Hidden Gems: Meet Andra Tashjian of LunaKai Lash

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andra Tashjian. 

Hi Andra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Andra Tashjian and I am a proud mama of 2 amazing children and a wife of my soul mate for 22 years. I have been an esthetician/lash artist for 8 years in Las Vegas. I fell in love with eyelash extensions from the moment I learned about them. They are such an amazing service that is so rewarding as you see the difference from when your client comes in for the first time and immediately after the application. It has also been 90% of my income and has kept me in business through the hardest of times. I have invested in continued education classes and have learned from the best in the business. I thrive teaching others the art of lash extensions and how to get the best retention so my students never lose a client. I have created and amazing ecofriendly lash line, a 2-time award-winning lash artist, and an award-winning esthetician for compassion for our Oceans. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road! LunaKai Lash was launched November 2019. Less than 4 months into launching, COVID-19 hit. Salons and many other businesses shut down. What was supposed to be 2 weeks turned into months and many businesses were forced to close their doors. I am located in a small boutique salon with 4 other amazing women who fought to stay in business and we as a team were able to stay afloat. This devastation shows the struggles of mother Earth and the changes that humanity needs to make to give our future generations a healthy life. Cost of everything has gone up and it is harder and harder to stay active and profitable. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Annually, the beauty industry produces more than 120 BILLION units of packaging globally. Only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled, 79% ends up in landfills, dumps, or the natural environment. As an avid scuba diver and with such a love for the industry and passion for our oceans, I created my own lash line called LunaKai Lash. I replaced all the single-use plastic items, such as disposable mascara wands and microfiber brushes, with bamboo. LunaKai’s packaging is free of plastic, such as our tweezer cases, which come in a cruelty-free wool case. I partnered with an amazing resin artist to create a lash pallet that all profit goes to Coral adoption. It is my goal to teach and change the beauty industry to think outside the “plastic box”. LunaKai Lash is the first in the lash industry to offer more sustainable options. We celebrate life, women, and the future of humanity. I am so proud of those who have switched to LunaKai Lash, they are leaders in the industry and show that you can still have luxury lash products with the highest quality that don’t impact our oceans and environment in a negative way. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice for networking is to reach out and message anyone who you think you would like to work with. Social media makes it so easy to connect with people in your industry. I absolutely love when I get messages from artists who either have questions about my products or want to know more ways to be sustainable. I also join in community clean-ups and get to know my community in different ways outside of the business. 

Pricing:

• Mix Lash Trays $20-$21
• LunaKai Lash tweezers $26-$30
• Bamboo Wands $11-$13.50
• LunaKai Lash Pallet $32

Contact Info:

• Email: admin@lunakailash.com
• Website: www.lunakailash.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunakai__lash/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LunaKai-Lash-108212847265768/

Image Credits
Andra Tashjian