Recently, famous Houston musician Robert Glasper posted on his social media account, “STOP WITH THE EYELASHES PLEASE!!!!” His video sparked a fiery debate on lash extensions with nearly 800 people responding.

One commenter said, “Women wear the lashes because THEY like to wear them. No woman wearing lashes or anything else to enhance their beauty is saying, ‘I wonder if men are going to like this?’”

Another commenter in support of Glasper’s sentiment expressed, “I agree. You see them lashes a mile away and eventually they can and will become a problem.”

No matter how humorous and witty the conversation was, the fact of the matter is that lash extensions are here to stay. Because women decide to glamorously wear them, the industry is in demand for lash professionals who can apply them – licensed and legally.

Graduates from Houston City College’s (HCC) Lash Program are ready to enter the booming beauty market, which generates between $60 million and $90 million in annual revenue.

“People can make all the jokes they want, but depending on the lash stylist’s experience and creativity, they can charge from $90 - $250 for a full set per client,” said HCC Cosmetology Instructor Yomie Brumley. “If that client returns every two weeks, a self-employed lash professional can make nearly $50,000 a year.”

 Houston City College Cosmetology Instructor Yomie Brumley, left, tests the knowledge of a Lash program student during course instruction

Brumley, who teaches at the HCC South Campus and has been a professional lash specialist for 17 years, emphasizes the importance of her students creating their own brand and identity.

“There’s so many facets to lashing now, and we teach students the different techniques so they can add to their repertoire,” Brumley said. “I tell them, ‘You are your brand. You don’t have to just do the industry standard; you want to bloom into your own artistry.’”

Some of the techniques include clusters, tabbing, lash lamination, premium lashing and volume eyelash extensions.

Most importantly, the instructors focus on the sanitation and safety guidelines as mandated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Students are prepared to take the exam, earn their specialty license and start their immediate career in lashes.

“Once they leave the classroom, they are confident in knowing they’re not going to damage someone’s eye and that they can perform the work the right way,” Brumley said.

Lakeisha Elder graduated from the HCC Cosmetology program in May with an associate degree after starting her journey at age 49. Two years later, the 51-year-old native Houstonian decided to add lashes as part of her skill set to work at a salon.

After losing her job this summer, she enrolled in a fast-paced 8-week summer lash program and received an HCC Connect 2 Workforce scholarship to pay her full tuition.

“This scholarship saved my life as I didn’t know how I was going to pay for this program,” Elder said. "Now I can continue my goal of using my cosmetology and lash skills to help survivors of domestic abuse by restoring their confidence and beauty.”

 Houston City College Lash Program students hone and apply their lash extension training to community members as part of a free lash application at the HCC South Campus

Since arriving to Houston from Marvell, Arkansas, a decade ago, Shanese Dotson-Rodgers left her past career as a phlebotomist and certified nurse assistant. In 2017 she launched her own beauty line and made money braiding hair.

Although she applied strip lashes to her clients upon request, many desired for her to get into eyelash extensions.

“I opened up my phone and Instagram was sending me reels advertising about HCC’s Lash program and scholarships were available,” Dotson-Rodgers said. “With the scholarship, I didn’t have to pay any out-of-pocket fees.”

As her clients await her receiving her license, she is even more excited to generate income for her family doing something she loves.

“I have clients already on my wait list to get their lashes done,” she said. “As a beginner, I can charge as little as $60 and up to $160, so the benefits are great.”

For Brumley and her fellow instructors, creating a pathway to entrepreneurship is what inspires them to uplift their students.

“We work together collaboratively to make sure that these ladies are ready for the workforce, and they're excited about it,” she said. “They have their business names and they're very excited about the start of their own careers.”

To enroll in the HCC Lash program, go to Cosmetology | Houston City College