The great and BROW-ERFUL Shannon Pirie
Today I am interviewing Shannon Pirie, she is the owner of The
Waxing Lounge.
I met Shannon while working for MAC cosmetics and she was a neighbor counter at Benefit cosmetics. I didn't know anything about her but I had numerous people tell me I need to meet her. So one day I walked over and said "tell me your story" and then began our friendship.
She told me all about her travels within cosmetics but also within her heart. She is the perfect example of someone that has their heart completely interwoven with the work that they do. She has had the opportunities that most of us beauty pros could only dream about being a part of. Not to mention shes the leading brow expert!!! Lets hear what she has to say!
Anna: Tell us a little bit about what it is you do and how you got to be where you are?
Shannon: I am a cheerleader at heart, but I use waxing to encourage people to go after their dreams!
Anna: What has your journey been through the cosmetic world?
Shannon:
I started off as a part time beauty artist for a cosmetic company and
climbed the ladder and have held almost every position as well as worked
in most distributions.
Anna: Why brows?
Shannon:
WHY NOT??? It's the frame to your face, it can take years off your
life, make your dark circles look smaller and your eye make-up will look
better. It's the biggest make-up trick in my book!
Anna: What is one piece of advice you would have to women wanting to look younger?
Shannon: Fill in your brows and wear sunscreen!!!!
Anna: What are your favorite products for the face and why?
Shannon:
-face- IT Cosmetics CC cream... Nothing better...you will thank me later!
-eyes - MAC paint pots- I can use whatever eyeshadow and it stays forever!!
-lips- MAC pro wear liners.... It's like a tattoo for the day, great for people like me who are on the go!!
-cheeks - Bella Bamba by Benefit- It's the perfect pink on your cheeks...Makes the face less dull :-)
NON-NEGOTABLES in life... Seriously...Life changing
Anna:
Now, I know you have done some work with Birchbox in NY. Would you say
that was your favorite experience while working in your field? If not,
what was?
Shannon: I loved working for Birchbox. Everyone
who works there was amazing, from the founder to the assistant, they
were all top notch. Yes, doing brows for fashion week was like
competing in the olympics for our field!!!
See the video of Shanny at Birchbox here!!!
Anna: What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Shannon:
The haters! I don't know why as women and some men,we tear one
another down, it's my biggest pet peeve in this industry. When it comes
down to it, it's insecurity and so it's been my mission to be the
cheerleader to help people see the good in people. You're talent is
different from mine, that doesn't make you better or worse, it's just
different. I am secure in my talent to appreciate yours and tell
everyone I know about it. Granted, we do different things, but people
want different talents for different things so my hope is that we can
get back to appreciating peoples talent and encouraging one another to
hit our potential!
Anna: Now about the waxing lounge. What are your dreams with it and where do you see it going?
Shannon:
I have new dreams everyday!!!! I would love to franchise it so I can
help train other people in the industry how to build a healthy business.
I have this weird feeling that it's going to be way bigger than I can
imagine ;-)
Anna: What services do you offer?
We
specialize in Brows (we’re kind of amazing). All facial and body
waxing, Brow and Lash Tinting, Full Body Massage and I just added Xtreme
lashes, which is my new obsession!!
Anna: How
many people do you have working for you and tell me a little bit about
why you hired them specifically. (For those looking to be hired into the
same field might want a piece of advice)
Shannon: Julie, my
full time waxer. Julie worked for me at my previous employment. We had
a year together where I spent a lot of hands on time working with her,
she does amazing brows including mine! Julie has an upbeat attitude,
she is meticulous about brows, very clean and is pure joy to work
alongside. Her clients love her! Liz- Part time massage therapist. Liz
was a client of mine who then worked with me and also created body
line products that are pure heaven. She works part time and gives amazing
massages with the best products!
Anna: Tell me about this new service you are offering.
Shannon:
Lash Extensions. When I was a kid I loved the Jetsons and can
remember thinking I can't wait to have flying cars and the machine they
put on their head that does their make up and hair!! I am still
disappointed that this machine doesn't exist!!! Lash Extensions and brow
tinting are the closest things to my Jetson machine! They look
incredibly natural, last about a month and it's amazing how pretty you
feel with lashes!
Anna: What advice do you have for those who are just starting out?
Shannon:
Soak up any training and information you can get. I have learned
that timing is everything and it can be really frustrating still being
in the same positions for longer than you expected, but your time will
come. Treat every day as an interview for your dream job, be the best
at whatever you are and you're going to have to hustle for every gig,
sale and job! It's a hard field and nobody got there because they had a
sense of entitlement. You can learn a lot by going the extra mile.
Don't give up... Keep going after your dream job because the harder you
work the closer it comes!!
Anna: What are ways that we can reach you and book your numerous services?
Shannon: If you like my page on facebook all my information is on there!!
Instagram: thewaxinglounge
Shop number 530-605-0600
I made this silly video showing the importance of good brows. And these
were actual references of real brows. Brows that are walking around our
world. Unbrow-lievable!!!
Anna Milhouse Artistry
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IG: Annam_artistry
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Twitter: anna_reeee
Fb: Anna Milhouse Artistry
IG: Annam_artistry
Vine: Anna Marie Milhouse
Twitter: anna_reeee
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