At Elleebana, we love to champion our incredibly talented artists and love to hear their amazing success stories! This month we spoke to Shannon Boyle, Award Winning Lash Artist, Elleebana Educator and Founder of Shannon Boyle Artistry Educator in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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From following her dreams at 18 to building a successful career in the beauty industry, Shannon’s journey is incredibly inspiring. From leaving school to work full-time as a self-employed Lash Artist from home, Shannon went on to open her own Salon and Training Academy in Belfast, win multiple industry awards and purchase her first house at the age of 24. Now a social media sensation with millions of views on TikTok, Shannon shares her remarkable career journey, from pursuing a career in beauty rather than going to University and how training with Elleebana and becoming an Educator has created so many opportunities, from educating and inspiring artists in their career journeys, networking, speaking at global industry events, to elevating her profile in the industry to becoming a Lash Influencer!
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What inspired you to become a Lash Artist?
I have always been interested in beauty and make-up from an early age. I undertook my first Make-Up Course when I was at school aged 13. I undertook my first eyelashes course at the age of 16 and started my own beauty business working part-time in the evenings, whilst still studying at school. At 18 I left school to pursue a full-time career in the beauty industry, where I worked from home as a self-employed Lash Artist rather than going to University. I now have my own successful salon and training academy in Belfast. Whilst studying make-up, it became evident that the Lash industry offered many lucrative opportunities and that you could earn a good salary as a Lash Artist, which inspired me to enter the industry. Since then, I have developed a lifelong passion for lash artistry and the amazing results that you can achieve.
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How did your family feel about you pursuing a career in beauty rather than going to university?
There were mixed feelings in my family, my Mum was apprehensive initially, as I was the first person in my family to have the opportunity to go to University, however, she understood that I was really motivated to pursue a career in beauty and that my business was doing really well. My Dad saw the potential in my business early on, he could see that it had really taken off and become a very successful and lucrative business. He even said: “Why would you go to Uni when you already earn more than me and your mum together, it is a solid career path for you”. My partner was also incredibly supportive too, we have been together since I was 14 years old and he is always there for me, helping me with my business and giving me the confidence to succeed. It was the support from my family and partner that solidified my decision and gave me the confidence and motivation to follow this career path.
I did actually apply to undertake an Architecture & Interior Design course at University, however, I would have been studying at University for 9 years, if you include both the Undergraduate Course and the Masters Degree. I would then have started on a low graduate salary and been heavily in debt with student loans. It was much more financially viable for me to follow my dreams and pursue a career in beauty, I was able to buy my own house at the age of 24 and be financially secure, which would not have been possible if I had gone to University. I think there is often a stigma that people who work in beauty are not very intelligent. I think that people who work in beauty are incredibly intelligent, they know all about managing finances, how to run your own business, marketing, training staff and setting up investments, it is so much more than just undertaking treatments. The skills I’ve learnt as a beauty entrepreneur have been invaluable and have really set me up for the future and given me strong business and quality life skills.
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What life skills has running your own business taught you?
Running my own business has taught me so many vital life skills from communication skills, such as learning how to speak to people, how to meet client expectations, how to handle complaints and ensure customer satisfaction. It also teaches you marketing skills that are vital when working in the beauty industry, from putting yourself out there on social media, which is a great way to attract new clients and create awareness of your business. I’ve also learnt time management skills, as a business owner you have to be incredibly organised, constantly multi-task and be efficient. I have also learnt how to manage my finances, from income to expenditure, understanding tax, interest rates and pensions etc. I feel it is a shame that they do not teach you these vital life skills at school, as it is really important that people are educated on all these areas to equip them for the real world, especially finances as people need to understand how to manage their money properly. I’ve also learnt how to be patient, which is really important when running your own business.
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How long have you been working in the Lash Industry? What have been your biggest achievements to date?
I have been working in the lash industry for over 10 years. My biggest achievements to date include:
- Winning multiple awards for my Eyelash Extensions at The Lash Social, Lash Festival World Worldwide Eyelash Competition, Lash Master Evolution Eyelash Competition, World Lash University and many more.
- Achieving brand recognition for my Lash Lifts
- Becoming affiliated with Elleebana and becoming an Elleebana Educator and speaking at Elleebana Global Brand events
- On a personal note, it has to be buying my first house at the age of 24, it was a huge achievement after leaving school at 18 and building up a successful business to be able to get on the property ladder at such a young age.
What training courses did you undertake with Elleebana and how has it benefited your career?
I undertook the Elleebana Lash Lift and Elleeplex Lash & Brow Lamination courses. By working with such a world renowned and trusted brand, it has created so many opportunities, from educating and inspiring artists in their career journeys, networking, meeting new people, speaking at global industry events, to raising my profile in the industry. I can also offer my clients excellent treatments using Elleebana’s award-winning range, as well as giving product recommendations on my social media channels. The brand is extremely supportive in everything that I do and I’m very grateful as an artist.
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What inspired you to become an Elleebana Educator?
I absolutely love teaching and it is amazing to inspire my artists in their career journey and to ultimately transform their lives. I first found Elleebana via a Facebook Group and I used the brand for about 5 years before I became an educator. It was then that I realised that Elleebana did not have a brand trainer based in Northern Ireland, I immediately approached the brand about becoming an Elleebana Educator and I have never looked back since!
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You have become a social media sensation with your lash lift videos achieving millions of views on TikTok. What are your tips for Lash Artists wanting to increase their social media presence?
To be authentic and create your own style, there is no set formula. Just be yourself, be individual, be relaxed and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. When I first started out, I used to arrange for models to come into the salon to have complimentary treatments in return for video content for my social channels, but this didn’t really gain much traction on my social media channels.
In summer 2024, I decided to start undertaking my own TikTok videos with my real clients (with their permission), it was a much more relaxed atmosphere and we had so much fun. I would do a stunning close up of one eye for the Lash Lift, so their full face wasn’t on show. It is definitely the ‘before and after’ footage that really sells the treatment. When I put the first video on TikTok in August 2024 it went viral! One of my videos on TikTok generated 25 million views in total, which was incredible! I now have clients approaching me asking to be in one of my TikTok videos, which is amazing!
When creating content, you don’t need to invest in expensive state of the art equipment. An iPhone or an Android Phone, a Tripod and good lighting are all you need to start with.
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What do you love about your job?
I love that I get to tailor treatments to women to enhance their features and make them feel good about themselves. I love a client’s reaction when they see the end result after a Lash Lift, as they are completely mesmerised by their lashes. I also love working for myself and being in charge of my own destiny.
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How many Lash Lifts do you undertake per day?
The maximum I have undertaken is 16 Lash Lifts in a day.
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Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
To build my online presence in the beauty industry through the content that I create and to keep learning as a Lash Artist & Educator.
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What is the best career advice you can give to new artists entering the Lash industry?
The best career advice I can give to new Lash Artists entering the Lash Industry is to listen to the Lash Artists who have been in your position, as they know what it takes to make it in this industry. Be self-motivated and driven, as you have to work really hard in this industry to succeed.
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A talented and ambitious Award Winning Lash Artist & Educator, Shannon proves that with hard work, knowledge and a passion for what you believe in, you can push boundaries, make a lasting impact in the world of beauty and fulfill your dreams.
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View Shannon’s incredible work @shannonboyleartistryeducator and website www.shannonboyleartistryeducator.com