We recently connected with Nidia Cuellar and have shared our conversation below.

Nidia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.

Let’s go back to April 2020. Businesses were shut down, everyone and everything was isolated. There was no set date to which our lives would go back to normal. At that time, essential businesses were the only ones open. Little did the government know, including myself, the huge impact we as hairdressers have in the world. Little by little I was getting messages from my clients to see if I was comfortable enough to go to their homes and do their hair. At first I was a little frightened of the exposure, yet I realized that this probably would be the reality now, living with this virus. The only way to deal with it was to continue with work, just with more precautions.

I decided to start with one client a day. My first ones were a family of 4. My client had a whole table and chair set out in the garage, extensions cord in hand, and a baby pool with water if we needed. I prepped with mask and gloves and disposable apron. Mind you this was before we knew what we know now about COVID. They were ecstatic to see me! My clients were so happy that finally they were able to see a familiar face. We talked about our fears, our hopes, our families. I cut some of their hair, blowdryed, highlighted one. I washed her hair with a hose in the baby pool. It was definitely a sight to see! After my service I said goodbye and the family’s faces just lit up as they saw themselves in the mirror. And for those few moments they felt like everything was going to be ok. And I felt like this was something I needed to continue. I can make someone forget the bad in the world by making their confidence in the mirror better.

I got different request from some clients. Some of my clients were too fearful of seeing anyone and that is how I came up with my second idea. I made special kits for my clients who wanted to color their hair themselves. I purchased the color I normally do for them at the salon and divided the color and developer into tiny containers. I added a color brush and a pair of gloves( those were the hardest to find). Then I wrote thorough instructions on how to mix, apply, process and rinse. And I prayed to the hair gods I did not receive any oopsies! I would meet them outside grocery store parking lots and handled my transactions. You could almost say I was a color dealer!

As the pandemic continued, I kept visiting my clients’ homes. And let me tell you, every home I went to was quite the experience. I took my huge container of color wherever I went and made sure I sanitized everything to do my best in make my clients safe. I cannot tell you how many toilet bowls I used as chairs as I applied color to my clients and how many kitchen sinks I used to wash their hair. There were some instances where I literally sat outside the bathroom as my clients showered their color off! But looking back, what an honor it was that my clients felt so much trust in allowing me to be in their personal space.

Anything I could do to make my visit pleasurable for my clients I would. One of my clients I knew had underlying conditions and I could not risk her at all. Before going to her home I would get tested and make sure I was clear. I would head towards the back of the building to get escorted into the into the condo. To my luck though, her whole bathroom was pure white and the hair color we use was red! A redhead! This is a hairdresser worst nightmare, especially if you are a messy colorist like me! I would cover the whole restroom from the counters down to all the floor in long pieces of plastic and set up as carefully as I could. I would sit her in a tiny stool and use the toilet bowl as a work table. She would kneel over her tub as I would hover over her with the shower head to shampoo her color out. It was so painful for my back but this was the only way.

In one of my visits with this sweet client, as we were finishing up rinsing her hair, the shower head slipped completely out of my hands! It shot out like it was a wild bull. We sat there fully wet and just laughed so hard. Her nurse and I cleaned her up put her in a comfy pajama. I blowdried her fresher colored hair and then layed her in her bed to rest. With a grin from ear to ear she said how fun that was and how much life and happiness her red hair gives her. And standing there wet, exhausted and with back pain, my heart was full.

You see, as a hairdresser that is our goal- to bring out the beauty in everyone. And through this crazy battle we have come across with COVID, a shining light is needed. Hairdressers are essential, essential for the soul.

Afterthought: This week I got the news that my sweet client had finished her battle against cancer. So I would like to dedicate this article to you. May you rest now my beautiful fierce redhead.

Nidia, 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?

I am going onto my 11th year in the Beauty industry and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I am a balayage blonde specialist. I have trained with many international hairdressers who have gave me the knowledge of the French balayage technique. This unique technique serves as a soft way of enhancing light by lifting your hair softly to create seamless sunkissed looks. From a cut, color , updo, to a simple blowout- I enjoy creating the best version of you possible. Every head of hair is different and the color possibilities, endless! Let’s make magic happen!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think we all know the answer here! The smiles! What a joy it brings to me to be able to bring that self esteem up for people. There is a WOW factor hidden in all of us. It is up to us as hairdressers to pick that out and let it pop!

On top of being a necessity, we are also a treat! By hiding a few greys we can make an individual look 10 years younger. As a hairdresser I can make my client be the star of the party. It is truly rewarding to get those selfies and thank you messages of my clients on how much they loved their hair.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

The connection between hairdressers and client happens instantly. After the first service you know if this is a go or no. Luckily I have been stable in my workplace for 11 years. Loyalty comes with consistency, and that is what I have been able to achieve for 11 years. My clients know they will come and have a great time in my chair and look great at the end of their service. They know the training I’ve endured and how constant I am with what is up to date in styles.

Because I have taken care of most of my clients for at least 5+ years, I have grown a close bond with them. They are practically family! They’ve watch me grow in my career and have stuck by my side.

Even through the 8 weeks our salon was closed, I kept in contact with my clients to check on them and their families. I was even able to provide haircuts and color in their homes during the pandemic. Through all the rough times I will always be their friendly neighborhood hairstylist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nycuellar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nycuellarhair/
• Other: [email protected]