Life & Work with Jaslyn Anderson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaslyn Anderson.

Hi Jaslyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
So, my passion for the beauty industry was first recognized during my junior year homecoming. I was excited to professionally get my makeup done at Sephora for the first time. A Caucasian lady who was super nice was my makeup artist for the evening. I sat in her chair, excited and nervously anticipating my results. As she spun me around in the chair and handed me a mirror, I tried my hardest not to break down and cry. I looked like a clown! She could tell I was unhappy and embarrassed she did not know how to do makeup on a person of color.

I rushed to my car, cried, and said, “Jaslyn, get on YouTube and do it yourself. You got this!” I followed a step-by-step tutorial and slayed my makeup for homecoming. That boost of confidence, I felt I was addicted to that feeling! How could I sell this feeling? That was the day I finally knew what my purpose was to be a part of the beauty industry.

Quickly, from high school to college, I became a self-taught makeup artist and did everything from grooming eyebrows to doing a full face of makeup for students on and off campus as my side hustle. I became obsessed with the art of makeup! However, I was unaware of all the potential money that could be made in the beauty industry and thought, at best, it could be a side hustle, nothing more. My mom suggested I become a teacher. I was always great with kids and loved writing poetry and short stories, so I attended college at Anderson University in Anderson, IN, and got my Bachelor’s in English. Although my first position at Thornton High School as a Teacher’s Assistant, I built deep and meaningful relationships with my students (some I still have connections with today.) I knew in my heart this was not for me.

So, the goal was to go to aesthetics school and get my license, and I wanted my target audience to be women and men of color to help elevate their confidence through skincare and makeup! My first major hurdle was when I was living in Chicago. I was excited to apply to Paul Mitchell, only to find out that I did not qualify for any financial aid since I already had my degree. If I wanted to go to school, I had to pay for it out of pocket. At the time, I was working three jobs and caring for my sick mother, who was undergoing physical therapy. It was a major setback. My girlfriend at the time, who is now my beautiful wife of 3 years, Charlisa, was currently in pharmacy school at UMKC in Kansas City, and together, we came up with a financial plan to push each other to success. I would move down to Kansas City with her and work on getting out of debt (10k worth of debt, to be exact) and start saving for aesthetic school. We got a cheap apartment. The rent was $600 monthly with radiator heat and an old building, but we saved so much money. I got out of debt, and she helped me save for school, and I helped her study for grad school. Once she graduated, we knew we wanted to move out of the Midwest. So, our top picks were Florida, Vegas, and Arizona. Florida was too expensive, and we did not connect with the state as we thought we would. Vegas was our number one choice, so we prayed and asked God to guide us for our next transition in life. We applied to so many jobs, and we are still waiting for responses. Then we got the first job we both applied for in Arizona, and boom, Covid hit. When we saw how Vegas was poorly affected by COVID-19, we knew it was God and Arizona was our new home.

I started my journey becoming an esthetician at Imaj Institute, or as I like to say, “skin healer,” in June 2020, and in June 2021, I was a dual licensed esthetician and laser safety officer where I could practice laser hair removal and tattoo removal. Charlisa and I got engaged shortly after my 30th birthday (July 7th), and by September 2021, we had our house built and turned our game room into my beauty bar space. Having difficulty finding a job, I saw an Indeed posting from Amazing Lash Studio. They were looking for a lash artist, and you did not have to have lash training. They loved my personality, and I was hired on the spot. Lashing was very intimidating, tedious, and overwhelming when you first started. All the other girls in my class had some basic foundation. However, I had no training. Our training was two weeks, but they wanted you to finish a full set in 2 hours; as a beginner, that is impossible. I know lash artists who have been doing lashes for years, and it still takes them 3 hours, depending on the amount of lashes a client has. They tried to work with me to provide extra training; I practiced on every break and came in on my off days, and as much as I wanted to quit, I could not! My parents did not raise a quitter! Each time I did lashes, I got better and better, but I still could not do a full set in 2 hours, so Amazing Lash Studio had to let me go. Once again, another hurdle I had to jump over. We now had a newly built home, and although my wife was working, I had to come home and tell her I lost the job. I cried. I felt embarrassed. I felt lost.

Then my best friend Toya gave me the pep talk I needed and told me, “ She is not letting me give up on myself. I need to practice in a stress-free environment, find a regular job to help pay the bills, and watch how I will kill lash extensions!” She then proceeded to say, “Go check outside.” There was a whole lash practice kit. She hates being the center of attention, as does my wife, but I could brag on them all day. When I doubted myself, they saw all my potential and never gave up on me. If not for Toya, my lash journey could have ended there. If it was not for my wife who pays attention to detail and who pushes me outside my comfort zone to not be just okay at what I do but be GREAT I would not be half the businesswoman I am with her challenging me. She use to work my nerves back in day lol but I value and appreciate her existence in my life now more than ever! After I started practicing on the mannequin heads, Charlisa let me practice on her off days. Meanwhile, I was working a work-from-home job and trying to build my luxury beauty bar space exactly how I wanted it. My wife held us down financially and invested in me to build my dream, and as ugly as I made her, she kept letting me practice on her. Then, the light bulb came on when I had my first client, my cousin Rashanda Maxwell. It took me 4 hours, but her lashes were bomb. They did not last long, but I finally got the hang of isolation and placement. My cousin is picky, and I was so nervous, but she could not stay out of the mirror afterward. Then I started watching TikTok videos on YouTube and took lash training in Scottsdale, got certified, and learned the business and chemistry aspect of lashing that I did not get at Amazing Lash Studio, and then it got fun! I started mixing different styles, lengths, and curl patterns, and my creative side was in love with the art I could create.

I never thought I would find something else I was just as passionate about as makeup and skincare but here I was bursting with excitement. Through all my struggles I was transparent about my journey on social media. I started taking some facial and lash clients to build my portfolio. I got my booking site with Gloss Genius up and running. I got help from my amazing friend Cherie Dale who brought my vision to life with my website. I got into drop shipping for major skincare brands like Skin Script and Image. Then I created my own cosmetic line and I have my launch party October 27th 6-8pm in Queen Creek which will be a private location. I will be promoting this event more on all my social media pages. I am so excited about working with all black owned businesses!

My marketing manager, Tinisha Grayson, is helping me design my flyers to pass out in Queen Creek; she has designed everything from my business cards, digital and physical flyers, and banners so I can stand out, and her wife, Callis Cashmir, will be the DJ for the evening. There will be a caterer, “Debanea’s BBQ & Soul Food,” who was beyond sweet and helpful in working around my budget. There will be a mobile bartender, “_LiqdbyBee, who is probably hands down one of the best mobile bartenders I know. She was the first friend I made in Arizona and has helped support my dream since day one. There will be a photographer, Asaya Shutters, who brings photography to life and truly creates artwork. My videographer, Snapping Turtle Photography & Design, will capture all my moments on this day so I can look back at all the tears, struggles, sweat, and hard work I put into this vision to make it come to life.

It has taken 7 years to reach this point, and the average person would have given up! My dad always said his favorite attribute that I have is my resilience to never give up on myself, and I stand behind that. At my launch party, I will be showing my beauty bar space, sharing a snippet of my journey, and hoping it resonates with at least one person who feels like giving up on their dreams. I will also be doing $5 raffle tickets giving away free services for men and women, skincare products, and makeup from my cosmetic line, and I could not be happier! God has aligned my path with so many inspiring black-owned businesses here in Arizona, and we all support one another; each person has inspired me to keep going!

Alright, 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?
It has been anything other than a smooth road. I struggled with a lot of financial issues getting to this dream. I even had self-doubt and feared it would never happen because something always happened. But I would cry it out (because that is what we cancers do, lol), pray and meditate, and then figure out another way to still achieve this dream of mine! Now we are here, and it is not perfect. I am not where I want to be yet, but I am way further than where I started 7 years ago with 10k worth of debt, no license, and a lot of anxiety about life and my dream. God helped me every step of the way to let me know he gave me this vision and never let anyone or any situation make me doubt that.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a licensed esthetician, makeup artist, and lash artist. Although my beauty bar is open to everyone, I specialize in creating a safe space for the LGBT+ community and people of color to not only elevate their skincare, relax, and unwind from the hard moments of life but also uplift their spirit and confidence in their bodies and skin. That is what sets me apart and what makes me the most proud! Luxury, relaxation, body positivity, and confidence collide in my space!

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Covid taught me to cherish life. Love the people who pour into you effortlessly and genuinely. Life is short; live life for you now! Don’t wait too late to write your happy ending.

Pricing:

• Very BARE-E Fast Facial- $60/for a 30-minute session.
• VIP Luxury & Premium Facials range from $100-$160 /for 1 hour or 90 min session.
• Makeup & Spa Packages range from $250-$380
• Bridal Spa & Makeup Packages range from $450-$1,000
• Depending on the style, lash Extensions range from $ 60 to $200.
• As a way to say thank you to Phoenix Voyage for this opportunity and everyone who is supporting by reading this article get 30% off ANY item on my website by using the code: PhoenixVoyage 
  FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY! OFFER EXPIRES November 27th. Must spend $150 or more.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.darkbare-ebeautyandcosmetics.com
• Instagram: darkbare_e
• Facebook: Dark Bare-E Cosmetics
• Twitter: darkbare_e
• Personal FaceBook: Jaslyn Anderson
• Personal IG: lady_jetlag
• Snapchat: darkbare_e
• Booking site: https://darkbaree.glossgenius.com/

Image Credits
Professional Photos done by Snapping Tvrtle Photography & Design