LOVE, LASH, BROW

Competitions are an important way to grow as a lash or brow artist. Melanie had a chance to chat with the 4 finalists in the NovaLash Lashoff competition. This podcast has two chapters and interviews with Chanbo Plenkovich, Raylene Cravens, Claire Dottin, and Michelle Williams. The first chapter was recorded before the LashOff and the second was after the winners and awards were presented. These beautiful, talented, smart women are an inspiration to the lash industry.

The world of lash artistry is an international phenomenon. In this episode, we hear from Kate Baxter, the Scottish Hair and Beauty Award winner in 2017 for Best Lash Artist. Additionally, Kate was Trainer of the Year for NovaLash in 2019 and has been teaching both NovaLash Classic and American Volume techniques in the UK since 2017. During this podcast, Kate shares her story along with her advice about how to be a successful lash artist.

Lauren's professional career in the beauty industry began in 1994. She became a NovaLash Certified Lash Artist in 2005, moved on to earn her NovaLash Advanced Training Certification in 2006 and American Volume Certification in 2015. In between, she became a NovaLash Trainer and has a passion for lashes and her students. Lauren has many accomplishments including serving as a Brand Ambassador in 2015 and 2016, and Distributor of the Year in 2017. You have seen Lauren's work in many publications including Lucky Magazine, Modern Salon, Beauty Launchpad and more. She has also traveled internationally representing NovaLash. In this podcast, Lauren shares her sage advice and experience with eyelash extensions.

For more information about Lauren Wade, please visit www.thelashstudio.us

For more information about NovaLash, please visit www.novalash.com

For more information about Love, Lash, Brow, please visit www.labapro.com/podcast

Claire Dottin is the owner of Aesthetics Etcetera, authorized distributor and trainer for both the NovaLash and SofTap brands. She is also the owner and lead aesthetician of Fabulash Barbados Aesthetics Boutique Inc, a trendy boutique spa located on the south coast of Barbados, specializing in NovaLash eyelash extensions and SofTap permanent makeup. Claire is internationally trained in graphic arts, aesthetics, permanent cosmetics, and eyelash extensions. She has been able to blend her passions and establish her career in the beauty industry which has lead to her work being featured in Modern Salon and Eyelash Magazines as well as being named as a Novalash Brand Ambassador for 2019. Currently, she is a finalist in the NovaLash Lashoff competition coming up. Years of experience gained from operating her own successful business, as well as working with some of the best NovaLash artists at tradeshows in New York, Florida and Nevada prepared her to educate, inspire and mentor new lash students.

In this podcast, Claire shares her journey with Zachary Falb and Melanie Kopeikin, along with her sage advice for new artists.

For more information about Claire, please visit her website www.aestheticsetcetera.com. For more information about NovaLash, please visit www.novalash.com For more information about LOVE, LASH, BROW, please visit www.labapro/podcast

"An Everyday lash for an everyday woman!", is Raylene Cravens' motto. She believes in enhancing women's beauty with Lash extensions, not the lashes to be center stage. Raylene has been a licensed cosmetologist since 2008 and is certified in many different services. In June 2010, she became certified by Novalash and found her true passion, Lashes! Since 2011 she has focused only on lash extensions, and now she holds 4 certifications with Novalash.

Awards & Honors:

NOVALASH 2019 LASH ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOVALASH Trainer for Oklahoma NOVALASH 2018, 2019 & 2020 Brand Ambassador NOVALASH 2020 LASHoff Finalist NOVALASH 2019 LASHoff Finalist NOVALASH 2018 LASHoff Semi Finalist Featured in numerous publications; work appeared on the cover of Modern Salon Magazine - June 2019

Raylene joins Zach and Melanie as she reflects on her NovaLash lash journey over the past decade. She provides inspiration and motivation for all lash artists, no matter where they are in their careers. 

For more information about Raylene and Lash By Lash please visit: www.lashbylashstudio.com

For more information about NovaLash and Zachary Falb, please visit: www.novalash.com

For more information about Melanie, The Lash & Brow Academy, and Love, Lash, Brow, please visit: www.labapro.com

Mona Kent is the proprietor of The Face Boutique in Rocklin, California, and plays a key role with the Lash & Brow Academy in California as a NovaLash trainer, LABA Platinum Advocate, LABA Affiliate Salon, and Lash Coach. She is a licensed esthetician and accomplished lash & brow artist. Mona was also selected as a NovaLash Brand Ambassador for 2020 and is NovaLash "triple-certified" in NovaLash Classic, American Volume, and London Volume.

Mona shares her lash journey and life path with co-hosts Zachary Falb (The EyeLash King and NovaLash Global Master Trainer) and Melanie Kopeikin (Founder of the Lash & Brow Academy, NovaLash Distributor for California, and producer for LOVE, LASH, BROW) For more information about Mona and The Face Boutique please visit: https://www.thefaceboutique.com

For more information about NovaLash, please visit: https://www.novalash.com

For more information about The Lash & Brow Academy and LOVE, LASH, BROW, please visit: https://www.labapro.com

Our special guest today is Michelle Mirizio. Michelle is an extremely talented lash artist based in Florida. She is a six-time NovaLash Brand Ambassador, Trainer of the Year 2011, and Distributor of the Year in 2016. She has been at the forefront of the latest trends, products, and technology. She continues to provide a multitude of services to clients as well as training students in her areas of expertise. Michelle shares her successes and provides advice for new and existing lash artists.  Listen as she explains the importance of "PRACTICE, PATIENCE, and PASSION"  when it comes to becoming a highly skilled lash artist.

For more information about Michelle please visit www.letstalkmakeup.com

For more information about NovaLash, please visit www.novalash.com

If you would like more information about LOVE, LASH, BROW, or The Lash & Brow Academy, please visit www.labapro.com

The beauty industry continues to face difficult times during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our panel guests represent a cross-section of lash extension professionals from the UK and the US, all experiencing similar business upheaval and the need for new ways of thinking about the way they lead their companies. Listen as they share their views of what the pandemic has meant to their businesses.  Zach joins Melanie as co-host of this episode.  Our panel includes Christina Barham, Zoe Kinnear, and Justine Ivaldi.

International Panel

Christina Barham, director of Sarah-Anne's Beauty Distribution, Distributor for NovaLash in the UK and Ireland [email protected]

Zoe Kinnear, owner, and sole trader of The Powder Room by Zoe est. 2015. NovaLash Brand Ambassador for 2018/19/20.  Scotland’s Best Lash Artist, SHABA 2019. Regional Winner ‘Best Beauty Treatments’, Scotland’s’ Business Awards 2019 contact [email protected]

Justine Ivaldi, Head Trainer for NovaLash in California, Director of Education at the Lash & Brow Academy. Owner of Lashed in Fresno, California USA. NovaLash Brand Ambassador 2019. Lash-Off Semi-Finalist 2020 [email protected]

Host Melanie Thomas Kopeikin, producer and host of LOVE, LASH, BROW. Founder of The Lash & Brow Academy, and Distributor for NovaLash in California for the last 12 years. Beauty industry leader and consultant, specializing in beauty brand development and strategies [email protected]

Co-Host Zachary Falb, NovaLash Global Master Trainer, and Global Distribution and Education Manager. Also known as “The Eyelash King” [email protected]

Zach and Melanie chat about the most common questions new or experienced lash artists have about eyelash extensions and the art of lashing. Zach also shares his thoughts about what questions he feels are important to be answered by someone considering doing eyelash extensions for a living.

To be the best you can be and to grow as a lash artist or beauty professional, you must evolve. This is done in many ways that are proven to be critical in your pathway to success. Zach and Melanie discuss some of those key ways to grow and evolve including continuing education, trade shows, competitions, becoming a trainer or educator, finding or being a mentor, and getting involved in companies like NovaLash as a Brand Ambassador. You definitely must get involved in your own career to evolve and be the very best you can be!