About the Author — Jenelle Paris

Jenelle Paris — Founder, Lash Artist & Educator

Jenelle Paris is the founder and driving force behind Lash Affair, one of the most trusted names in professional eyelash extension products and education. She has been in the lash industry for over 17 years — first certified as a lash extension technician in 2009, when eyelash extensions were still largely unknown outside of high-end salons.

She founded Lash Affair in 2014 with a straightforward mission: give working lash artists access to the same professional-grade tools and education that were previously reserved for salons with exclusive distribution connections. Every product in the Lash Affair catalog exists because Jenelle needed it in her own chair first.

Background & Certification

Jenelle earned her eyelash extension certification in 2009, making her one of the early adopters in the professional lash industry. At the time, most beauty professionals had never heard of lash extensions, and training programs were scarce. She learned through a combination of formal certification courses and thousands of hours of hands-on client work — developing techniques for classic, volume, and mega-volume applications across a wide range of eye shapes and natural lash conditions.

Over 17 years of active practice, Jenelle has worked with clients in varying climates and humidity conditions — from the heat and moisture of Florida to dry mountain environments — which directly informed how she formulates and tests Lash Affair adhesives for real-world performance.

Product Development Philosophy

Unlike many beauty brand founders, Jenelle is still a working lash artist. She doesn't design products in a lab and hand them off for testing — she develops them in the studio, tests them on real clients, and refines based on performance data she collects herself.

Clear Connection Adhesive — Lash Affair's flagship product — came from years of testing retention rates, application speed, and climate adaptability during actual client appointments. It has been the go-to professional lash adhesive for artists since the company launched, and it remains the product Jenelle uses in her own work daily.

The same development process applies to every product in the Lash Affair line. True Love, Love Potion, The One, and Infatuated adhesives were each formulated to address specific artist needs — different set speeds, humidity tolerances, and client sensitivities — all identified through real-world application. The TLC Tea Tree Cleanser and aftercare products were developed specifically for the retail clients that lash artists deal with every day: people who need simple, effective products to maintain their extensions between appointments.

Education & the Lash Affair Academy

Jenelle recognized early on that the lash industry had a training problem. There were no consistent standards, no structured certification pathways, and many aspiring artists were learning entirely from YouTube tutorials and informal mentorships. She built the Lash Affair Academy to create a professional education pathway that actually prepares technicians for real client work.

The Academy's curriculum — including the Classic Eyelash Extension Fundamentals Course — was developed by Jenelle and her education team based on what advanced artists struggle with and what entry-level technicians need to know. Course topics cover eye anatomy, contraindications, sanitation protocols, adhesive safety, lash mapping and design fundamentals, application techniques, workspace setup, and client consultation skills.

Each certification program includes a professionally published manual, downloadable resources, an official Lash Affair certification upon completion, and a graduate discount on professional products. The goal is not just to teach application technique, but to produce competent, safety-conscious professionals who can build sustainable careers.

Industry Expertise & Specialties

Jenelle's areas of expertise span the full scope of professional eyelash extension work:

• Adhesive science & climate adaptability — Understanding how temperature, humidity, and application technique affect bonding, retention, and client comfort
• Classic, volume, and mega-volume application techniques — Over 17 years of hands-on experience with every major lash extension method
• Product formulation & testing — Developing professional-grade adhesives, aftercare products, and tools based on real studio conditions
• Lash artist education & certification — Building structured training programs that meet professional standards
• Retention troubleshooting — Diagnosing and solving the most common reasons lash extensions don't hold, from environmental factors to application technique to client aftercare habits
• Business development for independent lash artists — Pricing strategy, client management, and building a profitable lash business as a solo technician

Content & Industry Contributions

Every piece of content on the Lash Affair blog comes from the same place Jenelle started — the lash bed. The techniques, the product advice, the troubleshooting guides — it's all grounded in 17 years of hands-on experience. When she writes about retention, humidity, adhesive selection, or technique, she's drawing on direct professional experience, not theoretical knowledge.

Jenelle has contributed to raising professional standards in the lash extension industry through Lash Affair's educational content, certification programs, and community-building among independent lash artists. She advocates for proper training, professional-grade products, and evidence-based technique over trend-chasing.

Professional Philosophy

Jenelle's approach to the lash industry is grounded in a few core principles that define both her personal practice and how Lash Affair operates:

Products should be tested in studios, not just labs. Every adhesive, serum, and tool is validated with real clients in real conditions before it reaches the Lash Affair catalog. If a product doesn't perform in the field, it doesn't ship — regardless of production timelines or cost pressures.

Education is an investment, not a marketing channel. The Lash Affair Academy exists to create competent professionals who raise the standard of the entire industry. Training that produces skilled technicians is the only way the profession grows and earns greater recognition.

Independent artists deserve professional-grade tools. When Jenelle started in 2009, the best products were locked behind distribution gatekeepers. Lash Affair was built to eliminate that barrier — pricing fairly, supporting small businesses, and making professional tools accessible to every working artist.

Connect with Jenelle

Explore Jenelle's work and the Lash Affair brand:

• About Lash Affair — The full story behind the brand
• Lash Artist Blog — Professional tips, technique guides, and industry insights
• Lash Affair Academy — Certification courses and continuing education
• Shop Professional Products — Adhesives, tools, aftercare, and more