Faye Bala, founder of Dose, is a true testament to the power of reinvention and creativity. As she approaches her 40th birthday, she reflects on her journey – one that has taken her from the glitz of TV sets to the thriving world of brow artistry. Today, her brand is known for its creative energy on socials, and her commitment to staying authentic. Recently we caught up with Faye to learn more about her story, the challenges she’s overcome, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
The Journey to Dose: From TV Stylist to Brow Tech
“I’m Faye, and by the time this article is published, I’ll be 40—though I’m not sure how I feel about that just yet!” Faye laughs. Her path to where she is today has been anything but ordinary. After spending over a decade in the beauty industry, working as a hair and makeup artist for TV dramas, photoshoots, music videos, and the occasional film, Faye made a life-changing decision in 2021. “I left the TV industry after feeling completely overwhelmed by the demands of family life, TV hours, and running Dose on the side,” she reflected. “It was all too much, but looking back, it was the best decision I ever made.”
Dose, Faye’s brow and beauty studio, is now based in Altrincham, South Manchester, where she and her team opened their coffee shop and salon front in February 2024. It’s been a journey of reinvention and a testament to her resilience, both in business and in life.
Staying on Top of Socials: The Key to Faye’s Success
Faye has quickly become a content queen in the brow world, known for her funny and storytelling social presence, award wins, and her recently launched podcast. But maintaining such a strong presence on social media while running a business is no easy feat. “Social media is a huge part of my business, probably because I enjoy it so much,” she admits. “It’s where my creativity can run wild. I have huge ideas but don’t always have the time to execute them all.”
Despite juggling a young family and the demands of her business, Faye finds time to create content and engage with her followers. “I’m not always the most organised when it comes to consistency in posting, but I’ve learned to give myself grace,” she says. “I’ve also realised that I’m really good at short-form video, like reels and TikToks, and that’s what I focus on. I’ve built my email list, and that’s been a game changer too.”
But what drives Faye to keep posting? “I can see the hard work paying off. My account is growing, my business is busier, and I’m getting offers for collaborations, even though I don’t always have the time to take them on. That’s what keeps me motivated.”
For Faye, staying authentic on social media is key to building a loyal following. “Social media isn’t easy, and we need to give ourselves grace. We aren’t social media managers, well most of us aren’t, and most of us don’t have a marketing background. But if you’re posting and talking about what you love, like showing off your amazing brow work, then you’re doing just fine,” she explains.
She encourages others to embrace their unique strengths and not compare themselves to others. “It’s about owning your strengths. If social media is your thing, great! But if brows are your thing, that’s awesome too. Focus on what you’re good at.”
Her advice for other salon owners and independent techs? “Be yourself. Let your personality shine through in your posts. Your business reflects you, so carry that into your social media. Don’t be afraid to get in front of the camera, it might feel weird at first, but I promise you’ll get more engagement and comfortable the more you do. And always keep learning. Like any new skill, whether it’s brow tech or content creation, the more you invest in it, the more you’ll see results.”
But The Post That Changed Everything…
One of Faye’s standout moments on social media came when she posted a reel showing all the tools she uses in her brow treatments. The video was simple but effective, with items appearing and disappearing seamlessly from her hand. “It only took me about 30 minutes to film and edit, but it caught the attention of a lot of people – some outside the beauty industry. It was a game changer for Dose,” she recalls.
That post didn’t go viral, but it led to unexpected opportunities. Companies began reaching out to collaborate, and Faye was even offered work creating content for brands. “That reel changed Dose forever,” she says. “It was a turning point for me and really opened my eyes to the power of good, authentic content.”
As Faye looks to the future, she’s grateful for the support she’s received along the way. “I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me and my business; my clients, my team, my family, and my followers,” she says. “A special thanks to Buff Browz, who have been incredible. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They truly see the magic in people, and that’s been so important for me.”
With her innovative approach to brow artistry, social media, and business, Faye Bala is carving a new path in the brow and beauty world that’s built on real connections of real people growing a brand.
