Meet Mykenya Simmons | Lash Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mykenya Simmons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mykenya, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I pride my business on knowledge and comfortability. When I’m completing a service I always explain to the client what I’m doing & what products I am using. I always want the client to leave learning something new whether its about the service or themselves. I try to go the extra mile for my clients by being transparent and creating the most relaxing and comfortable environment possible. I recently added the option for my client to have a “silent appointment”. This allows for the client to listen to mellow music with minimal talking or complete silence. Seeing as how the pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, I want to create a space for my clients to let their hair down & reenter society feeling rejuvenated.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am a lash extension artist from Chicago, Il. I specialize in lash extensions but I am also certified in brow waxing, tinting, micro shading, & lash lifts. I love expressing my creativity through lash extensions. I offer an array of colors, glitter lashes, lash decals, and more! Not only do I like to have fun and be expressive through lashes, I teach each an every client everything they need to know from the service that i am providing, down to the aftercare, and I even go as far as to give them the anatomy of the eye! I like my clients to be well informed of the luxury service that they are receiving.

Since I was young I’ve always been quite good with my hands. I’ve always liked to build things. I had a knack for taking things apart and trying to put them back together. In the coming years I’ve tapped into my ability to be able to turn my visions into realty creativity wise. For example: I can walk into an empty space and see exactly how it can be decorated to maximize space. I’ve applied this skill to my business in a sense that I can see exactly what I want for my brand; the level of elegance I want my beauty brand to exude, the direction I want to go in, the end result, the look, the feel, the vibe, I can see vividly how I want things to look, I just have to work towards the outcome.

Trusting my instincts got me to where I am today. Its hard to trust yourself, its hard to believe in your capabilities as an artist. Its hard to tell yourself to keep going when things are looking down. Every challenge that comes your way starts with fear. once you get over the hurdle of being afraid of failure, because lets be real, that’s all we’re afraid of. Afraid that things aren’t gonna work out. Once you realize that there is no such thing as a failure, that everything is a learning experience, you will WIN EVERY SINGLE TIME. keep betting on yourself Was it easy to get to this point? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
But once you decide to take a chance on yourself…..whew! That end result is so rewarding

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Week long trip with the bestie? EASY! Fresh off the plane we’re going to Truth Italian restaurant to get brunch. We can take in the sights in Millennium Park, take a few photos in front of the famous “bean”. The week will be filled with shopping on Michigan Ave, dinner at some of the best black owned restaurants in Chicago, my favorite being Virtue in Hyde Park. It has a very homey feel and has amazing comfort food! Chicago nightlife will have you out until the wee hours of the morning. You can always go bar hopping or hit up one of Chicago’s many downtown clubs. My favorite: Bevy. Last but not least to wrap up an incredible weekend we have on place left to go, the spa! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Aire Ancient Baths. Located in downtown Chicago, they offer different heated pools for relaxation, massages, and saunas. The perfect week in Chicago!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would definitely like to dedicate this shout out to everyone who has been in my corner since day one. I’ve had so much support since I’ve started my lash journey in 2018. I have tried many different endeavors, some have failed, some have been truly successful but throughout it all I have people who have been consistently supported me. I am forever grateful for the people in my life.

Website: https://lashoasisbymykenya.as.me/

Instagram: @lashoasis_mykenya @m_ebony