Trainer In the Spotlight: Alicia Vadnais

Trainer In the Spotlight: Alicia Vadnais

Trainer In the Spotlight: Alicia Vadnais

We are thrilled to spotlight one of our exceptional USA trainers, Alicia Vadnais. Alicia has been an incredibly talented Elleebana trainer for the past few years, and she recently opened her own salon, Fringe Parlor, in her hometown of Benson, Minnesota. We are extremely proud of Alicia and everything she has achieved. Recently, we asked Alicia to share her journey in the beauty industry, and here is what she had to say:

Alicia’s Journey in the Beauty Industry

My love for the beauty industry started when I was 4 years old, telling my mom I wanted to be a “beauty shopper”. I have always had a passion for all things skin, lashes, and makeup.   Growing up on a farm in Minnesota, I spent summers baling hay and lived there all through high school. After attending NDSU and obtaining a double major in Psychology and Sociology, I headed to the East Coast. In searching for an Esthetics school, I found Atelier Esthetique in NYC and was licensed in 2007. I couldn’t get enough of this industry—there is so much to learn and love. I continued my education and received my ITEC certification, allowing me to work in 38 countries in all things Esthetics.  

After returning to Minnesota, I fell in love with a local farmer and ended up settling in my hometown of 3,500 people. I adjusted my goals and found a balance between work and family life. I have two amazing children, and my family is everything. I started lashing to stay home with my babies, finding the perfect balance of home and work.  

In 2018, my state began regulating lashes, requiring me to rent a space in a salon to continue working. My supportive husband built me a salon in a camper, allowing me to license it and work anywhere in the state. His willingness to support my dreams never ceases to amaze me.

Being in a licensed salon allowed me to return to my skin roots and research lash lifting. I love the transformative experience of extensions and the joy they bring to my clients. However, not everyone is a candidate for extensions, nor do they fit everyone’s lifestyle.

This is where Elleebana entered my life. I read about the company’s values and structure, which aligned perfectly with my beliefs. I believe in helping each other rise in this industry, rather than gatekeeping information. Elleebana is a true family of some of the most talented individuals I have seen. The lifetime support that comes with the training is unmatched by any other beauty company. When I discovered that I could be trained by Master Trainer Kelly Rhode in my state, I immediately signed up.

I was offered a training position the next year. Initially, I hesitated, not because it didn’t sound like an amazing opportunity, but because I didn’t think instructing was for me. Kelly’s persistence paid off, and I’m so glad I listened. It has been a bright spot in my career ever since. I get to be a cheerleader for my students, and we all grow together. If I have to pick my favorite reason for staying with Elleebana, it is the amazing human connections it allows me to make in this industry. I will forever be grateful to be part of a company whose owners never settle for anything less than the best. Otto Mitter is always working to improve our tools for success, providing us with the latest information and technology.

In 2020, I opened Vi Beauty Lab with a partner in Wayzata, MN, commuting 2.5 hours to work there two days a week. It was an amazing experience, with some of the best clients and co-workers. After two years, I returned to my hometown and, once again, my husband helped me restore a 100-year-old building into a salon, and Fringe Parlor was born. I still travel to the cities to train my Elleebana students, but most of my time is now spent closer to home. I train with the One Shot Lash Lift system and Lash and Brow Lamination with the Profusion system. My courses are available both in person and online. I would love to see you in class. We have a lot of fun, and there is a lot to learn. My door is always open.

Fun Facts About Alicia
  • I love all things art and history.
  • I’m a medical knowledge junkie, always researching something.
  • I love to sing.
  • I am fascinated by electricity and insisted on rewiring my washing machine when it broke.
  • I love movies.
  • I hate cooking, but I obviously do it because I love to eat.
  • When I’m not working, I’m with my family, enjoying the short Minnesota summers with as many days at the lake as possible.
Connect with Alicia:

Join us in celebrating Alicia’s incredible journey and achievements. We are grateful to have such a passionate and talented individual as part of the Elleebana family!

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Top Three Common Mistakes Lash Lift Beginners Make – From an Elleebana Educator

Top Three Common Mistakes Lash Lift Beginners Make – From an Elleebana Educator

If you’re new to the world of lash lifting, it can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. As a team of Educators, we’ve seen beginners navigate this path, and yes, they do make mistakes – but that’s all part of the learning process, and it’s where the magic happens!

Here is a guide to avoid common mistakes newbies make:  

1. Inconsistent Lotion Placement

The key to a flawless lash lift lies in precise lotion application. Ensure your placement is not only thick but also consistent across the lashes. Many lash artists are inconsistent with their lotion application and actually use less than they should. You really want to make sure the lotion is consistent and thick all the way across. Inconsistent lotion placement can hinder your lift results, so take the time to master this fundamental step as it sets the foundation for stunning results.

 

2. Underestimating the Power of Aftercare

Don’t overlook the significance of post-treatment care. Emphasize to your clients the importance of maintaining lash health for long-lasting results. Recommending products like the Elleeplex Advanced Aftercare or the Hyaluronic Boost Serum not only enhances their satisfaction but also strengthens the bond of trust between you and your clientele (plus it is a great form of extra income for your salon!). Aftercare isn’t just something to sell for extra revenue – it is essential to ensure that after you have put the hair through that chemical process, they are being looked after at home. This helps give your lash clients the longevity of their results.  

3. Lacking Confidence

Confidence is key in any beauty treatment, especially when working in such close proximity to your clients. It can be quite a foreign feeling to get up close and personal with a stranger and touch their face and eyes. While it may feel daunting at first, exude assurance in your abilities. Remember, your confidence instils trust and reassurance in your clients, making them feel comfortable and valued throughout the process. Being too gentle with the client can make them doubt your expertise. Imagine laying there with your eyes closed and someone is almost tickling your head – you get this feeling from their energy that they are just not sure what they are doing. Make sure when you are working with your clients, you are specific with their head placement. Don’t be afraid to make full contact – place your hand in a good position. Support their head while you are wrapping the lashes. If you need to move their head, don’t just gently push – get control of the head and move it around where you need it. This will ignite confidence in you as the lash artist.

Conclusion

Embracing the learning curve is crucial in mastering the art of lash lifting. By being mindful of lotion placement, emphasizing the importance of aftercare, and projecting confidence in your skills, you can avoid common pitfalls and deliver exceptional results. Remember, every mistake is a step toward becoming a more skilled and knowledgeable lash artist. So, keep practising, stay confident, and watch as your expertise grows and your client’s satisfaction soars.

If you want to learn more from our Elleebana Educators – head to our courses tab to see what’s on offer.

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Eyelash Lifting Vs Eyelash Extensions

Eyelash Lifting Vs Eyelash Extensions

With eyelash lifting becoming such a popular treatment we’ve had lot of people asking, what is the difference between eyelash lifting and eyelash extensions?

Here is some helpful information that will take out some of the guess work for you.

What is the difference between Eyelash Extensions and Eyelash Lifting?

Both are designed to enhance and complement your natural beauty.

Eyelash Extensions – Eyelash Extensions are a synthetic lash made from a high quality PTB (Polybutylene terephthalate) fibre, designed to mimic the natural lash. They are applied to your natural eyelash and come in a range of different lengths, curls and thicknesses and can be applied one by one (classic) or can be applied in multiple (volume) sets of 2D (2 lashes) up to 8D (8 lashes) enabling you to create anything from a natural look to quite dramatic.

Eyelash Lifting – Eyelash lifting is an enhancing treatment on your natural lash. The treatment occurs when the natural lashes are lifted and set around a selected size silicone rod. Lifting and Setting lotions are applied during the treatment and an eyelash tint to finish, resulting in a lengthened, lifted, curled and darkened result.

How long does each treatment take?

Eyelash Extensions – Eyelash extensions can see the initial treatment time vary pending if you are choosing to have classic set or volume set. Classic sets can take about 1.5-2hrs on average with Volume sets taking anywhere between 2-3hrs.

Eyelash Lifting – Elleebana Eyelash Lift, including an eyelash tint can take as little as 30 – 45mins.

How long does the treatment last?

Both treatments are designed to last the duration of the natural lash cycle which can last up to 90days.

Eyelash Extension – An appointment for eyelash extensions is recommended every 2-3 weeks to infill the lashes that have grown out and fallen off.

Eyelash Lifting – Eyelash lifting “re-lift” is recommended anywhere from 6-12 weeks pending on the client’s natural lash and growing cycles.

Are either of these treatment’s uncomfortable to have done?

No – if done correctly, you will not experience any pain from either treatment. Both treatments are done laying down and are the perfect excuse for some quite “you” time.

Are either of the treatments damaging to my lashes?

If done correctly by certified technicians neither treatment should not cause any damage or stress to your natural lashes.

Treatment costs

Eyelash Extensions – Lash Extensions can range from $100 for a classic set to $200 + for a volume set

Eyelash Lifting – Lash Lifting can range from $75 – $120 on average

It’s safe to say each of these amazing lash enhancement treatments sit perfectly in the beauty market place and can both give you the luscious lashes you desire. The question is…. Which one do would you chose?

To find out more about our Lash Lifting or Extension training courses please click below. 

Our Training

 

“This article has been written by Kayla Zigic and produced for Ex-Import Niche Products.  Modification, misuse, copying or reproduction of this content in any manner without written permission from Ex-Import Niche Products is prohibited and Copyright laws will apply.  Sharing the link and giving credit to Ex-Import Niche Products for the content is allowed”.

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What makes an awesome Lash Lift Artist of the Year Award entry?

What makes an awesome Lash Lift Artist of the Year Award entry?

The Elleebana Lash Lift Artist of the year Award is the world’s biggest lash lift competition – with each year comes more entries and the stakes get higher but so too do the prizes. This year saw the total prizes skyrocket to a combine total of almost $10000.00.   With these massive prizes, it’s no wonder taking out the top spot is a coveted position to be in. Beside from bragging rights of being titled Global Lash Lift Artist of the Year for an entire year, it is also an incredible marketing opportunity to further sell the treatment of Eyelash lifting to your customers.   

Elleebana directors Otto and Zoe Mitter have the mean task of selecting the final top ten and with over 1800 entrants in 2018– this was a MAMMOTH task. However, with the help of our International guest judges, we released the highly anticipated winner on Good Friday (Australian Eastern Standard Time).   Our judges, over the course of this competition been well respected makeup artists, or lash masters – we like to share it out a little but often times (because the pictures are all pretty spectacular) we ask our judges to focus on some key factors when we choose our winners.  Every finalist has to meet a very particular set of criteria to be considered. Below, we want to share with you some of the ways to improve your entries, your chances at being seen and what the judges look for in the perfect Eyelash Lift.

What does it take to win our Global Lash Lift Competition?

  1. A really visible and obvious result between the before image and the after image.  The entries that look like a client has zero lashes in the before picture and then BAM – long thick and dark looking lashes in the after picture are what makes our hearts flutter.   
  2. Clear photography – no shadowing or shading.  We like to be able to zoom in and see as much as possible through the lash line.  We can then hunt for cross overs and isolation perfection this way so be sure to get your lighting looking sublime.   
  3. Tint staining on the skin is marked down.  If there is visible tint residue on the skin, in the water line or even left-over tint residue on the lashes this is marked down and won’t get considered for the top ten positions. 
  4. Crossed over lashes or lashes that are obviously curling too far back (over processed) are also marked down.  Know your client and know their processing times.  Lashes that are touching the eyelid will no doubt require relaxing.  
  5. A nice eye colour, good eye shape, clean skin/tidy brows and an open eye that gives wonderful clarity to the image is eyesential (see what we did there?)  This is an Instagram competition after all and imagery is everything – the image has to look amazing!  The whole picture needs to sell your work.
  6. Inner corners – oh those pesky inner corners are a nonnegotiable even with lash lifting.  These tend to be the lashes that get over processed or kinked from incorrect styling rod selection or lash placement, so if they are consistent with the entire lash line then you know the technician has had great control with their lash placement and their processing time is well controlled.  Big tick from the judges there.
  7. Lashes that dip down from the lash line before raising up – this is often an indicator of incorrect rod placement or that the lashes have lifted from the rod during the processing time.  This is marked down also.
  8. Read the terms and conditions – We repeat – Read the terms and conditions – We cannot stress this enough!  We had many epic entries this year – some that would have easily been in the top ten for certain, but they did not meet the criteria because they didn’t use the correct hashtags, they used too many hashtags, they didn’t have the correct statement under their picture or they had too much information in the comments or tagged others.  Please, please read the T’s and C’s to ensure your entry is valid and you aren’t disappointed.
  9. Proof of purchase – every one of our top ten and our wildcard entries had to provide proof of purchase of Elleebana products to ensure they fall in line with the criteria.  Be sure you also have proof of your purchase if you are entering next year as this will always be a requirement of the competition.  

 

2018 saw the introduction of the wildcard entry award that was voted by the people. These lucky nominations were not judged under the normal criteria, this was a “likes” take out the prize scenario so this is considered a people’s choice voting system.  They were chosen because they were so close to making the top ten with these images and they honestly deserved some acknowledgement as do each and every one of the 1800+ entrants! 

 

If you intend on entering next year’s lash lift competition, the best place to keep up to date is our Instagram page @elleebana 

https://www.instagram.com/elleebana/

We launch in the lead up to the Easter long weekend and drawn the prize always on Good Friday – we hope to see you all for next year’s entries.  The strive for Eyelash perfection has the potential of some huge rewards that could be all yours.  

 

“This article has been written by Zoe Mitter and produced for Ex-Import Niche Products.  Modification, misuse, copying or reproduction of this content in any manner without written permission from Ex-Import Niche Products is prohibited and Copyright laws will apply.  Sharing the link and giving credit to Ex-Import Niche Products for the content is allowed”.

 

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