‘It gives women strength’: Montrealer empowers through magnetic lashes

There’s more than meets the eye to “Lorena’s Butterfly Lashes.” The small Montreal business empowers women, including those with cancer and alopecia, through magnetic lashes.

“Butterflies, their meaning is hope, transformation, rebirth,” said Montrealer, Lorena Valloreo Lopez. “That’s what I needed after I got diagnosed with the cancer.”

Lorena began selling the lashes after losing most of hers when undergoing radiation for a rare eye cancer. Her goal: to help women shine in a time of darkness.

“It’s not harmful for my cancer,” said Lorena. “They’re light. They’re fun. They’re sexy.”

Montrealer, Lorena Valloreo Lopez, looking in a mirror at her massage therapy studio in Saint Leonard on Aug. 26, 2022. (Credit: Pamela Pagano/CityNews)

With little energy due to treatments, it took some convincing from Lorena’s best friend and daughter to get her to go to The National Women’s Show at Montreal’s Palais des congrès.

But what started as a simple outing became a life changing moment: she discovered Tori Belle Cosmetics at the event.

“I left that day with a pair of lashes,” she explained. “I felt pretty, I felt energetic.”

A pair of magnetic lashes on Lopez’s table in Montreal on Aug. 26, 2022. (Credit: Pamela Pagano/CityNews)

Her eyes glittering – and not just because of the lashes.

Now as an affiliate of the brand, Lorena loves to help others feel confident in themselves.

“This makes me smile, it makes me strong,” she said. “I want women, whether if you’re going through cancer and chemo and radiation or if you’re suffering from alopecia or you just don’t have that $200 to go see someone to get fake lashes, these are inexpensive and they’re fun and they’re reusable.”

“And it makes you feel empowered,” she added.

Lorena Valloreo Lopez and her daughter, Raven Lopez. (Credit: Lorena Valloreo Lopez)

The tumor, behind her left eye.

Diagnosed with the cancer two years ago, undergoing radiation and multiple surgeries. Doctors also finding eight other tumors, thankfully all benign.

Grateful for her hospital, priest, family and friends support, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They help hold me up,” said Laurena. “But my biggest support, my stone, and my heart is my daughter.”

“My mom is my hero, my world and my strength,” said Raven Lopez, Lorena’s daughter. “To see her smile and feel beautiful again made my world whole and I couldn’t be prouder of the amazing and strong woman that she is.”

“I only hope to one day be half the woman she is,” she added.

With the daily encouragement from Raven, she’s also gone back to school.

And has returned part time to the career she’s dedicated 18 years to: massage therapy.

One of Lorena’s favourite motivational quotes hanging on her wall in Montreal on Aug. 26, 2022. (Credit: Pamela Pagano/CityNews)

Butterfly kisses, something her late husband always gave her.

Her lashes remind her of them, giving her strength – now passing that on.

“It gives women strength to fight what they have to fight,” said Lorena. “I know it sounds silly, just that a lash could do that, but when you feel good inside, you make everybody around you feel good.”

For more information, visit Lorena Valloreo Lopez on Facebook.