In a Funk? How to Find Inspiration Again as a Lash or Brow Artist

You've been working as a lash or brow artist for years, you know what you're doing, you're booked and busy with clients; but somewhere along the way, you start to feel a little stuck.

Maybe you're feeling uninspired or bored. Maybe you're questioning whether you're doing enough with your career. Maybe you're feeling complacent, or wondering if you should be doing something completely different.

When you've been doing the same thing for years, it's easy for something you once found exciting to start feeling mundane and uninspiring. That doesn't necessarily mean you've chosen the wrong career or that it's time to walk away from the beauty industry.

Here are a few ways that can help lash and brow artists find a little inspiration again.

Keep Learning

As lash or brow artists, we should never feel like we've learned everything there is to learn.

Even if you've been a service provider for years, there is always room to refine your techniques, different approaches to try, or new perspectives that can change the way you work.

Take a course that builds on the skills you already have. Maybe you've always wanted to improve your volume techniques, explore advanced mapping or become more confident with brow shaping. Continuing your education gives you something new to work toward while also reminding you how much there still is to learn.

And education doesn't always have to be directly related to your trade. Try a course on social media, photography, content creation, public speaking, business or customer service. Learning something that supports your business in a different way can introduce a completely new element to your work and the services you provide.

You don't always need another certification. Sometimes you just need something new to learn.

Learn a New Service

There is something really refreshing about being a beginner again.

When you've been working in the industry for a long time, you've probably developed a routine that you can practically do on autopilot. While there's obviously value in being experienced and efficient, doing the same thing over and over can eventually start to feel very repetitive.

Learning a new service gives you an opportunity to challenge yourself again. You're researching, practicing, making mistakes, figuring things out and watching yourself improve. It brings back that feeling of being a student and sometimes that's exactly what we need.

It could be a new service that complements your existing offerings, or something completely different that you've always been curious about.

You might just discover something you love.

Connect With Other Beauty Professionals

If you’re a solo artist, you probably understand how isolating it can feel.

You can spend an entire day talking to clients without actually talking to another person who understands what it's like to do your job.

For the past several months, I've been getting together regularly with a few other beauty service providers. We plan lunches and outings, and naturally we end up talking about our businesses, our clients, the highs, and the lows. Recently, we were talking about how several of us were feeling a little stuck or in a funk. It was nice to hear that I wasn't the only one feeling that way. Sometimes you don't need someone to give you advice or solve the problem. You just need someone who understands.

Make an effort to connect with other artists and beauty professionals. Go for coffee, attend an industry event, take an in-person course or join a local beauty community. Even just getting out and talking to people who understand your industry can make a bigger difference than you might expect.

Take a Real Break

Many of us have been working five, six, or even seven days a week, grinding and trying to build our businesses and clientele. And I know by experience how easy it is to convince yourself that one day off is enough. But sometimes you need more than a single day to catch up on laundry or things you’ve been putting off.

Take a few days to yourself. Sleep in. Stay home. Spend time with your family. Go somewhere. Do absolutely nothing. And try not to feel guilty about it.

If you can, plan a holiday or a short getaway. Having something to look forward to can be surprisingly motivating when you're feeling stuck in your routine. At the end of the day, a job is still a job. It's not realistic to expect yourself to feel passionate and inspired every single day, no matter what career you're in. Sometimes you just need a little time away from it.

Get Out From Behind the Chair

Sometimes inspiration comes from seeing your industry from a different perspective.

Attend a beauty show. Go to a conference. Watch another artist work. Visit a beauty school. Attend an industry event or spend a day learning from someone whose work is completely different from yours.

When you're in the same environment every day, it's easy to forget how much is happening outside of your own little corner of the industry. Getting out, meeting people and seeing what other artists are doing can remind you why you got into this industry in the first place.

Change Your Environment

You don't always need to make a huge change. Sometimes, changing your surroundings can be enough to make your routine feel a little different.

Try rearranging your studio, doing a deep clean, organizing your space, changing your decor, or finally getting to that little project you've been putting off. Even small changes can make your workspace feel fresh again. And when you spend so much of your time in the same space, it can make a bigger difference than you'd think.

Create Just For Fun

When you're running a business that can heavily depend on social media presence, it's easy for creativity to become another form of work. It feels like every post needs to perform, every picture needs to look perfect, and all of your efforts need to result in new clients.

But what if you created something simply because you wanted to? Like trying a lash style you've been curious about, experimenting with colour or mapping, or trying something outside of your comfort zone.

Remove the idea of pressures and just create. And maybe the fun and inspiration comes back.

Give Yourself Something to Work Toward

Sometimes a lack of motivation comes from simply not having anything to look forward to.

Try setting a goal for yourself. It doesn't have to be a big career goal. It can be as simple as improving your retention, mastering a specific lash style, learning a new mapping technique, completing one course a year, or regularly creating the content you’ve been wanting to.

Having something to work toward can make your everyday routine feel a little more purposeful. Never underestimate the satisfaction of seeing yourself improve; even in small ways!

Revisit Why You Started

Think back to when you first started in the industry. What made you excited about it?

Maybe it was the creativity. Maybe you loved making people feel confident. Maybe you wanted the flexibility of being your own boss and having control of your schedule. Maybe you loved meeting new clients and building relationships with them.

Whatever it was, think about whether that part of your career is still there. And if it isn't, that's okay too. Our priorities change. Our lives change. What we want from our careers can change.

Maybe the thing that inspired you five years ago isn't what inspires you today. That doesn't mean you've failed; it might just mean you're ready for something new.

And Remember, You Don't Have to Love Your Job Every Single Day

I think this is probably the most important part. There can be a lot of pressure in the beauty industry to constantly be growing, creating, posting, learning and chasing the next thing.

But sometimes you're just in a funk. That doesn't automatically mean you need to change careers. You can love what you do and still get bored. You can be grateful for your business and still need a break. You can be proud of how far you've come and still want something new. A career doesn't have to feel exciting every single day to still be the right career for you.

So, if you're feeling a little uninspired lately, don't immediately assume that something is wrong. Ask yourself what you actually need. And maybe, you'll realize you don't need a new career at all.

You just needed a reason to feel excited about it again.

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Take advantage of our free webinars on YouTube, where our education team discusses technical skills, business topics, and industry trends. If you're looking to challenge yourself further, explore our online courses and continue investing in your growth as an artist.