For Yasmin Maya, the YouTube beauty community serves as her safe haven. Today, the 29-year-old has over 3-million subscribers and recently launched her own company, BIRDY Lashes. However, it wasn’t as seamless as listed for the Mexican-American entrepreneur. Yasmin’s faith and determination speak to where she stands today. Ahead, Yasmin reveals details on her YouTube stardom, immigration status, and the road to launching BIRDY Lashes.

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Childhood Memories

After being born and raised in Amatepec in Mexico, Yasmin found herself in California as an undocumented young teenager. “Like most children who grow up here, we don’t learn that we are undocumented until we start to apply for college and financial aid,” explains Yasmin. “I realize I wasn’t going to be able to get any help to attend school. Finding a job would be tough too. It was a tough time for me mentally. I didn’t want to be in a place where I felt I had to hide,” continues the YouTube star. At 18-year-old, she found herself at the border town of Tijuana to resolve her papers to become a U.S resident. Describing the process, “I didn’t want to be in a place where I felt I had to hide,” says Yasmin. She continues with “I didn’t want to live that way, so I just decided to leave the U.S and wait for my papers in Mexico.”

Building Community

As soon as Yasmin arrived in Mexico, she recalls wanting to begin a YouTube channel. She received a camera and makeup from her family to create content. Inspired by veteran vlogger, Dulce Candy, Yasmin started planning ahead.“Talking to the camera helped me find myself and build confidence,” says Yasmin.

Her channel instantly grew as she showed the world how to apply lashes, contour, and everything in between. Going beyond makeup, over the years Yasmin’s sweet spirit captured over 3M followers. “Having a community that would come to support me showed me that I was here for a reason. I am so grateful for my beauties,” she tells LatinaWatch.

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Launching BIRDY Beauty

Fast forward to today, the 29-year-old YouTube star is sharing her very own brand, BIRDY Lashes, with the world. The brand highlights two faux-mink lashes in Gemini, and Dream, as well as 2-in-1 long-wear waterproof liquid eyeliner, available in black and clear. Each product is priced at $12. 

If you’re worried about it being too complicated, Yasmin has fool-proofed these products thoughtfully for us all. Yasmin wanted to make it easy for beginners and everyday lash wearers with the right amount of length and volume, along with the flake-free application.

“Birdy Lashes is a brand I worked tirelessly on. The main differentiator I wanted to create was having a high-quality lash at a drugstore price that is easy for anyone to put on. Because it doubles as an adhesive my BirdyLiner Eyeliner creates a simplicity to placing your lashes, something that I myself and so many others have had a hard time with,” expresses Yamin. When it comes to celebrating her Mexican heritage, the beauty influencer was extremely intentional. The brand’s teaser video was filmed in Tijuana and in the launch photos, you can see Yasmin wearing a charro inspired suit. The authentic style pays homage to her Mexican roots in the chicest way.

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Love Letter to Immigrants

Yasmin’s achievements send a message to hope for children of immigrants and those still in the process of residency and citizenship. “I want them to know they can accomplish anything they set their mindset too. Our dreams matter just as much as anyone,” exclaims Yasmin. Instead of spending money on fancy PR boxes, Yasmin decided to donate that money to the ACLU Foundation which fights for many causes that I care about including immigration. 

Disclaimer: As of January 15, 2021, Byrdie.com’s owner Dotdash is asking Birdy Lashes to stop using the trademark Birdy Lashes. This interview was coordinated before this announcement. Please note – legal counsel for the beauty brand (Birdy Lashes) and Dotdash are communicating to get this resolved.