Rising Stars: Meet Nichole Portillo of Glendale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nichole Portillo

Hi Nichole, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I switched paths 🤭 starting out I was very interested in working with children, I have been a behavioral technician for a little over 2 years now. as you get older you realize things change and your veiw on life changes as well! I’ve always had a desire to work in beauty to help girls feel pretty and confident just never had the time to decide on a “department”. I had thoughts on doing nails or makeup but Being an eyelash technician has always been on my mind,after watching countless videos and even being a lash model myself I decided to buy a beginner friendly lash tech kit,which was not very good quality but did the job at the moment. I would practice on my free time and of course get frustrated not knowing what I’m doing, I’d take hours at a time to even make a fan,glue my tweezers shut, trying to watch videos and learn. I’d given up a few times thinking maybe this just was not for me. Once I had more time available I would practice lashing at least once a day even if it was at 2 am! I would buy so many products from different lash businesses trying to see what worked for me and what did not. I decided to take on a real person and practice on family members. I would take 4+ hours on a set and not even lash 100% of their sets. I would get frustrated and have so many questions!but hard work definitely pays off, After feeling more comfortable and confident in my work I began making my lash pages and posting my work! Along my lash journey I came across this amazing lady whom has her own lash business selling her own products online and in store! She helped me so much giving me feedback and her lash products were a game changer for me! I eventually took her lash course getting certified and licensed in lash extensions! It is all about quality & products! Once I found the right quality of products that worked for me my lashing time decreased rapidly and my sets were coming out A1! Taking on amazing beautiful clients that trust me with their lashes,end up loving my work and coming back for more!! It definitely took a lot of Hard work and dedication to get to where I am today!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I will say in the beginning of this journey It was definitely a bumpy road, a few struggles of mine were wanting to give up in the beginning! I would get so frustrated and think maybe lashing was not for me, not knowing temperatures for glues, practicing hours at a time and still not being able to make a fan correctly or isolate correctly,not knowing the difference between sets or styles. I have learned every client is different, different lash styles and different personalities to deal with! but I will say it is definitely all about the products you are using that will make or break your lashing journey!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a phoenix Arizona lash artist, I specialize in lash extensions creating custom lash sets to fit different eye shapes! starting at classic sets,hybrid sets,volume sets, mega volume,wet sets or wispy sets ! I enjoy meeting beautiful new faces and offering a safe place for my girls! I will say I am most proud of how far I’ve came with making ladies feel pretty and confident about their self!

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?
I have learned to be more careful/mindful of who you’re around keeping your area clean and to avoid being around others if you or they are sick or have symptoms to avoid spreading sickness!

Pricing:

• Classic set $85
• Hybrid set $90
• Volume set $95
• Wet sets or wispy sets $100
• Mega volume set $110

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashes.bynichole?igsh=MmRmZWZ1bjkyN3Fn&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FYWtd6hiX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lashes.bynichole?_t=ZP-8tUnvvIynhG&_r=1

Image Credits
Image credits are my clients & myself