Light Heart Lash: The Story Behind Madison Morris’ Lash Empire

Light Heart Lash: The Story Behind Madison Morris’ Lash Empire

Light Heart Lash is one of the most recognised names in the lash industry today, but behind Light Heart Lash is a story built on resilience, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to raising the standard of lash education worldwide.

We had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Madison Morris, the powerhouse behind Light Heart Lash, to uncover the journey, the grit, and the glow-up behind one of the most respected lash brands in the industry. From humble beginnings to building a global lash empire, this is the story every lash artist needs to hear.

From Boat Dreams to Lash Empire: The Story of Madison Morris & Light Heart

Madison Morris has always had a deep passion for making others feel loved and special through beauty. Growing up on a small sailboat, she would crush seashells into powder to create eyeshadow and give makeovers to anyone she met. Long before Light Heart Lash existed, the foundation was already being built.

At 15, Madison discovered a love for makeup and began an apprenticeship as a bridal makeup artist assistant. That early experience ignited a fire. She went on to build an impressive bridal portfolio and, by 18, was attending aesthetics school in Anchorage, Alaska.

Her journey into lashes began unexpectedly when she landed a job at a busy local day spa. Working long hours for minimum wage, her future with Light Heart Lash was quietly taking shape. But it didn’t take long for her to recognise a gap in the training she received—and to want more.

Determined to elevate her artistry, Madison invested everything she earned into education, travelling to complete over a dozen advanced lash courses. This commitment to growth would later become a core pillar of Light Heart Lash.

CEO of Light Heart Lash — Maddison Morris

What started as curiosity quickly became obsession. Madison’s love for lash artistry grew with every client, every set, and every challenge she faced.

At just 20 years old, she launched her own lash business in Alaska, seeing up to 12 clients a day, six days a week. Her vision wasn’t small—she was building something bigger than just a service. She was building what would become Light Heart Lash.

Alongside her husband Elliott, who was studying robotics engineering, Madison experienced the realities of building a business from the ground up. Long hours, financial pressure, and constant growth became their normal.

In 2020, they made a bold decision—to leave Alaska behind and fully commit to growing Light Heart Lash. Madison stepped away from her clientele and poured everything into education, mentorship, and building a brand that would change the industry.

Photo of Before and After Madison's Lash Room's. 

After 1.5 years of relentless dedication, Madison and Elliott took the biggest leap of their lives: building a one-of-a-kind salon suite and coffee shop hybrid from the ground up.

Maddison and Elliot — Pre-construction of Light Heart Lash.

AWhen Madison and Elliott arrived in Arizona, their mission became clear: create a space where lash artists could grow with support, structure, and real opportunity.

Through Light Heart Lash, Madison began offering private in-person training, mentoring students monthly, travelling to salons across the country, and expanding into online education to reach artists globally.

What made Light Heart Lash different wasn’t just technique—it was intention.

Madison focused on:

Customised lash styling

Lash and eye health

Long-term retention (3–4 weeks)

Precision using 0.03 lashes

And most importantly—she genuinely loved what she was building.

Further construction of Light Heart Lash.

Light Heart Today
Stands as a leader in lash education and product innovation.

Madison has:

Trained over 500 students in person

Educated 5,000+ students online

Built a globally recognised lash brand

The growth of Light Heart Lash didn’t happen by chance. It came from consistency, education, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Beyond courses, Light Heart Lash continues to expand through podcasts, YouTube, blogs, and daily content designed to support lash artists at every stage of their journey.

Maddison and Elliot — My Lash Two Braincells Podcast

The Launch That Shook the Industry
After nearly a year of development, Madison and Elliott launched their signature product line under Light Heart Lash—a collection designed to simplify and elevate the work of lash artists.

“We’re obsessed with our brand and our beautiful lash community,” Madison shares. “We live and breathe lashes. Making the lives and jobs of lash artists easier is our heart, our soul, and our forever mission.”

We had the opportunity to ask Madison the exact questions we know our students need to hear—because at ASCEND, we don’t just teach technique; we shape leaders. This series was born from our mission to spotlight the trailblazers raising the standard in our industry, so you can learn from the best, grow with purpose, and step fully into your role as the next generation of lash educators.

ASCEND — Lash Artist & Educators Quotes

QUESTIONS

When you first started learning how to lash, what was the hardest technique for you to master? RUSSIAN VOLUME! Because it required me to prioritise perfect symmetry, I really struggled. I took 4 different training sessions to master these techniques and it is still a technique that I highly admire to this day.

What advice would you give to new lash artists struggling with isolation and placement? Slow down, work on a mannequin until you are confident in your isolation, take models as often as possible and don’t rush this part of your lash journey. It has to be mastered before all else.

Do you believe natural talent plays a role in lashing, or is it all about practice and technique? I believe hard work and consistency will get you farther than anything else can.

What are some small adjustments new lash artists can make that will improve their lash sets instantly? Use more lengths than you think you need. This will create dimension in your sets.

Can you take us back to the first time you ever worked on a real client? How did it go, and what did you learn from that experience? It was my best friend. I applied about 50 .25 diameter classics on her. I didn’t learn a whole lot. I learned what not to do…;) 

Many new artists are terrified of taking their first paying client. How do you overcome that fear? Don’t charge until you’re ready. It’s okay to work for free for a period of time, a lot of people are scared to show up for themselves when there’s no reward, but you will be rewarded later. Take as many free models as you can until you can confidently get good coverage and great isolation in a reasonable period of time. That confidence in your skill will make you more comfortable charging. 

What do you think is the biggest mistake new lash artists make when working on their first few clients? They use poor quality products, this will make your job 10x harder than it needs to be. Product is something I wish I would have invested in early on. 

How do you build trust with clients when you’re brand new and don’t have much experience? Your customer service. Roll out the red carpet for them. Treat them like your only client, be reliable, be compassionate, listen to them, tailor each set to each individual client and get to know them.

What are the absolute essentials a new lash artist needs when setting up their business? Insurance. A savings account. A business credit card. Start with the basics. 

If you had to start all over again with a small budget, how would you set up your lash business today? I started with $0. Living on my own, paying all my own bills. I really set up my business as basically as possible, nothing fancy. I had a website I made myself on Wix, I had no Instagram, I made my own logo, my own LLC, my own marketing materials. I wouldn’t change a thing. I lived below my means for as long as possible and saved every penny I made for all of my big dreams that came to fruition many years later. 

What are some common things new lash artists waste money on that they don’t actually need when starting out? Paid Ads. Don’t think of running ads until you have exhausted every other marketing channel. I have never once paid for an ad to sell my lash services. Classes, yes. Lash services, no. 

What is one business lesson you wish you knew when you were first getting started? Stop worrying about what others are doing. Focus on your own journey. 

What worked for you when it came to getting your first few paying clients? Word of mouth, giving people an excellent service and pitching them my INCREDIBLE referral program. You can learn more about that in the class “Dream Clientele”. 

A lot of new lash artists struggle with confidence. How do you build confidence when you’re still learning? I believe confidence is a byproduct of knowing what you’re doing. How can you be confident when you barely have mastered your skills? Keep practicing and lashing everyday and one day…trust me, that confidence will naturally come with time. 

When did you finally feel like you were good at lashing, and what helped you get to that point? When I was fully booked with exceptionally happy clients. That made me feel good. I was about 3 years in.

If you could go back and talk to yourself when you were just starting, what advice would you give? Everything is going to be better than you could ever imagine. Just keep your head up, don’t get discouraged. 

What advice do you have for lash artists who are surrounded by people who don’t believe in them or try to bring them down? Prove them wrong ;)

Social media can be both an incredible tool and a breeding ground for comparison and negativity. How do you stop yourself from letting it affect your confidence and creative inspiration? Block anyone or anything that negatively impacts you or others. If I see drama, if I see someone bullying someone else, if I see something that actively makes me feel worse about myself, I block it. You can curate your own algorithm and consume more of what YOU want. And be careful not to scroll too long. Just post, interact with your community, build a community of your own and block anything that ruins your day.

If a new artist is listening to this right now and is struggling with self-doubt because of negative influences around them, what would you say to them? Everyone that’s ever bullied me in this industry has had to watch me achieve everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more. You can’t let the naysayers win. You have to remember YOUR mission, and it’s not to shrink to please everyone. It’s to create beauty and magic in the world. And not everyone is going to cheer you on and that’s okay.

What do you think separates lash artists who succeed from those who quit within the first year? Grit. Pushing through and looking for solutions instead of throwing in the towel. 

If a new artist is listening to this right now, feeling overwhelmed and unsure if they have what it takes, what would you say to them? Do you. Take a deep breath and know that lashing isn’t a race, it’s a marathon and everything incredible in this world took time. You are growing and growing can be painful. Just give yourself time and grace and love. 

What do you wish more new lash artists understood about the industry and their future in it? The industry is always evolving and there is a place for you. 

What’s the one thing every new lash artist should focus on right now to set themselves up for success? Quality in everything they do. Customer Care. Customised sets. An unforgettable client experience.

Discount Code

We have been lucky enough to have been given a discount code for all our wonderful Students to continue and advance their studies through Light Heart Lash. Use code dearlashbabe10 for 10% off the following courses.

https://lightheartlash.com

• Mapping Mastery.
• Facebook Ads For Lash Artist.
• Angel Lashes — Virtual Mini Course.
• Light Heart Consent Form.
• Dream Clientele.
• Client Communication Survival Guide.
• Mega Volume Online Masterclass.
• Mapping Practice Sheet.