Daily Inspiration: Meet Alexis De Lugo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis De Lugo.

Hi Alexis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started cosmetology school in 2018 in Santa Monica immediately after graduating high school. At the time I was trying to study textured hair like my own to help others embrace what they have naturally instead of spending hours damaging their hair regularly like I did for 6 years. During the process I learned hair was not what I loved doing, but skincare opened a new door of natural beauty for me. I grew more passionately about skincare the remainder of the program and stayed connected with other like minded business oriented people. After I was licensed, I was employed at a popular wax chain for 3 years learning what worked for me. Waxing is what I’m the best at, but I quickly burnt out and felt stuck working for someone else. I wanted more from my career but felt trapped and scared of the instability of leaving my job. I moved back home to Orange County summer 2025 after a devastating breakup and decided to restart my life by taking action and putting my future first. I used my savings and subleased a Phenix suite part time to see if I could handle it, and I wish I did it sooner! I found my current salon on facebook marketplace and it helped me get started independently while still growing my skills and growing my community of female solo business owners. I come from a business oriented family and was lucky to use their guidance and advice, especially in the beginning stages and how to expect things to be. Being a business owner and a solo esthetician feels the most natural to me. I truly don’t see myself doing anything else and am lucky to say that I love what I do and am always excited to meet new clients, learn new skills and test myself to see what I’m capable of.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not easy. I had no idea what I was going to do this time last year. I knew the risk of opening my business would cost my stable job, put me into debt for a long time and may not even work out at all. And all of it happened! I would not be able to do this if i didnt live at home and it also cost selling almost all of my belongings that were in my storage unit and high school bedroom. A lot of the time I had to depend on my parents for groceries or gas money and I was lucky to have a supportive boyfriend that could make sure I could eat most nights. I wouldnt trade it for anything else though. It taught me to appreciate my work even more, and each month as my business grows it proves itself to be worth the hardship. It gets very lonely because you have to sacrifice your time, energy and any penny you can get. I connected with a lot of other people who were in my position and their encouragement kept me going. I also believe in the law of attraction and would try to regularly manifest an amazing clientele.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Id say from a very young age ive always been creative. I went to an art academy in florida in my very early years and I do believe it has partially programmed something in me to be drawn to the arts and creative trades in the work field. I knew I wanted to be in some sort of trade work since middle school, and all my free time was around straightening my hair or watching makeup tutorials online so i figured why wouldn’t I make it my career? Always been trying to do every beauty treatment at home by myself to save myself time to get ready, now I can do that for other people.
While I was in school I was modeling for fun, I was mostly bare faced and learned less is more in the beauty world and was doing everything myself when it came to my hair, brows and lashes for photoshoots. Combined with my passion for embracing one’s natural self. I wanted to do something long term and offer my creative skills into beauty. I love waxing, it is my first love, but I taught myself lash lifts last winter and that has been my most requested service since opening my business. I also offer brow laminations and facials. Im a rare breed of a licensed cosmetologist that strictly does esthetics. I love leaving my clients in their most confident state, finding a new beauty within themselves without almost any effort. I enhance what they already have with any service by not using anything synthetic or unnatural to their look

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My mother, passionate about skincare since I could remember and a very strong independent woman who is very business oriented. My teachers at santa monica college, Ms. Lim and Ms VanKallen, Ms Perrett and Ms Manuel who taught me salon business methods and mentality. The owner of the salon I work, Emily, whom I’ve bonded with and am happy to consider her a mentor and friend. She has taught me new services, how to start on my own and how to grow exponentially as a business owner. My father for letting me restart my life and be there for me when things can feel overwhelming and stressful. My clients who i dont want to name who have followed me over the years at all different locations that I’ve worked and continue to drive over 60 miles to be serviced by me, it shows how much they truly believe in me.

Pricing:

• Lash Lift and Tint $70
• Brazilian Waxing $66
• Brow Lamination $50

Contact Info:

• Website: http://ellexskinandbeauty.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellexskinbeauty/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ellex-skin-and-beauty-tustin?osq=ElleX+Skin+%26+Beauty