Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Cullers.
Hi Caroline, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I actually started out as a makeup artist in high school, but when I went to college, I had no idea what I truly wanted to do. One morning I woke up feeling completely miserable and frustrated with the direction of my life, and on impulse, I applied to cosmetology school. My tuition was due within two weeks, and I paid it with my savings. It felt scary, but also like the first time I was really choosing something for myself.
Cosmetology school wasn’t what I expected, and honestly, I didn’t love most of it but I completely fell in love with brows. I graduated with over 110 brow waxing services completed, and I knew that some form of brow artistry was my calling. In 2018, I trained under The Brow Babe locally, earned my cosmetology license and microblading certification in the same week, and began applying everywhere, hair salons, lash studios, med spas, only to get turned down repeatedly.
One studio finally gave me a chance, but only if I learned lashes. They handed me a mannequin head, a pair of tweezers, and a YouTube video and told me to see if I liked it. I went home and spent hours practicing. I was placed into a class where everyone else learned volume while I was assigned classic and somehow I ended up being taught volume. I was completely overwhelmed and honestly not very good at first. Eventually, they told me I wasn’t meeting expectations and would be let go unless I drastically improved. So for three straight weeks, I completed at least one full set every single day until my skills leveled up and they determined I was good enough to stay. That experience shaped my work ethic permanently.
I grew into being known as “the brow queen” at that studio and truly started becoming obsessed with my craft. In 2021, I transitioned to working inside a hair salon/beauty bar but a year later the business unexpectedly closed. I remember sitting in my car until midnight, panicking, not knowing where I would take my clients or what my next move would be. They handed me a chair, a tray, and leftover products they were going to throw away. I worked out of my mom’s apartment briefly and then found my first studio space. The moment I walked in the door, I knew this was it. I had always imagined owning my own business at 25 or 26, not 23. I was terrified, had no money saved, and needed additional licensing to continue offering permanent makeup in Jax Beach. I took out a personal loan and committed fully. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
After moving into my next studio location, a suite mate introduced me to LashCon and that experience completely changed the trajectory of my career. I discovered color lashes, LED UV lash systems, and an entire world of advanced education I didn’t even know existed. During one class on the science behind traditional versus UV LED adhesives, I ran across the trade show floor with 30 minutes left and purchased my first UV LED lamp from Lash Apothecary.
Soon after, I traveled to Astoria, Oregon to take a color analysis course called The Mesmereyes Method. That experience shifted everything for me. Sitting alone in my hotel room one night, I realized I no longer wanted to pursue permanent makeup, I wanted to fully commit to lashes, education, and mastery. Trying to do everything had stretched me thin and deeply impacted my mental health. Choosing focus changed my life.
Since then, I’ve had my first full year dedicated entirely to lashing. I now specialize in color analysis, UV LED lash extensions, lash lifts and tints, brow laminations, brow waxing, and brow tinting. I’ve attended multiple international lash conferences, built relationships across the industry, continued advanced education, and traveled to Dallas to complete Lash Apothecary’s Educator and Opal-Free certification courses. I’m now proud to be their first UV LED educator in Florida and the first lash artist in the state certified in the world’s first plant-based, hypoallergenic lash adhesive. I’ve also been featured in LashPress, an international lash publication.
Today, Self Care Studios is both a luxury studio and an emerging education platform. My mission is to elevate industry standards through safer systems, deeper education, creativity, and community. I’m passionate about building a strong network of women in Jacksonville who genuinely support one another, mentoring artists who want to grow intelligently and sustainably, and serving clients who value artistry, innovation, and personalization. Everything I’ve built comes from taking risks, trusting my intuition, and refusing to settle for the status quo, and I’m just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and honestly, I’m grateful for that. Almost every meaningful step in my career came with uncertainty, rejection, or discomfort first. Early on, I faced a lot of “no’s” when applying to studios, which forced me to build resilience quickly and learn how to create opportunities instead of waiting for permission. When I was first learning lashes, I struggled deeply with confidence and technical consistency. Being told I might lose my job unless I improved pushed me into an intense season of discipline, repetition, and humility, which ultimately shaped the standards I hold today.
Financial pressure was another major challenge. Opening my own studio earlier than planned meant taking personal financial risks without a safety net. There were moments of real fear, investing in licensing, equipment, education, and space before the business had stabilized. Learning how to manage money, price confidently, and trust long-term strategy instead of short-term comfort was a steep but necessary learning curve, that I think we will always be constantly learning.
Mental health and burnout also played a significant role in my growth. At one point, I was trying to pursue too many paths at once, permanent makeup, lashes, education, constant growth, and it became unsustainable. I had to learn how to slow down, create boundaries, and choose focus over hustle. Letting go of what no longer aligned with me was one of the hardest decisions, but also one of the healthiest.
Another challenge has been being an early adopter in a newer technology space. Introducing UV LED systems and plant-based adhesive required education, patience, and trust-building, both with clients and within the professional community. When you’re doing something differently, you have to be prepared to explain, demonstrate, and stand confidently in your standards before the industry fully catches up.
Every challenge strengthened my clarity, confidence, and leadership. None of the growth came from comfort. It came from learning how to trust myself, stay disciplined, and build something sustainable rather than chasing quick wins.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m the founder and lead artist behind Self Care Studios, a luxury lash and brow studio and education platform based in Jacksonville. My work lives at the intersection of artistry and science, blending creative expression with advanced technical systems to deliver safer, longer-lasting, and deeply customized results for each client.
I specialize in UV LED lash extensions, color analysis–driven lash design, lash lifts and tints, brow laminations, brow waxing, and brow tinting. What truly differentiates my work is the level of personalization and education behind every service. Instead of applying a one-size-fits-all style, I analyze facial structure, eye shape, skin tone, undertones, lifestyle, and long-term lash health to design sets that feel intentional, flattering, and sustainable. I use the best quality products that not only help the artist to deliver great results but also keep the client. healthy and safe. Many of my clients come specifically to explore creative color work, precision mapping, or to work with a provider who prioritizes eye safety and ingredient awareness.
I’m currently the first UV LED educator in the state of Florida for Lash Apothecary and the first lash artist in Florida certified in the world’s first plant-based, hypoallergenic lash adhesive. I’m also proud to have been featured in LashPress, an international lash publication. Beyond credentials, what I’m most proud of is helping raise the standard for what lash education and client care can look like, proving that innovation, safety, creativity, and luxury can coexist.
What sets me apart is my obsession with the “why” behind the work. I continuously study adhesive chemistry, light technology, retention science, color theory, and biomechanics so that my clients and students aren’t just getting beautiful lashes, they’re receiving informed, responsible artistry. I also place a strong emphasis on mentorship, transparency, and community, especially for artists who want to grow sustainably instead of burning out in hustle culture.
At its core, my work is about empowerment, helping clients feel confident, expressive, and cared for, and helping artists build skill, confidence, and longevity in their careers. Self Care Studios is not just a beauty studio to me, it’s a creative lab, a learning environment, and a platform for the next generation of elevated beauty standards.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to stay patient with your growth and deeply committed to your craft. In the beginning, you’re not supposed to be great, you’re supposed to be consistent, curious, and willing to practice when no one is watching. Skill is built through repetition, humility, and honest self-evaluation, not shortcuts or comparison. I wish I had understood earlier that being “bad at first” is not failure, it’s the foundation of mastery.
Invest in education early, intentionally, and KEEP LEARNING. Don’t just learn how to perform a service, learn the why behind it. Understanding safety, product chemistry, anatomy, and long-term outcomes will separate you from the crowd far more than trends or social media aesthetics. The more you understand your work at a deeper level, the more confident and sustainable your career becomes.
I also encourage new artists to build boundaries and systems sooner than they think they need to. Pricing appropriately, protecting your time, managing your energy, and creating policies aren’t about being rigid, they’re about respecting your longevity and avoiding burnout. Hustle without structure can quickly turn into exhaustion.
Lastly, trust your intuition and allow yourself to evolve. Your goals will change as you grow, and that’s a good thing. You don’t have to do everything at once or follow someone else’s timeline. Focus on what truly lights you up, build slowly and intentionally, and don’t be afraid to choose depth over speed. The most meaningful success comes from alignment, not pressure.
Pricing:
- Customized UV LED Lash Extensions: Full sets are $195–$220, with maintenance fills at $95, reflecting advanced technology, safety protocols, and personalized design.
- Lash Lifts & Lash Lift + Tint: $90–$105, performed using the Korean lash lift method and a cysteamine-based solution, which is gentler on the hair structure than traditional thioglycolate systems.
- Brow Services: Brow laminations, waxing, and tinting typically range from $25–$105, depending on the service combination.
- Education & Training: Private and small-group advanced education classes for lash artists are available, with pricing varying by course level and included certification materials.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mysite.vagaro.com/selfcarestudios
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/self_care_studios?igsh=bmZoanV5YjVhOW43&utm_source=qr
