Today we’d like to introduce you to Giselle Tomey.
Giselle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I had been working for about three years for a dentist’s office – as a receptionist and billing coordinator making a little over minimum wage, hating my life, when I moved to Michigan with my fiancé due to a job offer he had received. I started working for another dentist’s office, which I LOVED, but it wasn’t until my boss at the time asked me what I wanted in life and what I was striving for and aspiring to be and my answer was simple… “I have no idea”. I did not want to work in that field. I didn’t want to become a dentist or a dental hygienist – I didn’t know what I wanted in life. I was 21 and clueless about my future. Long story short, we only ended up living in MI for about 5-6 months, and when I moved back down to Florida, I said to my parents, “I’m no longer working for anybody, and I refuse to work a 9-5”. My parents and I thought long and hard about what I was good at and first thing that came to mind was makeup. Although I absolutely loved makeup, it didn’t seem fitting at the time – people are way too picky and I didn’t want to deal with anyone’s skin. It was in that same exact moment, a little light bulb lit up in my head… LASHES! I have had been getting lashes done since I was 17 years old, had a little knowledge about it, and it didn’t seem super impossible to do. Back then, in 2014, almost no one knew about lashes. I was the first one out of all my friends and anybody I knew to get them. They were SUCH a foreign and strange thing. First thing that popped in my head was my lash tech. I sent her a text message that read “Hey Lisa. I remember you mentioning how amazing doing lashes was. If I pay you, can you train me?”. Shortly after that, in June 2018, I took my first lash course, and the rest has been history.
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?
Not smooth AT ALL. Something I struggled with was making time for myself. I’ve been very lucky and blessed to have clientele since the very first day I got certified. Having 5-6 clients a day, seven days a week…became very exhausting, very quickly. I hustled so so hard in the beginning of my career, I got burnt out. I had to learn how to prioritize myself. It is so hard for me to say no to a client. I always over-book myself and squeeze people into my schedule to be able to service everyone, but I started dealing with health issues, and that’s when I had to listen to my body and slow down. Yes, it’s great making money – but what fun is it to always be in pain? Not fun at all. Now that I’m a mother to a beautiful baby girl, I put my family first. Learning to “leave” work and put my phone down once I’m done with a workday, has been very difficult, but for my sanity, it’s been the best decision. Being glued to your phone 24/7, whether it’s making an appointment for someone, posting on stories, answering texts and/ or DM’s, is NOT healthy at all, but being an entrepreneur comes with its pros and cons.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in eyelash extensions but have branched out and now offer many more services, like lash lifts, brow tinting, brow laminations and permanent tattoo. I love the idea of being able to cater to different types of women. When you come to our studio, it’s a very very intimate experience. You won’t find anyone waiting to be seen, you’ll fall in love with the luxurious smells and you’ll become super relaxed and you’ll feel like you’re home. I really have always put a lot of LOVE into anything I do, whether it’s lashes or brows, and I know my clients feel that when I service them. I’m very gentle, always like to let my clients know what my next step is so they’re in the loop during the process, and always make it a priority to ask if anything feels uncomfortable. I love making my clients feel and look their best while they’re here.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’ve always been THAT girl. I was put in dance when I was about three years old and grew a love for dancing. My dad’s adored music his entire life – so my appreciation for music grew because of him. Since I was a little girl, I have always had a passion for anything beauty, fashion, etc. I remember when I was about four years old, my mom was self-employed and did nails at home, and her clients would come over and I would ask them if it were okay if I did their hair while they got their nails done. My parents can proudly say I have always been a girly girl. I’ve been into looks since I was very young. I care deeply for my skin and keep up with my lashes and hair religiously.
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@thefauxeffect.com
- Website: https://thefauxeffect.as.me/
- Instagram: @thefauxeffect
