Public commenters urge TDLR to add lash lifting and preserve instructor training amid rule changes

During public comment at the Aug. 19 advisory-board meeting, two speakers raised implementation concerns about proposed rule changes. Carly Wise, an eyelash-extension specialist and owner of La la Lashes LLC, asked the board to add lash lifting and tinting to the rulebook so that eyelash-extension specialty-license holders can perform those services on their menus. She said her training covers eyelash growth cycles, eye diseases and first aid and argued that specialty licensees are qualified for the work.

Lily Benitez, founder and director of Bladecraft Barber Academy, spoke about the removal of the instructor license and warned that the change could reduce instructional quality and lower school pass rates if new instructors lack formal teacher training. She urged the board to use available school pass-rate data to set accountability metrics and to require remediation plans for schools with persistently low pass rates.

Staff responses: Mary Winston reminded public commenters that the meeting’s public-comment period is not the forum for determinations and said staff may contact commenters or address topics at a later meeting. Derek Burkhalter and other staff reiterated that publication in the Texas Register will open a 30-day written comment period during which stakeholders should submit detailed suggestions and data.

Status: Both requests were recorded during public comment and will be available as topics for the public-comment period; no rule changes were adopted at the meeting.