👀 Lash Watch 👀 How to Stay on Top of Industry Trends

So you’ve got your certification from an accredited trainer or beauty school, you’ve got your technique down, and you’re feeling confident.

🔥Your education doesn’t stop there! 🔥

Not just the lash industry, but the beauty industry as a whole is constantly changing and evolving. When you’ve already got a steady stream of clients and a business to run from day to day, it’s easy to get comfortable simply doing your own thing and forgetting about the outside world.

And that’s fine for a while, but every now and again a new trend comes along that completely changes the game. Even more so with social media and TikTok, trends appear and disappear in a  flash with the amount of inspiration and content available!

Anyone who’s been doing lash extensions for nearly a decade or more will remember how much the introduction of premade volume fans changed the industry.

These things come along and not only change what clients want, but they change the way you work and the skills you need. This means that you don’t want to be stuck with your head in the sand – you  have  to stay on top of the latest industry trends and techniques. 

How, you ask?

 
😝 Just kidding! We’ll tell you how…  

1. Social Media, Blogs, Pop Culture & Podcasts

Believe it or not, social media isn’t just for watching funny videos of cats attacking their owners.

Be on the lookout to follow industry trendsetters, ‘IT’ girls, popular media, influencers, and hashtags from your industry. If you’re seeing more and more posts about the same thing cropping up, research more about it and see if it’s worthwhile for you to invest in. The very popular HBO series Euphoria spawned a whole new following of beauty looks and trends in just a matter of days - moving fast and staying curious matters!

🔥  Tip  🔥 You can also use the search bar on Instagram or TikTok to find new terms: 

Beauty blogs are also a great way to keep up with what’s new and hot. Find a few that match closest to the kind of services you offer, bookmark them and check back periodically to keep an eye on the latest trends.

And if you can find a good podcast related to your niche then put one on while you’re commuting or doing admin work. 

The point is to just keep an ear to the ground so that you don’t end up falling behind your competitors. 

2. Participate in Online Communities

Joining a good online community such as a forum, Facebook group, or subreddit can be a great form of support when you’re a solo business owner. You can find like-minded people facing the same struggles as you, who are willing to help and share their ideas and experiences.

Engaging with people you admire on Twitter or Instagram can also help you to build networks of support and knowledge. You don’t have to compete with every lash artist out there; you each bring something to the table, after all. Stay open to building relationships, and you’ll find that you’ll be able to pool resources and learn heaps from other lash bosses! 

3. Google Trends

Google Trends is a handy little online tool that can help you gauge the level of interest in a certain topic over time, and also identify new trending topics.

Simply enter a term such as ‘brow lamination’ or ‘lash lift’ to see how popular that search term is over time. This can give you a great insight into whether or not a particular trend has peaked or is just getting started.

Don’t forget to set the location to ‘Australia’. At the same time, it can also be useful to check the US or worldwide as well because many trends start and peak elsewhere first – this can help you stay ahead of the curve. 

You can also make use of the ‘Related Queries’ section at the bottom to find new trends or terms that are related to the term you entered.

4. Competitor Research

It pays to keep an eye on what the competition is doing. Find competing businesses in your area and some of the top beauty businesses in your country and bookmark their websites or social pages. Check back periodically to see if they’re offering any new services or doing something unique.

5. Attend Trade Shows and Conferences

Running a business can be lonely. Trade shows are great for networking and meeting people in your industry, but they’re also great for getting to learn about the latest trends up close and personal. Take the opportunity to mingle, ask questions, and get hands on with any new products or gadgets. 

So if you have the chance, find out which events are coming up in your area (or beyond, if you’re down for some tax deductible business travel) – and add them to your calendar. Drag a buddy along with you if don’t want to go solo! Who knows, you might return with new friends  and new inspiration. 

Conclusion