Meet Sarah - Talent Team Founding Member
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your nail journey?
Hey, I’m Sarah Taylor, owner of Lipstick & Lashes Beauty. I have a small private salon in Sunderland. I also juggle wife & mam life which can be challenging when running a busy business.
What inspired you to become a nail technician?
I started out in the beauty industry when I left school but didn’t stick at it. When I was made redundant aged 27, I decided to go back into the beauty industry & I’ve never looked back. Fun fact, the salon that is now mine, I worked in as an apprentice when I was 28 for another salon owner, I loved the building and love it even more now its my own business in there!
What inspires your work / creativity?
I think being made redundant definitely played a part in the start of my journey, but I’m also a big believer of “you’re never too old to retrain” and having my two girls at the time, I wanted to inspire them to chase their dreams. I also love to make people feel good about themselves, I love being a listening ear and helping others to unwind & relax.
Samantha Cox from The Daily Nail inspires me to continually learn and grow. She’s a true inspiration to many in the industry; her nail knowledge is outstanding. Amy Guy from The Nail Tech Org is also another one of my inspirations, her dedication to our industry, bringing us altogether is exactly what this industry needs. Positivity literally shines out of her. There are also many others who inspire me daily.
Is there a go-to nail look or design that never gets old for you?
I absolutely love a clean, classic, sheer manicure or a timeless French. PRO COLOUR Sweetheart is my go-to shade for achieving those. I also love a dark nail in Autumn/Winter using Merlot or Oxblood.
What do you specialise in?
I would say I specialise in Natural nail health & the simple, clean & classic finishes.
What advice would you give someone new to the industry?
My advice would be to not let social media & imposter syndrome affect you. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others, especially to those who have been in the industry longer. I would also say, work on the basics first. Practice your cuticle prep, filing different nail shapes, perfect your application, then work on nail art etc. But working on the foundations is the most important, everything else will follow with time & experience. Don’t rush!
What does being a part of The Talent Team mean to you?
Being a part of the IH Talent Team means so much. To have been chosen to join because of my own work is incredible. After a few hard and mentally challenging years after covid this means everything.
What are your top Five IH Products?
- Pro Base & Build, I love this as a base or for adding a structured layer to the nails.
- Sweetheart, the perfect base for French or Nail Art.
- Merlot, an absolute classic for Autumn & Winter.
- Design Gels in the shades Blanc & Onyx. These are amazing for creating a French Manicure or doing any nail art. They are super pigmented and a little goes a long way.
- British Red, again another staple in my kit. You can’t go wrong with a classic pillar box red.
What do you hope to bring to our community of nail techs and enthusiasts?
I hope to inspire others to start their own journey no matter how old you are. From the moment I became self-employed back in 2012, I dreamed of having my own salon, I kept pushing and manifesting and in 2018 my dream became a reality. It wasn’t an easy ride but it was definitely worth it.
How do you use social media to connect with your audience and showcase your work?
Instagram is my main social media platform, although I do also use Facebook & sometimes TikTok. When I have the time, I do enjoy creating reels of me painting nails or prepping the nail. I also love taking photos of my work or areas in my salon to give others a peek into my work and salon. I would say I probably enjoy tutorials the most of the before and after, these are things I enjoy watching myself.
Do you have any tips for other nail techs looking to grow their online presence?
My tip would be to enjoy social media. Don’t take it too seriously. It’s so easy to get caught up in brands noticing you, having an aesthetic looking feed, following the latest trends etc but being authentic is what really matters. Potential clients want to see a little insight into you & your work. As Hannah Beth (Studio by Hannah Beth) would say “Do you”.
How do you stay inspired and keep your content fresh and engaging?
Staying inspired and keeping my content fresh and engaging is something I have really struggled with the past few years. I think after the Covid lockdowns, life changed and my business changed. Instagram’s algorithm makes it hard for content to be seen, especially smaller accounts with a small following and I find that sometimes makes me not want to post. But now I have the “I’ll post what I want” mindset and it’s also helped looking into my insights and learning what works, helps to keep me focused. I also enjoy taking inspiration from others on social media which helps me create my own content.
Instagram: @lipstickandlashesbeauty
Facebook: Lipstick & Lashes Beauty
TikTok: @lipstickandlashesbeauty
Lipstick & Lashes Beauty is based in Roker, Sunderland. North East