Dream big, help people: Eyelash artist and esthetician brings self-care to Garner
Eyelashes, spa treatments and even henna tattoos -- when it comes to helping women feel beautiful, Tiffany Longs does it all. Now she finally has her own salon where she can help clients discover their inner beauty, too.
Royal Lash Beauty Bar and Boutique opened in May inside Anointed Hands hair salon at 879 U.S. Highway 70 West in Garner, and Longs has huge plans for the small space. Her biggest mission is to build confidence in women from the inside out.
A self-trained eyelash artist and licensed esthetician, Long has built her lash and skincare business from the ground up. She also makes clothing, handmade soap, body products and jewelry.
"I've always had a love for beauty and fashion ... from a little girl I've always known I wanted to be in the beauty industry," she said.
As a child, Longs learned about beauty and the importance of self care from her mother. As she got older, she discovered her love for helping people feel their best.
She began building her brand in high school, when she designed outfits and sewed prom dresses for her friends. As a teenager, she would do makeup for friends and family before special events.
Years later, when her husband joined the military, Longs and her oldest daughter would travel with him and do makeup at military balls. Her dream of owning her own boutique took off in 2017 when she started selling clothing, makeup, eyelashes and skincare products out of her car -- but then life threw a devastating curve ball.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Longs' husband left her. For awhile, she was homeless.
"I actually gave up on Royal Lash for about six months ... I felt hopeless," Longs said.
Longs was living out of her car and working at a soup kitchen in 2021 when she decided to finally fulfill her lifelong dream and go to cosmetology school to become a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. She rebuilt her brand, and with loyal clients, small business grants and the support of friends and family, Royal Lash blossomed into something even larger than before.
Helping women find beauty from the inside out
When Longs secured a brick-and-mortar space for Royal Lash Beauty Bar and Boutique, she knew it would cater to much more than outer beauty.
Longs saw women were struggling constantly, with their careers, relationships and confidence. In 2021, she started getting small groups of women together, hosting retreats where strangers and friends can connect.
Longs called one of her first retreats "Queen of the Night." The women pitched in to share a hotel room, and Longs provided food, music, entertainment and gifts.
"We started to talk about life, things that were heavy for different women to accept about themselves," Longs said. "There was lots of tears and lots of laughter. Everyone slept like a baby."
Next, Longs is planning a glamping trip in Asheville and a social event at Pullen Park for women struggling with toxic relationships. Since most women are on a budget, she strives to make every event low-to-no-cost.
"Sometimes they need a safe space just to share, and Royal Lash provides that," Longs said. "Women can come in very small groups and they are able to share their experiences."
Longs wants to get to know the clients on her table, and her network has grown to include dozens of women looking to support each other -- whether they need babysitters, help promoting their business or a ladies' night.
"I've never met a stranger," Longs said. "I believe that God gives you a family outside of the one you were born in."
While running her own business, Longs is currently taking online classes to get a degree in psychology and working to become a licensed therapist. Her dream is to one day offer her beauty clients who are starting over or need direction access to financial advisors, mediators and counselors.
Royal Lash gets a space in Garner
In addition to eyelashes, Royal Lash Beauty Bar and Boutique will offer spa and body treatments, facials and makeup lessons. Royal Lash has partnered with a makeup artist, Brooklynne Kay Beauty, to offer beauty services for bridal parties, prom, or for any special occasion.
Longs also offers fun services like henna tattoos and tooth gem application. Since Royal Lash shares a space with a full-service hair salon, Longs hopes it will be a one-stop beauty destination for women.
Longs has long offered pay-what-you-can beauty services to help women who need a confidence boost but don't have a large income. Her goal at Royal Lash is to offer luxury services for affordable prices.
Her most popular service is eyelash extensions, which can take between two to four hours to apply. Longs calls eyelash application a " silent service" or "lash nap" where women can rest.
"When they're getting their lashes they're getting their rest that they're not going to get [elsewhere] because they baby is crying, or they have work, or they have to feed their family," she said.
Longs specializes in custom lashes -- she can coach new clients through the process, whether they want a bold or natural look.
