Today we’d like to introduce you to Arriana Martinez.
Hi Arriana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love for hair started about 12 years ago. It started with wanting to learn how to braid hair and just expanded from there. Soon I’d find myself lost in hair tutorials on YouTube which led me to committing to going to cosmetology school my senior year of high school.
I never saw myself doing hair for a living when i was younger I knew i was pretty good at it but it was more a fun hobby.
My first half of my career I spent it working in the nail industry and also working weddings on the weekends. I worked for a few wedding companies and at two different spas.
It wasn’t until after my daughter turned 1 that I was ready to go back to doing just hair. I spent months in a hair program at milk and honey while also still doing nails still doing weddings and being a new mom. I unfortunately had to start my first year behind the chair wearing masks and having to make a connection with clients during Covid it wasn’t an easy start but it was definitely a ride. At the end of 2021 I was fortunate enough to make connections with a salon owner that was looking for a stylist to rent a chair but I had only been a hairstylist full time for a year and a half at that point. I wasn’t sure if I was ready but she was amazing enough to take a chance on me and my career really blew up the year I started working for myself. I absolutely love the freedom of working for myself and I love the space and area I’m in. . My clients are all super amazing I’m just very grateful I took that leap 5 years ago.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely wasn’t an easy time to say the least. I went from working 5-6 days a week to just being stuck at home right before I was supposed to start taking clients at the salon I was at. All the weddings I had scheduled were canceled for the whole year. When we finally were able to go back to work it was hard trying to build a career behind the chair in a time that no one knew what was certain.
I don’t think I even saw any of my clients real faces until after about 6 months which is insane. Like how do you create a connection with someone when you can’t even see their faces?!
It was a crazy time but we made it through!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in bridal and event hair.
Behind the chair I specialize in lived in blonde hair, brunettes, and reds.
If you are a dark hair girly and want to be blonde or just want some pops of color?
I got you!
My goal when anyone sits in my hair is for them to leave happy but also leave with their hair feeling amazing and healthy. I will always put the hair integrity first before all.
Also if you are ready for a transformation I don’t back out from anything (mostly haha)
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I did spend the last 2 and a half years bartending on the weekends. I fortunately don’t do it anymore but every now and then I’ll go back to make a little extra money!
Definitely not easy to juggle both a night and day job but we managed to make it work.
I also love baking in my free time. I find it therapeutic. I also make AMAZING banana pudding!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/hairbyarriana
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbyarriana
