Beauty Box Interview - Long Lashes creator Belinda Robinson
We all love a great product free from nasty chemicals and beneficial to our beauty regime. Yet we love it even more when there is a great story to back it up. Two Aussie mums set out to develop the perfect natural alternative to what we all want… longer fuller lashes and thick bold brows! Today, we interview Co-founder Belinda Robinson on the importance of natural in the world of lashes.
EXPERT PROFILE:
Belinda Robinson has taken on the Eyelash Enhancing Industry with her partner Felecia Tappenden, with a mission to deliver a high-quality serum minus the harmful ingredients. Belinda previously worked in a sales and marketing roles prior to Long Lashes. She had owned a maternity and children’s wear store as well as a children’s clothing label.
As users of lash serums and victims of the side-effects of harmful ingredients within, the inspiration to harness nature and create safe to use products was something Belinda and Felicia felt passionate enough about, to change their current lives and pursue this dream.
We are grateful to catch Belinda and get a one-on-one interview with her. Enjoy the interview.
Q1: WHY LONG LASHES AND BOLD BROWS? YOU CHANGED CAREERS AND MOVED HEAVENS TO GET THIS OFF THE GROUND. WHY?
BELINDA: We didn’t mean to start a business! We (my business partner and I) were using other lash serums and experienced multiple reactions. Felecia came to me and said, “We should create a better serum that is safer, cheaper and Australian Made, so we know what ingredients are being used and from where!” – From there, it just happened. We injected everything we had into creating what is now truly a dream come true, not just for us, but for many.
Q2: WITH SO MUCH NOISE ABOUT EYELASH & BROW ENHANCERS, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE KEY REASONS WE SHOULD LOOK TO ADD LONG LASHES & BOLD BROWS TO OUR BEAUTY ROUTINE?
BELINDA: Long Lashes and Bold Brows is all about enhancing your own natural beauty – although our products can be used in conjunction with lash extensions. We love getting emails from customers who tell us that they are now more confident with a little mascara and flaunting their own thicker and longer lashes! We love making customers feel good about themselves, especially ones that have gone through significant health issues such as Chemo or have had Alopecia and lost their lashes/ brows. Our product adds confidence to those without risking their well-being.
Q3: HOW FAR HAS THE LASH SERUM INDUSTRY COME OVER THE YEARS AND HOW HAS IT CHANGED?
BELINDA: Customers are becoming better educated about product ingredients, what is good for you and what to avoid. When they notice popular brands being taken off the market for containing added hormones and nasty chemicals – which are narrowly missing the ban list – they begin to investigate why. Customers are now savvier in their product research. So, I feel the industry has moved towards identifying what is safe and reliable in terms of product and designing and evolving brands to be more user friendly.
Q4: HOW DO YOU SEE THE WORLD OF LASHES EVOLVING?
BELINDA: The consumer world is going back to a more natural approach to beauty, so growing your own lashes and brows makes up for a huge part of the beauty regime. If current lash brands want to stay in the game, they have no choice but to incorporate user-friendly and animal friendly ingredients into their products. Evidence shows this is exactly where the Lash Industry is heading. An evolution of chemical-free and cruelty-free beauty products are leading the way we approach beauty.
Q5: WHO WOULD THE LONG LASHES AND BOLD BROWS PRODUCTS BE BEST SUITED FOR?
BELINDA: Anyone who wants longer lashes of course! We find it’s a great product for menopausal ladies, cancer patients (post treatment), mothers-to-be and new mothers (post breast feeding) who find they have thinning hair! Or anyone that wants to have that gorgeous Long Lashes look without chemical enhancements.
Q6: WHEN CHOOSING A LASH OR BROW ENHANCER, WHAT SHOULD WE ALL LOOK FOR?
BELINDA: A safe product – one that doesn’t contain any harmful Prostaglandins in particular. Look for a product you feel you can trust and one that has good before and after photos and user reviews. Understand the brand’s background, origin of ingredients and spend a little time comparing.
Q7: WHAT SETS YOUR PRODUCTS APART FROM THE REST AND HOW DO PEOPLE LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE?
BELINDA: We feel our biggest selling points are that we are Australian Made, and our quality assurance is second to none. Our factory is meticulous, and we know that our ingredients are of the highest standard.
Everyone loves (including us) that we are Vegan and Cruelty Free! To learn more follow us on Instagram via @longlashes.au or its all on our website, https://longlashes.com.au/ And yes, it’s available at Barneys Salon Supplies of course!
Q8: WHEN EDUCATING A CUSTOMER ABOUT CARING FOR YOUR LASHES, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS TO CONSIDER?
BELINDA: Make sure your lashes are always clean with all make up removed before you go to bed, and before you apply any kind of lash product. Make sure you use products that condition your lashes, for example, our serum contains nourishing ingredients that will get your lashes in the best possible condition. We also recommend not having your lashes lifted or tinted too regularly as this can over process the natural lash and cause damage.
Q9: WHAT KEY MOTIVATORS CAME INTO PLAY WHEN DEVELOPING THE LONG LASHES SERUM AND BOLD BROWS ENHANCER?
BELINDA: Australian Made was a big focus for us. We wanted to manufacture here so that we had quality assurance and control over what was sourced, where and how. Our biggest motivator was having a product that was safe without nasty ingredients such as growth hormones, as these can make eyes sensitive and even change in colour!