Introducing L*ashland – Ashland’s premier eyelash extension boutique conveniently located on the second floor of the Ashland Hills Hotel. L*ashland is owned by long term local Necia Zuck. With an appointment calendar often booked out a year in advance, Necia and her team go above and beyond to make sure every client walks out looking their absolute best. As part of this interview Necia and her team have opened the calendars with several new appointment slots that are bound to go fast.
Eyelash extensions are a revolutionary, semi-permanent procedure that will give you fuller, longer and naturally darker looking eyelashes without the fuss of mascara! This process is done by applying a single synthetic lash to your natural lash – one lash at a time- until luscious lashes are achieved. The results are amazing! Lash extensions provide a beautiful and convenient way to keep up with your lifestyle, whether its an everyday look or a special occasion.
Hi Necia, thanks for taking the time to do this interview with us today and congratulations on all the success of your business here in Ashland.
Oh thank you! It’s been really fun having L*ashland the last few years.
Necia can you please give us a little background to yourself and your work her in Ashland?
Well, I have been in the beauty business since 1999. I started here originally and I’ve had my own salons in the past. I’ve also spent time managing another local full-service salon, so I do have quite a bit of experience in this business. I grew up here in Ashland. I kept moving away and trying new things and new towns but for some reason I just kept on coming back. It happens to a lot of us kids that grew up here.
When did you first become interested in eyelash extensions?
Well the original owner of L*ashland had just come to town and started working at the salon where I was doing hair and aesthetics. I started having my own eyelashes done first, and they were amazing! I knew that other woman would want this and that once you have them it just changes your life. So I decided to learn how to do it.
You are often booked out several weeks at at time. Even a year in advance with several clients, but are now opening up a few more spots. Tell us about it.
Yes we do have some availability these days with our new apprentice Luna. She is highly skilled and has been trained well to do amazing lashes. Also some of the other technicians have also expanded their schedule to accommodate new clients.
Necia is it typical to have long term clients in this type of business?
Yes it is quite typical. First clients come in to get their lashes done and then they realize that the work we do is consistent and solid and quite beautiful. Once you establish a relationship with the client inevitably we become friends with them. You share each other stories, and overtime a very solid connection is formed!
You really take great pride in having formed many great relationships with your clients. Please say more.
Well you see clients typically either weekly, every two weeks or monthly. Seeing somebody that often you really get to know them. Over months and years you really are invested in your client and what’s going on in their lives.
It sounds like you have a great time and really enjoy doing what you do.
I really do enjoy what I do! I love to make people beautiful and make them feel great about themselves! There’s nothing quite like it to be part of someone’s self-esteem. I take it very seriously and so do my other technicians.
Necia, when you were first trained what were some of the details you were taught to pay attention to and why?
When I was first being trained to do lashes I was taught to be very careful with the health of the clients eyelash. Basically you want to keep the lashes as healthy as possible so that people will return and not lose their lashes permanently. There are instances in which you can start to truly damage the lashes. At L*ashland we really try to keep the health of the lash intact and we’re always learning new techniques and new ways to make sure that clients have maximum lash retention.
Now that you have spent the past 10 years immersed in the business, what do you find yourself paying attention to and how are you training your own staff?
I feel like we really have high standards when it comes to how the work is done. We try very hard to have everybody consistently doing the same techniques and using the top-of-the-line products. Each technician goes through a really long training program where they are closely watched and each client has been checked by a senior technician and gone over meticulously.
What in specific makes good work versus poor work?
Well good work is seen as individual lashes placed upon an individual lash. If for some reason the lashes get stuck together natural or artificial it tends to put a lot of pressure on the root of the lash and can cause premature loss.
Is it possible for eye lashes to not grow back?
Unfortunately yes there are several different ways that that can happen.
The first way is when the lashes gets stuck together of course. That can pull on the hair from the root for long periods of time and after a while, just like waxing, it can shut the follicle down. Another way is infection from lack of cleanliness on the clients part. This tends to happen if they don’t use proper home care techniques and honestly it does not happen very often.
Please talk about eye lash health.
Eyelashes need to be kept clean on a daily basis. They must be cleansed and brushed just like regular hair on top of your head. You want to make sure that there’s no bacteria or dead skin cells left behind. Observing clean lash hygiene and having the right lash technician are the most important things when it comes to eyelash extensions.
When you go to get your eyelashes done, what are you looking for?
Well you’re looking for fabulous eyelashes! But also you want to look for a technician with a clean area and proper sanitizing equipment. Also someone that understands about eyelash health and what it takes to retain clients natural lashes. Another very important thing is finding a technician that understands what lashes are going to look best on the clients eye.
Are there any tips that you find yourself frequently sharing with your clients?
Oh they’re just so many! Well first of all, I always tell my clients to keep their lashes clean of course. But lately more general advice is to practice compassion
Necia can you please give us an overview of your services?
We do full sets of lash extensions, lash fills, and facial waxing. Specializing also in eyebrows.
I know that your really love your location. Please tell us more about all the benefits for you being located at the Ashland Hills Hotel?
Well this place is great. It’s like it’s own little city inside of the hotel. We have an amazing coffee shop, restaurant and full bar downstairs. Not to mention the hotel has all kinds of other amenities. So some clients will come and get a coffee before their lashes or at the end of the day maybe get a drink after they’re done getting their service done. One night last year it was snowing really heavily and I thought for a minute I was going to have to get a hotel room because I couldn’t drive home. Funny part is is that I realize that wouldn’t be the worst thing ever because they’ve got everything here that I need!
Necia it sounds like you have a great year lined up for L*ashland. What other adventures do you have planned?
For the salon: Well I’ve been seriously thinking about opening up a second location in Medford. We also have a huge clientele that comes from Yreka so that might be another option as well.
Personally: Well I have been thinking about buying a fun little shack in Hawaii and spending more time there. But also expansion of the salon is also on the agenda.
How about one or two of your favorite all time quotes or words of wisdom?
“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.”
Last, but not least, how can our readers book a spot with you?
They can either call the salon, text, or go online and book through our website. We also have Facebook and Instagram so that interested people can go and take a look at what we do and all the different types of lash styles that there are.
Learn More:
L*ashland
2525 Ashland St, Ashland, OR 97520
www.lashland.com
541-591-6415
