Arina Velet is a Tulsa-based lash artist specializing in European eyelash extension techniques - and a recent Grand Prix winner at the International Online Beauty Championship, where she earned the top title, “Winner of the Winners.”
Her work is defined by precision, structure, and attention to detail - but her path into the industry was far from predictable.
When Arina Velet moved to the United States in 2014, she wasn’t planning a career in the beauty industry.
Like many immigrants, she found herself starting from scratch - a new country, a new language, and no clear sense of what would come next.
Today, she is a lash artist based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a Grand Prix winner of the International Online Beauty Championship, where she earned the top title, “Winner of the Winners.”
Her journey to that moment, however, was anything but straightforward.
Before moving to the U.S., Arina spent more than eight years studying fashion design and garment construction in Russia. Creativity had always been a central part of her life - not just as a skill, but as a way of thinking.
But after relocating, that background didn’t immediately translate into a career.
“I only knew a few basic words in English,” she says. “Everything else I had to learn step by step.”
For several years, she worked different jobs, trying to find direction while adapting to a completely new environment. The process was slow, and at times uncertain - a reality familiar to many people rebuilding their lives in a new country.
The turning point came unexpectedly.
A close friend suggested she try eyelash extensions. What sounded like a simple idea quickly turned into something more. That same evening, Arina began researching the industry — techniques, styles, and possibilities.
“I remember that moment clearly,” she says. “Something just clicked.”
That decision marked the beginning of a new path.
She enrolled in Lotus Lash School, completing both foundational and advanced training, and later obtained her esthetician license to work professionally in the United States.
From there, she continued to build her skills through advanced education with European lash artists, focusing on precision techniques, detailed styling, and a more structured approach to lash design.
Today, Arina specializes in European eyelash extension techniques - a method known for its clean execution, customization, and attention to detail. In Tulsa, where this approach is still emerging, her work stands out.
Her progress is reflected in her recent competition results:
Grand Prix Champion — Winner of the Winners
1st Place — 2–3D Volume Lash Extensions
1st Place — Color Lash Extensions
2nd Place — L/M Curl Lash Extensions
3rd Place — Creative Lash Extensions
3rd Place — Classic Lash Extensions
Her winning work and competition highlights were also shared on her professional Instagram (@ilushbyarina), where she documents her growth and industry recognition.
Now, she is preparing for the next stage of her career - education. Arina is currently training to become an instructor and plans to develop her own programs for lash artists who want to improve their skills and work at a higher professional level.
Her focus is not just on technique, but on building a more structured and professional approach to the craft.
Arina’s story is not about overnight success. It’s about rebuilding, staying consistent, and recognizing opportunity when it appears.
“It’s not about where you start,” she says. “It’s about whether you keep going.”
And in her case, that persistence has already led to international recognition - with more likely still ahead.
