Conversations with Tatiana Magallon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tatiana Magallon.

Hi Tatiana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
One of my very first jobs out of high school was at a small skincare salon in South Pasadena as a receptionist. I was ready to start making my own money so I took the first job I could find. I didn’t think much of it, it offered decent hours and decent wages, not knowing it was going to start my journey to my dream career. I quickly fell in love with the atmosphere and special bond between the Esthetician and the client. It inspired me to pursue the start of my own business.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My mind was made up, I wanted to open my own salon. Little did I know, I was pregnant. I went to sign up for beauty school but decided to wait until after I had my son. Attending school while raising a child was one of the hardest tasks I’ve had to face but he was all the motivation I needed to push through and get my Estheticians license. I had all the support I needed and now I had to get all the practice I could. My husband was the perfect model, he gave me his honest opinions and I made sure to perfect my techniques. My first job as a licensed Esthetician was at a hair salon in North Hollywood. I had a tiny, cramped room in the back and didn’t have many clients. I traveled 36 miles taking the bus and train to and from home. I showed up to the salon every day for eight hours promoting myself around the neighborhood hoping to build my clientele. I struggled bringing home less than $100 a paycheck at times, clearly that was not the job for me. A few months later, I found a job at the Commerce Casino working in their spa. There were so many highs and lows at that job.

Some days I was overly booked, working through my lunches and not taking any breaks. Other days I had no appointments and had to help with front desk, answering calls and scheduling appointments, sometimes even helping with laundry, or having to scrub the floors of the facility on my hands and knees. I covered every position possible at that job and learned so much about the business and what it took to be successful. I was ready to add on more services so I decided to take a course on Eyelash Extensions. When I became certified, I started to offer the new service and it took me about five hours to complete a full set and to call it a “full set” was pushing it. I struggled and even thought about stopping, thankfully I didn’t, my family motivated me to keep going. A few years later, I found a new job in Pasadena working as a Lash Artist. I worked there for about two years and it help me improve my timing and the quality of my work. Once I felt confident enough, I decided to venture out on my own and started my business, Luxe Beauty Bar. To say it has been a struggle is an understatement, but by far it has been my most rewarding job.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in services that accentuate the eyes through eyelashes and eyebrows. I volumize, lift, shape, wax, define, fluff and everything in between. I help my clients enhance their own natural beauty. Every day I look forward to hearing my clients tell me how beautiful they felt or how my services helped boost their confidence and it reminds me why I chose this career.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a bit of a diva. I loved dressing up playing with my mom‘s make up and clothes, walking around the house with my plastic heels on, my purse in one hand and my Barbie in the other. I had a very strong and independent mother that raised me to express myself freely with no limitations. As a child, I loved performing for my family, singing and dancing were a few of my talents. I was definitely a daddy‘s girl he was always my biggest fan. He always spoiled me with love and taught me to know my worth.

As I grew older, I went through a bit of a tomboy phase, thanks to my older brother. He taught me about his favorite sports teams and would even teach me the lyrics to all the newest rap songs. He always pushed me to the limit and never let me give up.

My family played a big role in becoming the person I am today. I continue to carry what they’ve taught me and will let that knowledge guide me in the future.

Pricing:

• Soft Set $100 / Fill $75
• Luxe Set $125 / Fill $95
• Dramatic Set $160 / Fill $ $115
• Brow Makeover $85

Contact Info:

• Email: Luxe.beautybar@yahoo.com
• Website: Luxebeautybar.vip
• Instagram: Tati_Luxebeauty