Makeup Artist Lala Flores Finds New Purpose In Her Business INKED Beauty Studio

Lala Flores is no new name in the industry. A name that holds much gravitas doesn't really need no long introduction, but allow us the pleasure anyway. In her younger days, Lala Flores graced glossies and catwalks as a model, and as her career unfolded, she found passion in making others beautiful by way of professional makeup artistry. Some of the A-listers that she's had the privilege of being to go-to makeup artist for are Ruffa Gutierrez, Iza Calzado, Isabelle Daza, Toni Gonzaga, Lovi Poe, Angel Locsin, and Julia Barretto. The list of celebrity clients can go on and on but in this story, we talk about Lala Flores' next move, and her brainchild: INKED Beauty Studio by Lala Flores.

Lala Flores @lalaflores16

As with a lot of us, the pandemic brought about major life changes that signaled a new trajectory for our future. The same happened for Lala Flores. 'The idea for INKED came to me during the COVID pandemic. Wearing a maskand having asthma made it hard for me to breathe as I went from one place to anotherfor shoots. This difficulty made me think about whether I could keep doing makeup.Even though I love doing makeup, it was getting too hard because of the physical workinvolved', she shares. Certainly this was true for a lot of people, having resorted to moving to the province, lessening face time with colleagues at work, and simplifying life in general.

This made me ask for help from God. I wanted to know what else I coulddo that would still allow me to be productive and use my God-given talent

'When 2023 came, I found myself contemplating early retirement. I even tried to enjoythe slower pace of life on our farm in Tanay. But, being away from the industry —thebeauty and fashion people—all the wonderful people I'd met over the years made merealize that I wasn't ready to retire. I missed my 'family' in the industry too much.However, the physical demands of my job were still a challenge, especially with myhealth scare. This made me ask for help from God. I wanted to know what else I coulddo that would still allow me to be productive and use my God-given talent.'

And when we seek God's help in anything, truly He gives us His will, and oftentimes a real purpose for our lives—something that will truly help spread His desire to enrich and love other people in our lives through our gifts and talents. Such is what happened when INKED was birthed. Semi-permanent makeup artistry is no walk in the park, but Lala thought it might be a good challenge to learn something new, even for someone who's already such a pro in her career.

Certifications in semi-permanent makeup artistry

'The process is different from traditional makeup, but the end goal remains the same—enhancing beauty and boosting confidence, in a a way that lasts longer. Having been amakeup artist for 25 years, I understand faces and symmetry well. So, even though thetools are different, I find that I can still create harmony and provide solutions to addressconcerns. That's the essence of INKED.' Finding new ways to put her talents to good use was what propelled her forward into pursuing certifications and training for this new semi-permanent makeup business.

Various certifications from professional institutions line the wall of INKED, a true testament to Lala Flores' diligence and passion for her craft. She goes on to share, 'Setting up INKED was almost like preparing for a medical procedure, requiring nearly ayear of intense practice and training. It's pretty demanding; I had to enroll in a numberof courses both locally and internationally to learn various semi-permanent makeuptechniques. My quest for knowledge took me on numerous travels to find experts in the field. Ididn't stop until I was confident that my personal technique was flawless, given myperfectionist nature.' While doing regular makeup gigs, she would diligently practice, sharing that 'On days when there were no classes, I'd practice daily, perfecting onetechnique at a time—different types of eyebrows, lips, eyeliners, and more. It wasindeed a tough journey, but it was worth it.'

INKED by Lala Flores

Truly, the results speak for itself. Now we can enter a haven for beauty that's filled with positive energy that ensures beauty that's not just highly trained but with a purpose. Semi-permanent isn't entirely new in the industry, but it is fairly getting more and more fans locally. Especially with the 'high maintenance things to do to stay low maintenance' beauty trend taking over the world, semi-permanent makeup and treatments are surely here to stay.

For INKED, they currently offer semi-permanent makeup on brows and lips, Lala's specialty. Semi-permanent makeup is also known as cosmetic tattooing, and the process involves the application of hypoallergenic pigments into the upper dermal layer of the skin to enhance features of the face such as brows, eyeliner, and lips, creating a makeup-like effect that lasts for a long time. Surely this saves a lot of us from stressing over our makeup on a daily basis!

'Lala Lips'

Lala says it best—'Semi-permanent makeup is a fantastic solution for people who struggle with dailymakeup application, particularly those with uneven eyebrows. Beauty, as we know it, isoften associated with facial symmetry. The eyebrows and lips should be balanced. Whilemakeup can achieve this, it's only a temporary fix that lasts a day at most and requiresfrequent touch-ups. At the end of the day, it has to be removed. Semi-permanent makeup, on the other hand, offers a more lasting solution. It savestime as you wake up essentially ready to go—just wash and go. You'll be pleased withwhat you see. The techniques for semi-permanent makeup have advanced greatly; theresults look incredibly natural. You'll be happy with the outcome.' Lala lips, anyone?

The studio is laced with tiny details of beauty in every corner

A note of caution

Lala kindly shared with us some words of caution before deciding to go for this big beauty decision: 'The outcome of semi-permanent makeup can vary from person to person because we'reall unique. It's not advisable for those with certain health issues like diabetes, or forpregnant or breastfeeding women, even though the pigment only affects the epidermisand is quite superficial. Those with diabetes would need doctor's clearance if they wereconsidering microblading. If you have any internal health issues, it's best to consult yourdoctor first to confirm if it's safe to proceed. One of the reasons I prefer using a machine for this procedure is its precision and thefact that it only affects the outermost skin layers, unlike traditional tattoos thatpenetrate deeper. Therefore, for expectant mothers, breastfeeding women, and peoplewith health issues like heart diseases or diabetes, it is vital to seek medical advice beforegoing ahead.'

The treatment room is bright and comfy, allowing for absolute relaxation throughout the experience

For those of you who are absolutely convinced already, some things to note about the procedures are as follows:

• Depending on your pain tolerance, there may be some discomfort. Topical anesthetics are applied before starting the procedure. Some side effects may include redness, swelling, tenderness, and temporary pigment darkening, which are to be expected.
• The process can go from one to three hours, and a complimentary consultation is provided beforehand.
• Semi-permanent makeup can last anywhere from one to three years, depending on factors like sun exposure, skin type, and lifestyle. Periodic touch-ups can be made.
• Recovery or healing time can last for about a week. However, the complete healing process can take about 6 to 8 weeks.
• Before the process, it's best to avoid taking any aspirin, caffeine, or any anti-inflammatory drugs 24 hours before the procedure. Come in makeup-free!
• It's not just for women! Men can get their lips done, too! Believe us—they look great!

Lip Blushing @lalaflores16

Book your appointment for INKED here.