Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Beaulieu.
Hi Donna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I starting cosmetology school in MA where I’m originally from and got licensed there and worked my way up from an apprentice at a local Aveda salon where I truly got trained in all areas of being behind the chair. Took classes in color, placemats, cuts, and day-to-day styling as well as event styling. After a year of apprenticeship, I was finally ready to be behind the chair and take my own clients. After about two years I relocated to SC trying to rebuild and start all over again. Finding a salon, I felt was a perfect fit for me was hard going from a place I loved to work in my home state to feeling lost in a new place I felt like it was impossible. I had even considered changing careers feeling like I’d never find a place to call my home salon here. Finally, I found a salon I loved and felt like home to me and I feel so grateful and blessed to have because hair is my true passion and making people feel amazing, and making true connections and friends with my clients.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the middle of transitioning from one salon to the next Covid happened and all salons where closed and that was one of the hardest times for me. All I’ve even done was hair it was the only thing I felt a passion and love for it was the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. I felt so lost and useless that my whole career could have just been put to a complete stop. With an indefinite stop to all salons, I had no clue what I was going to do. I worked at any job I could I was so sad I put so much time and effort into building my skill set to being told you cannot work and with no idea how long I would be out of work it felt like there was nothing I could do to make an impact anymore I love making people feel beautiful and enhance the natural beauty inside of them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in blonding and natural lived-in color. I believe natural hair is beautiful and not to cover or hide it all but enhance what is already there. Balayage and foiling is where I thrive and excel in the hair industry!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I definitely believe cosmetology school prepares you for your state board test but does not cover all you need to know to be behind the chair. Find someone who is willing to train you. Watch everything you can from a simple root touch-up to a balayage. Hand foils, ask questions and always be observing what the stylist is doing. I would definitely recommend finding a job as an apprentice/assistant as soon as you start cosmetology school. You are constantly learning in this industry Trends come in and out and techniques are constantly changing so you need to stay up to date.
Contact Info:
- Email: Hairbydonna803@gmail.com
- Website: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/8f667ab1-5ebf-482f-b883-e203bac6a02b/K6HN5CKJ7VME5/services
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnabella_hair/
- Other: www.Jphillipesalon.com
