You might be wondering why we are writing about something that seems so straight forward.

Nowadays, most people rely on three things when choosing a stylist of any kind:

Customer reviews, referrals and images of their work.

But is this enough?

The short answer is "no".

But it's a great start!

Let me tell you a few tips that will save you time, money and frustration down the road.

1) ASK FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

This can be done over the phone or in person. You will want to ask some key questions to ensure you are in good hands.

• Ask if they are a certified lash artist. If so, what company provided the training. The company that certified the lash artist should be established and have a great reputation as well.

• Ask what brand of lashes and glue are used. They should be high quality. The glue should be formaldehyde free and pharmaceutically made.

• Ask them to provide the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the adhesive. Eyelash extension glue is a chemical, one that is coming close to your eyes. The MSDS will tell you each ingredient in the glue, how much of each ingredient is in there and who manufactured it. It also tells you how it might effect you when you come in contact with it.

• Ask how long have they been lashing. More importantly, how many clients have they serviced? The artist could have been lashing for three years but have a small clientele of two clients a month. The more people that have been serviced, the more variety they will have seen. This will show up in the quality of their work.

2) MAKE SURE THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS FIT YOUR NEEDS

Some artists are booked months in advance. That means you have to be proactive about booking your next appointment and stay on your recommended fill schedule. When you fall out of the rotation of appointments, it is very likely when you return it will be a full set. That's more money and more time from you. Who wants that? Knowing upfront how to book and when to book will save a lot of frustration.

Also, what are their hours of operation. You will want to make sure there are openings when it is convenient for you and that you can easily book.

How far is the salon from your home? Is that a feasible commute for you every 2-3 weeks?

3) ARE THE AESTHETICS UP TO PAR

You should feel safe, comfortable and cared for when you enter the lash artists' working space.

Can solicitors or guests come in freely while you are being serviced? Are the doors locked behind you?

Are their other people being serviced in the salon?

Is there a safe place to put your belongings. Do they have liability insurance in the event of an injury?

Is there a first aid kit onsite?

Then ask yourself are you ok with the level of privacy and security.

It also has to be immaculately clean and free of clutter. There are State mandates for hygiene and sanitation that should be upheld. Having a clutter free environment is more of a preference than a hard rule. My feeling is that it does not communicate pride of ownership.

Likewise, your lash artist should take pride in her appearance and hygiene. No one is expecting lash artists to wear a suit to work. We have to be comfortable too. And we have to be functional in the way we sit and move. But our appearance should be polished and put together. Even a trendy sweat suit can accomplish that. The point is that lashes are a luxury service. Every aspect of your experience should feel like luxury.

Lastly, ask about their policies. They should explicitly state all of their rules so there is no misunderstandings on either part. Ask them specifically about their policy or practice if there is premature fallout. It happens to the best of us.

In my humble opinion, not having a client touch up or correction policy communicates that we are perfect. Well, we might be. But things can happen on our end that we did not realize. Or it could be a client error. Maybe they wet their lashes before they cured. At any rate, find out what happens if there are ANY issues after your service. This is important. Having a baseline understanding prevents conflict.

4) DOES IT FIT YOUR BUDGET?

You should have about three lash artists to choose from in your initial search - the one where you looked to Yelp, Instagram and/or a referral. Rank them before you call. Use the first three tips above to guide you on your ranking. Do this before you even find out the price.

When you do find out the cost of services, do not be quick to rule out one that is over your budget.

It is tricky because while it is true that you get what you pay for (i.e. don't be cheap), it is also equally true that high prices do not necessarily mean high quality. Following the tips above will help you answer one question - is the price of the service worth it for me to pay?

5) DO YOU CLICK!?

I saved this one for last because this is a deal breaker for me personally. It makes no sense to pay for a service when the energy does not align.

Were you greeted with a smile?

Did you feel welcomed?

Did they guide you when you entered - like where to put your coat and purse. Shoes off or shoes on. Where to wash your hands and use the bathroom, etc.

Did they provide a thorough consultation?

Did they listen and answer your questions?

Did they explain things along the way?

Were they professional?

Did they seem confident in their skill set?

Were they kind?

Were they kind?

Were they kind?

There is a saying "if it's not a hell yes, then it's a no."

Trust that and don't force a relationship that you have a feeling won't work.

I think the universe gave us hairs on the back of our necks for a reason. So our senses can go up when things seem shifty.

Lean into that and trust your gut.

So whether you are new to getting lashes, recently moved and need a new artist or you and your artist fell out, these tips will work for you.

Good luck!