Meet Ariel Tovar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Tovar.

Hi Ariel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I had always expressed interest in the beauty industry. Since I was about 12 years old, I started with cutting my own bangs, then expanded to my friend’s hair and this was peak Scene Kid/Emo era so eventually, I got into bleaching and coloring hair as well. I floated around in college for three years before I finally decided that cosmetology was not just a hobby for me; it was my passion. My two aunts owned and worked a small salon in Pasadena where they both encouraged me to practice and learn as much as I could while I finished attending Paul Mitchell the School Pasadena. I was lucky enough to land an apprentice/assisting position at a salon in Sierra Madre upon graduation. After devoting 4+ years to that salon, they had decided to part ways with me, and although I had felt like I was starting all over again, being pushed to spread my wings forced me to work 10 times harder and educate myself as much as I could. It took me about eight years to build a sustainable clientele on my own and 12 years into this industry. I worked two additional jobs to pay for my booth until about 2020, which is when I realized that I could finally afford to have one singular job, hair.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am blessed to say that I’ve had much success in the last few years, but my success was a result of continuing after what felt like many failures. My first disappointment was being let go from a salon that I had devoted a lot of my time, free (unpaid) time, and years of my life to… The owners had painted a quaint “family” environment for us to work in, but it left a lot of room for “tough love” and unprofessionalism. I felt unseen, and let down, ultimately they had parted ways with me to replace me with another stylist that decided to come back to work there. Though my meticulous work is a result of being micro-managed and having someone sitting 6 inches away from myself and my client I can absolutely say I still learned a whole lot from them. I am still grateful for the lessons learned and for the clients that followed me after enduring that kind behavior for so long.

The next would be the rollercoaster of tenacity. I did not want to give up; I was a new stylist trying to rent instead of depending on hourly/commission. It was a CHALLENGE. I had found another salon close by. Ironically, with two amazing older women who graciously took me in after hearing my story. All I wanted was to do what I love and the freedom to be myself. From there I worked two jobs to afford rent/product/etc. I did this for three years before my patience and steady incline of building a clientele finally paid off. In 2019, I had let go of one job and the next in 2020. Relying solely on my income at the salon was a crazy jump, but I did it and I am so grateful that I did because now I am booked two months out working four days a week. There were many moments where I had considered giving up, I’m so glad I didn’t.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a hair artist specializing in color, curly hair, and precision haircuts. People in town mostly know me for my wild vivid hair colors, shag haircuts, and balayages. I am most proud of my range, I spent a lot of hours learning about ALL parts of our industry which sets me apart from other stylists. I do not have one singular expertise;, I do and practice most services, color, blonding, haircuts, barbering, vivids, curly hair, textured hair, styling, everything! It is essential to know as much as you can in order to succeed in this business!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I believe it’s different for everyone, but most of my networking has come from Instagram, Facebook, and word of mouth! I don’t just consider myself as someone doing your hair, rather someone who is building relationships with people. The best advice I can give is to be yourself, be personable, and create a safe space for those who sit in your chair. Finding a mentor can be challenging, but another great investment is taking as many hands-on classes as you can!

Pricing:

• Haircuts: $45-$87
• Single Process: $72-$120
• Blonding: $150+
• Balayage: $250+
• Vivids: $200+

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/beautybyarielann