Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Bernal.
Hi Diana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Where to even start. My journey to get to where I have so much story to it. To simplify things, I was working at a law firm for 11 years as a Legal Admin for an amazing team and Boss.
I had always known I wanted to do hair from the moment I was 10 years old. I remember doing my mom’s hair for her wedding (not knowing what I was doing) and I recall the joy on her face when she saw her complete look.
She was so happy and felt so beautiful. I realized then the impact hair had on a woman. So going back to my law firm days, I had just finished going through a nasty divorce and now a single mom I saw this new life as a second chance to re-write my story the way I wanted. I decided to totally switch careers and take a chance at hair.
I enrolled in Beauty School at Paul Mitchell the school in Costa Mesa, part-time. I juggled work full-time Monday -Friday and beauty school Tuesday – Thursday right after my full-time job and Saturdays. I knew that making this BIG switch in careers would be difficult financially, so I worked extra hard to build a clientele in school and out of school, with no days off. I graduated with a decent clientele and took a leap of faith and quit my secure full-time job. I assisted some amazing colorists in OC and finally in LA, where LA just won my heart.
I knew this is where I wanted to be. My goal pre-covid was to stay and get a chair in LA but Covid changed so many things for everyone so I was forced to come back and work full-time in OC. 1,5 years later, I took Daniel M. Beauty’s class in TX, and he mentioned he was opening a salon in LA. I was so intrigued and made a hair appt with him and saw this opportunity to take my resume and apply on the spot.
My mentality was the worst scenario he says no, at least I tried. A month later, I was having my 2nd interview with Daniel and Chaie De Jesus. They offered me the job. This is the opportunity I had been waiting for and it’s been such a life-changing experience. Onyx on Madison has brought me so many new opportunities to travel doing hair and collab with some amazing colorists and stylists.
I’m beyond grateful to be a part of such a talented team where I can learn and grow and be inspired daily. I’m at Onyx on Madison Tuesday – Saturday in beautiful Pasadena strictly as a colorist, ready to create more beautiful hair. I specialize in Dimensional Brunettes and Blondes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I faced so many obstacles while making this big career change.
One of the many was the fear of not being able to financially do it on my own with my son. Lost my benefits, and 401k, sacrificing time away from my son so much. One thing I’ve learned to live by is HARD WORK pays off.
I’m still not where I want to be in my career and I want more out of my career so I continue to push through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m strickly a colorist that specializes in dimensional brunettes and blondes, my brunette girls are very soft and natural. My dimensional blondes vary from boldface frames with bright ends to subtle face frames with lived-in roots, which creates a softer grow which means less maintenance.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I’m still exploring Pasadena and I lost pretty frequently but I always discover something new and more beautiful about Pasadena. I love how it doesn’t feel cluttered like a lot of LA does.
It definitely has the cutest shops and great food. The most beautiful City Hall and big buildings that all hold so much detail
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/diana.bernal.blondes
- Yelp: Diana Bernal Blondes
