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Life and Work with Jacqueline Aquino

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Aquino.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jacqueline. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hola! You can also call me Jacks, Jackayyy or ayyy yo Jackie!!!

I’ve been doing hair for about almost six years now. I grew up being raised basically by my grandmother who was a woman of fashion and always told me that “if you look good, you feel good” – “always show up as the best version of yourself .“ She taught me how to fix my hair, sit up straight, dress, etc.

When I was little, I was always painting or playing with my cousin’s hair and combing it a million times. My mother raised my sister and me as a single mother. She’s a nurse and my sister is also a nurse which I turn made me think I had to choose that same path.

I was trying so hard in all of my classes, making sure I got grades… to find that one day in my chemistry class, I looked around and at my friend and I got up and went home. That same week, I felt so crazy because I had been skipping class and no one knew that I was gonna choose something completely different.

I went to hang out with my cousins and one of them said “why are you wasting your time trying to be a nurse? That’s not you at all! You should do something like hair or makeup!” The very next day, I went to Bellus and signed up for the cosmetology program. The rest is history.

I’ve worked in several different salons, I now work by myself in my own salon suite downtown. I wouldn’t take it back for the world. Work doesn’t feel like work at all.

Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, you will always have people telling you that this job is silly.. that I should get a regular nine to five. What’s funny is, even people with the regular office jobs.. who are my clients… they are miserable. I constantly have to motivate myself because there’s nothing else that these hands would want to do. It’s frustrating sometimes trying to explain to people that are just starting how difficult it can be. It’s not simple. You have to obsess yourself over hair. You have to take classes. You have to keep learning. You are continuously mastering your craft! My best advice to people who want to excel in this career is to never ever give up, the payout is better than money. I get to learn something new from someone every day.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I do hair. I love love love love coloring hair. I do love cutting as well but if you hand me a hair coloring brush… ohh my gahhh, I’ll go off!!!!

I’m definitely known for my creative colors and balayages!

I’m happy that I’ve had the same clients since day one who has never left me. From doing hair from my bathtub or kitchen sink to the several salons that I’ve worked in… and now.

What sets me apart from others is that I promise on everything I love I will do my best to give you exactly what you want without compromising your hair. I will talk to you until I figure out what your style is, who you are, what your hair could become…

I book out my clients for several hours because I never want to rush. And they say time is money. QUALITY is money. I will always give my best to my clients.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
My best advice would be… however you are at school is how you’ll be in the real world. Don’t be lazy. Don’t show up to work looking like whatever. Show up looking like a million bucks, show up being the best you can. And don’t ever stop learning. Try different techniques! Don’t ever get comfortable… dreams die in the comfort zone!

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
@jacquelineaquino

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

1 Comment

  1. Renae

    January 22, 2019 at 4:56 pm

    This is the “hair whisperer” nuff said.

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