S.Bbeauty, The Fresh Effect, I Am Beauty named in the top 10 best eyelash technicians on the Gold Coast
After thousands of nominations and votes, we have named the Gold Coast’s top 10 eyelash technicians. Check out their story and how much they earn
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After thousands of nominations and votes, we have named the Gold Coast’s 10 most popular eyelash technicians.
The city’s top techs have opened up about why they started ‘lashing’, how much they earn and the hidden challenges in the industry.
Check out what they said
10. LUXXE LOUNGE BY ABI NOSKI
An Oxenford eyelash technician is encouraging those thinking of joining the industry to “take the leap”, despite start-ups flooding the field.
Luxxe Lounge owner Abi Noske joined the industry while working a full-time job.
“I would love to say to everyone thinking about becoming a lash technician to do it,” she said.
“If you have a passion for beauty and want to help people feel beautiful, take the leap and join the industry.
“I have made so many amazing friends and never been happier. Each day doesn’t feel like work.”
Ms Noske said when she started her business in 2021 she would “lash” seven days a week — after work, on weekends, “pretty much as much as I could”.
“The secret is being patient with yourself, never stop learning and educate yourself.”
9. GODDESS LASHES BY AMANDA SCHWAB
This Gold Coast eyelash technician went from barely breaking even to making upwards of $700 a day.
Tugun eyelash and brow studio Goddess Lashes owner Amanda Schwab said she started as an eyelash technician after she moved to Australia on a working visa from the United States.
She said she was looking for a job that wasn’t the “typical” nine-to-five after mainly working in coffee shops, which led her to open Goddess Lashes in 2019.
“The most challenging part of my journey was the first six months in business,” she said.
“I was priced far too cheap and was paying so much money in rent that I would just break even.”
Ms Schwab said it took her working more than 12 hours a day and “a lot of hard work” to start making upwards of $700 a day.
“This is hard work — anyone that has a fully booked schedule knows how hard it is to get there,” she said.
“You need to understand eye anatomy, hair growth cycles, contraindications all while sorting out your tax and creating content.
“Running your own business will never be a nine to five, it’s a 24/7 commitment.”
8. LUXELASHES.TJ BY TORI JONES
Oxenford eyelash technician Tori Jones says she quit her job aged just 16 to start her own business, but was thrown many hurdles on the way.
Ms Jones has been named the eighth best eyelash technician on the Gold Coast after opening her business in 2021.
She started ‘lashing’ as a teenager and said “it was the best decision I ever made”.
However, she said she struggled to maintain a steady list of clients when she first started out.
“A misconception that even I believed is that you’ll be fully booked as soon as you open your business,” Ms Jones aid.
“As much as this would be amazing unfortunately you don’t become popular from day dot.
“You must work hard to prove yourself to your friends, family and clients so they can refer you to who they know.
“Word of mouth is what makes a business.”
Ms Jones now makes $500 a day and has around five to six clients a day.
“I quit my job in November of 2022 and put all of my hard work and effort into my business being successful, although it was such a scary time of not knowing if I was making the right choice, I am so glad I did,” she said.
7. BARBIE BEAUTY CO
A Hope Island eyelash technician says she hasn’t looked back since quitting her full-time job in law to pursue her “side hustle”.
Barbie Beauty and Co owner Katie Mills started her business out of her lounge room in 2022.
“I always knew I wanted to be in beauty but never knew what exactly it was that I was interested in,” Ms Mills said.
She said “it takes a certain type of person” to crack the field.
“A lot of people look at getting into the industry because they see dollar signs but there is so much more to consider,” Ms Mills said.
“It is a demanding job and you will need to work in with your clients.
“The industry might be saturated, but if you do a good job you will be able to gain your clientele and succeed.”
Ms Mills has fixed her fair share of questionable work, but said quality eyelash extensions wouldn’t irritate your eyes.
“(I had a client who) had been going to the same tech for three years and they were friends,” she said.
“She had big, mega lashes on and I couldn’t even separate them — they were all stuck together.
“The client thought it was normal for extension to make your eyes irritated.”
6. SIMPLY DIVINE LASHES BY LAURA PERRETT
Laura Perrett started her eyelash business in 2018 and is now known as one of Australia’s top choice for natural-looking lashes.
Ms Perrett said she opened her Tallai business Simply Divine Lashes to “champion natural-looking eyelash extensions”.
Ms Perrett said she takes around 10 to 13 clients over a four-day week and earns up to $1000 a day.
“The hardest part is getting potential clients to notice the benefits of opting for natural and quality lashes instead of cheaper, damaging ones,” she said.
“I always love it when my clients tell me that people ask if their lashes are real or fake.
“Lash extensions should always enhance, never dampen.”
Ms Perret said thanks to “advancements in techniques and materials … extensions can now be customised to achieve any desired look”.
“A skilled technician can seamlessly create the perfect, natural appearance.”
5. EIFFEL BEAUTY BY PARIS HEI
A Gold Coast eyelash technician has warned beauty buffs risking cheap extensions they could pay the price.
Helensvale’s Eiffel Beauty owner Paris Hei said she’s seen some horror stories in the year and a half of operating her business.
“I had to remove a lash set (done by somebody else) that was completely clumped together,” she said.
“It was at the point where I was sitting there praying for the lady’s natural lashes.
“Thankfully I was able to remove them carefully with the right and safe products.”
Ms Hei completed a Classic Eyelash Extension Online Course with Bela Beauty College in 2021, opening her own business in July 2022.
Her advice for those eyeing off eyelash extensions was to “avoid going to someone cheap and get your money’s worth by going to someone who cares about your lash health”.
She said a major misconception was that extensions ruined natural lashes.
“It really depends on the lash tech and how well they apply the extensions,” Ms Hei said.
“The after-care is what is most important. A common mistake many people make is picking their lash extensions, which results in damaging your natural lashes.”
4. BABYLASHCO BY TAY LOUGHNANE
Burleigh’s Baby Lash Co owner Tay Loughnane says, while it seems like so many people work in the field, there are “very few great artists”.
Ms Loughnane opened her business in 2018 after moving from country Victoria and “not knowing a single person”.
“I started the business because I wanted more flexibility to be with my family and my mum who was unwell,” Ms Loughnane said.
She said there hasn’t been “one challenging moment” but rather “moments of growth and development”.
Ms Loughnane now has three other members in her team, fellow artists Caity Lacey and Zena Winfer and salon assistant Satene Arnold.
“I don’t have an end goal in mind, I think the wave we’re creating within the lash world is beautiful,” she said.
Ms Loughnane said she hoped to see eyelash technician day courses be phased out and more traineeships introduced.
3. I AM BEAUTY
This mother-daughter team have been named the third best eyelash technicians on the Gold Coast.
Helensvale-based business I Am Beauty recently added two new members to its family crew and on March 16 announced it was launching online courses for eyebrow lamination, tinting, wax and eyelash extensions.
“The wait is almost over,” they posted on Instagram.
“Seven days and our courses are live.
“Cannot wait to share our magic with you all.”
2. THE FRESH EFFECT
Amy Kelly says owning a beauty business can be “very demanding” and “takes a toll on your body” but she wouldn’t change it for the world.
Ms Kelly opened her Pacific Pines eyelash business The Fresh Effect in 2018 and has been named runner-up by Gold Coast Bulletin readers.
She said she struggled with trying to balance self-care with long days, admin tasks and marketing strategies.
“It can take a toll on your body,” Ms Kelly said.
“Every challenge is an opportunity for growth.
“I believe if you stay passionate, positive and committed to your vision, you’ll be able to conquer all challenges in the process.”
Ms Kelly said she has around six to eight clients a day but loved the flexibility of the hours which could work around her personal life.
She said that one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry was that eyelash extensions are a one-size-fits-all service.
“There are no two people with the same natural lashes and eye shape,” Ms Kelly said.
“This is why I love customising my sets to suit my clients natural beauty.”
1. S. BBEAUTY BY SHANIA GIBSON
Shania Gibson started her own business as an eyelash technician as a 16-year-old and three years later she has been named as the best on the Gold Coast.
She established her Coomera business, S.Bbeautyy, in her parents’ spare room.
Ms Gibson said she was renowned for doing her fellow classmates eyelashes when she was at school.
“By the time year 12 rolled around, I ditched my part-time job to lash most afternoons after school and even expanded to Saturdays as I was gaining regular clients,” she said.
“I remember telling myself ‘once I graduate, I’ll give this my all and see if I can build a full clientele. If not, I’ll look for another job’.
“I have been fully booked ever since.”
Ms Gibson said while running a business was “tough”, she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“The most challenging aspect of being an eyelash technician and business owner is often balancing home and business life,” she said.
Ms Gibson said she was excited to announce she was releasing an e-book tailored for people looking to enter the beauty industry.
“They contain valuable insights, techniques, and tips that I’ve gathered throughout my career, and I’m excited to share them with the community,” she said.
Ms Gibson said she was grateful to her loyal customer base for supporting throughout the past three years.
She said she was greeted with a big congratulations from her family after winning the Bulletin’s competition.
“As soon as I walked through the door my aunty, uncle and cousins were over with a bottle of champagne waiting for me to celebrate.”
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Originally published as S.Bbeauty, The Fresh Effect, I Am Beauty named in the top 10 best eyelash technicians on the Gold Coast
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