Where Beauty Meets Frequency: How Fernanda Casasbuenas Turned a Personal Health Journey Into HIKARU LIFT

Entrepreneur, integrative wellness and longevity innovator Fernanda Casasbuenas has dedicated her career to exploring the connection between the mind, body and personal well-being. With a background spanning yoga, Ayurveda, holistic nutrition, energy medicine and mindful movement, she has built a philosophy centered on the idea that true beauty begins with how we feel, not simply how we look.

But it was a deeply personal health experience that ultimately inspired her latest venture.

After experiencing facial paralysis, Casasbuenas began exploring traditional healing philosophies, facial anatomy, sound and vibration as part of her personal wellness journey. Although she was told recovery could take several months, she experienced a complete recovery in approximately three weeks. The experience fundamentally changed her relationship with beauty, self-image and the importance of intentional self-care.

That journey led to the creation of HIKARU LIFT, a new beauty and wellness concept that goes beyond the traditional facial sculpting tool. Combining a stainless-steel facial and body massage instrument with an educational app, guided breathing exercises, interchangeable crystals and original musical compositions by Maestro Jorge Alfano, HIKARU LIFT transforms an everyday beauty routine into a multisensory experience.

Drawing inspiration from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese aesthetics, the brand encourages users to slow down, reconnect with themselves and approach beauty as a daily ritual rather than a pursuit of perfection.

Haute Living spoke with Casasbuenas about the personal experience behind HIKARU LIFT, the intersection of beauty and wellness, and her vision for a more intentional approach to self-care.

HL: What inspired you to create HIKARU LIFT, and how did your personal experience with facial paralysis influence the concept?

FC: HIKARU LIFT was born from one of the most vulnerable experiences of my life: facial paralysis. Losing the ability to move my face naturally changed how I understood beauty, expression and connection. It made me realize how much we take even the smallest facial movements for granted. Doctors told me that recovery could take several months, but I experienced a complete recovery in approximately three weeks. During my recovery, Traditional Chinese Medicine became profoundly important to me. Its philosophy encouraged me to see the face not as an isolated collection of muscles, but as part of an interconnected whole. I personally believe the traditional practices I incorporated supported my recovery.

Another pivotal influence was Dr. John Beaulieu, who taught me about sound, vibration and tuning forks. His teachings helped shape how I experienced reconnecting with my face.

Ultimately, I realized I wanted to create something that went beyond looking lifted or younger. I wanted to develop a beautiful, accessible ritual that brings intention to touch, breath, movement and sound. That became HIKARU LIFT, where beauty meets frequency.

HL: As an entrepreneur, integrative wellness and longevity innovator, how has your background shaped your philosophy on beauty?

FC: My studies in holistic nutrition, Ayurveda, yoga, Polarity Therapy and other mind-body disciplines have taught me that how we feel influences how we carry ourselves and experience beauty. I approach beauty as connection rather than correction. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a special place in my heart because of my personal journey. Its traditional meridian framework inspired me to explore the relationship between facial movement, touch and awareness.

At the same time, modern anatomy offers a different perspective through our understanding of facial muscles, fascia, nerves and the lymphatic system. I believe we can appreciate traditional wisdom while also respecting what contemporary science has established. For me, beauty is not simply about changing our appearance. It is about developing a deeper awareness of ourselves and creating moments of meaningful self-care.

HL: HIKARU LIFT is more than a traditional facial sculpting tool. How does the experience work, and what makes it different?

FC: HIKARU LIFT is designed as a complete, guided ritual rather than simply a beauty device. The experience begins with our companion app, where users complete a discovery questionnaire that helps guide them toward a personalized intention, suggested ritual and recommended crystal. From there, users begin with breathing and centering exercises before following a five-, ten- or fifteen-minute facial or body massage sequence using our specially designed stainless-steel tool. The app also provides educational guidance about facial muscles, fascia and selected traditional meridian pathways. Gentle facial massage may help ease feelings of tension and temporarily reduce the appearance of puffiness.

The experience concludes with a crystal selected as a symbolic anchor for intention, accompanied by an original sound composition from Maestro Jorge Alfano. What makes HIKARU LIFT different is that every element works together. It combines touch, education, breath, sound and reflection into one intentional experience. I wanted to create something that feels as beautiful and elevated as a treasured piece of jewelry, but also encourages people to become more connected to their own bodies.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of HIKARU LIFT

HL: The beauty industry is increasingly embracing wellness, longevity and a more holistic approach to self-care. Why do you think consumers are responding to this shift?

FC: I believe people are beginning to question the idea that beauty is only about appearance. There is a growing desire for experiences that support a fuller picture of well-being, including stress awareness, rest, movement and meaningful daily habits. The conversation around longevity is also encouraging people to think about how they want to feel over time, rather than simply how they want to look today. I think the future of beauty will be more conscious, more personalized and more connected to our everyday lives. At the same time, I believe it is important to distinguish emerging research from proven outcomes. We can appreciate traditional practices and explore new wellness concepts while remaining responsible about what science can and cannot establish. Ultimately, I hope beauty becomes less about fixing ourselves and more about caring for ourselves.

HL: Design and sensory experiences are central to HIKARU LIFT. How did you approach creating something that feels both luxurious and intentional?

FC: Every design decision began with one question: How can an everyday object invite a sense of ceremony? We chose polished stainless steel for its durability, elegant appearance and tactile quality. The curves and edges were designed to allow controlled, gentle contact with the skin, while the travel pouch makes the ritual easy to incorporate into everyday life. The deep indigo and gold visual identity, carefully considered packaging, crystal symbolism and original musical compositions all contribute to the experience. Sound is especially meaningful to me. Through our collaboration with Maestro Jorge Alfano, we wanted to create an atmosphere that encourages people to slow down and become fully present. For me, luxury is not simply about beautiful materials. It is about the quality of attention we give ourselves.

HL: The name Hikaru comes from the Japanese word associated with shining and radiance. What does that name represent to you?

FC: I chose Hikaru because I wanted the brand to represent a kind of light that begins within. The most compelling glow is not only what we see on the surface of the skin. It is also the presence, confidence and energy we bring to ourselves and others. I have always appreciated Japanese aesthetics, particularly the emphasis on simplicity, intention and ritual. Those ideas deeply influenced the identity of HIKARU LIFT. The name reflects our belief that beauty should be felt as much as it is seen. Our philosophy, “Where Beauty Meets Frequency,” represents the intersection of intentional touch, breath, sound and personal meaning.

HL: As you introduce HIKARU LIFT to the market, what excites you most, and what is your long-term vision for the brand?

FC: What excites me most is imagining someone experiencing the complete ritual for the first time: holding the tool, exploring the app, learning the movements and listening to the music while connecting with their chosen crystal. I want people to walk away with more than a beautiful product. I want them to feel inspired to make time for themselves and become more curious about their bodies. Above all, I want HIKARU LIFT to remind people that beauty does not always have to be about transformation. Sometimes, the most meaningful beauty ritual is simply an opportunity to reconnect with yourself.

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