Lets throw it back to 2016…. I was living in Portage at the time and working at a tanning salon (which is funny because now I am preaching about NOT using tanning beds from the UV damage caused to the skin). The tanning company I worked at knew the tanning industry was going down, so they brought in a sister company to the salons which offered lash extensions. Back in 2016, there was only one other salon in town (that I knew of) that offered extensions. I decided to go for my training and BOOM. Before I knew it, My days were fully booked. 5-6 days a week doing 6-8 lash appointments a day. My back was BROKEN by the end of each day, looking back – I really don’t know how I did it.
At first, it was great. I was 19, and proud of the name I had built for myself. I was making a good income for myself (I still lived at home at the time, so I had no real expenses to pay for). Life was good. But over the years, I slowly started to lose my passion for lash extensions. I didn’t show it, because it was my job and my full source of income, but I remember thinking back then “this is just a trend… and once the extension trend is over, I am not going to have a job”. Then, more and more people in the city starting offering extensions out of their homes and charging WAY LESS. Keep in mind, I had no control over the pricing of the lash sets. I worked for a franchise, so they set the price. I look back and CRINGE at the pricing considering I only had one full day of “in-person” training…
After I met Christian, I wanted to move to Brandon, MB to be closer to him. There was a school in Brandon that offered the aesthetics schooling (which is a trade in Manitoba, so you have your schooling for one year and then two years of apprenticeship before you get your government certification). I knew this would be the right step for me knowing that I wanted to branch out and learn new services to offer. Aesthetics schooling was THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE lol. Everyone in my class can confirm this. Our instructor at the time (who has been let go from her position since) was verbally abusive everyday. I was told daily how I would not succeed in this industry… it was very toxic, lol. I look where I am now and smile to myself, because my hard work has really paid off and I am able to provide for myself and collab with other amazing women in my city.
I finished my schooling (thank god) and found my passion for skin. I always struggled with acne, so learning the actual cause of acne, and how to treat it really sparked a new fire inside of me. I started really promoting facials and skincare- and I LOVE it. Facials are just as relaxing for me as they are for you. I get so “in the zone” when I give a facial, its such a vibe. Once facials (and pedicures, lash lifts, etc) started taking off for me, I found myself having less time for extensions, which I was totally fine with it. I still offered them, but I stopped promoting them on my page.
Fast forward to before the pandemic, I DREADED extensions. If I had a extension set booked in, I would have anxiety for days. Extensions are tricky, because there are SO MANY THINGS that can go wrong. If the humidity is off in your room, the adhesive won’t bond to the lash, if the adhesive is off, its an absolute disaster. Then, two weeks later you have a one hour fill booked in, but it ends up being a two hour new set because the lashes all fell out. It was exhausting. I made the decision over the pandemic that I would stop doing extensions, and it was the best decision I could have made for myself. I think there is a misconception that all aestheticians have to offer EVERY beauty service, but in reality that not the case. I never offered gel nails because I simply didn’t enjoy doing them. If I don’t enjoy what I do, I can’t give you the outcome you want and deserve.
Luckily, I wasn’t affected by stopping lash extensions. My days are busy with skin consults, all sorts of facials, pedis, manicures, brow laminations, and lash lifts. 95% of my extension clients made the switch to lash lifts, which makes me SO HAPPY. You have no idea… I AM OBSESSED with doing lash lifts. I could do them all day, everyday. I love that they only take one hour, and the results last 6-8 weeks. I always recommend going on a lash serum a month prior to getting a lift and tint for best results. I am always perfecting my craft with lash lifts, and they are in such higher demand (IMO) than extensions now, and I honestly just love doing them so much.
Now, not to say I don’t like the look of extensions, I do! I have a list of amazing women that if a client asks for extensions, I refer them too.
Long story short, extensions were what got me into the industry, and I am forever thankful for that. But as we grow, our passions shift and evolve. Thats what happened for me, anyways. ❤
PS: I promise I will be more active on here! I started this blog during the closure, but since I have been back I literally have been so busy (thank you all for that, I appreciate the support more than you will ever know) that I haven’t had the time to make blog posts.
Until next time,
Your fave local estie,
Kate
(DON’T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR SPF)
Lifestyle Beauty by Kate 