Meet Killer Beauty by Ligia | Colorist, Cut Stylist & MUA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Killer Beauty by Ligia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Killer Beauty by Ligia, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?

Well, traditionally when beginning your journey as a Stylist, assisting is a major part of your development. You really learn shortcuts, that not only improve your timing but you get a fundamental idea of how you wanna run your chair.

For the up & coming stylist.

Most people will advise you not to take anything personal, it’s part of the position.

I disagree with this sentiment! I believe it is easier to suggest that, then to live it.

My suggestion is just make sure you find a mentor who respects you back, make sure their salon elevates their assistants, make sure the salon works with products you want to work with, work with someone you can share your creativity with that will provide constructive ways of improving them & you…..then keep growing on your own & never stop learning. Love yourself, be ok with your differences. Do not fear mistakes, they happen & actually help you if you allow yourself to learn from the experience. Oh, & the only person your competing with is yourself, so do not focus on anything but yourself!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Well, I have been in the Beauty industry going on 13 years now. My career started after I was laid off, during the 2008 Writers strike, working as an accountant for Deluxe Digital Media. I was laid off two days before my daughters 7th birthday. Single mom, laid off during XMAS…..ha! As I drove my child through the XMas light show on Zoo drive thinking I wish my art came to life.

It hit me…makeup! I then began my journey in Makeup as an Art. I am double Certified by Joe Blasco Makeup Academy since 2010. I was privileged to have learned Prosthetic’s from Ron Burman who is a legend in his field. David Langford (RIP) who taught me everything about Makeup & SFX. Its was the art in wig making and artificial hair appliances that made me interested in learning hair styling.

In 2015 I became a Licensed Cosmetologist. I immediately began assisting and taking clients. I began offering hair services for set work not just makeup.  I worked in many high end salons, worked with many celebrity stylists & celebrities. I assisted for years.

I will end it on this.

And this is just my opinion…..

First, finding celebrity does not make you a great stylist. I believe it’s all about passion. I also believe, there are 3 types of stylist. There is that stylist who is only a stylist – traditional, then we have Celebrity stylist, who found a platform for their creativity & personality and then you have the Artist Stylist who decided to make beauty a part of there artistic creativity. All 3 are great stylist, that live in different environments.

I identify as an Artist Stylist that decided to make beauty the outlet that helps further my creativity. That’s my definition. I am your artist, together we create your aesthetic. My clients are everything to me. For them I continue with my education & I will until I retire because Beauty will keep changing & growing and so will I.

Being a single mother, a woman, an immigrant who had to learn English, today I can say I am more than all of those words. Today I can add Colorist and a Cut stylist to compliment my Makeup credits.

💋

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.

Well, this is LA.

I love eating Sushi in Little Tokyo and then heading over to Echo Park in the evening to get in those magical duckies!

Angelino Heights is a great place for a night stroll

Placita Olvera is such a beautiful place to eat & get a good chancla to take home to those kids!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I have learned from some of the best in our industry. I have worked at many very beautiful salons. So with this being said. I feel Ben Mohapi was the stylist/mentor that has impacted my career most & Jessica Gonzalez was the colorist I learned from most. Ben & his wife Lone provided me with so much. A beautiful salon home, they made sure we got plenty of education and were exposed to more experienced Artist. I made sure to watch Ben cut every chance I could, I literally learned to cut better just by observing him with his clients. He is the first and so far the only Salon owner that I felt truly appreciated my differences and I believed in what he believed in me! I love that even though I no longer work for them they still support me in many ways.

Jessica Gonzales who is a Sr. Colorist for Benjamin West Hollywood is so humble regardless of how celebrated she is. Her work is admirable. For me, the fact that Ben had her in the same space with me allowed for her to influenced me greatly. She is a Latina. She is a woman. She is an Artist. I really admire Jess & all my women in this field. I especially get excited about working with other latinos. I need them in the room!

The best advice Jess gave me was for Balayage technique, she said use the light, see how it reflects on the hair, use the light to guide your layout”, that’s Jess! I remember everything she provided me.

Benjamin Salon allowed for me to have those connections. My shoutouts are for Ben & Jess! And a special shout for Lone Mohapi, who I love dearly!

Website: https://killerbeauty.onuniverse.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_killerbeauty_byligia/

Yelp: https://yelp.to/SX1dX2kDLsb

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