Today we’d like to introduce you to Samara Lovell.
Samara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
How I started?! Well… that’s a long and complicated story. Like most people who have a job they love, I kind of fell into it. To make a long story short, I moved to San Diego from Toronto, Canada a few years ago. I had been involved in the tattoo industry for a long time and somewhat fell back into it upon arriving in San Diego. After learning that I may be pursuing other artistic endeavors, my boss and good friend Briana Robinson (owner of BUJU Tattoo) tossed out the idea of cosmetic tattooing. As microblading became more popular in the cosmetic tattoo industry, there was a bit of a stigma around it, so I had always passed it off as a fad. However, as I researched further, I became intrigued and excited about the possibility of doing it myself. The more I understood how cosmetic tattooing had always existed alongside tattooing, the more I wanted to be a part of it. People have been altering and adorning their bodies since the beginning of time in one way or another; cosmetic tattooing is just another version of it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The transition into cosmetic tattooing has been pretty smooth for me, which I know is not the case for many people. The industry has quickly become saturated and it can be a real struggle. I was lucky enough to already work at BUJU Tattoo, and have the support and encouragement of my boss and co-workers. The major thing I’d say to remember is that there is always someone better than you, someone more experienced than you, and someone you can learn from. There are so many talented cosmetic tattooers and it’s hard to not compare your work to theirs. I try to learn from the ones I admire and use them as a reminder to continue to better myself. I don’t ever want a time to come where I think I know everything or can’t grow. I have so much to learn and am continuously trying to do so.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Honey Brows – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I (Honey Brows) provide cosmetic tattooing at BUJU Tattoo, located in Mission Hills. Currently, my main focus is eyebrows. I tend to focus on providing extremely natural looking eyebrows through a process called microblading. I am also trained in other cosmetic tattoo services and will be offering them in the future.
I am proud of being 100 percent genuine with my clients. I am also proud that I do not let working in a superficial industry skew my outlook on beauty. Everyone has a different reason for choosing microblading. I have clients of all different ages, lifestyles, and experiences. They are all beautiful before and after microblading. I try to let people know that microblading truly is for everybody. I feel like this age of social media has really made a lot of people, including myself, feel the need to “look perfect.” In reality, nobody is perfect, and we are so often comparing ourselves to a false reality. Eyebrows are amazing; they have the ability to bring out and frame features that may otherwise go unnoticed. I know at the end of the day they are just that… eyebrows. They don’t make my clients, they just enhance them. We are all perfectly imperfect.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I am lucky enough to have my boss Briana, my co-workers, my friends and family who have been unwavering in their support and encouragement. That makes all the difference.
I am always trying to connect with other artists. The best way has been through social media, specifically Instagram. It’s one thing to have people who love you encourage what you do, but the opinions, critiques, and tips from other cosmetic tattooers are really what makes you excel. They know what to look for and they share similar experiences. The more people I connect with, the more I will grow artistically. A huge shout out, kiss, hug, and appreciation to my clients! They are the reason my business continues to grow and I get to do what I love. I’m a very lucky girl and a day doesn’t go by that I don’t remind myself of that.
Contact Info:
- Address: Honey Brows/Buju Tattoo
914 West Washington St.
San Diego, California 92103 - Website: www.bujutattoo.com
- Phone: 6198666856
- Email: xohoneybrows@gmail.com
- Instagram: honey.brows
Image Credit:
Cameron Ballensky
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