Meet Carina Tafulu | Hairstylist

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

Hi Carina, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
It’s tough to say when or how long ago when I decided this was the career for me. I started dabbling in hair at a young age. As time went on I just loved the feeling of making someone feel beautiful. I tried different career paths and hairstyling kept coming back. I took the chance and went to Cosmetology school. I fell in love my first week there. I have now been licensed 18 years! My career has taken so many turns and every one of them has been rewarding. From editorial, teaching, behind the chair and social media. Being a hairstylist gives me the freedom to be creative and transform my clients and make them feel amazing!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Doing hair is a form of art. It’s creative it’s challenging it’s never the same. I feel like what sets me apart from others is my professionalism, preparedness, friendliness and I’m always willing to step out of my comfort zone. Where I am today is all thanks to word of mouth! It’s a small world and when you meet people and make that connection it’s magic! It’s never easy, if it was easy everyone would do it. Takes a lot of hard work and a lot of no pay jobs to fill your portfolio with great images. With the hard work it’s pays off! The lessons I’ve learned is always be professional, on time, be willing to roll with the punches and never stop educating yourself. I want the world to know that hairstylists are not just hairstylists. We are hard workers that pour our hearts and souls into everything we do and every client. There’s a stigma that we just do hair! There’s so much more to it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start with a trip to Catalina Island. Spend the day exploring the island and eating some yummy food from a local spot. Day two Venice Beach, walking the board walk and taking in the sights and little shows. Eating some Brazilian food and Cafe Brasil in Culver City. Day 3 Whale watching! I love being on the water and seeing the sea life. Maybe pack a lunch and eat on board. Day 4 San Diego Balboa Park walk around and shop. Eat at inn n out. Day 5 Huntington Beach spend the day by the beach and soak up the sun. Eat at Sanchos yummy tacos! Day 6 take a drive up to big bear and enjoy the mountain scenery. Maybe eat a local mom and pop place. Day 7 rest and relax haha

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s so many people that have helped me and supported me throughout the years. I would like to recognize my beauty school instructor Alex Martinez at International School of Beauty in Palm Desert. Alex is an incredible person inside and out and she was supportive of my career choice from the beginning. She pushed me when I needed to be pushed and if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have stepped out of my comfort zone and found my love for editorial hair and competitions. She still teaches today and her students are so lucky to have her.

Website: www.hairbycarina.net
Instagram: @hairbycarina
Facebook: hairbycarina

Image Credits
Catherine Asanov Benjo Arwas Cynthia Morelock Phoebe Dawson