Rising Stars: Meet Brandi Harges of Downtown Upland, California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandi Harges

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I think that I was born to entertain and work in the beauty industry for sure, having the parents I did it just makes sense. Growing up in Beverly Hills and moving to the inland empire at 11 definitely gave me character to live my life and turned me into the woman I am starting to love now. I have always had such a desire for adventure and fun and wow has this life given me such fulfilling and genuine experiences.

I grew up singing and performing,I really did have a beautiful upbringing. When you have two parents that are obsessed with you and each other… it makes growing up really fun lol. With the performing I would do, you also in turn need to maintain and always look your best, as my Mom would say. I just take it in a more unique approach.

Before shows then and now and really I think in life, getting ready is like a whole ritual for us girls. I always loved helping the other girls look just as glamorous and pretty, yapping and singing to our favorite songs… it is just a feeling I never wanted to forget. Like sharing your new favorite glitter spray, or letting your friend try your new lip gloss, unbeatable moments.

Girlhood was instilled in me with my older sisters and parents they really encouraged the love and light I try to bring out in myself as much as I can to fill others, with that same encouragement, I was blessed enough to get. Confidence is not easy but it’s what got me to where I am today. The confidence to start a business and keep it all together ??? well yeah let’s just say its been a very human experience. Ups and downs of being 23 now, while maintaining my normal life.. hard. I am always trying to accomplish my goals and make something happen for myself. Its always important to do things for yourself and I think that women should put on personal blinders sometimes and do things that make you feel good! Even if it’s a little vain.

I see the result of a good lash and brow day and honestly gets you to go about your day that much hotter and happier! Whats better than that? I mean if I could open up my own shop at 20 years old all because I had the “confidence” to do it shows what I mean by the importance of being great at what you do can open up doors if you add the drive, support, and personal experience to the mix.

I just like everyone else have big feelings and emotions as a young woman and artist. I guess you can say my unapologetic weirdness gets me the RIGHT clientele and opportunities. I openly struggle severely with ADD and ADHD, since I was diagnosed at age 10. Some days are good and some bad but wow has that honestly helped me to push myself instead of just dwelling on things it almost creates a hyper fixation for me, if I really want or need something I will always make it happen. I realized in everything you gotta have a deeper “WHY” for things that you do, and that feeling, that rewarded is truly because I love what I do. Besides the happy and sad tears I get to share with girls that come in for appointments that turn into tru friends… the cute salon, coffee and chisme I get is just to cherry on top.

The humor of it all is I always dreamed of being something, someone remarkable like in the movies and I think I really just accepted that you doing you, and enjoying life is what brought me everything I could ask for. Serial overthinking can sometimes be the thief of a lot of time and I am so glad that It has also helped me to really care and have intention for everything I do. Lastly, I believe God has opened my eyes to see my gift should be used as tools for bringing community and warmth into other lives, I am so grateful for his guidance in my life with out God it would be so hard for me to push myself as much as I do.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? no. Crash out moments yes of course. No one talks about how hard it is to make things happen when you have no idea what you are doing. Learning from scratch a trade, gaining clients, keeping them, buying product, social media engagement, client complaints, or personal issues.. there’s a long list of things to do and fix at all times. A lot of other artists can agree when I say there is no clock out button. I am constantly worried about my clients, my shop, and my money lol. Thats why the grind can never stop. I can’t relax unless I force myself to get some things done.

I had to take over the salon I was working at, way before I expected that responsibility, but what blessing it was, some times the most challenging times are for GROWTH BABY! I was so not ready but learned I work good under pressure and needed that pressure or I would have talked myself out of why I should or COULD do it. I think trusting my character and trying to do right by my word has always kept my self right and that has been appreciated by others. So even in times of discouragement with bad incidents or mistakes in my business and personal life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Sooo… I am a licensed esthetician and Cosmetic Tattoo artist. My most popular service would have to be lashes and brows. I started in my bedroom and now have a shop in Downtown Upland, super Gilmore girls vibes and coffee shops and thrift stores, oh and bars. I really manifested the location it seems. I actually would go to DT upland when I was in my junior year at a very unique school, Inland Conservatory for the perfoming arts. I stumbled into one of the shops and will never forget that moment cause little did I know what that path would bring me back there.

Turns out I also am really good at being a suite owner, I now have the best beauty roommates I could ask for. 5 girls producing the best lashes, nails, pedicures, piercings, facials, makeup, brow shaping and we are best known for permanent makeup.

I think what sets me apart is my creative spin on everything I do, I can’t help make things big and special, I post funny videos, which are really an example of what you get at your appointment. I think I’ve heard that I wear my heart on my sleeve and I think that makes me a really comforting and real person to spend your time, money, and special moments with. I love people and I’m just proud to have come this far, in my style and precision with my services and the studios growth. Those walls have held me and my clients when we needed it.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid taught me to actually slow down, I almost felt like auto pilot was the norm. IT IS! Unfortunately but there’s a dynamic in that. I had the time to actually take my classes, learn all this… and find and develop a new career and become a business owner. Covid was a once in life time situation in our generation and I think creatively that was an important outlet for all of us. It was really eye opening and scary to see how that can affect so many people and their finances.

Pricing:

• lashes $120
• Brows $450
• Brow Lami $100
• Makeup Service $110
• more listed on my site!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Beautybybrandirose?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=988a3c59-7e54-4c85-8711-27f3015072f7
• Instagram: https://tr.ee/VY2QU2ee6v
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/brandiroseofficial/

Image Credits
Alessandra Michelle Lopez

instagram: its__personal