Meet Candace Gallegos | Licensed Master Barber & Hairstylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Candace Gallegos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Candace, how do you think about risk?
I think everyone NEEDS to take calculated risks in their life and not just with their career but with anything and everything. RISKS are part of the reason why I am where I am today . If you ask the people who know me best they will tell you I’m definitely a person who lives for the risk. That’s been a blessing and curse my whole life. I’ve never really allowed fear to guide me but I know what I’m capable of and taking risks has allowed me to experience things in my career and personal life that I only thought were in my dreams . I don’t see myself as a failure when a risk I take doesn’t pan out the way I expect but I see it as a lesson learned . I’m just more knowledgeable at that point on how to move forward. Taking a risk on myself has always gotten me where I need to be . Not always in the way I expect or the way I imagined but I’m always that much closer to where I want to be .

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been doing hair professionally for over 10 years . I always get stumped when people ask me what sets me apart or my brand apart from everyone else , not because I don’t have an answer but because I feel my answer is obvious. I’m me and nobody else can ever be me or do what I do or how I do it . That’s what sets us all apart. Our hearts, minds and souls. In the time I’ve worked in the industry , I’ve been able to experience so many different avenues and I am most proud of myself for believing in myself . I’m definitely excited to keep persevering towards my goals and to see my life unfold the way I intend it to.

I think I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am today .I got accepted to a vocational high school that had a cosmetology program. That’s where would take a buss every morning at 5 am just to take 2 busses to get home around 6pm everyday for 4 years. After high school I worked in different salons including Supercuts until I realized I wanted to go back to school to get my barbers license. After receiving my barbers license I worked in a couple high end luxury barber shops before getting the opportunity to go to NYFW & London Fashion week. After that opportunity passed I knew it was time to move to LA . That was my biggest dream to move back to where I was born and experience it like a local . Well I just so happened to move right when Covid hit so things kind of went downhill from there , at least it felt like it . But that was my perception at the time. It might have been a struggle but when I moved to LA that’s where I really learned what I was made of . I got to experience being on film sets , music videos, to high fashion campaigns and so much more . Like my latest music video “ Where she goes” by Bad Bunny.
I can sit here all day and talk about all the challenges I faced along the way but that would take so long . So what I can tell you is that without all the challenges that I faced good bad ugly and indifferent I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today . I wouldn’t be the woman I am today . I wouldn’t be the professional I am today , because overcoming those challenges and overcoming all those days I thought I wanted to give up or overcoming all those dark thoughts I had along the way made me realize how strong I am and it made me love and believe in myself that much more. Some
of the lessons I’ve learned over these last 12 years are; to always be a student because you’ll never know everything and there is always something you don’t know , to have and believe in your own dreams despite what anyone else might think or say , to believe in yourself even on your worst days or confide in people that believe in you even on your worst days ! Don’t allow your career or passion to defy who you are you’re more than that ! And finally just try , just take the risk ! YOLO

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week long trip with my besties in LA would go a little something like this :

First day : A drive down PCH till you hit El Matador beach , then spend the day there sipping on something refreshing and eating snacks all day .

Second day : Since I lived in DTLA I would take them to my favorite Mexican spot called Guerro’s for breakfast! And maybe stop by the flower district to see all the pretty flowers in season . One of my favorite places ever !!!

Third day : grab a matcha laté and avocado toast from bohemian coffee off 6th st.
& then check out some of the dope museums around ( Getty museum is one of my favorites.)

Fourth day: Hit a theme park up !!! Spend all day there !

Fifth day: go eat brunch or lunch at Grand Central market , and then get drinks later in the night in West Hollywood .

Sixth / and seventh day : a hike in Runyon canyon , and maybe later in the evening pool side with some cocktails .

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my parents. My mother and father both play a very different but special role in my life. Their support for me has been unwavering. No matter what I choose they both have my back , they might not always agree with me or understand my choices but they are always there for me no matter what at the end of the day and for that I’m forever grateful.

Website: www.xoticstudios.pro

Instagram: Xoticstudios23

Facebook: Xoticstudios23

Yelp: Xotic Studios

Other: Personal instagram : Kandiegallegos