It all started with my love for lashes. I loved how the lashes accentuated my eyes, made me look awake, seductive and feminine at the same time. As an American-Asian, I was not naturally blessed with long, dark lashes, but discovered I could accomplish the same look I was after by wearing synthetic fake lashes. Wearing lashes encouraged me to explore with different makeup products and techniques, and I grew in confidence as I learned to enhance my own features through the skills I was acquiring. Like many others, finding something that brought me joy planted the seed for a dream where I could encourage others to love their look and find confidence in themselves. I became a makeup artist and spent several years working with a variety of clients for prom, bridals, photoshoots and everyday makeup. I love working with clients and making them feel like the best version of themselves. Each person and their eyes and faces were all unique and I loved exploring what I could do to enhance their natural beauty. Looking for the right lashes was a challenge when the market targeted those with bigger eyes. Because the lashes are longer in length and the bands were thicker, I had to either trim the lashes or double up on the really natural lashes to get the fullness I was looking for. My clients were looking for a more natural and shorter look, so I began creating my own style with the existing lashes on the market.
My journey came to a halt when I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I spent 6 months doing IV Chemotherapy, 6 months on Oral Chemotherapy, port surgery, port removal surgery, a double mastectomy, reconstruction surgery and breast implant surgery. I lost my hair, my lashes, my brows, my confidence and women hood. I spent a lot of time in self-reflection. How the changes to my body impacted, how I saw myself as well as how others saw me. I was heartbroken that I didn’t have long luscious hair like everyone else did. Torn that I didn’t have lashes and brows and that I had to draw them in everyday instead of just fluffing them up with brow gel. I didn’t feel beautiful, I would look in the mirror and just cry because this was not me.
In a world where we have so little control, I found that lashes, makeup and wigs helped me to feel more like myself and kept me together. 4 years later, I’m NED ( No Evidence of Disease) and close to being Cancer Free but the impact of this trial motivated me to make a difference. I wanted lashes that were soft, comfortable, light weight and natural. Lashes that would fit all eye types and lashes that ranged from natural to full lashes. And that dream has finally became a reality. Senshi Lashes was developed from this desire to create something better than what the industry currently had available. Senshi in Japanese means Warrior. As I was going through my cancer journey, many times I was called a warrior. I managed to work part time, workout, get chemotherapy, rest for 3 days and went back to work Monday morning and repeated the cycle for weeks. It required a lot strength and resilience in me to make it through the day. I was called a warrior for overcoming life’s hardest obstacle.
Senshi lashes are for all warriors. You may not be facing cancer today, but we’re all working through something and putting on your armor to face your battle is a great representation of the strength needed to persevere. Our logo is representative of resilience and fighting spirit needed to overcome adversity. The pink magnolias are in honor of the pink-colored cancer ribbon and my love for magnolias. To me, when I see magnolias I see beauty, strength and purity. I wanted something that represented my strength and trials as I battled for my life.
May my love for lashes help empower those who may be struggling with themselves like I did. Lashes are powerful tools to enhance your beauty. I wanted to share with the world my lash line and what they mean to me and hope you love them as much as I do.
Love,
Bouavanh
