Conversations with Val Contreras

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Val Contreras.

Hi Val, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed anything that involved doing makeup or hair; I would spend hours watching YouTube tutorials on how to do my hair and makeup. Growing up as a dancer, I loved spending hours doing my hair and makeup for recitals or any performances. I would be flattered whenever a friend asked me to help with their makeup. 

As a first-generation American, my only idea of a future always involved going to college for four years, receiving a degree, and then working in the area of my degree. I had never been exposed to anything like beauty schools or any kind of trade school. I have never been good at any kind of academics, so when I found out I could go to beauty school, it all clicked for me. One random day in April 2020, I decided to drop out of my community college in Yuma, AZ, move 3 hours from home, and pursue my passion for beauty with hopes I would become something or someone out of this risk. 

I enrolled in Avalon Institute’s cosmetology program, and a year later, I became a licensed cosmetologist. My main goal with my career has always been to be a part of women and men gaining more confidence in themselves through their hair. As someone with curly hair, going to the salon has always been intimidating and nerve-wracking, and I aspire to always be a stylist who will always make the person sitting in my chair as comfortable as possible. 

Like many other hairstylists, I started by assisting in a salon and slowly worked my way to becoming a stylist in that same salon. I was very lucky to have learned so much from different colleagues throughout my journey of assisting. I am very lucky to say that now I am an independent hairstylist. I have been in the beauty industry for almost four years and have loved every single moment of it, so I don’t plan on stopping now. 

Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Nothing worth working for is ever a smooth road. When I first started, there was a lot of self-doubt about whether or not I was doing a good job. People trust me with such an important feature of their appearance, so it puts a lot of pressure on my shoulders. Over time, I have overcome that and become a lot more confident in my craft. 

One of the biggest challenges that I still struggle with is receiving negative critiques on my work, which is something that will never get easy, but with time, it’s getting easier each day. Overall, most of my struggles have been something I can learn from and grow into as well. I have learned that no question is a stupid question. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by people like that. Will always help me out and give me the advice I need. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I am a hairstylist who specializes in curly hair; I am mostly known for curly cuts, which are a cutting technique used to cut curly hair. I am most proud of being able to transition into an independent stylist and own my own business. The thing that sets me apart from others is the experience I can give my clients. Hairstylists can sometimes be intimidating to talk to, so I try to be as welcoming and friendly as possible. 

I love being able to interact and get to know someone on such an intimate level that you do not get by saying hello to person to a person walking down the street. I try to treat every single person who sits in my chair as a friend and as an equal, but I have never viewed my client as a form of income. It still amazes me that so many people are willing to take time off their day to come and sit in my chair for 1-2 hours and just talk to me about their life. That is probably the most valuable thing about my work. 

How would we have described you growing up if we knew you were growing up?
Growing up, I was very independent; I remember being eight years old and wanting to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner all by myself. I tried a lot of different hobbies; dance was the biggest one in my life ever since I was six years old, but I stopped once I graduated high school. Besides that, I was in my school district’s marching band, I lived through my long-life dream of playing the clarinet just like. 

Squidward from SpongeBob. Unfortunately, I was never a big sports person. Growing up. All my days would always end up the same, and that was watching curly hair tutorials online. 8-year-old me probably thought, she’d end up being a lawyer, chef or teacher, luckily for her she ended up being a hairstylist which is even better. 

Pricing:

• Curly Cut: $100

Contact Info:

• Website: curlsbyval.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/curlsbyval