....I now offer tinting, lash lift, threading, gel manicures, acrylic nails, hair extensions, and just completed a waxing course!
It's great you're determined and want to learn other treatments, the only thing I would say is do your research into wether extensions are a popular treatment in your area first as I found it hard starting in that, though now I specialise in them as I have been doing them the longest.
I'm just thinking it may be more beneficial to you and your purse to offer more popular treatments (depending on your clients) and to build up this client base out of your normal working hours then start offering the more "unusual" treatments like lashes.
It may be different where you live but I still come across people that don't know what lash extensions are, whereas everyone has heard of waxing so maybe try that to start you off?
It's also extremely hard gathering clients mobile or from home however you decide to work, it may be an idea at looking for a beauty room in a hair salon this was the best move I ever made.
You will also need lots of money and patience! Get all your friends having treatments and thief mums etc and start a fb page....best of luck!
I've leant so much from here and for lash advice go to YouTube for eyelash extensions in Kent, Frankie is absolutely amazing at what she does and has helped me loads on here too when I've had questions...xxx

 

[rrrachel]

Rippersroo, you have done amazing well done you must be so proud!! Deffo inspired me hearing how well you have done!!

Deffo going to take on board what you said about doing other courses first to build myself up. The reason I thought semi permanent eyelashes at first was apart from the fact that I am obsessed with eyelashes (weird I know but I love long short natural fake I just love them) but I was at a dinner the other night and out of the 8 of us there 6 had semi permenant lashes on, 1 just normal strip ones you can buy from boots and the other a total lash virgin, so using some bizarre Rachel logic I figure there is definately a need for them. I will definately look into other courses as I am interested in having as many bows in my arrows so to speak (if that is even the right saying)

 

[rrrachel]

Strings in my bow?? Is that the saying... Really making a good impression here aren't I:Scared:

 

[Extensionista]

I say go for it. I don't know your background but I left a very well paid office job to start doing hair extensions mobile and it's the best move I ever made. It's been really hard at times and I took a big pay cut but now I'm really busy with a good client base any by October I'll have my level 3 in hairdressing.

What made it even harder was that my kids were young, 2 and 4, and my husband works long hours so a lot of my profit in the first year went on childminders and nurseries. But I think if there's more on the line you're more likely to succeed so with you potentially leaving a stable job eventually you'll make it work as you won't have want to have done that for nothing.


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[sspeterborough]

Go fir it! I would do as you suggested and just do evenings and weekends to start with - these are naturally going to be your busier times. A lot of clients who have and maintain lashes are working professionals so this is the best time for them.
Once you have done your course practice and practice and practice! It took me about 6 months before it 'clicked' but now I'm a natural and have a large client base for lashes.

Best of luck - you seem willing to put in the hard work.

 

[Tashytootoo]

Go for it!!

I started with lash extensions and looking back I'm glad I did start with that as that was the hardest thing to master. Sounds weird but let me finish haha...when I started I obv had no clients = loads of free time to practise practise practise. All of my friends got lash extensions whether they wanted them or not! Yes it started off slow building up clients but you soon get going - word of mouth is fab! And post your pics on FB/your website etc. are there many others offering lash extensions where you are? Helps if there aren't many - or many from home anyway.

I eventually left my office job after 2 years of working evenings and weekends and it's the best thing I ever did.

I also added hd brows, spray tanning, CND shellac and waxing (over time - not all at the beginning). I've just been on my volume lash course and man it's hard!!! It's hard to find the time when I'm not working to practise too!!

Good luck with it all. Sounds like you are determined so you're off to a great start! x

 

[lisa nails]

Go for it!!

I started with lash extensions and looking back I'm glad I did start with that as that was the hardest thing to master. Sounds weird but let me finish haha...when I started I obv had no clients = loads of free time to practise practise practise. All of my friends got lash extensions whether they wanted them or not! Yes it started off slow building up clients but you soon get going - word of mouth is fab! And post your pics on FB/your website etc. are there many others offering lash extensions where you are? Helps if there aren't many - or many from home anyway.

I eventually left my office job after 2 years of working evenings and weekends and it's the best thing I ever did.

I also added hd brows, spray tanning, CND shellac and waxing (over time - not all at the beginning). I've just been on my volume lash course and man it's hard!!! It's hard to find the time when I'm not working to practise too!!

Good luck with it all. Sounds like you are determined so you're off to a great start! x

Im going on the volume lash course next month, im so excited!

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[Silviya]

I changed my career 12+ years ago, did a nail course, its so hard, i gave up in the end, but 2 years ago i got back in, ive done the CND shellac course,and an eyelash course, im very lucky in that my work collegues/boss are so supportive, they've taught me loads, and im now doing it mobile alongside my salon job,its hard to get new clients,but i love it, im going on the Russian Volume Lash course next month, eeeek, really do your research,our industry is saterated with self taught wannabes and techs that are rubbish and ruining it for the good ones lol, basically.

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Hi there, I am trying to find a suitable eyelashes course that covers health and safety, different shapes, removal and eyelash care.Can anyone recommend anyone.I would rather go for someone who does it as an apprentice.Any advice is welcome.