As a lash artist, one of the most exciting aspects of growing your business is helping your clients achieve the lash looks of their dreams. When a client first comes to you, they might start with classic lashes, but eventually, many will want to explore volume lashes for a fuller, more dramatic look. However, transitioning a client from classic to volume lashes requires a thoughtful approach to ensure both the client's satisfaction and the health of their natural lashes.
In this blog post, we’ll walk through the process of transitioning clients from classic lashes to volume lashes. We’ll also cover essential techniques, potential challenges, and best practices that will help you expand your skillset and grow your lash business.
Why Transition Clients from Classic to Volume Lashes?
Before diving into the how-to steps, let’s briefly explore why clients may want to make the shift from classic to volume lashes:
- Fuller, Fluffier Look: Volume lashes create a thicker, more voluminous look without putting extra weight on natural lashes. This is perfect for clients who want more drama and fullness.
- More Versatility: Volume lashes allow for more customization in terms of curl, length, and fullness, giving you more flexibility as a lash artist.
- Better Lash Retention: Volume lashes are often lighter, which can reduce the risk of breakage and improve retention, especially for clients with weaker or finer natural lashes.
- Longer-Lasting Results: The technique of volume lashes, which uses multiple finer extensions per natural lash, can result in better longevity compared to classic extensions, especially when properly applied.
Now that we understand why transitioning to volume lashes might be a natural next step for your clients, let’s dive into the process.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Transition Clients from Classic to Volume Lashes
1. Assess Your Client’s Natural Lashes
Before you even think about transitioning a client to volume lashes, you must first assess the health of their natural lashes. Clients with fine, sparse, or weaker lashes may be more suitable for volume lashes, as the lighter extensions will not weigh down their natural lashes.
What to Do:
- Examine the thickness and health of your client's natural lashes.
- Check if they have gaps or weak spots that might benefit from the added fullness and coverage of volume lashes.
- Ensure there’s no lash damage from previous applications that would prevent the successful application of volume lashes.
2. Educate Your Clients on the Difference Between Classic and Volume Lashes
It’s important to set realistic expectations before moving forward with the transition. While volume lashes provide a fuller, fluffier effect, they also require a different application technique.
What to Do:
- Explain the differences between classic vs. volume lashes, emphasizing the multiple extensions per natural lash that create volume.
- Address the benefits of volume lashes, such as fuller volume without heavy weight on natural lashes, which is especially important for clients with fine lashes.
- Make sure your client understands that volume lashes may require more maintenance and regular fills due to the fullness of the lash set.
3. Choose the Right Volume Lash Technique
When transitioning a client to volume lashes, it's essential to choose the right technique based on the condition of their natural lashes, their desired look, and their lifestyle. There are several techniques to choose from, and each provides a different result:
- 2D – 3D Volume: This technique uses 2-3 finer extensions per natural lash. It’s perfect for clients who are looking for a more subtle volume effect.
- 4D – 6D Volume: These sets use more extensions (4-6) per natural lash for a fuller, more dramatic look. This technique is ideal for clients with strong natural lashes who want a bold, high-impact style.
- Mega Volume: If your client wants a super dramatic look, mega volume (up to 10 extensions per natural lash) might be the way to go. However, this is best suited for clients with healthy, strong lashes.
What to Do:
- Consult with your client about their desired look and make recommendations based on their natural lashes and preferences.
- Start with a more moderate volume set (2D or 3D) to ease your client into the volume look, especially if they are new to fuller lashes.
4. Adjust the Lash Length and Curl for a More Dramatic Effect
Volume lashes often work best when they have a more customized combination of length and curl. To create a fuller look, you may want to adjust the length and curl compared to what was used with classic lashes.
What to Do:
- Select shorter lash extensions for areas with weaker or sparser lashes to ensure there is no undue stress on the natural lash.
- For areas with stronger natural lashes, opt for longer extensions to add more drama and volume.
- Consider using a mix of curl types (e.g., C-curl for more lift, D-curl for more drama) to achieve the perfect effect.
5. Take Your Time During Application
Volume lashes take more time to apply than classic lashes due to the intricacy of the technique. Make sure you take your time to apply each volume fan carefully to ensure proper retention and no damage to the natural lashes.
What to Do:
- Use the fanning technique to create multiple lash extensions from a single natural lash.
- Ensure that each volume fan is applied securely to a single natural lash to prevent clumping or overlap.
- Double-check that the extensions are not too heavy for the natural lashes and that they’re bonded securely.
6. Proper Aftercare for Volume Lashes
Proper aftercare is crucial for all lash extensions, but especially for volume lashes. Because volume lashes are lighter and require more precision, your client’s care routine should be emphasized to avoid damaging their new fuller set.
What to Do:
- Remind your client to avoid oil-based products around their eyes as this can break down the lash glue.
- Advise them to avoid touching their lashes frequently to minimize the risk of damaging the extension or natural lash.
- Suggest using a lash shampoo to keep the lashes clean and free of build-up.
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Common Mistakes When Transitioning to Volume Lashes
While the transition can be seamless, there are a few mistakes you’ll want to avoid to ensure success:
1. Using Too Much Adhesive
Using too much adhesive in volume lashes can cause clumping and affect retention. Ensure that each volume fan is properly glued but not over-saturated with product.
2. Not Assessing Natural Lash Health
Some clients may not have the natural lash health to support a volume set. Make sure to assess their lashes carefully before suggesting the transition.
3. Overloading the Lash Line
While volume lashes are meant to add fullness, be mindful of overloading the lash line with too many extensions, which could strain the natural lashes.
Pro Tips for Seamless Transition
- Start with Hybrid Sets: If your client is unsure about making the full transition to volume lashes, you can start with a hybrid set (a combination of classic and volume) to ease them into the look.
- Regular Fills: Make sure to schedule regular fills to maintain the volume effect and address any shedding or weakening of natural lashes.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Lash Business with Volume Lashes
Transitioning clients from classic to volume lashes is an exciting step that can elevate both their lash look and your skillset as a lash artist. By carefully assessing natural lashes, educating your clients, and choosing the right volume technique, you can create stunning lash sets that leave your clients thrilled with the results. Volume lashes also open up a whole new world of creative possibilities for you as a lash artist, giving you the opportunity to showcase your expertise in fuller, more dramatic lash looks.
At Aki Lashes, we provide the highest-quality lash extension products, including lightweight volume lashes, as well as expert training to help you master the art of lash extensions. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned professional, our products and training will ensure you provide your clients with the best possible lash experience.
Ready to take your lash game to the next level? Explore our premium lash extensions and training courses today and elevate your lash artistry with Aki Lashes!