KYLE — Kayla Sanchez decided to try out “lashing” nearly three years ago. After going through a two-week test period, it just clicked: this is what her career was meant to be.
“It was my mom who was like, ‘You should do this as a backup, just in case,’” said Sanchez, who participated in the Lehman High School cosmetology courses.
The three-year program consisted of learning all things beauty, she explained. From nails and facials to eyebrows and haircuts, Sanchez learned it all and was able to obtain her cosmetology license after graduating.
The cosmetologist was working at Great Clips when she received a call from a local lashing studio that offered her an opportunity to come in for two weeks and learn “lashing.” If she picked up on the skill after the trial period, Sanchez would be offered a position.
“It just clicked,” she said, and after a few months, she began training other employees on the skill.
According to Sanchez, lashing is the application of foam, ink and synthetic hair fibers that are attached to the natural lashes using adhesive.
“It can be as natural as adding to a client’s lashes or you can get a full glam kind of look. It just depends on what the client is looking for, which is my favorite part,” Sanchez said. “You have so many different eye shapes, so many different facial structures and stuff, so I get to really get creative with how it can suit that client.”
These differences can vary, such as adding more lashes on the outer portions of the eye for those with more round eyes or doing an open eye set for narrow eyes, she said.
This passion for creativity is what prompted the cosmetologist’s move to the private sector. She noted that while in a franchise, it is easy to get burned out, as the experience is more in-and-out rather than having the chance to connect with clients.
“Here, I’m able to just really make a client feel like this is their time, rather than be like, ‘Oh, God. We have to hurry because I have somebody in the lobby' … [Also], after a while it feels like you’re just a number. [This is] my livelihood. I want to feel like I’m doing something, not just for someone else,” she explained.
Now, after working from both her house and Buda, she is located at 107 S. Main St, Kyle: “Working in downtown Kyle means a lot because I grew up here; my grandpa lives down the street. It has that sentimental value.”
Sanchez offers several services, such as: classic lashes full set, which consists of a single lash extension being applied to individual lashes; hybrid lashes full set, which is a mixture of handmade volume fans and individual classic lashes; volume lashes full set from handmade volume fans; wet set full set for a dark and wet look; lash lift and tint; refills; and more.
Currently, Sanchez only works with lashes, but in the future, she hopes to own a standalone building that can be a one-stop shop for individuals and parties, such as a bridesmaid group, that offers hair, nails, makeup, a barber and more. She also wants to begin teaching lash courses so others can dive into their own lash journey.
“Having your own business is a big deal and it’s kind of hard, but once you get the lashes down, it’s just so fun and creative,” emphasized Sanchez. “I never thought I would get there. I’m just so thankful for the industry.”
Texas Beauty’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. To contact Sanchez, book an appointment or find out more information, visit texasbeauty.glossgenius.com. Additionally, she has a loyalty card, which offers 15% off after four visits, and 25% off after nine visits.
