As a lash artist, I made a few mistakes along the way. In this blog, I share my personal experiences with people-pleasing, money management, emotions, and shiny object syndrome—and the valuable lessons I’ve learned.
Embracing My Mistakes as a Lash Artist
When I first started my journey as a lash artist, I had no idea just how much I would learn, both about the art of lashes and about myself. Like many others in this career, I made my fair share of mistakes—some of which taught me more than any training course or mentorship ever could. In this blog, I’ll open up about the biggest mistakes I made as a lash artist, including being a people-pleaser, mismanaging my finances, letting my emotions affect my work, and falling victim to shiny object syndrome. I’m sharing these lessons in hopes that they help other aspiring lash artists avoid the same pitfalls and build a more fulfilling career.
The People-Pleaser Dilemma: Trying to Keep Everyone Happy
As a new lash artist, I was eager to please everyone. I wanted to make every client happy, and this desire to be liked often led me to overextend myself. I would take on clients I wasn’t comfortable with, offer discounts I couldn’t afford, and even work overtime just to avoid disappointing anyone.
Mistake: I allowed the pressure to please my clients to take a toll on my mental and emotional health. Over time, this resulted in burnout, frustration, and a lack of satisfaction with my work.
Lesson Learned: Setting boundaries is essential in this business. While it’s important to be accommodating, it’s just as important to respect your own time and limits. I’ve learned to communicate more clearly with clients about my availability, pricing, and expectations. Setting boundaries not only protects my well-being but also helps me maintain a healthier, more sustainable business.
Not Handling My Money Right: The Struggle with Financial Slip-Ups
When I started as a lash artist, I was so focused on building my skills and client base that I neglected the financial side of my business. I didn’t keep track of my income and expenses, didn’t set aside money for taxes, and often found myself scrambling when it was time to pay bills.
Mistake: Not budgeting properly and mismanaging funds led to financial stress. I would often spend money on products I didn’t need or overestimate how much I could spend on marketing or supplies. This made it harder to keep my business running smoothly and led to unnecessary debt.
Lesson Learned: Financial management is just as important as the artistry itself. I had to start tracking my income and expenses, setting aside money for taxes, and learning how to budget effectively. Now, I make sure I save for emergencies and allocate funds for business growth, marketing, and continuing education. Staying financially organized has given me peace of mind and helped my business grow steadily.
Letting My Emotions Get the Best of Me: The Downside of Overthinking
As a creative professional, I’m naturally an emotional person, and there were times when I let my emotions get the best of me. Whether it was a difficult client, a mistake in my work, or a missed opportunity, I would often overthink and let self-doubt creep in. It would affect my mood and my performance.
Mistake: Letting my emotions dictate my actions resulted in unnecessary stress and negatively impacted my confidence and work. I would beat myself up over small mistakes, which only slowed my progress.
Lesson Learned: I’ve learned that it’s important to manage my emotions and not let them control my decisions. When a client isn’t happy or something goes wrong, I now approach the situation with a problem-solving mindset rather than letting fear or frustration take over. Emotions are part of the process, but they shouldn’t dictate the outcome. I’ve also found that taking time for self-care, whether it’s a short walk, deep breathing, or journaling, helps me reset and refocus.
4. Shiny Object Syndrome: Jumping on Every New Trend
In the beauty industry, there’s always a new product, tool, or trend to try. When I first started, I was constantly chasing after the next shiny object—whether it was a new lash technique, a new product I didn’t really need, or a new business strategy that promised instant success.
Mistake: I would get distracted by the latest trends or “hacks” and jump into them without properly assessing whether they aligned with my goals or fit into my business. I’d spend money on tools that didn’t add value or try new techniques before mastering the basics.
Lesson Learned: Focus is key. I’ve learned to stop chasing every new trend and instead, concentrate on refining my skills and building a solid foundation for my business. While it’s important to stay updated and innovate, I now make sure that any new product, technique, or trend I try aligns with my long-term vision and goals. I stick to what works, and that consistency has paid off.
Growth Through Mistakes
As a lash artist, I’ve made mistakes—but I’ve also grown from them. By recognizing my tendency to please others, learning the importance of financial management, controlling my emotions, and avoiding the trap of shiny object syndrome, I’ve built a stronger, more focused business. Mistakes are a part of the journey, and they don’t define you. It’s how you learn from them that shapes your success.
If you’re a lash artist—or anyone in the beauty industry—don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Instead, use them as stepping stones to grow and evolve.
The key is to keep learning, stay true to your goals, and have patience with yourself. Building a successful lash business takes time, but with each lesson learned, you’re one step closer to the thriving career you’ve always dreamed of.
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