Chyna Padilla | SPECIALIZING IN MICROBLADING MICROSHADING & OMBRE' EYEBROWS
Chyna Padilla
SPECIALIZING IN MICROBLADING MICROSHADING & OMBRE' EYEBROWS
www.Chynathi.com
Hi! My name is Chyna. I am a mother of two handsome young men, whom are so kind, caring, funny, talented, smart, and I am so proud to call them mine. They are the main reason I decided to pursue my passion in the beauty industry full-time. I live in the Bay Area, California and work in cute downtown Pleasanton, CA.
My journey to Cosmetic Tattooing began in the arts! Anything to do with being creative, I was all over it. I always enjoyed drawing, painting, sketching, styling hair & makeup, literally anything else I could dig my fingers into. So naturally my journey lead me to obtain my cosmetology license in 2004. I was working full-time as a nurse recruiter and went to beauty school in evenings and weekends.
For years, I worked in healthcare full-time and did hair & makeup part-time. After 15 years of doing that, I decided to dive into Cosmetic Tattooing full-time, and I couldn't be happier. Making my clients feel amazing in their own skin is what I live for! I am so grateful that YOU make it possible for me to do what I love!
They say eyes are the window to the soul. I say brows are the window frame.
We'd love to know your story! How did you get started,? How did you get to where you are today? What are you most proud of?
I learned how to french braid hair when I was 8 years old. From that day, my fascination for beauty kept growing. I started experimenting on my sisters, cousins, friends and neighbors; pretty much anyone that would allow me to play. Right after high school, I started a career in the healthcare industry. With goals to become a nurse, I kept working full-time and took classes towards a nursing degree. I continued to do hair and make-up on the weekends to keep in touch with my creative side.I also obtained my cosmetology license in 2006. At the age of 29, I decided to have my eyebrows tattooed.
My cousin referred me to a local tattoo artist she went to. When I went, the artist took 5 minutes to fill in my brows and didn’t measure them. I told her they were uneven, so she asked me to draw them myself. I drew them on, and it took her 20 minutes to tattoo them. I wasn't exactly thrilled with them, but was happy to at least have some eyebrows on my face as I barely had any hairs. After that experience, I decided that I can totally tattoo eyebrows too, and that I can create a better experience for my clients.
My favorite part of doing makeup was drawing on eyebrows, so I knew it would be perfect for me. It was hard to find a local training program so traveled to Texas. After receiving my training, I knew I had to utilize all my new skills quick, before I lost interest and knowledge. Within two months, I did my moms, and 5 of my closest friend's eyebrows for free. I did a co-worker’s brows at the hospital and quickly word spread and I was doing about 3-4 set of brows per week.I found a local tattoo shop to work at part-time. After about 3 months I realized I was losing money not tattooing brows full-time. I decided to take a month leave from the hospital. I told myself if my books are completely full during my leave then I would quit my job at the hospital. As soon as I opened my books, it was completely full within 15 minutes.
I took that month off and never came back. One of the things I’m most proud of about myself is that I didn’t listen to anyone’s opinion. There were so many people telling me to not quit my full-time job of over 8 years that offered great benefits, paid-time off and most of all, SECURITY! I am so grateful to be working for myself and most of all making women feel beautiful everyday.
What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue a career similar to yours?
Don’t do it for the money. Make sure to be passionate and love it! I mean, be utterly OBSESSED! The money will follow.
What are the best resources that have helped you along the way?
I follow a lot of artists on instagram for inspiration. Study their work. Ask them questions. Spend endless hours on Youtube studying videos on cosmetic tattooing. Read a lot business and self-development books. I also listen to a lot of podcasts. I love listening to other entrepreneurs stories for motivation. Lewis Howe’s “School of greatness is one of favorites.” And most of all - saying AFFIRMATIONS.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’m learning body tattooing next; specializing in small intricate tattoos. So in 5 years, I would be doing brows and body art. Owning my successful tattoo shop with about 5 private rooms somewhere in the Bay Area.
It’s never too late to follow your dreams or pursue a new career.
Keep in touch with Chyna on Instagram