We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Justine Frisina. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Justine below.

Justine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was about 14 when I realized I was interested in creative art, like the beauty industry. I was always watching makeup tutorials on YouTube. Spending anywhere from 2-5 hours a day because I was so obsessed. I was very interested in becoming a makeup artist and even got my first retail job at Hollister Co., so that I could save up for this expensive makeup brush collection. I would play in the mirror all the time trying out different makeup techniques and eye looks that I had seen on YouTube or in a magazine. Over time I started pivoting into hair a little here and there. Different hair styles, temporary hair color. However, I was still very into makeup until I decided to do a few friends makeup and it wasn’t like applying it to myself. I realized I didn’t really enjoy doing it for others. I was 15 when a friend asked me to box dye her hair. That launched me right back into YouTube watching all sorts of hair tutorials. I was really obsessed with the science behind it, especially with bleach. I remember getting into a lot of trouble with my grandmother because I colored my 10 year old sisters hair BLACK. She was naturally a dirty blonde. OOPS. I started researching schools and decided Paul Mitchell was where I wanted to go. Even though I was 16 at the time and still in high school I would call Paul Mitchell and ask for them to mail me their booklet info for their school 2 years in a row. I would keep it in my nightstand drawer at all times.

Justine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After completing cosmetology school at Paul Mitchell and receiving my cosmetologist state license, I completed an associates/assistant program at Beautique Memorial salon in Houston, TX. I currently work at this salon as a Hairstylist.

I enjoy doing a large variety of services in the salon. My favorite service to provide is lightening, like highlights, balayage, platinum blondes, and lived in blonding on brunettes. I also love extensions and cutting. Aside from that I offer root touch ups, styling, vivid fun colors, and a wide variety of treatments. I specialize in blonding and color corrections.

My values as a professional are honesty, kindness, respect, integrity, transparency, and communication. I take my profession very seriously, so I am always continuing my education. New techniques and trends are always coming out and I make sure to stay on top of that so that I can give my client whatever they desire. Whether it’s done in one session or a few sessions to reach their goal. Once you sit in my chair and become my client your hair goal becomes my goal and we are in it together.

I think was sets me apart from others is that I am excited to get to know you and become your hair friend. I am very kind, down to earth and love people. I always go the extra mile in my work and don’t believe in short cuts. I pay attention to every detail because that’s what’s in my blood. Sometimes that’s a bad thing and sometimes it’s a great thing! Haha

I love making people feel good, beautiful, and heard. It is something I am very passionate about.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There is several times I have had to be resilient. It was not easy. At times I wanted to give up, but I could never live with myself if I had. Even though I had wanted to be a hairstylist as a young teenager, I did not go to cosmetology school until 10 years later. I wasn’t confident in my dream because of what my grandmother would think since she always worked in law. I didn’t really have a childhood and took on the mother role of my two younger sisters at a very young age. When I was 17 I lost sight of what I really wanted because of things going on at home. I was kicked out at almost 18 and became homeless with my boyfriend at the time. I applied to Aveda cosmetology school because it was near me but quickly withdrew when it was time to apply for financial aid because I knew I didn’t have a home or even a way to get there every day. Three months later I got pregnant. I had my daughter at 19. I became a single mother that had to work and keep a roof. There was no time for cosmetology school. I had forced myself to take online college classes that I did not stick with. I met someone who I thought I was going to marry and I had my son at 23. By this time I had decided my dreams would never happen. I accepted that I would just be a mom, wife, and work in an office. I became a single mom again and working an office job that I hated. I was very depressed. I would still look up Paul Mitchell from time to time. One day my grandmother asked me what it really was that I wanted to do if I could do anything. I told her, “go to Paul Mitchell.” She told me to quit my job, work for her business and go to night school while she baby sat my kids at night. I thought it was a dream. It was not easy, I was tired all the time and overwhelmed. I felt guilty because I only saw my kids in the morning for 30 minutes before they went to school and daycare. I wanted to give up so many times. I am so glad that I didn’t because I wouldn’t be where I am today.

I thank God, my grandmother, a friend I met in cosmetology school, a teacher, and myself. I do believe everything happens for a reason.

I hope anyone that reads this and is struggling- Do NOT give up, no matter how hard it is and how long it takes. You will be surprised of where you end up and proud. I believe the more you practice resiliency the stronger you become.

My journey is not over, I am still on a mission for bigger things.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I could list a million! The most rewarding is making people feel good about themselves.

Great hair builds confidence and I think that helps people go out and be able to chase their dreams and goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flowcode.com/page/justinefrisina
• Instagram: @justinefrisinahair