Today we’d like to introduce you to Aileena Gallego.

Aileena, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been an artist, ever since I was young. Throughout my life, my experiences have shaped and inspired me—from losing a parent at a young age to seeking validation in men, which made me realize I had codependency issues I needed to work through. Over time, I saw that a lot of women struggle with this, and I started to understand how important self-love is, especially in the choices we make about who we allow into our lives.

Working in the beauty industry, I’ve found that it’s more than just about looking good—it’s about feeling good, too. I love being part of the self-love journey, creating spaces where women can relax, unwind, and have real conversations about life. Sitting with women, sharing experiences, and giving them the space to just be—it’s almost like a little therapy session.

My own journey, including experiencing homelessness and surviving domestic violence, has pushed me to want to help other women through those same struggles. That’s why I put together events to uplift women, combining beauty, self-care, and community. Through my work, I aim to create safe spaces where women can heal, express themselves through art, and feel empowered.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I believe that when you’re on the right path, things always work out—as long as you keep pushing forward. The challenges you face can actually work in your favor if you don’t give up. Looking back, I can see how every hardship I went through led me to where I am today.

Losing my parent to suicide at a young age made me deeply aware of how much our emotions and mental health affect us, and how important it is to love and support each other. Watching my mom navigate different relationships shaped my early ideas about love and validation, leading me to seek approval in the wrong places. That mindset put me in unhealthy relationships, ultimately leading to domestic violence. I was kidnapped and abused , and he was later sent to jail . That experience showed me just how much our choices—and our self-worth—can impact our lives. I was naive, but those experiences changed my perspective on everything.

I’ve always been an artist, and eventually, I found my way into nail art. Through that, I built deep connections with women and realized how much our emotional state, mindset, and self-worth shape all our lives. But even on my journey to owning a salon, I faced obstacles. At one point, I was doing nails out of my garage, but when I lost my home, I had to move into a salon booth. All my money went to booth rent, which left me with nowhere to live. I couch-surfed, slept in my car, and even had clients offer me a place to stay. Then, I was abruptly removed from the salon I was working in, which forced me to find another space. A friend let me work out of their tattoo studio, and while I was there, I learned how to tattoo.

Looking back, I can see how everything connected. If I hadn’t lost my garage space, I wouldn’t have rented a booth. If I hadn’t lost the booth, I wouldn’t have ended up at the tattoo studio. If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have learned a new skill or been pushed to create my own space. Now, I have my own two-bedroom apartment, a private salon studio, and another skill set under my belt. What felt like setbacks at the time were actually redirections leading me to something better. That’s why I believe challenges aren’t meant to break us—they’re meant to shape us into who we’re meant to be.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an all-around artist—I love to explore different mediums and constantly switch things up. What sets me apart is how multifaceted my creativity is—I don’t limit myself to just one medium.

I specialize mostly in nail art , I love how versatile it is. From miniature realism to abstract designs. I’ve worked with everything from sculpting clay and pottery to tattooing and tooth gems. One thing about nails is it’s like all those mediums in one , you can jewel your nails like tooth gems , or sculpt shapes like clay or paint designs like tattooing. Lately, I’ve been gravitating toward murals. There’s something special about painting outside—feeling the sun, listening to music, and engaging with the community as they pass by, watching the art come to life. It’s a way to make the world more beautiful and share creativity with everyone.

Even though I work in many different mediums, I’m most known for my nail art. I love pushing the boundaries, from intricate, hyper-realistic miniature paintings to bold, editorial-style designs with extreme lengths and unconventional shapes. My work is always evolving because I refuse to stay in one lane.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to bring my visions to life, no matter the medium. Whether it’s creative directing, painting, sculpting, or designing, I have a tenacious drive to make things happen. I think that’s what truly sets me apart—not just my versatility, but my ability to take an idea and turn it into reality. At the end of the day, that’s what makes anyone stand out—the commitment to make it happen, Captain.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Creating makes me happy. Exploring new places, having new experiences, and being around people I love—especially those who are open-minded and willing to explore ideas light up each others spirit. But more than anything, I think what truly makes me happy is freedom.

The freedom to create without limits, to bring my visions to life, to step into another world through my art. The freedom to be myself, without judgment, around people I love. Exploring makes me feel free, and that feeling of freedom is what brings me the most happiness.

Contact Info:

• Website: Artbeautyandsoul.com
• Instagram: Artbeautyandsoul
• Facebook: Artbeautyandsoul
• Twitter: Artbs
• Youtube: Artbeautyandsoul
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/art-beauty-and-soul-oakland

Image Credits
Photographers @darrinbaldridge @__pix7 @philemerson
Models @allykaaat @alemsworld @ariel.Meii @fitin4whaaaat @aileenagallego
Hair braids @braidkillaclee