This is solely a review of the training aspect of Chicago Lashes as I modeled for one of their students.
This location is inside of a very outdated office building but inside you find a moderately sized salon with a hair area where hair extensions are done and then a much larger room with 4 or 5 beds for lash extensions. Everything was tidy and there was radio music I believe, playing in the background. I would recommend for them to play spa music or such for those trying to get in some Z's, it would make the ambience certainly more relaxing.
I arrived and was asked to fill out consent paperwork and a bit of a focused history. Shortly thereafter, the student came and asked me to follow her to the back and get comfortable on the bed. I don't believe she introduced herself. I followed her request as she began to clean my eye area followed by taping down my bottom lashes. Let's stop there - couple issues I had right off the bat: being a healthcare provider I have a serious concern that she didn't verify for allergies, eye history or relevant medical history to rule me in/out of extensions. Luckily I'm healthy and have no allergies but if the tables were turned that's a huge error on her part. That being said, she completely skipped a consultation of any sort. Obviously this would have included the above but also a general sense of what I am looking for. To continue - she tapes everything else down as though she is ready to go and that's when I break my silence and ask if I'm going to get to choose what I want and get an understanding of what to expect. She giggles a bit and tells me she's already taped me... that's when her neighboring lash tech (an actual employee I suppose) asks me several questions about my current lash routine and the look I'm going for (with my eyes closed) she makes the determination for the student and thereafter the student gets started. The process was mundane as expected and I fell asleep several times during it. An employee would come check on her once in a while and answer an questions she had. If took her 3 hours to complete a natural look which I expected going in. Towards the end I felt burning in my left eye which I stated and she brushed it off instead of calling her mentor over. Later when all was said and done and her mentor noticed my tearing left eye, she immediately grabbed a fan and worked to dry it up as it affects the adhesive. My eye was tearing for probably an hour until this was addressed which I found to be problematic as needing to trouble shoot is necessary in such a profession. When I was done, I had to ask about after care and really she didn't have much at all to offer me other than a post card they give to their clients with instructions. Her mentor explained what I needed to do instead. I found myself desperately searching for detail on how to best care for my lashes and realized how much wasn't covered during my visit in fact most of it. I wasn't offered any products on my way out either which is nice because that can be awkward BUT, I had I known at that time time there are such products, I may have considered buying them. I'm so fearful about washing my lashes correctly, if the eyeliner I'm wanting to use is OK and what to do to expand the lash life which a serum would have helped with.
Overall I like my lashes and I think she did well for starting out. I have no pain or discomfort, more than normal fall out or major clumps one week out. My inner corner lashes however are too long and sometimes irritate my lower lash line. My right eye now has lashes appearing as though they are clumping towards the inner corner. They aren't because I can brush them out but it has to be due to placement. I called Chicago Lashes today explaining how they look and how I am leaving the country for 3 weeks and would like them to look good for that and concerned because I am only a week in an James was kind enough to get me in for a half fill before I go to fix the problem so A+ to their client satisfaction efforts.
Back to the student - through our small talk I found out she's an RN which is a bit concerning as she missed what I believe to be the most vital parts of the process - the consultation and 'discharge.' Anyone can physically apply extensions with some training but the real skill is determining the right candidate, the right styles and judgement on what she as a provider feels looks best based on the health of my lashes and teaching me how to care for her meticulous work. I'm not sure what feedback she received after we were done, if any (because she was right out the door behind me) but its critical they discuss her gaps which in my opinion are huge. Bigger than her lash job alone. I hope this isn't a reflection of the training they provide and solely her mistakes but it would make me question the integrity of their training program.
Will update my review post half fill and how they hold up in 3 weeks. read more