Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassie Talamantez.
Cassie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always like to joke that I came out of the womb doing makeup, but that’s really how I got my start. Lipstick, eyeshadow and blush were always my favorite toys and I would constantly get caught playing in my mom’s makeup. I was 13 when my mom picked me up from school one day and proceeded to tell me that she wanted me to be like Bobby Brown, the cosmetics powerhouse. When she first told me that, I quickly informed her that I did not want to turn something I loved into something that was a job. I didn’t understand that the difference between a career and a job. But as I got older, I realized how amazing it would be to feel like I was never working a day of my life, but rather was being paid to have fun and to forge real relationships with people I would never have met otherwise.
Having said this, I feel like it’s also important to point out that I have always been in the plus-size realm of life. Although I never really received too much criticism or was really made fun of, playing with different hairstyles and spending superfluous amounts of time experimenting and perfecting my makeup really allowed me to express myself and feel beautiful even when the rest of the fashion industry may not have been as accepting or inclusive as it is now Anything and everything having to do with hair and makeup was really my safe space.
So, then at the ripe old age of 17, I had decided that I would go to cosmetology school, but that I also did not want to rely only on that. What if once I started doing it I realized that was not what I was meant to do with my life? In my family, it was always understood that everyone would go to college and earn their degree, but I did not only want to go because of a family understanding. This was something I wanted to earn for myself, even if I never did anything with it. I worked extremely hard and earned my bachelor’s degree in history (Magna Cum Laude) from California State University, San Marcos in 2009. Immediately after I graduated, I signed up for the next session at Paul Mitchell the school, San Diego. It was the best decision of my life. They gave great support, fantastic education and a sense of family that I still feel today.
After earning my cosmetology license in 2010, I decided to assist a top salon in order to continue my education and become a better stylist. I assisted at Atelier Aucoin Salon in La Jolla for one year but started doing clients almost immediately. I learned so much more from the amazing stylists there than I could ever imagine. After working at Atelier Aucoin for about 3 years, I wanted to move to a salon closer to home. I started working at Studio 78 in Oceanside and was there for about 4 years before I decided to move out on my own two feet. Since I have returned to Oceanside, I have become an educator with Unite Haircare, an international styling line, with their headquarters located in Carlsbad. I also have recently opened a gorgeous salon suite located inside Phenix Salon Suites with my friend, Laura Nash.
While I feel so free and like the sky is the limit with my career, I do have an ache in my heart. In July of 2014, I lost my mom to a very brief battle with pancreatic cancer. My mom was always my best friend and my inspiration. While I wish she could be there to see it, for me, she is the very heart of my salon and my career. I jokingly say it is her fault that I became a hairstylist and makeup artist. That is why I named my salon in honor of her: my biggest supporter, Karen Talamantez. It reminds me to continue the legacy of the strongest, most intelligent woman I will ever know.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think in an industry where one is surrounded mostly by females, there will always be some interesting moments. Also with dealing with a variety of personalities, there can be sometimes of high stress. On top of all of that now we are constantly bombarded by EDITED perfection flooding our vision on social media, where all the flaws have been blurred away. It forces you to compare and question yourself. I have been a victim of this. I think most of us have. When you are a born perfectionist, there is a day to day, minute to minute battle with one’s self over all the little details you want to be exactly right. It can make you question if anything you are doing is good enough. There will always be ebbs and flows, particularly at the beginning of a journey or a new step. But, there comes a point when everyone needs to allow herself to be happy with the work she does, while still leaving that necessary room for improvement. One can always be better and learn more and should strive towards it. The realization of that should never be a considered detriment, but rather an attribute because then you will never become stale in an industry or world that is constantly evolving.
There will always be lots of stressors in life and career. Maintaining a healthy mental outlook is so amazingly important. It’s imperative now that people, especially young women, need to find their solid foundation. For me, it has always been my faith, my family and my friends that keep me sane. After losing my mom, my world was rocked, but my perspective was even more finely tuned. When you go through something like that, you really learn what’s important. We need to look inside of ourselves, not just on our appearances(even though that is what pays my bills). We need to truly like and appreciate who we are as people, even (or maybe even especially) when no one else is around.
Our personalities are so much more valuable than our images, and more particularly than what we portray to the social world. We are only in control of ourselves. That is where each of us needs to keep our focus when it comes to any stressful situation. I think my clients can see that in me. Most of my clients have become like family members to me. Although they like what I do with their hair and makeup, they keep coming back to see me, to catch up with me, to tell me what has happened in their lives since I last saw them. It’s not just about business and going after the dollar, it’s about humanity. If you focus on that and stay away from the drama as much as possible, you can be successful in anything you want to do.
What should we know about K Tal Salon? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As cheesy as it sounds, I feel most proud of the relationships with clients and co-workers that I have built since joining the industry. However, as far as the actual work, I absolutely thrive when creating strong, vibrant, not-so-natural hair colors. (Once you start, you will become addicted). I also LOVE doing hair and makeup for weddings and special events. While I like doing smooth updos, I am really loving the soft, perfectly imperfect, romantic styles and braids. They are so much fun to create! I also enjoy creating soft, natural multi-dimension in various hair colors and adding a light airy-ness into layered haircuts.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I feel that because women the world over have had to work so hard to get noticed in order to achieve recognition or leadership for such a long time, that it has built a strong sense of competition amongst women in nearly every industry. On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, the cosmetology industry is very saturated with women. I think this can also create a sense of complacency. I’ve seen many women choose to not work harder to improve or evolve their skills and just go with the status quo. Thankfully, there are a lot of things that seem to be changing right before our eyes. With all the movements currently being waged, women are realizing we need to stand up for each other and for ourselves. On top of that, I think men are starting to actually pay attention. We are beginning to see the flickers of their understanding as to what women have had to fight in order to be recognized for their skills and determination.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2213 S. El Camino Real
Ste. A-127
Oceanside, CA 92054 - Website: www.ktalsalon.com
- Phone: 760-500-8945
- Email: cassie@ktalsalon.com
- Instagram: @cassarella16
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ktalsalon/
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