Make-up bar specializes in the perfect eyebrow

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28: A young Bermudian therapist has fulfilled her dream of opening a make-up bar, complete with one-of-a-kind eyelash and eyebrow treatments.

Hanifah Smith, 27, is the owner of Lush Make-Up Lash and Brow Bar.

Located in the Washington Mall, Lush opened in May is and a unique business within Bermuda’s beauty world.

Lush specializes in make-up, eyelash extensions and eyebrow shaping.

Ms Smith said the shop retails Smashbox, Nyx and Billion Dollar Brows cosmetics.

They also offer threading, eyebrow/lash tinting, full body waxing and in store/on location make-up services.

Trend

Asked how the shop came into fruition, Ms Smith said: “I knew from childhood that I would work for myself, as it is just a part of my personality.

“So when my passion for beauty therapy really manifested, I figured I would simply open up a spa.

“However, I exceeded my own expectations when Lush opened.”

She said she took her business plan to the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation and worked closely with business development manager Jamillah Lodge for more than a year.

“Lush is the first store of its kind in Bermuda and I was certainly taking a risk, however Lush Make-Up Lash and Brow Bar set a trend the day it opened.

“I am confident in the niche and reassurance Lush has found and I am even more motivated to up it to the next phase.”

Ms Smith has make-up artist Kristos Clarke-Trott as a member of her staff.

“Kristos is thoroughly knowledgeable and skilled, her work is impeccable”, she said.

“She loves make-up and beauty and she offers make-up applications, lessons, eyebrow threading and eyelash extensions.” Ms Smith began in the beauty business when she was 18-years-old.

She is a certified City and Guilds beauty therapist and has worked for eight years in the island’s beauty business.

She was also certified in Beverly Hills as a Billion Dollar Brow artist and trained at the Bobbi Brown Make-Up Studio in New Jersey.

Asked to explain the Billion Dollar Brow, Ms Smith said: “In a nutshell, it’s a brow shaping technique where your brow is measured.

“I measure out your facial features where your brow starts and ends.

“I would say 95 per cent of my clients come in with the wrong brow shape.

“It’s a system to get the hair to grow back.”

Ms Smith said the store has been successful since opening despite zero advertising.

“I just opened the doors. I put off doing interviews because it was just myself and my cousin and I didn’t want to overwhelm myself.

“A lot of Bermudians have high expectations so I want to weigh out the kinks.

“Everything is absolutely worth it.”

Asked what makes Lush different from other make-up stores, Ms Smith said: “The services we offer are specialized.

“I am a beauty therapist and have done waxing and tints and all that.

“But as a therapist, if you are doing massage, waxing, manicures, pedicures, you can’t specialize each and every thing.”

“I wanted to specialize in maintenance of brows.”

Lush is participating in Bermuda’s Fashion Night Out on Friday and will have models, new products and more.

For more information call 295-LUSH (5874).