Hi, I’m Ellie, a lash artist from the UK with over eight years of experience in the beauty industry. I have a genuine passion for helping clients feel confident through the services I provide. Like many lash artists, lashes weren’t just my job — they were a huge part of my routine and identity. Getting to chat all day with clients who have become friends, all while doing something I loved, felt like such a blessing.

The Early Signs I Almost Missed

Throughout my career, I’ve always been aware of the risks of allergic reactions, but I never expected to experience one so severely myself. Around the start of 2025, I began noticing small dry patches under my eyebrows and on my cheeks that didn’t feel right. I suffer from eczema, so this didn't feel out of the ordinary. Little did I know, this was about to spiral into something much more serious.

I initially suspected I was allergic to the acetate in my glasses frames — the flare-ups were in the exact spots where my glasses sat, so it seemed logical. Research suggested it could be a possibility, so I switched to metal frames a few months later. The dry areas cleared up slightly but never fully vanished, so I simply stopped wearing my glasses. During the summer months, my skin cleared up entirely. Looking back, my window was almost always open due to the warmer temperatures, so my room was well ventilated. By November, however, my symptoms grew progressively worse.

When Things Got Serious

Throughout November, the redness on my cheeks grew larger and angrier. I also noticed a small red patch on my neck that wasn't there before. I still blamed my eczema — that isn't unusual for me when the seasons change. I popped to the pharmacy and bought some itch-relief balm to soothe my sore, dry skin. I continued to apply creams to my face and neck all through November and December, but nothing provided relief.

By my last working day before Christmas, my skin felt unbearable. The dryness and redness had spread considerably — my neck was covered and my entire face was affected. I was in tears every morning and night. I was at my wit’s end.

The Reality Sets In

I took to Instagram, hoping someone might have some advice. I assumed my body was telling me I’d overworked myself during the final week before the holidays. I wish I’d posted sooner. I had so many wonderful women in my messages saying it looked like a classic reaction to lash adhesive. I was stunned: WHAT?! After nearly a year of this, it hadn’t even crossed my mind. I thought, “Okay, that could be the case — I have two weeks off now, let’s see what happens.” And guess what: after seven days, my skin was completely back to normal. I couldn't believe it.

Looking back to January, I think I was still in denial. I returned to work on the Monday as usual, and lo and behold — that evening, my skin flared up again. Confirmation: it was definitely the lash glue.

Getting a Diagnosis

A week later, I booked an appointment with my primary care doctor to seek professional help. I knew the referral process for specialized allergy testing would be a long one, so I decided to see a private specialist. After hearing my story and reviewing a few photos, he essentially diagnosed it there and then. “You have to stop using these at work” was written in his notes. My heart was broken.

Once I got over the initial shock, I realized I’d already prepared myself for this outcome. My clients had been following along closely, so I hoped it wasn't too much of a surprise for them. Canceling all future extension appointments was the last thing I wanted to do, but I knew for my own health — and sanity — it was the right thing to do.

Finding the Silver Lining

I’m a massive believer that everything happens for a reason. Reflecting on my lash extension work over the last 12–18 months, I felt like I was losing my spark. My clients probably wouldn’t agree, but something just wasn't clicking the same way it used to. I likely would have kept doing extensions, eventually making myself unhappy.

I converted around 70–80% of my extension clients to lash lifts, and the others still see me for brows. The support I’ve received from my clients over the last few months has been overwhelming — they’ve transitioned to other treatments, checked in on how I’m doing, and asked about my future plans. I’ve taken a financial hit, as return appointments shifted from every 2–3 weeks to every 6–8 weeks, but that just means more time to bring in new clients and explore new treatments.

This whole journey inspired me to add facials to my menu. I now have a genuine passion for skincare and helping people overcome the skin issues they face. I’m looking forward to seeing where this new chapter takes me.

What I’ve Learned — For Clients and Lash Artists Alike

If there’s one thing I’ve taken from this experience, it’s how vital it is to listen to your body early. What might seem like a minor irritation can develop into something much more serious over time. Key warning signs to look out for include:

• Itching or redness around the eyes 

• Swelling after appointments

• Irritation that gets progressively worse with each visit

These symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. Looking back, I wish I’d taken my early symptoms more seriously — pushing through only made things worse.

For lash artists: protecting yourself is just as important as protecting your clients. Wear proper PPE, ensure good ventilation, and limit your exposure to fumes whenever possible. For clients: always be honest with your lash artist about any reactions you experience. Your artist is there to help, not judge. It’s always better to stop early than to risk developing a more severe allergy.

Your health always comes first.

— Ellie

Connect with Ellie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashelleuk/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lashelleuk