Beauty Boss: Anna Phillips, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of The Lash Lounge
Anna Phillips.
Our latest Beauty Boss is Anna Phillips, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of The Lash Lounge—the first premier salon dedicated to eyelash extensions in the U.S. that now has 115 locations across 30 states. After changing careers in the early 2000s, she followed her true passion for helping others feel good about themselves and became a licensed masseuse and esthetician.
Upon discovering semi-permanent lash extensions when they were brand-new in the U.S., Phillips became one of the first providers to offer the service in the country. Due to the overwhelming demand she received, in 2006 she opened the first Lash Lounge, a full salon dedicated exclusively to providing lash extensions. Since then her franchise has continued to grow by leaps and bounds, and she has awarded more than 300 licenses.
Services offered included everything from brow and lash tinting to eyebrow threading and lash lifts, and memberships are also available. The Lash Lounge also has created its own line of products for lash extensions that are sold exclusively in their salons and include everything from mascara and cleansing solution to eye masks and more.
We chatted with Phillips, who shared her journey in the beauty and wellness industry, secrets for success, wellness tips, favorite beauty products, and much more.
When was The Lash Lounge founded?
I opened the first Lash Lounge in 2006 as the first salon of its kind dedicated exclusively to lash extensions. An instant success, I decided to open two more salons within the first two years of launching the business.
What inspired its creation?
After coming to a career crossroads in the early 2000s, I knew it was the right time to make a change. I made the decision to leave Corporate America and decided to pursue my lifelong passion of helping others feel more confident about themselves; I became a licensed masseuse and esthetician. After obtaining my license, I was hired as one of the first massage therapists at Google. Working with such amazing people and being in that exciting environment really ignited my entrepreneurial spirit.
Shortly thereafter, I moved to Texas with my husband where I discovered semi-permanent lash extensions, a brand-new beauty service in the U.S. at the time. I was immediately intrigued. After learning more, I became one of the first to offer this service in the country.
After experiencing overwhelming demand for my eyelash extension services, I had what I would call a “light-bulb” moment: What if I opened my own salon dedicated exclusively to lash extensions? I took a leap of faith and opened my first Lash Lounge in 2006.
An instant success, I opened two more salons within the first two years and, after the third, realized that, with no signs of stopping, there was an opportunity to franchise the brand. In 2009, I did just that.
Fast-forward to today and we currently have 114 locations across 30 states, where all stylists are certified on the exclusive lash design technique I created just for The Lash Lounge. It’s a proprietary method centered around providing safe, customized design that highlights our guests’ unique eye shape and natural beauty.
What services do you offer?
The Lash Lounge offers eyelash and eyebrow services that make the eyes pop! Our services include eyelash extensions, lash lifts, eyebrow threading, brow and lash tinting, and brow lamination. Services and prices vary by location.
Do you have a specialty/signature treatment?
Our signature service is definitely our lash extensions. It’s how we got our start, it’s how we established a name for ourselves, and our consistent, quality services have allowed us to continue to grow our membership base and recruit franchise owners across the country. It continues to be our most popular service.
This is, in large part, due to the care we take to provide quality, custom lash looks. Our expert stylists undergo extensive training to learn, then master our exclusive lash design technique before earning their Lash Lounge certification. Aside from technical education on lash applications, such as classic, hybrid, volume and mega volume, they learn to artistically personalize extension texturization, lengths and thicknesses, so that they’re safe for the natural lashes and best complement each unique face.
Tell us more about your products and where they can be purchased.
Our line of lash care products was developed to keep your natural lashes safe and to extend the life of your extensions. The full line is available in Lash Lounge locations around the country. Three of my favorite products are:
Lash Detox is our oil-free, vegan foaming lash cleanser that gently removes oil, makeup and debris from your lashes, while natural ingredients strengthen and nourish your hair and skin.
Lash Armor is a lash coating that protects, seals and strengthens the extension’s adhesive bond, while natural vitamins and extracts promote healthier, stronger lash regrowth.
The Lash Lounge Amplify + Extend Mascara Duo delivers both lengthening and volumizing magic, while proteins and vitamins like keratin, collagen and Provitamin B5 condition and strengthen your natural lashes.
The Lash Lounge is a premier salon franchise dedicated to eyelash extensions in the U.S. that now has 115 locations across 30 states.
Future plans for the brand?
Expansion! We have sold hundreds of Lash Lounge licenses and look forward to continuing to open new salons across the U.S.
Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by many people, particularly disruptors whose success involves building something from the ground up, overcoming adversity and never giving up on their vision.
Secret to success?
I believe it’s important to find something you are really passionate about; that is half the battle. Once you find your passion, your purpose falls into line.
Every day, I feel lucky that I came across a great beauty service when it was emerging, had the instinct about its potential and seized the opportunity that was presented to me. I didn’t go to an Ivy League school, develop cutting-edge technology or even come from a long line of entrepreneurs, so my hope is that women who think to themselves, “There’s no way I can do that” realize that they actually can!
Beauty secrets?
Aside from lash extensions, of course, it has to be both my Vitamin C concentrate by SKOAH and my ILIA Illuminator stick (in Stella). They keep me looking youthful! I also have to talk about castor oil! It improves everything—from skin and nails to hair, health, stretch marks, acne, inflammation, scars, etc…it’s the underutilized miracle oil!
Wellness tips?
In my experience, I have had to focus on the wellness of both my body and mind in order to run at my peak performance level. What works great for me is doing a juice cleanse whenever I start to feel sluggish, combined with regular meditation to clear the noise and help me focus.
Best advice?
Be patient. Be grateful. Be resilient. It’s easy to feel pressure that, in order to keep up with everything, you have to make quick decisions and say yes to every request, especially when you’re in the early stages of growing your business. But over time, I’ve learned the power of taking time to slow down and thoughtfully consider decisions. This has allowed me to devote my valuable time and energy to the most impactful priorities for our brand.
How do you like to relax?
My brain is always going a million miles per hour, plus I feel like we as a society are bombarded with so much “noise” every day, all day long. So, for me to relax, I have to get to a place where I have zero distractions—no noise coming at me, no urgency or plans. Then, I can just be silent with my thoughts and clear my head.
For more information, visit the website and follow on Instagram: @thelashlounge
[Images courtesy of The Lash Lounge]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk