Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Benitez.
Hi Destiny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Leading towards high school, I got introduced to everything Beauty related. My artistic side for makeup was all for the full face beat, and my hair had to be done. I was definitely in the era of “clown face,” and it was a very popular term for those who loved full-face glam. Many of my female classmates encouraged me to start YouTube as I was known for the sharpest wing eyeliner. It was uplifting as I knew I still had some things to work on. In my junior year of high school, I started freelancing and had a few of my classmates, and a girl I met on Snapchat allowed me to do their makeup and market myself. I made myself available for prom season, as it was a busy time for makeup artists.
I had my fair share of doing prom makeup, which definitely opened up opportunities for me, as I was getting booked by makeup artists for their special events! As someone who wasn’t licensed or had a certification, it was the most exciting and soul-filling moment I had in my life! Once I graduated, I did makeup for friends and family, but I didn’t go to beauty school as makeup wasn’t a sure thing for me. I took on a different career path that eventually didn’t work out and resulted in me enrolling in beauty school. I was introduced to the cosmetology program as they knew my love for makeup was there, but they knew I was missing something. School had its moments where it made me question if this was truly meant for me. I worked at a salon for a while, but even then, I wasn’t sure what was missing. The people were great, the education was knowledgeable, and the atmosphere was everything I wanted. But I was always wondering why isn’t my drive like everyone else’s. I didn’t like to compare myself, but when you are fresh out of school, you are looking and taking everything into account. Communication, placement, application, sanitation, appearance, energy, and the list goes on. I eventually decided to look for something else in my career field.
I thought about lashes, facials, and nails, but I was thankful to reach out to my school director, who introduced me to an apprenticeship for curly hair. I promise you; it changed my life for the better. All I could think about at that moment was my cousin, who had curly hair, and the stories she would tell me about her curly hair experiences at salons. She was my biggest supporter from the beginning of beauty school to the start and end of my apprenticeship. Working with curly hair hit home for me. It has been the most filling opportunity I have taken that has changed my view on everything hair-related and life. I was very thankful to have Jasmin Todd as my mentor, who believed in me to do right by her business and, most importantly, find myself in this industry. I had always felt out of place in my hair, but with curly hair, I found my home.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
As someone who has always identified her hair as straight, she had its moments working with wavy, curly, and tight coils. Having family and friends who shared their expectations and experiences with me gave me a better understanding of what to expect when working with my curly clients. As every client is different, more likely every client will have a different routine and a customized haircut to them and their lifestyle. My cousin was the real MVP when it came down to working with curly hair and getting that hands-on experience. As I had done hair before, there was this stigma that “curly hair is difficult,” but to me, it flowed seamlessly through my hands to my shears down to the curls. Many of my clients have expressed frustration with products, styling, and the proper haircut. I took it upon myself to know as much as possible through my apprenticeship and World of Texture class, but it’s different working on a client than on a manikin head. I put myself in a position to understand my clients to the best of my ability by no longer straightening my hair, using our curly products, and doing our treatments. It gave me a better understanding of how the products are than just reading about what they do. Above all, my cousin was my Guinea pig when using these products. But I still have to be mindful that not everybody’s curls take the product the same. Cutting and styling curly hair became a pretty big subject during the time of COVID and TikTok. Everyone shared what they use, how they do it, what not to use, what not to do, etc. It did give some people false information as not everybody’s curl is the same. You could swear by a curly product, but for someone with the same texture, their curls may weigh down, frizz up, or May not do anything to the curl pattern. When we walk our clients through their routine, I always get the response, “wow, I don’t need a lot of product?” And it was a relief to them because they were tired of having to put 5 to more products in their hair to have it look nice, defined, and long-lasting. As for understanding the haircut side for curls, my cousin wanted a pixie, so this allowed me to use the techniques of your basic straight hair cutting on her shoulder-length hair to see what this term “shelving” my clients would talk to me about when it came down to layers. The difference between technique and cutting placement blew my mind! Once I saw the difference between a curly hair technique, it was a game changer for me and those around me who struggled to find a stylist who knew their hair. If I didn’t know, I made sure to figure it out. I couldn’t work on my cousin’s hair forever because I wanted to be well-rounded in all curl types; to do that, I had to step out of my comfort zone to work with different patterns. I then reached out to many people on Instagram looking for curly models who wanted a free haircut. Along with letting them know that if they did not like it, my mentor would have no problem adjusting it. I ensured that we had trust from the beginning, as I know clients love honesty if you can’t do something. I always asked, “Do you have curly hair” and I would say no, while also pulling up my Instagram. I feel this fine little line has been made between those who don’t have curly hair working on curly hair and how it doesn’t come out right. And for that, I made myself transparent to let them know I have taken the time and put myself in their shoes to get the resources and tools to do it properly to the best of my ability. It came with trial and error, but I worked slowly and worked little by little. Later on, as I continued to prosper in my career, my cousin, my #1 supporter ended up passing away. It was hard for me as I wasn’t sure how to handle it. Till the day I went back to work, it clicked to me that this wasn’t just a job. This is my passion. This opportunity was to build a bond between my clients, my cousin, and me. Curly hair impacted my life in a way I never knew. I take curly hair very personally as it’s not just another dollar in my books; it’s someone who is striving to feel good, to love their hair, to be treated and taken care of, way past what they are used to. I’m not just doing this for me but for my potential clients and, most importantly, the person who encouraged it all. I believe I’m still grieving, but my clients help me heal with every smile I get from them. My clients have impacted my life in a way they have no idea about. A connection between you and your stylist to me is very important. It’s a bond that creates this perfect harmony to allow you as a client to feel amazing and confident and your stylist to feel accomplished, trusted, and loved. Even when our lives aren’t perfect clients or stylists, moments of self-care can fill your soul so filling that you all want to love yourself. When you love yourself, you are willing to share that love. In this world, it’s important to share love, kindness, and positivity. As it can get you through the toughest times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I am a Curly Hair Specialist who only works with naturally curly hair. I feel I’m mostly known for my crazy before and after. I love seeing what we were working with and what we have now. To allow my clients to see what their curls can do, with a curly cut, the right products, proper application, and styling technique. I take a lot of pride in my work and the knowledge I have. I have worked hard on color and the techniques for curls depending on their texture to work effectively and properly. I believe I am charismatic. I like getting to know those who have sat in my chair and being introduced to people in my industry. I’m constantly growing and using the criticism to better myself in my craft and as an individual. I love taking the time to care for my space and take the time to make sure my space feels safe, relaxing and inviting. My goal is to give an experience where we can be who we want to be and embrace what we are blessed with. To ensure those who booked have been with me, to know more about their hair than before they came in. And if we don’t know? Well we will find out together.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I realized honesty, patience, versatility, responsibility, trustworthiness, and assertiveness in my profession.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charismaticcurls_des/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautybydesss4
