Meet Cristina Villarreal of By Cristina Villarreal Beauty Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Villarreal.

Cristina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been around the beauty industry my whole life. One would ask ” what do you mean your whole life?” Since I was a small child I was brought up in a beauty salon family. My family had started our beauty salon 30+ years ago and is still continuing to serve and remain an icon for the community of Melrose Park, IL.

Growing up in this environment allowed to me to meet many different people from all walks of life. While other 5-years-old were at the playground, I was getting the first-hand internship on real-life social skills. Being brought up in this type of setting really opened up my eyes on what my mother was really doing, she was not just providing a simple haircut, updo, or makeup, She was providing a refresh into the person’s self-esteem and confidence.

Adjusting something as simple as the color of makeup, a different direction on which the hair is combed, made the world of difference for people. Seeing customers come in looking drained and tired, to leaving with a full charge of confidence allowing them to grasp their lives and have the “I’m back, and damn, I look good” attitude, really showed me what beauty can do. As I grew, I began to help my mother and my older sister. Being that we were a family business, we were all a part of it.

I began as where everyone begins in a salon, I began as a receptionist, then moved to an assistant to making it through beauty school and became a professional cosmetologist. I began my career as a cosmetologist as soon as I graduated high school. While I was working as a cosmetologist, I also pursued my second career interest which was dental hygiene. I graduated from the dental hygiene program. I have been practicing both my cosmetologist and dental hygiene professions for the past 18 years. Working in both of these professions showed me personally and continued to feed my passion for helping people view life and themselves from a different perspective.

Also, while working in both professions, I began to slip a little into the “routine” mindset, and quickly found myself on the hunt for a new challenge, as if what I had on my plate did not seem enough, my colleagues, friends, family, were slightly concerned and feared that I was getting burned out. On the contrary, don’t get confused, I enjoy both my professions, but I was looking for something a bit more focused in which I could still provide the attention and detail of both professions into one. I came across microblading. After thorough research, I decided that this was my next challenge.

Behold world, and welcome ByCristinaVillarreal Inc. to the stage. I decided to open up my own company. My company focuses on microblading, waxing, lash lifts, and bridal services. Although I have opened up my own company, I continue to work and collaborate with Mireya’s Unisex (our family owned beauty salon).

My passion continues to remain the same, and use my quote it to my clients, ” I see the beauty in everything”, I feel that I can see the beauty in each of my clients. Again, beauty is not just something physical on the outside, beauty to me encompasses you as a whole person. Gestures, speech, energy, stance, thoughts etc. all play a role in my definition of beauty. Everyone does not always need that superstar glitz makeover, sometimes it can be as simple as an adjustment to a flaw that each of us thinks is a flaw, yet it is not noticeable to the world.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
If everything were a smooth road, it would not be fun. I have had some challenges, but these are challenges that I chose to have and would not trade for the world. My biggest challenge of my whole journey has been balancing my family (husband and 4-year-old twins) and professional life.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about By Cristina Villarreal Beauty Studio – what should we know?
Services for By Cristina Villarreal Beauty Studio include the following:
Microblading/Microshading
Full Wax Services
Eyebrow Henna
Lash Lift & Tint
Bridal Services
More to come in the future!!

What we are known for is Mastery in Eyebrow Microblading and Bridal Services!

What sets us apart from others is knowledge, and we don’t treat clients as a number! We treat them as long-term friends.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Mireya Villarreal (mother)- Words can not describe! She is my mentor, foundation, my cheerleader, she has helped sculpted me to the women I am today.

Marcos Villarreal (Father)- My Side Kick!- he is also my mentor, my conscious, has supported me to begin this journey

Daniel Salinas( Husband)- My best friend! Encourages me, and puts up with all my new ideas with a big smile on his family for over 23 years.

Mireya C. Villarreal (sister): She is another Mentor, pushes me to the limit when you think it’s enough she shows you it’s not!

Contact Info:

• Address: 2313 West Lake St. Melrose Park, IL 60160 (By Cristina Villarreal Beauty Studio)
  2311 West Lake St. Melrose Park, IL 60160 (Mireya”s Unisex)
• Website: bycristinav.com
• Phone: 6306771680
• Email: bycristinavillarreal@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/bycristinavillarreal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bycristinavillarreal/

Image Credit:
Jessica Llamas // instagram.com/alogsphotography // Email– alogsphotography@outlook.com

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.