Today we’d like to introduce you to Carina Tafulu.
Carina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Palm Springs, CA. Fell in love with the beauty industry at a young age from watching my aunt do huge hair. I decided to go to Cosmetology School and pursue a career in Hairdressing. Sometime after getting licensed, I got married and moved to Orange County. I began working in a salon and building my portfolio in editorial hairstyling on the side. I started reaching out to photographers and makeup artists and we began collaborating. While I was building my clientele and building a portfolio, I decided to go back to cosmetology school and get my teaching certification. I knew I wanted to give back and work with students. I had an amazing teacher named Alex in school and she always inspired me. Once I got my teaching certificate, I got a job at a local beauty college part-time. Teaching and working with students has been truly rewarding and more than I ever hoped it would be. While teaching and working in a salon, I was approached by a hair company to audition for them and become a brand educator. I auditioned with the company and got the job and now have been working with Wella for a year now. Working for Wella as a brand educator has pushed me out of my comfort zone and has made me grow as a hairstylist. While building my clientele, building a portfolio and teaching I was approached by an agency for representation. I signed with the agency and began getting higher profile opportunities. In beauty school, I did competitions and got creative with my hair art, I gave myself a goal, to be published in a magazine within 10 years of graduating cosmetology school. While still attending school I got published in a magazine! I have been licensed now for 16 years and I look back on my career and I’m thankful for every opportunity that has come my way. I’m loving every minute and can’t wait to see what the future holds.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the hardest obstacles was moving from Palm Desert to Orange County. Leaving family and the clientele I built was tough. Moving to a new city and finding my way around and starting over again was exciting but nerve wrecking. My biggest challenge/obstacle has been myself. I’ve always believed I was never good enough or that my work was never good enough to be published. I’m my own worst critic. I sometimes look back at the amazing things I’ve done and I have to pinch myself; give myself a pat on the back for all the work I have done.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the HairbyCarina story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m a hairstylist at Empire Salon, instructor at Advance Beauty College, hairstylist represented by Coleman Creative and a Wella brand educator. I specialize in all aspects of hairdressing. I’m known for my editorial work and I would say I’m most proud of everything I have done with my career.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’ve always been a firm believer that the world is a very small place. That every opportunity that has come my way is chance to meet and work with new people. You never know who you are going to meet and the connections you make. First impressions are everything and in this industry, word of mouth is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: hairbycarina.net
- Instagram: @hairbycarina
Image Credit:
Benjo Arwas, Catherine Asanov, Sydney Kraemer, Trunk LTD, jBeverlyHills, Wella
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