Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyra Lay.
Hi Tyra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My family and I were sponsored to the US when my aunt discovered our family was still alive in Cambodia (after Khmer Rouge) in the late 80′ ’s. I was 7 years old and started 1st grade when I arrived on US soil. Growing up, we had very little money, a family of 6 living in my aunt’s living room in Providence, RI. I’ve always had a love for the beauty industry at a young age. I graduated high school and finished college at USC Upstate with a business degree. I always knew that if I gained the proper education, my parents would be very proud as I would have a great job supporting my family one day. Fast forward years later, we moved to Boiling Springs, SC, for better work opportunities for my father, who was washing dishes for $5.50 an hour at a restaurant. After 7 years of corporate accounting work, there was more for me to do something I truly love, desire, and enjoy, which can make a slight difference in the world. I resigned from my position to focus on our family salon and to have the freedom to stay home with my daughter. At the salon, I did a lot of nails, brows, and eyelashes, and I love making people happy.
Permanent makeup services came after when many clients requested a more permanent solution. After receiving my own brows procedure back in 2016, I knew it was my career path. I believe I have the talent and ambition to help women (& men) wake up with beautifully soft, fill-in brows and to help gain their self-confidence back.
It took work to find work after completing my certifications; the laws and regulations differ for each state for PMU Artists. In 2019, I briefly worked at a Medspa and showed the Upstate the softer techniques of Ombre powder brows. I stayed so booked from the personal referrals. Covid hit, and it was a tough time for everyone and a time to question our plans. I knew this was the path for me.
I have decided to open the first permanent cosmetic studio in the Carolina Foothills- Columbus/Tryon, NC area, only 18 mins from my home in Boiling Springs, SC! I offer permanent brows and lip blush tattoos and train and certify new artists on these techniques. It has been a challenging journey for me since it was around the same time my mother passed away from Covid. I am still healing and doing what I love so much each day. I feel blessed each day I come to my studio. I am living a dream that I have created for myself, making a difference in the world of eyelashes and permanent brows. My story inspires someone to have the courage to do something they love because life is so precious, and we are only here for a short period. Make it worthwhile.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Every day is a challenge to grow as an artist, a woman & minority business owner. One of my current challenges is to find the right team members with similar visions to expand my studio, Elegance Permanent Beauty Co. It hasn’t been a smooth road, as I am still healing from the loss of my mother.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in the Ombre powder brows technique and lip blushing tattoo. What sets me apart is my natural talent & passion for each procedure I perform, the products & supplies used, and my years of experience and continuous training in this field.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
Research, research, and research! Whether you are a client looking for PMU work or a student looking to get started, please research regulations for each state so you can get proper work done or do business legally. Permanent makeup is a delicate service to be performed by a well-trained artist.
Pricing:
- Ombre Powder Brows $650 w/ Master Artist
- Ombre Powder Brows $400 w/ Jr Artist
- 6-8 Wk Perfecting touch up $100-150
- Annual Touch Ups $400
- 2-3 Year Touch up $600
Contact Info:
- Website: Elegancepermanentbeauty.com
- Instagram: @TyraLayBeauty
- Facebook: Facebook.com/elegancebeautync
- Other: Instagram.com/elegancebeautync
