Meet Tina Arvizu | Aesthetics Educator & Aesthetician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tina Arvizu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
A risk to me is doing something that will stretch you out of your comfort zone, taking risks gives us a chance to explore new opportunities and experience failure as well as growth. When I think about life I can’t help to view it as one big risk. As a child I took risks daily but without fear because I hadn’t grasped the concept of failure yet, and there was always someone around to catch me if I fell. As an adult taking a risk meant something different to me, I had questions such as, Would I fail and more importantly, how would it affect my daughters? I truly believe without risks we aren’t stretched out of our comfort zone, we miss opportunity for growth even failure which can be a blessing. It seems as though many risks aren’t taken out of fear, fear of failure, and fear of judgement from others. Taking risks have definitely played a role in both my life and career. I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not taken risks. I have three major risks I have taken in my life and career. In 1999 I uprooted my family and moved to Phoenix, AZ to take a position at one of the highest volume Chanel counters in Arizona. This risk led me to work for a company called Awake in which I was able to travel to Japan with the company, this is where I fell in love with skincare. In 2007 I took to another big risk I went back to school to become an aesthetician while going through a divorce and caring for two young daughters. Finally in 2016 I took one of the biggest risk of all when I decided to leave a stable, full time job with benefits as an aesthetic educator to start my own business. I had tried this before but failed!. These risks were so worth it, the growth I have experienced, the many people I have met along the way. the opportunities and even the trials made each one of these the best decision of my life. I am about to take another huge risk come January 2022 I will enroll in Nursing school to fulfill my dream of becoming an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. Thankfully I have never been one to let fear stop me from taking risks in life and I have experienced an amazing career so far.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career in the beauty industry started in 1997 when I became a makeup artist for Chanel cosmetics. I would work for this prestigious line for nine years ending my career with them as the counter manager of the highest producing counters in Scottsdale, Arizona. I then went on to be a product specialist for Awake cosmetics which led me to travel to Japan with the company. During my time with Awake cosmetics I found myself falling in love with skincare. In 2005 I moved back to Tucson I would soon become a Bobbi Brown makeup artist and open the first two counters in Tucson. In 2007 I took the leap and despite being in the middle of a divorce and raising two young daughters I went to aesthetic school and became a licensed aesthetician. I continued working for Bobbi Brown while building my aesthetic resume. My very first job was at a well known resort in Tucson, which was a great achievement because resorts don’t usually hire students without aesthetic experience. While in school I knew I wanted to work at a medspa and in 2008 I would land that job. I worked at the medspa for three years. During that time I was exposed to so many more treatments and I was able to attend post graduate classes. My knowledge and skill set grew immensely. My next step would be opening up my own business. I had a great opportunity to rent at a family practice office. I took what little savings I had and started. Unfortunately I was not prepared for the business side of things and eventually closed and went back to work for Bobbi Brown as a makeup artist. I gave myself a year to get back into aesthetics and exactly then I would hear of an opportunity as an aesthetics educator at Pure aesthetics Natural skincare school. I never imagined becoming an educator nor did I know what qualifications I would need. All I knew is I loved the world of aesthetics and I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with other aestheticians. I never pass up on an opportunity so I applied and I was hired. I would go on to become the lead instructor, not only educating those who wanted to pursue a career in aesthetics but also mentored other aesthetic educators. During this time I also worked weekends in the treatment room keeping my skill up and doing what I loved, working on clients. After 4 years I had to make a decision quit teaching and pursue the idea of becoming my own boss or stop working as an aesthetician and seeing clients. I was torn I loved both but I have two daughters and I wanted them to teach them to follow their dreams no matter the risks or how scary it would be. I also knew if I didn’t try I would always wonder what if. So I did it ,I jumped. I took a huge leap of faith and started my own business. Remember I had tried this once before and failed but this time I felt ready. After three years of working as an independent contractor in other spas I knew I needed my own business name and space. I still had some things to learn about business so I enrolled into a six week business program for entrepreneurs at the local University. Now with the knowledge and skill it was time, after sharing my vision with my oldest daughter Beauty Collective was born. January 2020 I opened Beauty Collective. What sets me apart from others in this industry is my education and certifications. I hold certifications in Dermaplaning, Microneedling, medical grade chemical peels, Lash extensions classic and volume, Lash lifts, Henna Brows and most recently Powder brows. I also work mainly with medical grade skincare which requires a medical director. I am an Acne specialist, and an Aesthetics educator. I am most excited about continuing my education and fulfilling my dream of becoming an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. I will start a nursing program in January 2022. The road to where I am at was not easy. I had to make a decision move into a house I could buy for my girls and I or move into one bedroom at my mother’s house so I could go to aesthetic school. We had to sacrifice for my dreams. I wanted to provide a better future for my daughters. My aesthetic career started during a recession, at times I had to work two jobs while making sure I was there for my daughters. I failed at starting my own business the first time and then I go for it again only to find ourselves in a pandemic. Our industry was closed down for three months. I reopened and three months later I came down with Bells palsy. My whole world crumbled I couldn’t continue working. I had to close down again. I overcame these challenges with prayer, and encouragement from friends and family. Most of all by not giving up! When the pandemic hit I was forced to step out of my comfort zone and use social media as a platform to educate clients and create excitement about skincare. The challenge I am facing now is dealing with the bells palsy. I never stopped learning and I actually went back to educating. I am currently the lead instructor at Pure Aesthetics Natural skincare school again. Although I am not 100% back to normal I am reopening Beauty Collective in March 2021. These challenges actually became a blessing. During these past six months I have realized even more so to continue to set goals, dream, and don’t wait to pursue them. I want the world to know when they see my logo and say my name Beauty Collective that it represents determination, sacrifice, failure, humanity, passion and grace all together collectively which is absolutely beautiful! First and foremost I am a mother of two beauty, amazing daughters who are my why! I am not perfect but I am humble, I am not afraid to share where I came from, would you believe this girl from the projects would end up selling Chanel cosmetics? I have a passion for helping and serving others. I believe in quality not cutting corners when it comes to products for clients. I believe in empowering others, sharing the skill and knowledge we have. I have faith that can move mountains and I am proof that with hard work and determination anything is possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First day we would go to the botanical gardens then have a Sonoran hot dog and a Mexican coke at Guero Canelo. Next day We would go for a hike in Sabino Canyon, then eat at Tucson’s famous restaurant Mi Nidito which has the best Michelada drink and Mexican food in town. Then we would take a drive to Kitt peak National observatory and see the stars. Next we would take a drive to Mt Lemmon do some fishing or hiking and eat at the cookie cabin. Another day we would take a tour at Colossal Cave Mountain park then have some yummy seafood at Mariscos Chihuahua.Next we would take a short trip to the San Xavier mission and eat a popover made right there in front of you.Finally we would take advantage of one of our amazing resorts we have here, lay by the pool and soak up the Arizona sun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Daughters Amanda and Elianna, My family and my best friends. In the industry Jennifer Boyd, Amy Miller-Wieczorek , Shelley Hancock and the late Catherine Knapp

Website: www.vagaro.com/beautycollective

Instagram: beautycollectiveaz

Facebook: Beauty Collective