Meet Ashley Andrews

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Andrews.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Beauty and art have always been a passion of mines. There is something humbling yet empowering about helping people find their beauty and confidence, inside and out

I started my beauty career in 2003. After deciding, I would pursue a career as a cosmetologist. With the goal to do hair. I decided to enroll in a beauty school full-time. I ABSOLUTELY loved my experience attending beauty school. After 1 year I was able to complete my required 1600 hours, graduated and received my cosmetology license in April 2004. After receiving my license I decided to return back to school to attend the Esthetician course. So after 600 more hours of school. I completed that course and was officially both licensed as a cosmetologist and esthetician. I can honestly say this was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

In pursuit of this all. I fell in love with haircutting. So I decided I would specialize in just cutting hair. I did some assisting for a few stylists for the first year. Did some continuous education. Then decided I was ready to move into strictly haircutting. Funny enough I decided to apply at supercuts because why not?! I knew that’s they provided training and I would be able to get my real experience with just cutting hair all day. I really loved that job. Most people think Supercuts and RUN. However, I learned so much about cutting techniques working there. We were trained to cut the Supercuts way. Which I still use when I do cuts. I was doing 10-12 haircuts. Really helped me become confident in my cutting skills. I still go get my haircut at Supercuts. (Have to find the right stylist though, lol.). After working with Supercuts for about two years I decided it was time to move on and become an independent stylist. Still specializing in haircutting. I rented a space in a salon and continued to do hair. Mostly cutting and some color.

Then there was MAC. In 2005 a good friend on mine became a freelancer with MAC Cosmetics. We always loved doing makeup, so I decided to interview to freelance with them as well and got the job. Fell in LOVE with the company. I began to feel myself wanting to become a permanent artist. Not just freelance which was more so a non-contracted artist who only worked when hours were available or as needed. I was living in Murrieta at the time and was looking to move back to the LA area. So I decided to look for a full-time position with MAC. Still doing hair, I ended up getting a position with MAC in Sherman Oaks. I was so excited. So I need up moving back to Los Angeles. I love love loved my job. The company, the culture and everything it represented. I mean who wouldn’t want to dress in black, glammed up and play with makeup every day ?!

In 2012 after being with MAC-for over seven years. The company started to go in a different direction. A direction I wasn’t happy with so I decided to leave the company. Not the easiest decision. I was super comfortable with the company, it was safe. Was making good money, and great benefits. After doing hair being your own boss to working for MAC and having to answer to someone. Having someone make your schedule for you. I was now leaving my job security and not really sure what direction I wanted to go. A friend of mine was doing eyelash extensions and It had sparked my interest before. I remember thinking “Do people really get their eyelashes done?”. Like enough for it to be a business??. Little did I know how popular It had become. After talking to my friend, I decided that I would get trained to do eyelash extensions. I always thank her and tell her she is the reason I decided to get into the eyelash extension business. I had no idea I would fall in love with doing eyelashes. I ended up getting a job offer three months after the training. Thinking this was going to be a part-time thing. I quickly got booked and it turned into me working 5-6 days a week, to me helping manage the salon and providing eyelash extension training for those who wanted to learn the technique. Fast forward six years and hundreds of lash set later. I decided in 2018 to part with the salon I was working at and start my own business. The timing was perfect. I was able to find a great location. I have now been open for 4 years. I am so happy and grateful for my journey. I could not imagine being anywhere else. Owning a business definitely takes a lot of work, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. People sometimes ask if I still like what I’m doing? My answer to that is no…I LOVE what I’m doing!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I think I struggled the most in the earlier part of my career. Like most things, there are obstacles. The first 1-2 years in the beauty industry is REALLY hard. You’re working long hours, getting used to being on your feet all day, not making a ton of money, building a clientele and honing skills. It’s tough. But if you’re able to work through it, tackle challenges and weaknesses head-on, you can make great money.

Starting a new career or moving a different direction in the same career field can always be challenging. Especially in the beauty industry because it’s a service-based industry. There is so much competition. So I learned early on in my career to pick 1 or 2 services you love and become great at them. Invest in them. Don’t over-provide. Specialize in them so people will trust you and come to you for those things specifically. I remember when I got out of cosmetology school I wanted to do it all – color, cutting, perming, nails, facials… etc. Didn’t realize it wasn’t that easy. Some of those things I was good at and some of those things I had lots of work to do to become good at. Not to mention I need clients who are looking to get these services done. It became very stressful and overwhelming. So, from there on I decided I would only provide specialty services.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the owner of Lash Art LA. Located in North Hollywood. We specialize in Eyelash Extensions & Custom skincare treatments. A majority of my clients get eyelash extension services. Usually booked out about two weeks. Servicing 30+ Clients a week by appointment only.

I’ve been in this industry for 18 years. Lashing for almost 10 years and I still really enjoy it. I absolutely love all my clients. Most have been with me for years. I would say I am most proud of my relationships with my clients. We have such great relationships. I really care and respect each and every single one of my clients. Not only are these my clients, these are my friends. The love and respect is so mutual. Which makes my job so much more enjoyable. I think what sets me apart from others is my consistency and reliability. Keeping a pretty consistent schedule is very helpful to clients. Nothing is worse than a lash artist who constantly cancels and reschedules their client’s appointment. So my top priority has always been to show up and make my clients feel like that can always count on me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Honestly, Luck has always been on my side. In life and business. I would also add that I am a very calculated decision-maker. I think about every aspect before I decide. Some would say that’s not a good thing. It’s always worked for me,

Pricing:

• *Full sets of classic eyelash extensions $225
• *Full sets of volume eyelash extensions $250
• Customer skin treatment $100 and up

Contact Info:

• Website: Lashartla.com
• Instagram: @Lash_art_la
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/lash-art-la-north-hollywood