GONE are the days when eyelash extensions were uncomfortably heavy and fake-looking. Giving a whole new meaning to MLBB (my lashes but better), Cebu’s very own Fab Lab is changing the game by transforming women’s lashes to dramatically full yet ultra-light ones for that fabulous flutter every time.
The Story
Janie Flores birthed the business a couple of years ago in an apartment, offering just lash lift. As her clientele grew, she decided to open the first Fab Lab aesthetics center on the ground floor of FLC Center in Mandaue City in 2018. This time, the services expanded to skin care, semi-permanent makeup and detox therapy.
As Fab Lab’s client base has reached Manila, with many of them making a quick trip to Cebu just to avail themselves of the services, this prompted Janie to branch out to the capital city. “We have different lash programs like the lash lift, lash rebirth for people with short lashes, lash botox to nourish your lashes and lash repairs for lash lifts and extensions gone wrong,” she said.
With its new Vixen Lash Series, Fab Lab is the first in the country to offer Vixen Premium which includes lash lift and extensions in one session. It uses antibacterial midnight and air sable lashes which are the best of their kind. “We do a modified lift. It’s a chemical-free kind of lift called the beam lashes, almost like braces for lashes so when the new ones grow, they grow upward,” explained Janie. This makes it perfect for Asian lashes which are stubbornly straight.
The Process
It all starts with a lash cleanse. The lash technician makes sure that the customers’ lashes are free from makeup and debris. The Vixen lift is done next, prepping the lashes for extensions application.
Next is the extension selection which requires a mathematical formula. As it’s not a one-size-fits-all, every set of lashes differs in the length and thickness of the extension it requires. “We really study the science behind it. It’s a lab after all,” Janie said.
The upper lash extensions are then applied and are left to dry. When the client opens her eyes, there has to be absolutely no discomfort and stray lashes. The lower lash extensions are applied next. This highly specialized technique is another first in Cebu.
Fab Lab gives out a lash kit with a brush and cleanser for the aftercare. Additional instructions include not wetting the eyes for 24 hours thereafter, not rubbing the eyes, staying away from oil-based makeup and makeup remover (use micellar cleanser instead), rinsing your lashes after being exposed to saltwater as it weakens the adhesion and brushing your lashes every day.
As lashes undergo a growth cycle, it’s only natural for them to fall off to make room for new ones. You typically shed off two to five strands a day and that’s nothing to worry about. Touch-up is advised every two weeks, while a new set of extensions are best after a month.
They say “no pain, no gain” but at Fab Lab, it’s all gain, no pain. Book a lash or nails session any day of the week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (S)