Adding lashes on top of existing lashes has become more than just a beauty routine for many young women; it has evolved into a form of therapy.
In a country where the unemployment rate sits at nearly 40%, small beauty services like lash extensions are helping young people find a way to survive, earn extra income, and build something of their own.
lash technician Esperance Edward (25) says her business began as a simple love for beauty and a source of empowerment for both her and her clients.
“I’ve always loved making people feel beautiful. I’ve always been drawn to beauty and creativity, and doing lashes felt like the perfect way to express that,” she said.
Edward said that the moment she saw her clients’ reactions, she knew she had found something meaningful.
“The more I worked on clients, the more I realised how something as small as a lash set can completely boost someone’s confidence. That feeling inspired me to turn it into something bigger than just a side passion,” she said. Besides running her business, she works as a kindergarten teacher.
“Teaching young children has taught me patience, creativity and compassion, qualities that I also bring into my business. Balancing both roles can be challenging, but it keeps me grounded and reminds me why it’s so important to work hard for the future I’m building,” she said.
Her tiny studio, warm and softly scented, has become a favourite stop for young women in her neighbourhood. Some come in exhausted from work, others stressed from school or job hunting, but they leave smiling, fluttering fresh lashes and carrying a little more confidence than when they walked in.
She believes her connection with clients is what keeps them coming back.
“I think it’s because I understand them more, as a young woman myself. I’m just like them too, someone who wants to feel confident and put together,” said Edward.
She noted that her goal has never been to change how someone looks, but to enhance what’s already there.
“My work is about enhancing what’s already there, not changing who you are. I try to make every client feel comfortable and seen, and I think that realness is what connects with people and brings them back,” she said. She said every journey has its challenges, there have been many, from slow days and self-doubt to figuring out how to manage bookings and finances. It’s not easy running a small business, especially when one is still learning as they go. But she has learnt to be patient with herself, stay consistent and keep improving her craft.
“Growth doesn’t happen overnight, it’s the small steps that build something real, sometimes they come up with false allegations about your business, but you need to keep your head up.”