S.Bbeautyy owner Shania Gibson named as best eyelash technician on the Gold Coast
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. Read her story
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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.
Ms Gibson – who was in the top 100 finalists on the Gold Coast – was recently voted by Bulletin readers as the best eyelash technician in the region.
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.”
The top 10 finalists will be announced on April 12.
BARBIE BEAUTY AND CO NAMED AS FINALIST
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 — recently named as a finalist in the Gold Coast Bulletin’s best eyelash technician vote — said she 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.”
Voting to crown the Gold Coast’s best eyelash technician has been extended until Sunday at 6pm.
LUXXE LOUNGE NAMED AS FINALIST
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 — recently named as a finalist for the Gold Coast’s best lash tech — 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.”
Voting to find the Gold Coast’s best eyelash technician closes on March 8 at 6pm.
The winner will be announced in this newspaper and at goldcoastbulletin.com.au
EIFFEL BEAUTY NAMED AS FINALIST
A Gold Coast eyelash technician has warned beauty buffs risking cheap extensions they could pay the price.
Helensvale’s Eiffel Beauty owner Paris Hei — recently named as a finalist for the city’s best eyelash technician — 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.”
Voting is currently underway at goldcoastbulletin.com.au to find the Gold Coast’s best eyelash technician, with Ms Hei one of 100 finalists after a record field of nominations.
“A massive shout out to those who have been with me right from the beginning,” she said.
“They have seen me go through it all and I can’t thank you enough.”
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Facebook nominations are now open and close on Friday, March 1 @ 6pm.
Nominations, via the comment section on our Facebook post, will be calculated and finalists will be announced on Friday, March 1 @ 6pm.
Finalist voting will be a subscriber-only poll vote that runs on the Bulletin website.
The poll will close on Friday, March 8 @ 6pm.
The winner will be announced in the Gold Coast Bulletin paper and online.
**Note nominations from outside the City of Gold Coast will not be counted**
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