This last year has been so abundant with tips, tricks and new innovations to help us Lashers increase our speed and efficiency. Here is a streaming video clip of a very quick full set (45 minutes) using the paper tape isolation technique. http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=26476&CID=217943

Isolation is key to neat work and speedy sets. If you can see the individual lash clearly, you can extend it without attaching it to others, creating adhesive clumps or other sabotaging results.

Lash Extensions are not a race, but lets face it - if you can do a full set in the same time it takes you to do or schedule a touch-up, your book can be filled with more apointments. Thats more happy, beautiful clients for you!

I believe in giving credit where credit is due. This paper taping technique was introduced to me by a messageboard post referring to a video on YouTube, showing a very in-depth taping method taught in Asia. A few of us started experimenting with parred-down strokes of this method, and many of us use this method on a daily basis to get our work done. I choose to use the pink, zig-zag tape sold in beauty supplies stores (once used for taping down pincurls and bangs). The zig-zagged edges help achieve the random 'grab' of the tips of the lashes, revealing new candidtaes each time you tape.

You can use the same piece of tape for a client multiple times. I usualy have two pieces of tape - one for their right eye; one for the left. The same piece can easily be used & removed, switching as you switch your work from left to right eyes. My reasoning for leaving the lashes taped while moving on to the second eye? - lots of different adhesives out there with different tack speeds. I use Lash FX Proset - very quick setting, but somebody else might benefit from the time to dry in between passes from left to right eye, etc.

The graphics tiles between the photos remind the viewer of points I preach over and over again to students and newbies. Even seasoned pros can use the reminder now and again to:

• Step back and look at the whole eye from time to time.
• Step back further to look at & apraise both eyes as a set, minding balance and symetry (my students often hear, "look at the forest now, and not the trees").
• Check the clock before you dive back in (making friends with the clock will help you to remain on schedule for your next client)

Next up, "A Repair Job" - real photos of fixing a poor gal's lashes that were chopped off by a curler.
Extending Lashes & Best Wishes,
jp