Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lash Allen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Lash thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I’m a fourth generation hair artist, so you could essentially say I was raised in a hair salon. I started shampooing and blow drying for my mentors at the very young age of 10. It was just for fun at first, but then they realized I really enjoyed chatting with and helping people feel great. Once I finished high school I immediately got my cosmetology license. Egotistically so, I was pretty cocky about my skill set from watching and working at such a young age. I then became humbled shortly after. I moved to Los Angeles where I began interviewing for salon jobs; no one was biting. Agencies weren’t interested in such an industry “young, nobody”. I was starting to get discouraged and thinking I had made a mistake. Why wouldn’t anyone hire me? What’s wrong with me? Those were the beginnings of the negative dialogue in my mind. I had to keep going though. I never gave up on my dream! I continued to all but beg salons to hire me and finally they did! My first major gig was working on a Bravo Network docuseries called, La Shrinks. That’s where I gained my respect for reality tv and acquired so many connections in the industry with producers/production companies.
From there, I went on to other reality shows such as The Real Housewives of OC, short films, commercials, musical talent styling etc.
After several years of that fast paced L.A. lifestyle, I unexpectedly moved back to Charleston, SC.
“A fresh start to a newly domesticated life”, I thought, with my then boyfriend who’s now my husband. I assumed I would slow down and coast by building a solid clientele in a salon, without overworking myself. WELL that wasn’t and still isn’t the case. I now co-own a Hair Salon, IXARTISTRY, located downtown Charleston and I co-own a luxury Hair Brand, ART OF ILLUSION. I have a very large clientele in the salon while simultaneously traveling doing set styling and production work all across the country. It’s definitely a lot to juggle on a daily basis but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m thankful to have a connection still to this day with Bravo, working on Southern Charm and other shows.
Now, all that sounds glamorous and seamless, however, I’ve had my fair share of struggles along the way. A healthy work-life balance is a continued struggle of mine. The key is to not get hung up on the struggles or failures… KEEP MOVING FORWARD. Towards your goals and dreams. I have so many things I want to achieve. They will all come true, I know it! That’s key; believing in YOU!

Lash, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

This is the perfect time to talk about my vast experience in the salon, behind the chair. Many would automatically assume that hair artists are only shallow beings making people pretty. NOT THE CASE. I do this to make a deeper connection to each person that sits in my chair. You see, they trust me with their hair, yes, but they also trust me with their darkest secrets, insecurities, talks of wants and dreams, love life, career advise, family dynamics, childhood trauma, etc. My clients and I have a understanding of love. It’s essentially hair-Therapy. Haha. A few weeks ago I had, literally, back to back clients crying to me telling me about someone they love that was sick or going through a rough time. My assistant looked at me and said, “what is going on today?”, I replied, “Girrrl I have no idea, but they need us right now so let the show begin!”. When I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed I deal with everything emotionally with laughter. So, making someone laugh who is going through a rough time, makes me feel like I’m doing something more than just hair. This is why I do what I do.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes. My main goal in life is to inspire young children that grew up similarly to my childhood. To keep it short, for now. Family members with substance issues was definitely way too close for comfort when I was a child. I also witnessed and experienced several types of abuse. This is why I want children to know you don’t have to be a statistic. The only thing you have to do is live authentically and passionately for you! Be a good person and be kind to others.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Simple! Making people feel and like absolute rockstars!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lashallen.com
• Instagram: @lashallen.ix
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lashallen
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/LASHALLENOFFICIAL
• Other: Salon: @ixartistry Hair Brand: @aoi_hairco