Northampton mum builds award-winning beauty business
A Northampton mum has turned years of hard work, setbacks and determination into a thriving, award-recognised beauty business - now celebrating the opening of her very own home salon.
Leah Harrison-Breed, owner of Blink & Sculpt, has spent over eight years building her name in the beauty industry, specialising in lashes, brows and semi-permanent makeup. Known locally for her precision and modern techniques, she is also recognised as one of Northampton’s first technicians to offer UV lash extensions.
But behind the success is a journey that hasn’t always been easy.
Like many small business owners, Leah has faced constant change—working from different locations, navigating unexpected disruptions to her workspace, and most recently operating from a spare bedroom while continuing to grow her client base.
At the same time, she has been raising her young son, balancing childcare, long working hours, and the demands of running a business alone.
“People often see the end result but not what goes on behind the scenes,” Leah said. “There were times I was juggling everything—being a mum, running a business, and trying to keep things afloat when plans didn’t work out. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve never given up.”
Despite the challenges, Leah’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. She has been named a finalist in the prestigious HBA Awards for five consecutive years (2022–2026), as well as winning multiple industry awards, cementing her reputation within the beauty industry.
Now, Leah has reached a major milestone—opening a fully equipped home salon in Collingtree, creating a professional space for her growing list of clients.
“I’ve worked towards this for so long,” she said. “To finally have my own space, after everything it’s taken to get here, means everything. It’s not just a salon—it’s something I’ve built for me and my son.”
The new salon offers a range of treatments including lash extensions, Korean lash lifts, brow treatments and semi-permanent makeup, with a strong focus on quality, client experience and modern techniques.
With increasing demand from both new and returning clients, Leah hopes this next chapter will allow her to continue expanding Blink & Sculpt while creating more stability for her family.
“I want to show that no matter how difficult things get, you can still build something successful,” she added. “This is just the beginning.”