Beyond The Tweezers

Karis Warren

A podcast for lash and beauty artists who want more than just technique.This is about the artist beyond the skill - the business moves, the real stories, the lessons you don’t see on Instagram.Ever wondered what the artists you admire are really like behind the polished posts? This podcast pulls back the curtain with honest, unfiltered conversations.Expect industry insights, mentorship moments, a little bit of gossip, and fly on the wall chats from inside the room - through solo episodes that go deep and in person interviews you can also watch on video. 

Episodes

  1. 5D AGO

    Everyone Wants to Be an Educator… Do You Have What It Takes? | Darja Striletskaja

    Send a text This episode is sponsored by London Lash. A brand supporting lash artists with professional products, education, and tools. Shop London Lash: https://www.londonlashpro.com/?utm_source=podcastsponsorship&utm_medium=videos&utm_campaign=behindthetweezers&utm_content=episode2 Enjoy an exclusive listener discount: 20% off with code KARIS20 *T&Cs apply. In this episode, I’m joined by Darja Striletskaja, an award-winning lash educator with over 15 years in the beauty industry - and a story that truly inspires. Originally from Estonia, Darja took her very first lash course back home before making the incredibly brave decision to move to the UK completely alone at just 21 years old. No friends, no family, no safety net - just belief in herself and a vision for her future. From working in salons that didn’t quite meet her expectations, to finding her place in the industry and building a career she’s now recognised worldwide for, her journey is one of resilience, growth, and purpose. After training with Hanna at London Lash, Darja went on to work in a London Lash salon and eventually became one of the brand’s most respected educators. She’s since won multiple awards, travelled the world delivering training, and is now in a senior role supporting other trainers, distributors, and the wider education network within the company. ✨ The main focus of this episode is education — and what it really takes to become a great educator. We talk honestly about: What foundations you must have before becoming an educatorThe key qualities that separate good trainers from great onesHow to stand out in a crowded education market and find your own laneThe realities, pressures, and responsibilities of teachingWhy Darja didn’t feel “ready” to become a trainer and how she overcame that  fearHow observing other educators shaped her own teaching styleUnderstanding different learning styles and managing student behaviourDarja also opens up about opening and later closing her own salon, and why she no longer works with clients at all. Her perspective on success, growth, and knowing when to pivot is incredibly valuable for anyone at a crossroads in their career. If you’re thinking about becoming an educator, trainer, or stepping into a leadership role in the beauty industry, this episode is a must listen. It’s honest, educational, and full of lessons you won’t hear on social media. 👀 We also hinted at a part two, where Darja would go deeper into her salon journey and the reasons behind closing it - so if you’d love to hear that, send me a DM and let me know. Enjoy this one - it’s a powerful conversation 💭✨ Want to connect with Darja? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darja_striletskaja?igsh=MTU3dzBlYmlteHAxaA== This episode is sponsored by London Lash. A brand supporting lash artists with professional products, education, and tools. Shop London Lash: https://www.londonlashpro.com/?utm_source=podcastsponsorship&utm_medium=videos&utm Thank you for pressing play and joining me! If you would love to connect - follow and DM me. I would love to hear your stories. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetweezers?igsh=MmN1dTVlYTA3N2Zo&utm_source=qr

    1h 27m
  2. FEB 9

    Social Media Is Part of Your Job - Not an Option

    Send a text This episode is sponsored by London Lash. A brand supporting lash artists with professional products, education, and tools. Shop London Lash: https://www.londonlashpro.com/?utm_source=podcastsponsorship&utm_medium=videos&utm_campaign=behindthetweezers&utm_content=episode1 Enjoy an exclusive listener discount: 20% off with code KARIS20 *T&Cs apply. Social media isn’t something you do when you have time -  it needs to be part of your job. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about why showing up online changed everything for me - even though I used to hate being on camera, worry about judgement, and convince myself no one cared what I had to say. We cover: • Why no one is really judging you online • How showing up builds trust, clients, and brand opportunities • Why brands want to see you, not just your work • How social media can create income beyond the desk/chair • The mindset shift that stopped me overthinking everything If you’ve been avoiding social media but know deep down it’s holding you back - this episode is for you. Remember: you’re just a passing moment… but the opportunities can be life changing. Remember to follow and subscribe for o never miss an episode ❤️ This episode is sponsored by London Lash. A brand supporting lash artists with professional products, education, and tools. Shop London Lash: https://www.londonlashpro.com/?utm_source=podcastsponsorship&utm_medium=videos&utm_campaign=behindthetweezers&utm_content=episode1 Enjoy an exclusive listener discount: 20% off with code KARIS20 *T&Cs apply. Thank you for pressing play and joining me! If you would love to connect - follow and DM me. I would love to hear your stories. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetweezers?igsh=MmN1dTVlYTA3N2Zo&utm_source=qr

    14 min
  3. FEB 2

    Veronica Rich: From Starting Over to OG Lash & Brow Artist | 3 Non-Negotiables for Online Course Success

    Send us a text This Episode is sponsored by Elleebana  https://www.houseofelleebana.com/collections/online-courses Veronica Rich is a true OG of the lash and brow industry. In this episode, she shares her journey - from training and competing in lashes in Moldova, to starting over in the UK after leaving a toxic relationship, and ultimately becoming one of the first trainers at London Lash. But this conversation goes deeper than her story. ✨ We break down exactly what it takes to build, evolve, and scale with online courses in the lash and brow industry. Veronica shares her three non-negotiable fundamentals you must have in place before creating an online course - insights every educator and artist needs to hear before going digital. Alongside the strategy, we also explore: Leaving Moldova and rebuilding life in the UK with family supportThe realities of starting before you feel readyLearning lashes the real way — from a friend on a bench back homeEntering competitions in both Moldova and the UKWorking with London Lash for many years and becoming one of their first trainersTransitioning into brows, education, and online learningWhy lash and brow artists often become their clients’ therapistsHow this naturally led Veronica to study psychology while still working in beautyThis episode is for anyone who wants more than just success - for those who want growth, longevity, and alignment in their career. If you’re a beauty professional thinking about education, online courses, or your next step - this one’s for you. Thank you for pressing play and joining me! If you would love to connect - follow and DM me. I would love to hear your stories. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetweezers?igsh=MmN1dTVlYTA3N2Zo&utm_source=qr

    1h 21m
  4. JAN 26

    Stop Waiting, Start Knocking | Why I Stopped Waiting to Be Chosen

    Send us a text This Episode is Sponsored by Elleebana https://www.houseofelleebana.com/collections/online-courses What if the only thing standing between you and your dream is the fact that you’re waiting for permission? In this episode, I talk about the mindset shift that changed everything for me - going from waiting to be noticed, to being the one who knocks first. I share my personal experience of winning competitions, dreaming of judging them one day, and constantly waiting for someone to reach out and offer me the opportunity. That moment finally came - but I knew I wanted more. After a simple conversation with a friend, I realised something powerful: why am I waiting for someone to hand me my dream? So I started messaging competitions I wanted to judge for. Some replied. Some left me on read. But I planted the seed anyway. A year later, the same competition that left me on read reached out - asking me to join their judging panel… and they were paying me! We also dive into how this mindset applies to building regular clients. Clients don’t magically show up at your door - you have to seek them out, find where they are, and show up consistently. Because even when it feels like nothing is happening, someone is always watching. Clients are watching. Brands are watching. Opportunities are watching. Keep going. You never know what’s around the corner. Customer Service Webinar: https://www.thelashspecialist-essex.com/product-page/how-to-deliver-5-customer-service This Episode is Sponsored By Elleebana Thank you for pressing play and joining me! If you would love to connect - follow and DM me. I would love to hear your stories. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetweezers?igsh=MmN1dTVlYTA3N2Zo&utm_source=qr

    10 min
  5. JAN 19

    How Karolina Ciapaite Built Clients, Set Boundaries & Didn’t Quit

    Send us a text This episode is Sponsored by Elleebana 20% Off Discount Code: LASHLOVE20 Shop now: https://www.houseofelleebana.com/collections/online-courses In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Karolina Ciapaite — and her story is one of courage, consistency, and trusting the process 🤍 Karolina came to the UK with her partner thinking she’d only stay for a few months… fast forward and those few months turned into 10 whole years. Leaving her family behind and building a life in a new country wasn’t easy - especially when her first jobs here were in cleaning. One of those jobs even ended with her being fired. Despite being fully certified in lashes, Karolina didn’t step into the industry straight away. It took a message from her mum — “Karolina, why aren’t you using your lashes?” — along with the constant encouragement and mental push from a close friend who truly believed in her, for her to finally take the leap. From having one client a week and worrying about how she’d pay her rent, to becoming a powerhouse in the lash industry, Karolina’s transformation is nothing short of inspiring. She opens up about being painfully shy, wanting to stay behind the scenes, and how she’s grown into someone who now speaks at conferences, judges international and online competitions, and teaches incredible courses. In this episode, Karolina shares: How she built her client base from scratchPutting business cards everywhere - even on trees 🌳Why starting slow is completely normalHow to set strict boundaries with clients and protect your time, energy, and businessWhy trusting the process is key when things feel uncertainHow attending conferences helped build her confidencePlus… a funny moment where Karolina admits she opened a mystery London Lash box she was definitely told not to open 👀 (don’t worry — I kept it in). And yes - we start the episode with matcha ☕️ Because now, if I think of matcha, I instantly think of Karolina. If you’re at the beginning of your journey, struggling with boundaries, or tempted to give up - this episode is for you. This episode is Sponsored by Elleebana 20% Off Discount code: LASHLOVE20 Shop now: https://www.houseofelleebana.com/collections/online-courses Thank you for pressing play and joining me! If you would love to connect - follow and DM me. I would love to hear your stories. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetweezers?igsh=MmN1dTVlYTA3N2Zo&utm_source=qr

    1h 19m
  6. JAN 12

    The Journey That Built Me

    Send us a text This episode is personal 🤍 I’m taking you back to where it all began - a small village, one road in and one road out, a close community, and a big dream that didn’t yet know how big it could become. I talk about discovering my love for beauty in secondary school, falling in love with how makeup could be so transformative, studying Level 2 & 3 at beauty academy, and taking the leap into an apprenticeship. Knowing I wanted more, I left my comfort zone and travelled an hour from my village to be mentored by the best - because growth never lives where comfort does. I share the reality of working in multiple salons, the challenges I faced, the boss who unknowingly taught me some of my biggest life lessons, and the moment I knew it was time to go fully on my own. This episode also opens up about the parts people don’t always see - imposter syndrome, self-doubt, anxiety, sleepless nights, and the fear of getting things wrong when you’re young and building something from scratch. I talk about entering competitions, receiving feedback that changed the direction of my entire career, working with brands, creating my own manuals, and continuously pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. Every experience shaped me. Every challenge had a purpose. If you would like me to share more about my later Journey - what I did to stand out to have incredible oppitunities with brands, let me know in the comment section, I'd love to hear what you would love to listen to on this podcast. And if you’re at the beginning of your journey or going through some difficult moments or wanting some inspiration - this episode is for you. 🎧 Available now on Spotify & YouTube Thank you for pressing play and joining me! If you would love to connect - follow and DM me. I would love to hear your stories. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetweezers?igsh=MmN1dTVlYTA3N2Zo&utm_source=qr

    39 min
  7. JAN 5

    From Bank Desk to Celebrity Clients — and Working with the Biggest Brand in the World | Susanna Kettle Williams

    Send us a text In this episode of Beyond the Tweezers, I sit down with Susanna Kettle Williams, Head Trainer at London Lash Pro, to talk about how one decision changed everything. Before lashes, Susanna was working in a bank, even travelling to India for work. After becoming a mum, she knew she needed something that would fit around her children - and around the same time, having her lashes done for the first time gave her a level of confidence that stayed with her. That feeling led her to book a lash course, without any idea of where it might lead. From there, things began to shift. Before her name was widely known, Susanna was already working with Love Island and TOWIE stars. We also talk about a chance meeting during a pedicure appointment that led to an unexpected opportunity with Stacey Solomon, and a later in her career working with Michelle Keegan that resulted in her work being featured in HELLO! Magazine -  a real OMG moment! Now Head Trainer at London Lash Pro, Susanna reflects on confidence, the struggles throughout, motherhood, growth, and what it really takes to build a career in beauty that goes beyond just the skill. This episode is for beauty professionals who want inspiration, perspective, and a reminder that taking action, even without a clear plan - can open doors you never expected. Thank you for pressing play and joining me! If you would love to connect - follow and DM me. I would love to hear your stories. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetweezers?igsh=MmN1dTVlYTA3N2Zo&utm_source=qr

    1h 30m

About

A podcast for lash and beauty artists who want more than just technique.This is about the artist beyond the skill - the business moves, the real stories, the lessons you don’t see on Instagram.Ever wondered what the artists you admire are really like behind the polished posts? This podcast pulls back the curtain with honest, unfiltered conversations.Expect industry insights, mentorship moments, a little bit of gossip, and fly on the wall chats from inside the room - through solo episodes that go deep and in person interviews you can also watch on video.