I bet you thought I had it all figured out? Wrong. I was 19, bored and didn’t know what to do with myself when I dove into the lash world.
Don’t get me wrong, I had a job I loved that I could grow into but it just didn’t feel enough.
I had been getting lash extensions for about a year when I decided I wanted to take the course myself so I started looking for a course that was:
- In Calgary where I lived
- Was affordable
- Quick and straightforward
There were very few courses available in 2012. And so, after finding what I thought was a reputable company I sold my motorcycle and registered for the course.
Training day came. We signed all of the paperwork that included NDA’s and release forms for our photos. Then we blew by a 15 page manual. The paperwork prior to the course felt longer.
There were over 20 students.
We practiced on mannequins where I barely placed any lashes on then it was lunch and live model time. I was given two hours. It flew by. There were two educators. I did not get any one on one time. By the time it was all said and done I had maybe twenty lashes per eye. But that was the end of the day. The next day—“day two” of our training I was the model. There goes another two hours. Lunch time. Business building and questions.
I went home and asked my mom to be my model. I could barely get anything on and I started to panic. I didn’t feel like I had learned a thing. Is this what it was supposed to be? I wasted my time, and sold my motorcycle to pay for it.
Thankfully, I was determined enough to do more research. I reached out to whoever I could and decided that I’d keep going until I at least made enough to buy another motorcycle. (Spoiler alert: I did buy another motorcycle but more importantly fell in love with the industry)
I chose my course based on convenience. It was in the same city I lived, it was “affordable” in comparison and quick.
When I started teaching it was important for me to include all of my personal experiences as a student, lash artist as well as a business owner so that way my future students don’t make the same mistakes I did. OutLash courses are designed to give you a head start in your lash journey whether you choose to pursue it as a part-time gig or a full-time career.
XO Jess