Meet DIANA RIVAS | Hairstylist

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

Hi DIANA, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Being born and raised in Los Angeles, I was filled with ideas and dreams. I remember at some point, I wanted to be a pop singer, but I realized I could not follow a song note, so I changed my mind and realized I was into hair. Growing up in a Hispanic household, I was not allowed to cut my hair or dye it until I turned 18 years old, so in the meantime I would cut out my favorite hair looks from magazine, at the time magazines was like Instagram for me. I collected my favorite makeup looks and imagined myself recreating the looks. Once I turned 18, my mom introduced me to hair color and that is when I unleashed myself and went on a shopping spree to Sally’s Beauty Supply I then desired to become an influencer on social media just so that I can get free hair products. I badly wanted to make videos and create beautiful hair looks, but at the time I felt that I was not going to go far with my hair styling career because of the competition, which was very intimidating. I ended up talking myself into buying. a camera and lighting to set up my mini studio to film hair videos.

I began creating videos which was very challenging at first, I did not have any knowledge about editing or color correcting, etc. I finally learned to edit my videos and began sharing them on social media, and that is when my dream of receiving free hair PR became true. Then suddenly the unexpected occurred when I get a call from Behind The Chair wants to set a hair appointment for her events and cat walk show she was starring in. I was obviously freaking out, there is no way she wanted me to do her hair, but yep she did and since then, I was motivated to work hard to perfect my work. I attended Marinello Schools Of Beauty, I learned a lot, thank God for Education. Fast forward to now, I am booking hair appointments for performers at Evolution Hair Salon. I am still in awe in how a dream became a reality, but I could not have done this without the support of my family. I work full time as a hairstylist designer, it is truly a passion, I love it. I enjoy making people feel confident and beautiful just by a touch of hair color and of course, my amazing personality, I am here to make you smile and leave you with a flawless hair look.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Hairdressers are Artists. Regardless of what brings one to the career of hairdressing, the profession has a foundation of artistry and creativity. Hairdressers are always on the front line of the trend-setters, and it’s a beautiful craft that gives the gift of elegance, allure, and glamour to their clients. When we’re having a particularly great hair day, we say that we feel like we’re rocking a ‘salon finish hair’! It gives us confidence; and confidence is a very powerful thing that can do wonders to our systems. What a good hairdresser can do to our hair, is unexplainably beautiful and being on the ‘giving’ end of it, can be an awesome & vigorous feeling. The swag we have when we put a foot outside of the salon… and the dash and spirit we feel in the days that follow… are nothing short of forceful and winning! Our hair literally stands above our shoulders; so rocking a well cut and finished hair can take the outer beauty to the next level, while immensely complementing the inner beauty.
Cosmetology can bring out the hidden artist in you learning to become a hairdresser is choosing an outlet for your creativity and artistry in the form of true beauty. Whether you’re a kind of person that lets your hair just hang there meaninglessly, or someone that spends hours brushing, combing, braiding, and generally playing with it a course in cosmetology can bring out the hidden artist in you. Hairdressing isn’t only about mending the mane its about putting your best craft forward to give a true essence to beauty. A blank canvas can either be splattered with blobs of colors, it can be pencil sketched, or oil painted. Which one to pick, depends on the subject of the artist’s audience. Cosmetology gives you that power to look through the client’s profile, see the end result, and then put your best craft forward to create that winning image. Cosmetology training program prepares you to give fierce cuts & color, but also in building your own brand, clientele, and forming new relationships. The journey has not been smooth at all, it has been difficult. I struggle with my own insecurities about not being good enough. Everyone can believe in your work, but if you do not believe in yourself then the road to success can be difficult. I think the biggest struggle was not going viral on Instagram and not getting enough likes or shares. I know it sounds selfish and ridiculous, but I am being real with you, I would stress the heck out about why my videos did not get enough views. I needed people to validate my beautiful creativity and I wanted to please the audience. It is crazy how social media can really affect you. I had sleepless nights where I would ponder on how to create better videos and have more followers. At the time, my mentality was stirred in the wrong direction, I kept thinking to myself “if I am not famous, I am not successful.” I had to finally put a stop on my mentality and reflect on that beauty of working as a hair artist and why I truly enjoyed it. I would say my top 3 struggles were insecurity, doubt and fear. I probably achieved 1 of my struggles, I am now fearless about what others may think of my hair work. I still struggle with doubts about being a full-time hair artist just because I am not the only hair artist out there and I continue to be insecure in my work. I am my toughest critic, but I am still a work in progress. I am grateful on how far I have gone and how much I have grown in this industry.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Primaey I would take my best friend to a open farm restaurant, where silence is overloaded with greenery, where we can have a good talk, while having a sumptuous food. The kind of ambience will be mesmerizing. We would visit the beach in the early morning and spend the day till the evening that’s an awesome scenic beauty. Coming to the next one I would take them to a long drive basically to the crowded streets of the city to show the ravishing beauty of the city, mainly the shopping streets and probably rent a bike as well for one day and enjoy the streets. We are fitness freaks and love sports so I would take my friend to a The Sports Center to play different sports for as many hours we want. Also I would gift my friend with something there. Next movie plans we are very patient and can spend 3 hours of our time sitting and watch a good movie. Last but not least visit the malls of the city preferably during festive seasons to attend the fascinating shows and take part in activities going on there and also to have smashing pictures out there.

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?
A big shoutout and thank You to my clients, my family, and educators of L’oréal Pro Lab for your support and believing in my vision and values, thank you for your mentorship, faith, and love and encouraging me to strive to bring the best products and service, and your trust is driving force behind my commitment to excellence. Thank you for your Business through relationship building. In today’s fast-paced business world, I can’t express enough how thankful I am to my clients for fostering strong relationships and maintaining customer loyalty. I valued and appreciate all you helping me achieve my goals in life and letting me creat ways to make you feel beautiful and confident. I assure you to keep learning, so I can give you all the best service and continue to grow and prosper through relationship-building and trust to meet your needs. Your support is the backbone of my success it motivates me to keep improving im beyond grateful for being part of this journey I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. I feel truly honored to have you as part of my life and my success story I look forward to a bright future together I couldn’t be more proud to serve you.

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