'Eyebrow Guru' Is BFF to Domestic Abuse Victims
After a tough beginning, VL Fanai is now a successful cosmetologist and designer of skin care products, and she's sharing her good fortune through her Bright Future Foundation.
Carlsbad cosmetologist VL Fanai has found a bright future and is helping others do the same.
After her divorce from an abusive husband, she and her four daughters were left homeless. Now she’s the owner of a successful Carlsbad Village business, The Eyebrow Guru (formerly VL Beauty Center), where she’s known, of course, as the “eyebrow guru,” and is the creator of a popular skin care line.
And she’s using her success to help other victims of abuse. Six years ago, she started the Bright Future Foundation, or BFF, to benefit women and children living in domestic violence shelters. She now donates 10 percent of all her profits to BFF. She also gives a free “day of beauty” each year to domestic violence victims at an Escondido shelter.
At her Carlsbad shop, Fanai, who just goes by VL, is best known for eyebrow threading, an ancient method of hair removal which originated in parts of India—her home country—and the Middle and Far East. Her latest skin care product—VL No9—is the new craze in her shop.
VL No9 is a face mask made from nine ingredients, including turmeric powder. Each ingredient comes from a different part of India. When mixed together, the coloring is gold. The mask is purchased in powder form in a bottle. The user simply adds a bit of water so it forms a paste. It can be used as a cleanser or a nine-minute exfoliating face mask.
Clients say it’s radically changing their skin. “My cousin had pimples all over his face,” said Angel Bonila. “After using VL No9 every day for 30 days, they are all gone.” Constance, our product tester in the video accompanying this story, says, “The first time I used it, I could feel the stress coming out of my face.”
VL says she chose to call it VL No9 and use nine ingredients for a reason. “Nine is my favorite number. It is the final number of accomplishment. Even when I was homeless with my four daughters after my divorce, the nine Fruits of the Spirit [Galatian 5:22] have always been in my heart to keep me focused and strong.”
The large container of VL No9 is $39 and the small shaker is $29—less than a dollar per use. VL says if Carlsbad Patch readers mention this article and buy both products, she will also give them a complimentary bottle of her VL Rose Water.
Have you tried VL No9?
Tell us in the comments.
Lisa Ellis
10:45 am on Friday, April 15, 2011
Love it!!! Haven’t used any other product since I tried it. It will change your face!!! Thanks VL!!!!
Cassie
10:22 pm on Monday, April 18, 2011
I have bad break outs and vl's no.9 always gets rid of them and leaves my face feeling fresh! Everyone should go see her!
Jeana davis
8:28 am on Saturday, April 23, 2011
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT... This is the only mask you can put under your eyes and eye lids it moisturizes them while cleansing and rejuvinating ..The whole face feels pleasure, it's like taking a big plunger and getting all the junk out... The results are instant... You feel and see... I have been the acne Queen since I was 15 years old I am now 50 and finally found the product that works.... YOU WILL LOVE NO9 GOLD...
IT IS G O L D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sue
9:41 am on Saturday, April 23, 2011
I have been using it for three months now and love the way it tightens and tones without drying out my skin. The best thing for me is the improvement in my neck area, which looks dramatically better. Thanks VL No 9.
Sue
Valerie Pierce
1:39 pm on Sunday, April 24, 2011
I have been using VL No 9 for about four months and I LOVE the way it instantly gives me that much needed glow and the way my skin feels. I had these small blothes on my cheeks and it evened out my skin tone. I've got to get more before I run out!
Valerie
Nancy
6:35 pm on Sunday, April 24, 2011
I love the extra attention VL has given me the past few years. She is awesome I drive from the Palm Desert area to have her thread my eyebrows. Her products make may face feel and look wonderful!
Jae
9:25 pm on Thursday, April 28, 2011
No.9 IS AMAZING!!! Thank you soo much VL!
Christina Silva
12:35 am on Friday, April 29, 2011
VL is as wonderful on the outside as she is on the inside. Her products are simple yet effective, her generousity to the less fortunate thru her charity work and her day of beauty events, and not to mention, her threading technique, is amazing. She is a joy to be around, and is always smiling and happy! She is a master at threading and the very first time she saw me, instantly pointed out the "flaws" in my brows that my previous threader had inflicted upon me (unevenness, one brow being higher and longer than the other). I am looking forward to achieving my perfect brow with her help!
Shivani
4:00 pm on Wednesday, May 4, 2011
VL is an amazing person :) I have been using her all natural VL No.9 mask for over two months, every night. It leaves your face feeling refreshed and it has dramatically improved my complexion! I drive all the way from orange county to see VL and she is just so honest, loving, and very willing to teach ladies how to take care of themselves and to be beautiful naturally. I will definitely be using No.9 for a very long long time!!
Jill Lewkovich
12:05 am on Thursday, May 12, 2011
I used the No. 9 Mask for the first time a week ago, and the results were definitive and awesome! "satin" is the word that best describes how the skin on my face felt after I rinsed off the mask, dried it, and sprayed it with the rose water (which I have used for many years as a skin freshener) I am hooked!! It will become a weekly ritual for me now- to maintain the wonderful benefits of this wonderful,earthy product VL has created for us.
Jill
Jovita
11:00 am on Thursday, May 12, 2011
9 ways to beauty... eat well, smile, be kind, meditate, sleep, hydrate, threading is a better than chemical peels, VL no.9 mask all over makes your skin come alive and finally JUST SEE VL!!!!!
Olivia Fairclough
1:21 pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
When I moved from out of state 2 years ago, I searched high and low for someone to thread my brows. I was glad to find VL right here in Carlsbad. She is a perfectionist and takes great pride in her craft. You can't go wrong with the Guru. She hooks you up!
Jennifer R
2:39 pm on Sunday, May 22, 2011
VL is a GEM and No. 9 really is AMAZING! Great price and fantastic, instant results. Keep rockin' VL!!
Elaine
7:45 pm on Friday, June 3, 2011
VL No. 9 is an amazing mask!! Right after I washed it off my face was glowing! This is the only product I know that you can put on underneath your eyes, on your eyelids and all over your face without it irritating the skin! You can see results instantly!! I met VL the owner and she is a warm and kind hearted person that is so giving and her willingness to help others warms your heart!! Thank you!!
Aida
5:36 pm on Friday, June 24, 2011
I love the product!! It is amazing, it will turn your skin into a very nice and soft skin! I'm using the product everyday and it's amazing... You should try it, you will love the result!
frances patterson
9:41 pm on Friday, June 24, 2011
A hidden gem in Carlsbad Village!!!. Come see The Eyebrow Guru for your beauty needs. Your eyes are the window to the soul; once you stop in you will be hooked!! Don't forget to ask about VL's special beauty mask VL #9 - with this daily treatment there is no need for botox! Fine lines and enlarged pores are minimized!!! Not to mention the nice firm tone your skin will have !!!
Nancy Burnett
8:08 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
VL and BFF are such gifts to our community! And smooth beautiful brows--an affordable luxury.
Thanks,
Nancy
Victoria
10:45 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
Come to VL if topnotch service is what you're seeking... Decades of beautifully honed threading expertise... You'll be under Very sure hands! Cheers to all her benevolent work with BFF... And don't forget to pick up a jar of No.9; no other product like it!
Ali
8:45 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
I absolutely love VL's No. 9 mask!!! My mom and I take a night every week and use the mask then rosewater spray afterwards. It gives our skin a beautiful glow! BEST FACE MASK I'VE EVER USED! THANKS VL!
Vanessa
7:17 pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
I absolutely LOVE my eyebrows! She gives you a mini lesson on how to maintain and grow healthy perfect brows! Super friendly and fun place, I will definetly be returning! Thanks, VL!
Christy
3:36 pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Eyebrow guru is an understatement! VL is amazing! So detailed. You leave feeling and looking amazing! Gorgeous eyebrows and no Chickstache!
Leti
1:23 am on Sunday, July 17, 2011
VL doesn't show up for appointments with many clients leaving them stood up and very upset. I have heard it and seen it many times. Very unprofessional and she doesn't pay her employees!! Very sad and tragic for a women who claims to be charitable. :((
Krystal
2:40 pm on Saturday, July 23, 2011
Eyebrow guru is great! I'm learning so much so quickly not to mention the teacher is awesome. I feel great learning here and being able to become part of her charity work! Such a great opportunity:)
Victoria
2:13 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Please check out our YouTube to find out more about No9 users comments and how to DIY Threading ..
You will notice Ms Deanne Goodman, Josh Myers, and our very own Carlabad High School graduate, NFL Green Bay Player Brett Swain # 16.
Thank you so so much for your feedback. Blessings to you and yours :) VL Fanai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxkuXg7LBDE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Chantall N
12:22 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011
I'm loving the number 9, it has rescued my skin. I've heard alot about the amazing ingredients in the product and have noticed big expensive brands using them i feel so much more confident in using the number 9 knowing that there are no fillers, pure ingredients, and that the proceeds go to charity.
VL No9
11:36 pm on Wednesday, August 24, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxkuXg7LBDE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Thanks so much to each ans everyone of you who's always loyal to me and my BFF.... Your Eyebrow Guru is moving out of her Carlsbad Village Drive. Salon to teach, promote VL No9 and do her BFF charity work full time.
You and yours are invited to attend out World Premiere on August 29th, 2011 2PM ~ 7PM
Hilton Garden Inn, 6450 Carlsbad Blvd. 92011
• Buy 2 No9, get 1 FREE !
" I pledge to be Non-violent, respect my Body,
and the Earth " ~ VL Fanai
Thanks 4 Lovin' VL No9 !!!