Social media has taught us to choose beauty professionals with our eyes. A few successful photos, a confident tone in Stories, “DM to book,” and the decision is made. But the area around the eyes is a sensitive territory that does not forgive impulsiveness. Here, a bad experience is not limited to simply “not liking the result.” Instead, it is felt physically: intense itching along the lash line, irritation of the mucous membrane, tearing, overly dried brows after lamination, brittle hairs, and the feeling that any procedures near the eyes will now be stressful forever.
We asked Tetiana Zrobok – winner and jury member of the international competition World Beauty Championship (WBC), honorary member of the Union of Professionals of Ukraine in the Beauty Industry, certified master trainer with a Master’s in Chemistry— how to distinguish a professional lash artist from a “self-taught” one.
Courtesy of Tetiana Zrobok
– It seems that today choosing a lash artist is very easy: ratings, reviews, photos, online booking. Why, then, have complaints about unsuccessful procedures not disappeared?
– Because the selection process has become visual rather than professional. Photos do not show safety standards, technique, or the ability to work with the sensitive eye area – and these are exactly what determine the final outcome.
– So a beautiful portfolio is not a guarantee?
– A portfolio is a reason to take a closer look at a specialist, but not to trust automatically. It is important to understand how the work will wear over time, how you will feel a week later, how the technician will explain the care rules for your new lashes and brows, and what they will do if you feel uncomfortable during the session. None of this is visible in photos.
– You train technicians and, as a judge, evaluate experts from all over the world. What signs quickly tell you that you are dealing with a strong specialist?
– The calmness and transparency of their work. A good specialist does not rush and does not sell promises. Before the session, they ask the client many questions – about health, lifestyle, physical activity. Then they explain in detail why they propose a particular extension or lamination protocol. But most importantly, they respect the client’s sensations. They know how to adapt any trend to a specific person rather than applying the same template to everyone.
– What are the typical mistakes when choosing a lash artist?
– Usually everything develops the same way: the client chooses based on photos rather than quality and the predicted wear of the lashes, skips the consultation, and does not mention important details – contact lenses, allergies, dry eyes. They focus on price and speed and choose the specialist who agrees to any request, even if it is risky. At the same time, the client may feel embarrassed to ask about hygiene or may be willing to tolerate discomfort. The general logic is the same: they choose the effect, not the professional system behind it.
– In that case, what should the correct version of the request “I want it like in the photo” sound like?
– “How will you adapt this to me?” That is essentially the only correct and main request. Ask the technician to explain the choice of length, curl, density, shape, and tone. Be sure to ask about wear: whether it will be comfortable at all, what will happen if you use a lot of makeup, and how the lashes will behave during the heating season or in summer heat.
Courtesy of Tetiana Zrobok
If you are dealing with a true professional, they will answer all these questions calmly, without irritation and without deception.
– What other questions should people ask if they have sensitive eyes or have already had a bad experience?
– Direct and simple ones. “How do you reduce the risk of a negative reaction?” “What will you do if I feel burning or discomfort during the session?” The specialist’s answer should be specific and as detailed as possible. Phrases like “That never happens here” are a very bad sign. It happens in every industry. The difference lies only in how it is handled.
– Are there other “strong words” that sound attractive but should actually make a client cautious?
– Of course. For example, when “the most long-lasting” or “the strongest” is presented as a compliment. Durability in our industry means a denser formula and greater care requirements. A “strong formula” should not be the goal. The goal is a predictable, controllable result without overdrying or overloading.
– Natural looks are clearly trending today, but clients still want a “noticeable effect.” Where is the boundary between expressiveness and overload?
– Lashes can be noticeable, but they should not interfere with the eyes. Brows can be shaped, but they should not look like a separate object on the face.
Today, luxurious and refined neatness is valued: individual architecture, clean technique, natural volume, and skillful work with tone. And importantly, comfort in wear has also become part of the standard.
– How can a client understand that a specialist might become a problem?
– If they hardly ask you anything. If you are quickly laid down and the procedure starts immediately. If you feel uncomfortable and it is ignored. If you feel burning and are told to “just tolerate it a little.” If no one explains care instructions or the logic behind material choices.
– You said an interesting phrase during our conversation: you should not tolerate discomfort. What is considered a red flag that gives a client the right to stop the procedure?
– When a client is told that discomfort is inevitable. In the eye area, no discomfort can ever be considered normal. Therefore, if a client feels even the slightest discomfort, they have the right to say “stop,” open their eyes, assess their sensations, ask questions, and, if they remain dissatisfied, stop the procedure and leave. In short, if a lash technician suggests that you should simply tolerate it, that is not service — it is a signal to stop.
– And to summarize: give our readers a short list of advice on how to choose a specialist.
– Do not buy the image. Choose a professional.
Look at their behavior, how they communicate, how carefully they maintain the workspace and tools, what questions they ask before and during the session, whether their answers and explanations are clear to you, whether they respect your sensations, and whether they are ready to adapt their skills specifically to you.
Beauty in the eye area should feel calm – otherwise it becomes too expensive a compromise. I sincerely hope you will not have to experience that. However, everything is in your hands.
