As far as its Pinay patrons are concerned, it’s still all about longer, thicker and more expressive eyelashes. And the beauty salon, using the best and latest Japanese products and technology, now offers several ways for them to achieve that.
By Alex Y. Vergara
After closing its doors to the public for nearly three months for a much-needed renovation, Kiyosa Beauty, which styles itself as the only beauty salon in the country that offers authentic Japanese-style services and products, recently reopened. Located on the ground floor of F1 Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Kiyosa Beauty is all set to again fulfill the dreams of countless Filipino women for longer, fuller lashes and attractive, artfully designed nails.
“Our clients have been going to us for their hair, nails and eyelash extensions for 10 years now,” says Kiyosa Beauty’s Japanese owner Kiyosa Kato. “I would say one of our main come-ons, apart from using high-quality Japanese products, from hair color to perming solutions, shampoos to conditioners, is the presence of an expert Japanese technician, a Japanese nail artist and several Japanese stylists.”
The Japanese technician, who flies regularly from Japan to Manila, is responsible for training Kiyosa Beauty’s Filipino staff in providing the latest and most in demand Japanese-style services to the beauty salon’s growing clientele.
Kato is also proud to note that Kiyosa Beauty is the only salon of its kind so far in Manila to offer “bind-lock lashes.” “It involves the use of two flat (artificial) lashes and one single lash attachment, which is difficult to achieve,” Kato explains. “But once done right, it offers clients lush and beautiful lashes like no other.”
The latest rage in Japan, she informs, is eyelash perming or “lash lift,” which eliminates the need for curling one’s eyelashes every day. Since Kiyosa Beauty only uses the “best Japanese products,” the procedure, which lasts for a month, is safe and won’t harm the eyes, eyelids and eyelashes, Kato assures.
“After you get a lash lift, you just put on mascara and you’re good to go,” she says. “But most Filipinas still want fuller eyelashes. Many still go to us for eyelash extension services.”
Celebrities like Pricilla Mereilles, Barbie Imperial and Tessa Prieto graced Kiyosa Beauty’s reopening, assisting Kato in cutting the ceremonial ribbon. In the case of Prieto, she has been a Kiyosa Beauty loyalist ever since the beauty salon opened in 2014.
“I love to go here because they really use authentic Japanese products,” she says. “And they’re the only ones who do this beautiful and intricate nail art. Other salons normally just do gel nail polish.”
As Prieto explains it, nail art, as its name implies, is the art of putting different eye-catching décor on your nails like tiny pearls, beads and gold dust.
“You invest two hours of your time on your nails, and it lasts for a month. It’s worth it,” she says.
For long-time patrons, Kiyosa Beauty’s physical transformation is also quite evident. “Before, it was all white (interiors) and it looked old,” says Kato. “Now, with its beige walls, the place looks warmer, more inviting, but also more elegant.”
And Kato is probably not kidding. Beauty afficionados like Prieto can’t seem to have enough of the pampering they get at Kiyosa Beauty. “I plan to go back again sometime this week because they also do fabulous eyelashes and eyebrows,” she says with a laugh.
