Today we’d like to introduce you to Arlene Vega.
Hi Arlene, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Arlene Vega, and I have been a Cosmetic Tattooer in the Houston area for over 2 years at Mainline Ink. I am a mom, girlfriend, daughter, sister, aunt, my family is quite large. I started life very early, and at the age of 15, I became a mother. The journey was difficult, to say the least. All of my focus, time and attention went to raising my children. By the time I was 30 years old, I had my 5th child. So because my life was so dedicated to my children, my career, my education, my passions, were always put on the back burner, my kids came before anything.
I always received compliments on my makeup, since I was a teen. So there was always interest in cosmetology, but taking a cosmetology class, was just not in my cards. About 7 years ago, I had seen a video of a Microblading procedure being done, and I fell in love with Permanent Makeup. It was something I wanted done, but money was always tight, I couldn’t afford to make that investment in myself. After watching the procedure get more and more popular, my interest grew. It was something that I felt I could do myself, and possibly be good at.
Fast forward to 2020. I met the man of my dreams, Gabriel Ayala Sr, owner of Mainline Ink. We met right before the city shut down, due to COVID. So we were only able to get to know each other through phone, we had no choice. But we really got to know each other during that time, almost 2 months of being quarantined before we had the opportunity to meet in person. During one of our phone conversations, I expressed my interest in Permanent Makeup. He then expressed how he wanted to put someone in his shop that does PMU, as an addition to his business. After that, my world turned upside down! He made all my dreams come true!! He has supported my whole career, he has been my rock, and I absolutely LOVE working next to him. He has been tattooing for 30 years, so I couldn’t have a better mentor and partner. He has taught me so much, and has brought me into the tattooing industry as a respected artist.
I am double certified in brows, certified in eyeliner, and working towards lips soon. I also offer Tooth Gems. I love what I do! I love that I have a part in making my clients feel beautiful! It’s such an amazing feeling. My clients mean the world to me, and their trust means so much. I look forward to many more years to come, growing with the industry, and always giving my clients the BEST experience when they come to see me.
Dreams do come true. You just have to believe in yourself, and have a good support system.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, definitely not obstacle free. Life was always difficult for me being a young mom. It took a lot of faith, strength, and hard work to get where I am today. I have grown as a person, and learned lots of lessons through my trials and tribulations. Giving up is never an option, I always hope to be the best example for my kids. I have survived a lot!! I am finally in a place where I am happy, stress free, loving life, and it took a lot of patience. But I couldn’t be more blessed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been a PMUA for 2 years now, and I offer Powder/Ombré Brows, Permanent Eyeliner and Tooth Gems. My procedures last years and years with proper maintenance. Every one of my clients is different, different face shapes, bone structures, skin types/colors. I base my needle choice on their skin type, color based on their skin undertones, and match them with the brows of their dreams based off of their facial structure. I use different techniques throughout the procedure to assure I pack as much color as I can, with no trauma to the skin, and results that last YEARS! I listen to my clients, and do my best to give them some bomb brows.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was always a girly girl. My mom was a stay at home mom my whole life. So she would dress my sister and I up in makeup and costume, and we would have photo shoots all the time. My love for beauty started with my mom. Growing up, I sat and watched her put her makeup on every day, without fail. Makeup, glitter, and anything glam, has always been my thing! Barbie was my idol! That girl can do anything!
However, I also had a tomboy side, always outside, riding bikes, getting dirty. I have a deep love for the outdoors.
Pricing:
- Brows~$300
- Eyeliner~ starts at $200
- Tooth Gems~Start at $30
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @arlene_mainlinebeautytx
- Facebook: @mainlinebeautytx
- TikTok: @mainlinebeautytx
