PRIDE In The Lash Industry

Pride, to me, is visibility.

It’s safety.

Love, self-expression, freedom, and the right to celebrate what makes you different without fear.

It means having somewhere you belong, where you can be loved and love freely. It means being able to show up fully, unapologetically, as yourself. And while it might feel like progress is inevitable, the truth is, there are still places in the world where being LGBTQIA+ is illegal, where living your truth is dangerous. Pride is about showing up anyway. It’s about reminding the world that we’ve always been here, and we always will be.

The Beauty Industry Has Always Been a Safe Place for Us

I’ve worked in many environments, but nothing compares to the safety, celebration, and freedom I’ve found in the beauty industry. In my experience, it’s always been a haven for queer people, especially those who don’t always fit in the “traditional” mold.

The lash world is colorful, expressive, and unapologetic. We don’t just tolerate differences, we celebrate them. It’s one of the only industries where being uniquely you is a competitive advantage.

“ I’ve never had to shrink myself to fit in here. Quite the opposite, I’ve been encouraged to take up more space.”

How the Lash Chair Helped Me Heal

Like so many in our community, my story includes addiction. As of this year, I’m 8 years sober, and 7 of those years, I’ve been doing lashes. The lash industry didn’t just give me a career. It gave me structure. It gave me something to do with my hands. It gave me purpose, income, and, maybe most importantly, a safe place to grow.

Those early years in recovery are hard. But the lash world gave me a chance to heal while building a life. A better life. It allowed me to learn new skills, develop friendships rooted in passion instead of pain, and begin imagining a future I never thought I’d have.

Lashes Are More Than a Service, They’re a Form of Power

While I haven’t personally experienced the transformative power of lashes from a gender-affirming lens, I’ve witnessed it. I’ve seen how lash extensions can have a profound feminizing effect. For many trans women, they’re not just a beauty accessory, they’re a lifeline. They allow people to move through the world more safely, to express who they are with more confidence, and to claim their space.

We often talk about beauty as a luxury, but for some, it’s survival. And lashes can play a powerful role in that.

Our Industry Is Inclusive, But We Can Still Do Better

The lash industry has done a lot of things right. I’ve seen firsthand people from every walk of life being welcomed and celebrated here, regardless of gender identity, race, or orientation. But where do I think we still struggle? Style bias.

There’s often a divide between artists who lean toward natural or more conservative aesthetics and those who love bold, long, unapologetically extra sets. And sometimes that divide turns into dismissal.

Here’s the truth: there’s room for all of it. All artistry is valid. All artists deserve respect. This industry is big enough for minimalists and maximalists, and we’d all be better off if we listened and learned from one another instead of judging.

Why LashBoxLA Feels Like Home

From the moment I discovered LashBoxLA on Instagram, I felt like I had found my people. It was as if someone had bottled everything I loved, glamour, sparkle, innovation, TIFFANY, and turned it into a lash brand.

After taking the Mega Volume class, I became a brand ambassador in 2019, which lit a fire in me. I fell in love with lash education, started my own brand during the pandemic, and tried my hand at doing it all. But the truth is, I missed being part of something bigger. I missed the magic that LBLA brought to everything.

Now, I’m back, doing what I love with the company I love. I don’t have to run the show alone, and I get to focus on what I do best: educating, creating, and building community.

We Don’t Just Talk About Diversity, We Live It

LashBoxLA doesn’t just say we’re inclusive. We show it every day.

Our team spans the globe and includes artists, educators, and staff from various backgrounds. We’ve got LGBTQIA+ team members working behind the scenes, like Bryant and Uly, who keep the heart of this brand beating.

And the brand itself? It celebrates boldness, individuality, and creativity. It welcomes difference. That’s Pride.

To the Queer Lash Artist Who’s Not Sure if You Belong…

Let me tell you: you do.

This industry is your space too. If you feel ready, shine bright. Use common sense, stay safe, and find your people, but know that this community can be more than just safe. It can be transformative.

You can build a career here. You can build a life here.

You can heal, thrive, and become the version of yourself you were always meant to be. And if no one has told you this yet, I’m proud of you.

Pride Isn’t Just a Month, It’s a Movement

In lashes, in life, and in love, we carry Pride with us every day. It shows how we uplift each other, support our clients, and create art that empowers people to feel seen. And that’s something worth celebrating, this month, and every month after.

With love,
Chris xoxo