Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaliyah Colmenero.
aaliyah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since starting esthetician school in 2017, I always knew that my goal was to run my own business. After years of working in the service industry and then entering the beauty industry after becoming a licensed esthetician, that opportunity came. I worked for an independent lash salon for only a few months before the pandemic came and the owner had to lay off myself and her other employee. We saw it as a blessing in disguise, because that opened the doors for us to move forward independently as lash artists. We opened a salon together called Wildflower Lashes in July 2020, pretty much as soon as we possibly could after the shutdown happened. After 2 years together we went down our own paths, and I opened Aaliyah’s Artistry and have been on my own since then. Today, I’m the proud owner of Bronze, Barber and Beauty – a salon suite in Round Rock where I work independently out of my own salon suite while renting out the other suite to my sister. My sister is a barber and has been for nearly a decade, and we always entertained the idea of working alongside each other, and that became a reality the summer of 2024. Funny enough, I currently work in the same building that my entire journey began – the same place I was laid off from 6 years ago. Life has a funny way of becoming full circle, and I’ve kept a consistent clientele through the past 6 years of being a business owner. Doing lash extensions has and always will be a passion of mine, but being of service to my community and clients is really the biggest passion of all. I’ve been lucky enough to make what I would consider lifelong connections with my clients, to the point where I consider so many of them friends. I take so much pride in my work and I’m proud that I have built my business on the basis of honesty, integrity, and respect – all things that I feel complete reciprocation with when it comes to my the ladies I service.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In April 2022, I opened Aaliyah’s Artistry with less than a week to prepare for that change. I unexpectedly lost my first location, my first salon, Wildflower Lashes. On a random Tuesday morning I found myself locked out of my salon due to a situation completely out of my control (I was renting the building from someone who turned out to be lying about their ownership of it), and spent the next couple of days trying to get access to all of my supplies and equipment so I could pivot down a new path. Within 5 days of finding myself locked out, I found a new temporary home for my business and quickly relocated, rebranded, and reopened. I tend to pick myself up from hardships promptly – a quality within me which I like to believe is something that has kept my clients by my side all of these years.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a lash artist – not a lash tech. My passion lies in creativity, consistency, and beauty. I’m proud of the fact that I have come across so many ladies who have never had lash extensions before, who come to me nervous about their results, and leave my salon saying “This is exactly what I envisioned.” I pride myself in being able to look at any set of eyes and know exactly what would compliment them. I pride myself in seeing a new client who says “I’m picky” or “I feel like what I want is complicated” and I always have the confidence of delivering them exactly what they want.
I pride myself in my ability to be versatile. My art ranges from classy, everyday, natural sets of lash extensions all the way to wild, extravagant, colorful sets. I’ve always loved to be challenged, and I also love having the freedom to be creative. Many of my girls simply trust me to give them what I believe they will love, and that is where my pride lies. Being a trusted lash artist is so important to me, and I’ve worked hard to build that trust with every woman who steps into my salon. Honesty is my number one policy, a quality that can sometimes be hard to come by in an industry that most people go into for the money. For me, however, it’s never been about that. It’s always been about making people happy, and that’s why this job is so fulfilling to me.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Following my social media, sharing my work, are the easiest ways to support my business. My favorite way to be supported, however, is giving me the chance to give you a set of lashes that you will love. Whether it’s for an event, a special occasion, once a year treat to yourself, or seeing me on a regular basis – stepping into my salon and trusting me to take care of you and your lashes is always an honor to me!
Pricing:
- Full sets – $175
- 75 min refills – $85
- 60 min refills – $75
- 45 min refills – $55
- Lash lifts – $70
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/aaliyahsartistry
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaliyahsartistry.atx?igsh=MW56a3Nocno3Zmcydw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ApNZvpPAJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
