I got breathalised, deported & sacked for being drunk at work – now I’ve made millions selling lashes Katie Price loves
WHEN Danielle Gregory began selling lashes in 2016, she had no idea it would turn into a multi-million pound brand that celebrities love.
Now, 9 years on from creating Doll Beauty, Danielle, 40, reveals how she went from being sacked for being drunk at work and deported from Mexico to being the co-founder of one of the UK's fastest-growing beauty brands.
Lost At Sea
Danielle, from Chester, UK, sat down on the Nip & Tuck Podcast to share her success story - which didn't start out successful.
She recalls being sacked from a cruise ship for being drunk at work while they sailed through Mexico.
"I was on the tequila, got back to work at 6 o'clock, drunk at work," she explains.
"Me and my friend got breathalised," and that was the end of her cruise ship career.
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At the time she recalls being heartbroken as she thought it was her dream job that allowed her to see the world.
"I let myself down," she added. "I had to get escorted on to the plane by security."
"I was devastated, but everything happens for a reason."
When she touched down back in the UK, she had no option but to live with her nan and grandad while she looked for work.
She revealed she started as a make-up artist working at Harvey Nichols and never went to college to study the industry.
"I didn't, I just fell into it by chance," she revealed.
In her downtime, she also became a freelance make-up artist for clients at their homes.
"Looking back at my make-up pictures, I can't believe they paid me for it," she joked.
At the time, she recalls fake lashes costing about £25 for a set, and she decided to come up with the idea to create her own brand along with her friend Sam.
"We didn't think 'We want to be the next Huda Beauty', it was just a little side earner, and eventually I left my job," Danielle explained.
Top beauty trends for 2025
Hayley Walker, Beauty Expert at Justmylook spoke exclusively to Fabulous about the big beauty trends for 2025.
Haircare
Hair gloss treatments are a must-have as beauty enthusiasts love the salon-quality shine and enhanced colour delivered by the trending treatment.
Hair glosses are multifunctional as they nourish the hair while offering a vibrant, healthy-looking finish, combining 2025’s core trends. This treatment is perfect for those seeking an affordable, at-home glow-up.
2025 will focus on skin repairing and texture-enhancing treatments.
Skincare
Rejuran treatment, a celebrity-endorsed procedure, will see a rise in demand this year as many seek to enhance the skin’s appearance. The procedure entails injecting polynucleotides derived from salmon DNA to enhance skin texture and elasticity. “Rejuvenation is expected to dominate 2025 skincare trends as many seek to a achieve flawless, youthful complexion.
Skincare routines will also include back-to-basic products for a simplified routine.
Ginseng cleansing oil and panthenol cream are among the trending products for 2025. The cleansing oil is excellent for dissolving makeup and impurities without clogging pores and is enriched with nourishing properties to leave the skin feeling and looking refreshed and radiant.
Makeup
Makeup trends will follow suit to achieve youthful and radiant looks. Under-eye brighteners will be sought-after products for delivering coverage while enhancing natural radiance. This beauty tool will complement natural beauty while improving and brightening dull skin.
Makeup looks will be bigger and bolder in 2025 with cluster lashes expected to surge this year. These lashes bring the glam to glamorous looks as they deliver dramatic volume to enhance everyday or special occasion looks.
Peel-off lip stains circulated the beauty industry in 2024 and are expected to dominate in 2025. The growing popularity of this product is due to its ability to provide long-lasting, transfer-proof colour to lips, enhancing a natural aesthetic. Additionally, cherry-coded aesthetics are expected to be everywhere this year as the deep, rich hue can be achieved using peel-off lip stains or bold lip looks for a dramatic effect.
Nails
2025 will be another year of countless, show-stopping nail trends. Goddess Nails and Aura Nails deserve an honourable mention as these designs channel an ethereal, celestial aesthetic for bold, self-expressing nails.
Celebrity Fans
She recalls how she started the brand by selling a small selection of lashes - but it wasn't until Doll Beauty's duo highlighter was created that they went viral.
On the first night of the website launch, she remembers making £700 selling 70 packs of lashes.
The beauty pro realised the business was becoming a big deal when celebrities were sporting her lashes like Katie Price.
"I love Katie Price, that for me, when she wore our make-up I was like 'This is it, we've made it.'"
Not only are her products loved by Katie Price, but they have also been worn by Perrie Edwards from Little Mix and Selling Sunset's Chelsea Lazkani.
She's also had Khloe Kardashian sporting their Golden Girl lipstick.
"We were putting Doll lashes on clients in Chester, and then it went from there, word of mouth," she says in regards to how the business grew.
Influencing Products
Instagram was also a big help at pushing out her brand to a larger audience.
Danielle revealed that in a twist of fate, her lashes were stocked in Harvey Nichols just a few years after she worked for them at a make-up counter.
The entrepreneur revealed there are so many positives to owning your own business - one being that she can hire her family and friends.
"People say don't hire who you know because it gets awkward," Danielle said.
"I disagree. They work so much harder for you because they love you."
Danielle has also revealed that TikTok kept them 'alive' during lockdown with the help of influencers and the company is now worth over £5 million.
Pro Tips
She revealed that she's ditched the idea that contour has to be used in straight lines to create chiseled features.
Instead, she takes a contour wand and uses it on the parameter of her face and cheekbones to blend it in and add some warmth while creating shadows.
And instead of spending all day checking if your lipstick is in place, she recommends just using a lip liner instead.
Danielle said she often just uses a lip liner and then blends it out to create a colour that won't slip and slide.
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And finally, the lash expert recommends using individual lash strips for a more natural look.
"It's so easy, put mascara on and then the cluster," she added.