Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leishla Rios. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Leishla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My most meaningful project will always be one of my favorite clients, Alexis. She was just the brightest light with a smile that would outshine the sun, so kind and positive. Wanting to start her life over after doing some time, she came in seeking a fresh new start at life starting with her long beautiful hair. I’ve never met anyone who loved and cared for their hair like she did. I always did everything I could within the budget I was given to make her feel like a million bucks. Throughout the years, I saw her accomplish so many things. Alexis was a cat mom, moved out of a halfway house into her first apartment, graduated from welding school, and even was asked to speak at a conference about her life experiences. Though she was battling her own personal things, she was always smiling and made me feel like the best stylist on this planet. Always deeply thanked me, validated me, was on time to every appointment. The day of her appointments came at times I needed her the most. We worked very hard to keep her hair in the most perfect conditions. Alexis was a dream client. Unfortunately, she unexpectedly passed away June 2021. She will always be my most meaningful, greatest, & proudest project. Alexis was the client that made me realize why I love what I do. I wish I could tell her in person and tell her how proud I am of her and how grateful I am to have met her. She was a one in a million.

Leishla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Leishla (lay-sh-luh) i’m 29 years old and I’m new to San Diego! I moved here July 2024 from Connecticut to start over. I’m Puerto Rican and very proud, I love to play video games, watch the sunset, and I may be a bit of a Disney adult. I’ve been a hairdresser for 8 1/2 years and counting, in those years beautifying clients bringing their most authentic self to a physical form is one of my biggest passions. This wasn’t something I knew I wanted to do all my life.
Like many 17 year olds fresh out of high school, I went to college to please my parents. I wasn’t passionate about anything and felt so lost unlike most of my peers who knew exactly what they wanted to do. I only lasted a semester. I went on a soul searching trip back home in Puerto Rico to figure out what my next plan was. I remember watching the show Face Off and thinking “This is it, this is what I wanna do!”. So I flew back to Connecticut and researched schools that offered Special FX makeup. My local cosmetology school offered Special FX courses through the cosmetology program. So I enrolled for cosmetology school! Unfortunately, it was a lie. Not once did I ever learn a thing about any kind of Special FX makeup, maybe once during a halloween contest we held but I didn’t even get to participate in the makeup portion. My mom raised me to finish what I started, so I continued on even though I wasn’t sure I even liked cosmetology. Once I reached the color module, the spark for passion ignited. I was obsessed with coloring hair and transforming my clients.
I currently work at Radar Salon in Mira Mesa, I provide color and haircutting services for all genders and ages! My bread and butter in the salon are curly/textured hair, barber cuts, and color. I love to help my clients solve their concerns and teach them new things about hair they may have not known before. Although I have been doing hair as long as I have, I recognize there’s still so much I don’t know. I don’t pretend I know it all, in fact I am very transparent with my clients and they appreciate that. We get to learn and grow together.
Being new to San Diego, I am immensely proud of what I have accomplished in this past year. I moved here in July all by myself and started my career from zero. I was an established stylist back in Connecticut, but I wasn’t fulfilled. In the short 6 months I’ve been here, I’ve been able to connect with some amazing people and be a part of this amazing salon that offers education and a family-like team environment. I came here to rebrand and focus on my career. I want to provide top tier services and help my clients achieve all their hair goals as well as making connections with my clients. I’m so excited to meet more people from all walks of life.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The ultimate goal is to be completely self sufficient while working as a stylist and have a thriving loyal clientele. I’ve never been someone who wants to work a boring 9-5, robotically working for a corporate company that gives me no fulfillment. I fully believe we should be able to work at what we are passionate about and be financially sustained. I want to be able to help my clients achieve the looks they’re going for, boosting their confidence all the while making a livable wage and be able to travel living the life I worked for.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of my profession is how even a simple haircut can make someone’s day. Seeing the smile on your clients face after turning them around is priceless. Sometimes I’ve had people come in with very low confidence, nervous even. The look on someones face when you just nailed the haircut or color they’ve been wanting is unmatched, I’ve had clients who had the worst week of their life, and just by me snipping a couple hairs can completely turn that around. I have the power to do that. I also think that being a stylist, people have a lot of trust in you with not just their hair but to have someone they can talk to. I take that role very seriously, I’m your unbiased friend and perhaps part time therapist when you sit in my chair. I’m here to make you look and feel your best in any way possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.radarsalon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justleishla/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/radar-salon-san-diego

Image Credits

Self Portrait: Jesuino Photography