Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitee Villarreal.
Kaitee, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Hi there! My name is Kaitee Villarreal and I’m a licensed cosmetologist, firefighter wife, twin and a mom.
I have suffered from cystic acne from since I can remember, so I bought an airbrush machine because all other makeup wouldn’t cover my skin. In November of 2013, a long time family friend Kelly, asked if I would help with makeup for her wedding. I couldn’t help but say yes, so I took a nine-hour road trip to Selah Springs in Brady, TX.
After a full day of making women feel confident in their own skin, I started pursuing a full time makeup career. I spent a few years testing different makeup brands, practicing new techniques and learning the art of makeup by working for free. I apprenticed with well known makeup artists and practiced on family and friends for dirt cheap.
After all that, I realized I was limited to what I could offer my clients so I deiced to go to school and get my cosmetology license.
Now, that I could start offering pre-wedding grooming such as waxing, threading and facials I started offering those to my clients. My main goal was to help women prep for their wedding and make sure everything was perfect for their makeup. Once I realized I could help women feel confident in their own skin through a series of facials and a good skincare routine I started focusing more on educating women about skincare and how to prep skin for makeup.
I want the best for my clients, and that means low toxic, high end, effective and easy to purchase products. So after lots and lots of research I decided to stick with Arbonne as my makeup and skincare brand .The company has been around for 40+ years any they are constantly updating their ingredient policy as research and development grows. It’s also a low toxic, low preservative, vegan certified and hypoallergenic brand. Opening up my clientele to everyone. Lot’s of brands on the market are harmful and a large portion of women aren’t allowed to use them, therefore I make sure I use pure and safe products. Until something better comes along I don’t see myself changing brands anytime soon.
My focus is to create an environment where my clients can come de-stress and feel like a Queen for a day. Weather it be for a wedding or just to pamper yourself. So, that’s what were all about and a brief story about how KV beauty was born.
After I gained a following and spent hours replying to messages about my makeup, skincare and how to start a business. I decided to start a blog called KV Uncovered. It basically a story about how I got started into my beauty business, my lifestyle and my family. Everything I do in my beauty business is a reflection of my lifestyle so I thought it would be perfect to incorporate the two together.
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’s been fairly smooth. But with business nothing is ever really smooth.
You just learn to roll with it and make the best of every situation. Whenever you “fail” at something, I don’t see it as a failure, I see it as a learning experience.
After learning the salon industry can be full of self centered and deceitful people, I decided to open up my own studio, so I could control the way my clients were treated.
I also spent time working for a makeup artist for a few months and ended up not getting paid for any of it. I was extremely upset but I took it as a learning experience to always put agreements in writing and make sure I wouldn’t hire someone if I couldn’t afford it.
I also ended up doing hair and makeup for a wedding and ended up not getting paid for that either. A few of the girls decided they weren’t going to pay so I ended up leaving with no money because I agreed to pay the hair stylist a certain rate and after I paid her I had no money left. After that incident, I restructured my payment system and put a contract in place.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with KV Beauty – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Were a bridal beauty business that specializes in the services below:
Airbrush & Traditional makeup
Hair Styling & Up-dos
Anti Aging and Acne Facials
Full Body Waxing & Facial Threading
We’re known for our natural approach to beauty. We create bridal looks that enhance your natural look rather than covering up. We make sure our clients look as good as they feel.
I feel most proud of my company when a bride turns around and sees herself in the mirror for the first time and starts crying because she feels beautiful! No amount of “success” award or pat on the back will make you feel more proud. Or, when you have a client with severe skin insecurities and texts you to tell you she walked out of the house for the first time in years without makeup because you were able to help her feel confident in her own skin. Nothing beats that.
What sets us apart, would have to be the products we use. Everyone can say they are more professional that another company or they have the best artists out there, Besides that, I know we are doing the beauty industry justice by using pure safe and beneficial products for our clients. We focus on healing the skin and creating a safe experience for our clients.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Most definitely, Houston is a huge city and all surrounding cities are consistently growing.
In the bridal beauty business, there is lots of competition, but if you find your nitch and treat your clients right, you will succeed.
Pricing:
- Clear future (acne) facial $50
- Bridal Makeup $85
- Personal Makeup Lessons $150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kvbeauty.com
- Phone: 832.370.5805
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kvbeauty1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kvbeauty1
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kv-beauty-tomball-3?osq=kv+beauty
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston 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.
