Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Ilasco.
Grace has known she was an artist since the age of 5 years old. She used to draw landscapes and replicate images of the Virgin Mary having grown up Catholic. She was recognized at an early age of 6 that she was capable of drawing. She was again acknowledged for her creativity in 6th grade and was made to draw the mascot for their team and in 7th grade class was paid to sign all honor student’s certificates in calligraphy. In high school she developed her leadership abilities being voted as the secretary of a service club that had 300+ members. She loved being able to lead and implement her creative ideas onto the group by initiating new service projects. She also created a new leadership title of executive chair when she moved up to leading the regional group, which consisted of several other high schools in the area. It was in junior year of high school that she discovered cosmetology through the high school’s ROP program. She thought it would be fun! Little did she know, they were preparing her to lead a career into the beauty field.
She was not girly. In fact a tomboy when it came to her movements. She loved sports and wasn’t afraid to get dirty. A little bit of a feminist, she refused to be one of those girl who just sat there and look pretty. She wanted to get her hands dirty, the coincidence that she would be working in a field where beauty is important. She started working at the age of 17 as soon as she got her license. She was a natural. She instantly got into styling hair and doing updos came naturally to her. It is within the 2nd year of her career that she met Sai Hernandez. They both worked for a wedding and event hair and make-up company. They worked many gigs together, not really knowing 8 years later that they were going to have a salon together. During those 8 years, Grace worked religiously and already ventured on her own after only 2 years of working for a hair salon. She became an independent stylist at the age of 21 also while going to college to get her bachelor’s degree. She learned how to market for herself and ran her own little business. She loved being independent and being her own boss. Although she learned a lot from being on her own, you can only grow so much. It was then at the age of 24 when the salon she was renting from tripled everyone’s rent and was forced to leave. She then discovered “My Bella Color Studio”, now the salon she currently owns. It was here where her skills matched the salon environment and clientele she was ready for. For the next 5 years, she kept growing, building, and making a name for herself. Sai and Grace reunited when Sai, not knowingly finished from Cosmetology school and contacted Grace to assist her. Grace then introduced her to the old owner, Sharon Sovinski so that she could assist her.
In the beginning of April 2014, the old owner retired and “Color Lounge”, previously known as “My Bella Color Studio”, opened its doors.
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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road and that’s what we expected. In fact in taking over the salon, we knew it was going to be an experience of a lifetime. If anything, we would learn a great deal from it. We love having our own salon, our own rules, and continuously bettering our services, environment, and community. We are so happy that us owners, (Sai and Grace) match in our beliefs and ideas. We are not greedy and that is why it has been a pleasant experience for both of us. We really truly just want the salon to succeed and care about our employees and clients. We believe in team work and that the work of everyone combined is what creates the great reputation of our salon. We also realize that we are not for everybody. We are unique in a way where money doesn’t come before quality. Our motto is “Beauty takes time” and it takes time to do great work. So when we hire stylists, not everyone fits our criteria and expectations. Not everyone has the patience to do good work. Not everyone is detailed enough to do things correctly and do it the right way. We want stylists that are positive, hard-working, eager to learn, willingness to grow, are generous, and checks their ego at the door. This is the on-going challenge: Finding really awesome people that matches our salon culture. So if any of you feel or think that you might be a fit, we are always hiring for awesome and talented people.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Color Lounge has transcended from the archetypal way of doing hair to the Fine Art of Creating Beauty. Inspired & professionally trained by the Owner/ Educator/ & Master Hair Colorist Sharon Sovinksi of My Bella Color Studio, our goal is to create original styles for our clients. We believe “Beauty Takes Time” and “Our Work is Art”. Color Lounge is a full service Beauty Salon specializing in Precision Cuts, Color, Highlights, (Multiple Foiling & Fade Out Techniques, “Balayage, Ombre”, “Going Back to Gray”, Blondes, Color Correction), Tape-In Hair Extensions, Brazilian Blow Out Hair Treatment, Microblading, and Organic Facials.
We are Hair Color Correction Specialists certified by the American Board of Certified Hair Colorists. Our thorough consultation, ability to listen, attention to detail, zone formulations, and extreme care in the hair sets us apart among many salons. We really take the time to get to know the client, their history, and their desired hair result.
We are not limited to color, but have gotten the reputation for being great colorists due to the name of the salon. It is the talent of our team that dictate the services we offer with the emphasis that we do everything the right way and with our very best. We believe in team work and at times will have multiple stylists working and collaborating on one client.
We are one of the rare salons offering “Going Back to Gray” hair color service, which has actually been brought to us by the “Going Gray” community themselves. We help the people transition back to their natural gray color through the process of coloring hair. It is for people who are tired of coloring their hair, chasing their roots, or simply want to stay away from further using chemicals on their skin and hair. Sometimes people just electively choose to color their hair gray and we do that for them too!
We specialize in creativity. Whether it’s an edgy haircut, unicorn hair color, hair extensions on a Mohawk, whatever it may be, we love doing what’s different and unique.
We offer Tape-In Hair Extensions at an affordable price. We love it so much that we believe it should be attainable to the public. Whether you need it for extra fullness, length, or have the mermaid hair of your dreams, we are always up for the challenge.
We have gotten the reputation for the smoothest and longest lasting Brazilian Blow Out results compared to other salons due to our extreme attention to detail.
We offer purely Organic Facials. There are no preservatives in the products we use. It is entirely natural!
Our Microblading technician specializes in corrective eye brow shaping and believes in doing it in a few sessions instead of 1 to get the most natural result.
We also have a team of Professional Mobile Hair & Make Up Artists. We travel to your Location & provide you with the best Hairstyling, Hairstyles, Updos, Airbrush Make Up for Weddings, Events, Film, & Fashion.
Color Lounge is a Green Circle Salon which is a special recycling/re-purposing program that ensures hair, foils, color tubes, plastics, papers, and chemicals are diverted out of our landfills and water systems.
Color Lounge was created for artists to excel and manifest their creative talents. Color Lounge is always evolving and will never stop improving. We emphasize on learning and are always on top of the latest technology. We would just get too bored otherwise! The energy that we bring to Color Lounge is what you will feel when you enter into the Color Lounge Studio. It is relaxed, yet edgy and everyone from all walks of life feel comfortable and at home here. From the choice of business name, to our logo, to the atmosphere, was all generated by the voice of our clients. This is the people’s salon. This is Burbank’s #1 salon.
What were you like growing up?
I was an adventurous kid with an open mind but was grounded due to my strict upbringing. There were too many rules, but I was a good kid and I always followed. I was very restricted growing up and wasn’t able to express myself freely. I think I would have flourished more if I was encouraged to do what I wanted to do. Art was a great way for me to express myself. I also loved running around and played sports throughout grade school, high school, and even until now. I played the piano and still interested in learning how to play more instruments. I have a curiosity of a kid and want to do and learn everything with very limited time. I want to be financially free and have my business running on its own so I can pursue my other interests for fun. In grade school, I was in Filipino Folk dance group. In middle school, I was in drama, journalism, and animation. In high school, I was in the Jr. & varsity tennis team. I was also secretary and executive chair of Key club and was in academic decathlon. After high school I was really into billiards, delved in different martial arts, and then found CrossFit, which I’ve been dedicated to for the past 9 years. I actually got into fitness because doing hair and probably other sports has given me body aches and pains. I totally believe in strengthening your body. It has helped me to keep going with the hair industry. I would love to take up more interests such as ballroom dance, learn how to play the ukulele, and to read more. For now, my hobby is my business.
Pricing:
- Hair Color Correction = $75/Hr
- Going Gray = $85/Hr
- Precision Cuts = $65-$105
- Highlights & Balayage = $160+
- Blonding = $170+
- Fantasy Hair Color = $110+
- Tape-In Hair Extensions = MKT price
- Bride Hair & Make Up = $400+
- Microblading = $350+
- Organic Facials = $45 Promotion Rate
Contact Info:
- Address: 113 N. Naomi St.
Burbank, CA 91505 - Website: www.colorloungeburbank.com
- Phone: 818-260-9900
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorloungeburbank
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colorlounge113
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/colorlounge113
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/color-lounge-burbank
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/colorloungeburbank
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
