Second national success of 2026 for Luton lash studio Faces by EKK

A Luton lash studio has picked up its second national recognition of 2026, with founder Elzbieta Kalawska-Kopacz ranked among the top five lash technicians in the country at the UK Beauty Awards.

The ceremony took place at The Grand Connaught Rooms in London on 17 October.

“Sitting in that room and seeing my name among four other incredible lash artists was surreal,” she said. “I looked around and thought, I’m really here. That feeling is hard to put into words.”

Alongside running studio in High Town, Elzbieta is in her final year of a Media, Marketing and PR degree at the University of Bedfordshire. She also trains new lash and brow artists, with students travelling from across the UK for her 1:1 training courses.

She handles her own social media and content, and after graduating she plans to help other small beauty and creative businesses with their marketing.

“So many talented people in this industry struggle to show their work online,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot by doing it for my own studio, and now through my degree. I’d love to help other local businesses get the attention they deserve.”

The result rounds off a strong year. In the summer, she finished 16th in the country for Lash Stylist of the Year at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards, attending the gala in Manchester.

“Twelve years ago I was doing a completely different job,” she added. “I’ve built this one client at a time, right here in Luton. You don’t need a big London salon to be noticed nationally. If you’re good at what you do and you keep showing up, people will find you.”

Elzbieta holds an Ofqual-regulated teaching qualification and says passing on her skills is the part of the job she loves most.

Faces by EKK can be found on Instagram at @facesbyekk_education.