Imposter Syndrome in the Beauty Industry: Why Even Successful Lash Artists Struggle with Self-Doubt

Imposter Syndrome in the Beauty Industry: Why Even Successful Lash Artists Struggle with Self-Doubt

Have you ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through Instagram or Facebook late at night, comparing your work to other lash artists and feeling like you’re not good enough? You’re not alone. That creeping sense of self-doubt has a name: Imposter Syndrome. And in the world of beauty, it’s more common than you think.

What Is Imposter Syndrome? By definition, Imposter Syndrome is the persistent feeling that your success isn’t deserved or that you’ve somehow fooled others into thinking you’re more capable than you truly are. Despite your accomplishments, you may constantly feel like a fraud.

It’s a silent struggle that affects even the most talented professionals—especially in creative industries where perfectionism and comparison culture are high.

Social Media vs. Reality In an age of perfectly curated salon feeds, professional lighting, and stunningly edited selfies, it’s easy to feel like you don’t measure up. What you don’t see behind those picture-perfect posts is the 79 deleted photos, the stress over capturing the right angle, or the technician frustrated with lighting while trying to keep their feed "on brand."

It’s important to remember that social media is a highlight reel, not real life.

Success Doesn’t Erase Self-Doubt Even with a thriving business, I’ve experienced Imposter Syndrome. I run Lashes On Point—an award-winning Russian Volume salon in Melbourne, known for our handcrafted lash artistry and industry-leading training programs. I mentor aspiring lash artists and speak at global events.

Yet, I still sometimes wonder if I belong, if I know enough, or if my work is good enough. And I know I’m not alone—so many incredible lash artists share these feelings.

Your Experience Matters Everyone has something valuable to bring to the table. Our unique experiences shape the way we learn, teach, and inspire others.

For example, early in my career, I was lashing around the clock, ignoring my health. Poor posture, lack of self-care, and non-stop work led to debilitating cluster migraines. It was a painful, scary chapter that nearly ended my career before it truly started.

Years later, I shared this story during a global 24-hour Lash Conference where I was invited as one of 48 international lash leaders. My talk, "Posture: The Killer of a Lash Artist," resonated deeply with others in the industry who had experienced similar challenges. That’s the power of lived experience.

What You Don’t See on Instagram You won’t find photos of my weekly osteopath visits, my 5-day workout routine to support my spine, or the stash of migraine medication I keep "just in case."

What you do see is a thriving salon, a strong team, and luxurious Russian Volume sets. But behind the scenes is a story of resilience, learning, and growth—just like yours.

You Are Not an Imposter If you're just starting out or feel like you’re still finding your place, know this: you belong here. Whether you’re lashing from a home studio or leading a full team, your voice, your story, and your skills matter.

You don’t have to fit into someone else’s category. You can create your own.

So next time you’re tempted to compare your journey to a curated Instagram post, pause. Celebrate your wins. Embrace your setbacks. And remember that you are more than enough.

With love,

Nina Andrews
Founder of Lashes On Point Salon, Melbourne