Just as the caterpillar becomes a butterfly, the most beautiful version of its former self, Leonora Martin transforms her clients into the best version of themselves through her applications of eyelash extensions. With a talent for looking at the unique features of an individual, she uses her skills to create custom lash applications that enhance what already exists, and highlights the natural beauty of her clients. This talent has garnered the praise of those who have benefited from it and brought her professional success, freedom and financial independence.
A native of Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Leonora moved to the United States when she was 21. After graduating from college in Texas with a nursing degree, she went to work in the beauty industry as a Medical Esthetician performing dermatological procedures such as the application of botulinum toxin treatments (Botox), dermal fillers, laser hair removal, and skin rejuvenation. While she loved her chosen field, the hours and time away from home weren’t always ideal. After having her two children, Leonora really wanted to have more flexibility for their schedules and be able to spend more time at home.
“I saw something on TV about eyelash extensions and thought it was really interesting,” Leonora says. “I went to a local salon to try it for myself and they really did a horrible job. I’m not sure they had any training at all, looking back, and I thought, I could do this and do it better.” She searched online for training companies and found Xtreme Lashes. “I really like the company; the products seemed high quality and the service was excellent.”
Leonora signed up for training with Xtreme Lashes in December of 2008. She went to work on friends and family members immediately and rave reviews began pouring in. Within four months of her training, her new service was booming and Leonora quit her salon job to devote herself full time to lashes.
Butterfly Kisses Lashes is now Leonora’s sole business venture and she sees clients out of the comfort of her own home in Katy, TX. She works Monday through Friday, nine hours a day, and occasional Saturdays by special request. “I’m amazed at how busy I am, all the time,” she says, “and I love what I do. It’s so relaxing to me, plus it gives me the opportunity to work from home and raise my kids at the same time.”
As a Registered Nurse, Leonora takes pride in her work and in giving each client customized services. “I spend at least twenty minutes meeting with new clients. I look at their facial features, their lashes and the shape of their eyes and try to see what is going to bring out their features the best,” she says. She is constantly seeking educational opportunities to enrich her curriculum as a Certified Aesthetic Nurse and Certified Lash Stylist, including two additional courses with Xtreme Lashes to update her skills in the Advanced Training Program.
Now that she’s been applying eyelash extensions for over three years and her kids are older, Leonora is thinking about the future and has plans for expansion. “I’d like open my own lash specialty salon, and hire additional stylists to work with me. There’s definitely a market for it. My hope is to do this possibly by the end of the year or the beginning of next year.”
Her clients will, no doubt, follow wherever Leonora decides to take Butterfly Kisses Lashes in the future. The words they share express an obvious love for both her personal nature and her transformative abilities:
“I have been going to Leo for over a year now. I was skeptical at first to get “fake” eyelashes because I have seen women with awful unnatural looking lashes. I tried Butterfly Kisses once and was hooked. My eyelashes look so beautiful and very NATURAL. I do not wear eye makeup and my eyes pop all on their own now. Leo is an amazing woman. She is very professional and kind. I would highly recommend Leo to everyone!”
- Joy A.
“I’ve been to 3 different places in the last 2 years for lashes and Leo is by far the best. She’s very professional, careful and knows exactly what’s best for your lashes. She noticed the lashes I had previously done were too heavy for my natural lashes so she did refills with lashes that better fit my needs. They look so much better and much more natural. They have a nice curl and separate perfectly, no clumps! I highly recommend Leo …your lashes will look completely natural.”
- Liv R.
“I always leave happy and my eyelashes look amazing! Being Asian, my lashes are short and tend to grow downwards so I was skeptical about how natural they would look – they are beautiful. I have received so many compliments from friends and even strangers. Leo is very professional and friendly and makes you feel very comfortable (and I have fallen asleep during a refill session). If you are looking for natural looking, lush eyelash extensions – call LEO!”
- Leena C.
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