Today we’d like to introduce you to Aryana Rodriguez.
Hi Aryana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It’s interesting how I became a Permanent Makeup Artist! For starters, I have my bachelor’s degree in Public Health, and while I was in college finishing my last year to graduate- my best friend (at that time) suggested we should take a Powder Brow Class for fun. I was never interested in the beauty industry like my best friend (she’s a lash artist); I was more focused on trying to become management for a medical department in a hospital. It still blows my mind I spent two thousand dollars on a brow class I did not care to take, but I did it anyway. Do I regret it? Not one bit. I have made it as far as I have because I agreed to take that course back in September 2019. Interesting fact: it took me a year to realize that maybe this is what I want to do for a living-become an entrepreneur. After taking the first brow course in September, I would stay up late practicing so much on fake skin, trying to create flawless brows. I did not go one day without practicing eyebrows until I got discouraged and gave up on it. I started focusing more on trying to find a job with my degree because I knew that was going to be a steady income. Throughout college, I was a manager and bartender at a Sushi Restaurant back home- Port Arthur, Tx. Even though money was good there, I wanted to leave and feel like I didn’t just go to school for nothing; Job searching didn’t last long- I became okay with working at the restaurant and was in no rush anymore to work in the medical field. Until one morning, being the year 2020, I thought to myself, “so I am giving up on becoming my own boss, making my own hours, and enjoying being an entrepreneur.” Crazy right? So I decided to work! I became determined to practice every day until I saw a difference in my practice pads. I realize the first couple of months I was practicing after my brow course- I was not doing it because I enjoyed working on creating eyebrows, but because I wanted to prove to myself the money I spent didn’t go to waste. I didn’t just practice every day faithfully, but I also decided to reach out to my mentor and see if I could do a 1:1 course with her in California- where her studio is. Then COVID hit, and my trip got canceled- I was sad when this occurred because I was ready to go to California. My plan was to go to California, get 1:1 training, come back home, and start working on models to get my name out that I am a new Permanent Makeup Artist. Luckily, I am a go-getter, and I decided since my trip was on hold, I was determined to find another brow artist that would guide me and help me with my first live model. In August 2020, I worked on my first live model with the guidance of Permanent Makeup Artist instructor in Houston, Tx. Working on my first model allowed me to become prepared for my 1:1 training with my mentor in California. Fast forward to October 2020, and I flew to California to do my training- I figured getting 1:1 with my mentor would allow me to come back home and start my new chapter in life (becoming a PMU Artist); I was definitely wrong. I came back discouraged, angry, upset and felt humiliated. I spent over three thousand dollars on my trip, hoping to get the experience she kept saying I was going to get and get the guidance I was seeking to start on my own once I got back to my hometown. When I was in California, I had made an announcement saying I was going to start working on clients when I got back from this “amazing experience I was about to have.” Since my training wasn’t what I expected, and here is why: hardly any 1:1, she didn’t really teach me anything, I did everything on my own because she was busy with clients, and overall not what I was expecting). There was nothing “1:1 about this training- a waste of time and money is all I got from this experience. With that said, I came back home from California not so excited to work on clients anymore because I was nervous and felt like I wasn’t as prepared as I was supposed to be. What did I do?! I worked; I did what I could and applied everything I learned, and tried my best to create flawless brows. From October 2020 to February 2021, I decided to keep investing in myself and started looking for known brow artists that offer brow courses. Overall, it took me a year to grow the confidence to start my new journey as a Permanent Makeup Artist; I invested so much money in the courses I have taken to learn what I know now. I have been patient along the way to become confident in my craft and let my work speak for itself. I have five Certificates of Training and continue to expand my skill set. Yes, this means I have trained under some of the best Permanent Makeup Artists in this industry!
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?
I can for sure say it was not a smooth road for me! From disappointments, sweat, tears, and wanting to give up every time things got hard- I felt like this leap of faith was not meant for me. Because I was so new in what I was doing, I would go weeks without any work. I had quit my manager job to make this a full-time job for me- no clients=no money. Sometimes I didn’t know how I would pay for my rent or have enough money to pay my bills if no one was booking with me. Being unsteady was hard for me- I’m blessed to have a supportive family who always made sure to uplift me when I would want to give up. When I first started, I was charging $199 when this service ranges from $400 to $800, which is understandable because I was new, right?! RIGHT. But, by being inexpensive, I realized I would attract clients that were the pickiest and not realize I was no expert and I was barely starting. Did they end up loving their brows? YES. However, I did encounter one client that really made me contemplate being a brow artist. She was a client that didn’t realize BROWS ARE NOT TWINS, BUT SISTERS! I can not control your natural facial features (muscle pulls or bone structure) that even when brows measure the same and look the same- one brow can possibly appear “higher” because of your natural facial feature that can’t be changed. Long story short, she belittled me, made me hesitate whether I wanted to be a brow artist, and from a procedure that takes three to four hours- I took six hours with her. From that day on, she taught me to make sure I get treated with respect and not be afraid to stand my ground as an artist. I also learned that I can’t please everyone! One major issue I struggled with was not having the guidance I was promised by my mentors. I don’t know why I had such luck with my first two mentors- they would lend me their hand, and I would work with them for a while they would start giving me cold shoulders. Showing no interest in me anymore, not helping me like they helped the rest of the students. Anyways, it definitely made me strong and made me strive to become the best at what I do.
On a side note: before I moved to Rosenberg, clients would not follow my policies, and I was also very lenient on them by allowing them to run my business (constantly rescheduling, showing up late, many no-call, no shows). I struggled with this for a year! Until I made some changes. I am not trying to grow my name, and show the new area I am in Rosenberg that I am an amazing brow artist that truly enjoys getting to know her clients and becoming their friend.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My favorite topic: MY WORK!!! I am a Permanent Makeup Artist that specializes in Powder Ombré Brows and Lip Blushing. With the services I offer, I want to help women gain self-confidence and know they can wake up FLAWLESS EVERY DAY.
Powder Ombré Brows: Brows that are soft, misty, powder-filled in, similar to the look of makeup- the tail of the brow will be darker and fade into a light start at the front of the brow creating that ombré effect. This technique gives an ombré powdered effect that can be made extremely soft and natural-looking, or bold and defined. This technique is also perfect for all skin types and suitable for everyone with full or no hair.
Outcome: Lasts 1-3 years, using a digital machine with micro-needles. Ombré brow heals on point for almost everyone.
Lip Blushing: Lip blushing is a permanent cosmetic technique in which pigment is injected into the lips to give a vibrant but natural lip color. This technique is NOT intended to look like lipstick but is mostly done to help with a lack of lip color.
Outcome: Lasts 1-3 years. Enhances and defines the natural lips as well.
However, between the two techniques- I am mostly known for the Powder Brows I create! I have been doing brows for a little over a year now, and I only have four months doing Lip Blushing. Who am I? The Brow Symmetry Queen; the brow artist that will give you “YOUR FOREVER DREAM BROWS.” On my posts, you will always see the words “FLAWLESS BROWS. YOUR FOREVER DREAM BROWS. WAKE-UP AND MAKEUP” my client/potential clients know these are brand phrases!
What am I proud of? How hard I have worked to be where I am at today, especially in the beauty industry. I do not have much in the industry, and I have gotten opportunities I would always dreamed of, and they came to reality. Just last month- April, my mentor @Vybrows- one of the best PMU artists in the world Located in California who has over thousands of students around the world OFFERED ME! to be an instructor in one of her class tours. I had the opportunity to be part of her team in Dallas, and she allowed me to share the knowledge I have to teach other students. Vy has never asked a former student to assist her in a class, and for her to give me this opportunity gave me that extra push I needed to feel confident to become an instructor myself. What I am also proud of is being able to type my story as I go knowing it will be published in a Houston Magazine. Thank you very much for allowing me to have this opportunity as well. The person who referred me, Chelsea, was my client, and the fact she referred me- I truly can’t thank her enough. Another reason I am proud of myself is the number of people that tag me whenever someone does a post that they’re looking for a brow artist. Just yesterday, I had over 30 girls tagging me under a lady’s post that was looking into getting her brows done-proud to say she booked with me! I am proud of not giving up even when I wanted to; I know that it will only get better from here because I never stop wanting more- learning more, becoming the best at what I do, and always finding ways to perfect my craft.
The golden question is, what sets me apart from others? My personality, my passion for what I do. When people think of becoming an entrepreneur they focus more on how much money they’re going to make, but me?! Yes, the money is a plus, but for me!! It’s seeing all my beautiful clients’ reactions when they look at themselves in their mirror. For me, it’s knowing I did a badass job and my clients will be catching a reflection of themselves in windows and mirrors feeling like a million bucks. The difference between me and other artists is how much I like to relate to my clients. I enjoy how every client I’ve had always tell me how before they even came to their appointment they feel like they’ve known me already, why you may ask? Because I treat my clients like a friend, I like making them feel comfortable about who I am, how I can help them achieve their pmu goals, and letting them know they are in good hands. I am also a very honest artist, I will explain and go into detail about any questions or concerns my clients may have. I want every person that walks into my door to know I am their forever-brow artist, who will appreciate them and their business. I show appreciation to my clients by sending out small gestures (Starbucks gift cards, goody baskets, etc).
Side note: It has been a bit hard for me to grow my name Rosenberg/Richmond area-my new home. My name started to grow back home (Port Arthur), but I still decided to leave knowing I was running the chance of starting over. I do not regret it whatsoever. People are still driving two-plus hours to get their brows done by me.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to anyone wanting to become a Permanent Makeup Artist is to know ‘YOU WILL NOT BE THE BEST ARTIST WITH JUST TAKING ONE COURSE’- I can not stress this enough. I have encountered many other artists who think by taking one eyebrow course, they’ll become the best pmu artist. I am here to advise anyone that this isn’t an easy path to success, but with the right guidance, and having that thrive to success- YOU WILL BECOME THE BEST! I also would like to advise anyone that is looking into getting into this industry… you WILL NOT be perfect the first time you take a course, so stop being hard on yourself! It takes time, and patience to feel confident in what you do. Please do your research- it is very important to do your research on the mentors you learn from. Every artist has their own signature look, style, and the way they teach, and those are the three main things you need to look at when looking for a brow mentor. Things I wish I knew when starting out is:
1. Be prepared to invest in yourself! (I didn’t know I was going to constantly invest in myself to become the best, and even then, I am still investing in more courses of the same thing to perfect my craft).
2. Don’t be afraid to seek guidance- find mentors that will help you (financial advisors, marketing advisors, social media, etc,. it is important for your business).
3. Do your research on how to become your own boss- there is so many rules you need to follow when becoming your own boss (look into certificates that are needed, what you must have in your studio).
Overall, times will definitely get hard, and you are going to want to give up but please don’t. I never thought I would make it this far, and look at me. I am thriving, and still praying and hoping I will be noticed in my new area. How can people get their brows or lips done by me if no one knows I exist. There are days I am depressed about not having steady clients coming in like before, but I know I can’t give up and I need to find ways to make it known I AM HERE IN ROSENBERG, TX to help women achieve their forever dream brows! Make them feel confident and beautiful with the services I offer.
Pricing:
- Powder brows (virgin) $375
- Powder brows (correction) $450
- Lip blushing ($375)
- Combo brows and lips ($600)
Contact Info:
- Email: glamourbyary@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/us04/glamourbyary/services
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamourbyary
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glamourbyaryy
Image Credits
@magicalstorytellers
Makeup: @skinbyes
