Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Gregory.
Regina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When most cosmetologists get asked how long they’ve been doing hair they give you the years since they were in beauty school and then another of when they actually started.
When I was in jr. high my mom let me dye my hair for the first time. I couldn’t understand why my hair was getting darker as I grew older. But once l found out that l had the power to change that, my whole life changed. Realizing you can alter someone’s perspective of themselves and make them feel better about how they look is quite honestly AMAZING.
All through jr. high and high school everyone wanted me to do their hair and l experimented on my own hair, a lot! I would go to the beauty supply stores to pick the workers brains on how color worked and what to use. I loved doing hair but l still wasn’t sure if it could actually be a career. When l finally started beauty school, almost 2 years after I graduated high school, l knew l had made the right choice. I’d never been more excited for school in my entire life. I was thrilled to learn and absorb everything about the industry, and l still do.
There is always more to learn in the hair world and thinking your too good to learn more is a disadvantage to yourself as a stylist and an artist. I assisted at an amazing salon in Bressi Ranch for over a year right out of beauty school. Then spent almost 6 years at a lovely salon in Carlsbad Village where l really learned hair and what l was capable of. I feel incredibly lucky getting to do what l love every day and it honestly never feels like work.
When most people are trying to figure out when they are going to retire I’m trying to figure how long l can work having my dream career.
Has it been a smooth road?
You have to have a lot of patience, drive and passion in this industry. It takes time to learn techniques and to feel comfortable behind the chair and to build a clientele you want. I feel lucky that I had my amazing parents and friends that helped support my dreams.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My salon is called HELLBENT FOR HAIR, a playoff a Judas Priest song. I wanted it to have a little fun and edge to the name. The definition of hellbent means: determined to achieve something at all costs.
I knew that’s exactly how l felt about this industry. I love the versatility in hair. I don’t like only doing one particular thing. I think I would get bored if l wasn’t changing it up all the time. Color definitely ignited my passion for hair. There is so much to know and so many techniques to achieve different looks.
I’m definitely known for doing fantasy colors but I also enjoy balayage and highlights to give softness and dimension to the hair. Last year I bit the bullet and went back to get my barbering license, which was another amazing adventure. I love gentleman’s haircuts and styling. I’ve always been drawn to the vintage hairstyles for men and women, which shows in the decor of the salon.
I definitely wanted the space to be gender neutral so no one felt uncomfortable. It has been just me in the studio but I am excited to bring on another stylist. I want to grow myself and the brand and hopefully, have a bigger space once day.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
San Diego definitely has saturated areas of hair salons, but it’s still a great place to be in this industry. I honestly have clients from all over! My advice to a stylist just starting out would be to assist. Humble yourself and learn more from your peers in the salon and educators in the industry.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4161 Oceanside Blvd. Suite 101 Studio 11
- Website: www.hellbentforhair.com
- Phone: 760-815-7429
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Hellbentforhair
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hellbent-for-hair-oceanside
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