Daily Inspiration: Meet Liz Barbosa Sanchez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Barbosa Sanchez.

Hi Liz, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always knew that I wanted to work in the beauty industry. I was interested in makeup, beauty, and everything a girly girl like me loved at a young age. I would sit in my abuelita Juana’s “grandma” room with her and watch her apply this red Avalon lipstick and eyeshadows, and I loved that she would do my hair using lemons as hairspray. I was so shocked, and my interest in beauty just grew. However, at 8 years old, my parents divorced. My mom decided to migrate to the United States to provide a better life for my brother, and I wanted to make my mom proud, especially for leaving her home country and becoming a single mom working long hours in construction or fields in Arizona’s hot weather where the pay was not much. Being the oldest in my family, I worked hard in school.

I was an A student and stayed out of trouble. I knew my mom couldn’t afford to pay for my schooling after high school, so I attended college prep programs to get educated on what college was or if I could even participate in it. Everyone around me was so sure of what they wanted to major in, and yet I wanted to do people’s hair and makeup but felt lost and disconnected. I discovered YouTube and saw how some girls did hairstyling for a living, and I told my family I wanted to do that. At first, they didn’t see the vision. Social media was different from what it is now, so you didn’t hear much about hairstylists or makeup artists becoming successful. During my senior year, I applied for a scholarship and was selected. I decided to attend college even though my heart told me to attend cosmetology school. I just knew I didn’t have the funds for it. I planned to attend college, graduate, get a good-paying job, and attend cosmetology school afterward. That went differently than planned. Tho, during my time in college, Arizona Maricopa colleges took away in-state tuition to DACA recipients like me, and although I had a scholarship helping me pay for my schooling before, I was able to attend full time where now I could only take 1 or 2 classes because they would be charging me out of state tuition and that was so expensive even my scholarship would not cover all of it. Around this time, I met my boyfriend Oscar, who supported and encouraged me to attend cosmetology school.

I took this as my sign and started looking for a cosmetology school that would fit my full-time job schedule and that I could afford. I attended cosmetology school in February 2020. Of course, right before COVID-19, I prayed to God to get me through these dark times in the world and graduated in June 2021, a month early, actually. I started working as an assistant in a salon for a couple of weeks before I got my license in the mail, and fast forward almost 3 years. I am a full-time hairstylist and content creator. I specialize in dark hair transformations. I take pride in giving my clients hair that grows beautifully and is customized to their hair goals. I also love creating content around my work and working with other brands to showcase their products, services, etc. My work has paid off so much because I have been able to work with Behind The Chair, Joico, Color Edge, Smashbox Cosmetics, and many other amazing brands that have reached out. After all, they love my work, which makes me special, and I will never get over that feeling.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth journey, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wanted a full-time job in high school to save up for my education. Unfortunately, my immigration status posed a significant barrier—I couldn’t even obtain an Arizona state ID despite living here, attending school diligently, maintaining good grades, and staying out of trouble. It wasn’t until President Obama implemented DACA that things took a turn for the better. DACA granted me access to an Arizona ID, a work permit, and a social security number. This pivotal moment changed the trajectory of my life, and I will forever be grateful. While it may seem insignificant to some, having that Arizona state ID opened countless doors for me. I juggled a full-time job from 6 am to 3 pm while attending cosmetology school, starting at 4 pm and often finishing around 9 pm, depending on the day’s appointments. Then came the unexpected challenge of navigating through the pandemic while still in school. Despite the curveballs life threw my way, my school took every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of both students and clients. In the cosmetology industry, cleanliness and safety are paramount, which eased some of my concerns.

Additionally, I faced a flare-up of my hip dysplasia, which was particularly challenging given the demanding nature of being a hairstylist. Thankfully, I was able to receive physical therapy, which helped me navigate through this hurdle. Reflecting on it all, thinking about the myriad experiences I’ve endured is surreal. But amidst it all, I’m reminded of my mother’s sacrifices to provide me with the opportunities I have today in this country. How could I even contemplate giving up when her resilience is my guiding light?

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional hairstylist and content creator. Regarding hairstyling, my specialty is crafting beautifully blended, soft grow-out balayage and custom color treatments. Clients seek my expertise in working with dark Latina hair, which requires time and knowledge to achieve stunning lighting effects without compromising hair health. Many girls with dark hair believe they can’t attain gorgeous, healthy blonde hair, but I can accomplish that through practice, specialized techniques, and the proper hair products tailored to each client.

One of my many proud accomplishments is achieving the American Dream as an immigrant. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to build a career I’m genuinely passionate about. Despite challenges related to my immigration status, I put myself at work and school and obtained my cosmetology license. Social media has been a huge part of my journey, allowing me to showcase my work to a wider audience. When hair and beauty brands recognize and appreciate my creativity, it’s incredibly validating. Even without a massive following, brands often admire my work, reinforcing the authenticity and originality I strive to maintain in my content. For me, being a hairstylist and content creator isn’t just about being in front of the camera—it’s about embracing authenticity, expressing personal style, and celebrating individual identity through the art of content creation.

Please talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy.
There are so many things that bring me joy! One of the greatest is witnessing my clients’ reactions after spending the day with me, transforming their hair. Seeing their stunned faces is priceless when they realize we’ve achieved the look they’ve been dreaming of. My favorite moment is when they exclaim, “OMG, I can’t believe this is all my hair!” It’s a powerful reminder that, as busy women, we often overlook self-care. If I can play a role in encouraging them to take time for themselves, boosting their confidence and beauty, it’s gratifying. Beyond my work, my family and my dogs are my absolute happiness. They’re my world! Since becoming a homeowner, I have cherished hosting my family for holidays and creating our special traditions. And every Sunday, we aim to gather for a cozy dinner. As passionate as I am about hair and makeup, my heart also belongs to the great outdoors and traveling! It’s an opportunity I once thought was out of reach, but thankfully, with DACA, I can travel within the United States. My boyfriend and I have been able to travel, creating memories that will stay with me forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/bellezabyliz
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/bellezabyliz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellezabyliz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZPW-ogZ_zs_EDEtpTBqLYw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bellezabyliz