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

Hi Hollis, how do you think about risk?
Like they say, with risk comes reward. I love comfortability, however that comfort is exactly what led me to changing my life’s course. Taking a chance on myself has led me to so many amazing opportunities in my life – like taking a semester off in college to work on a cruise ship. That allowed me to travel throughout Western Europe and meet incredible people from all over the world. Risking my full-time job in corporate America to chase my passion has allowed me to shift my perspective of myself and what I am capable of. In short, risk has shaped me into a version of myself I could have only ever dreamed of.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I specialize in scar and stretch mark camouflage. A scar camouflage tattoo is an advanced technique that involves the application of permanent tattoo to effectively conceal scars and blend them with the surrounding skin tone. In some cases, I will utilize an inkless serum rather than ink, which smoothes out the scarred tissue and stimulates collagen and melanin production. Because this treatment stimulates melanin production, the client’s natural skin tone will return to the treated area.

This service is still pretty unknown, so I am excited to continue educating and promoting scar + strtetch mark camo in the metro Phoenix area and beyond! For many, scars and stretch marks hold significant emotional weight. Restoring confidence is my biggest hope in providing this impactful and life changing service. Being a part of someone’s healing journey is such an honor. It is all I could ever want as an artist!

In addition to paramedical tattooing, I offer brow laminations and lash lifts! Brow lamination is a non-invasive beauty treatment that uses a chemical relaxer to soften and straighten the brow hairs. This perm procedure redirects unruly eyebrow hairs upward to create a fuller, more defined look. Lash lifting is a beauty treatment that enhances the look of natural eyelashes. The combo of curling and lifting will make the eyes appear larger and brighter, with no need for mascara!

This may go without saying, but when starting out in this industry, clients aren’t kicking the door down to get in for an appointment. Patience, trust and dedication are the key to success. It is so easy to get discouraged and just as easy to quit.

What I want the people reading this to know is that I care so much — I care about my work, my clients, my family, my friends, and the impact I hope to imprint on this industry.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a great question.

Breakfast – Famé, Case Study Coffee Lounge, La Grande Orange, Ollie Vaughn’s
Lunch/Dinner – Pizzeria Bianco, Hillstone, Glai Baan, The Beach House, Across The Pond, Valentine
Drinks – Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn, Sonny’s Lounge (Say Less), Sauvage, Bar 1912
Activities – Salt River tubing, play a round of golf, use ResortPass and spend the day at a resort pool with a view of Camelback Mountain, Pilates and yoga at desert mvmt, overnight trip to Sedona, stop by Swig for some dirty sodas, build a terrarium at Jade & Clover, shop at The Frederick, walk around Desert Botanical Garden, spa day at the Fairmont Princess, catch the sunset every night

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to shout out the owners of Daela Cosmetic Tattoo, Chloe and Haley Wight. I reached out to them, eager and excited, but with no industry experience. They saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and took a chance when hiring me last fall. I am so grateful they did, because I love this company, their constant mentorship and whatever is to come in the future.

Website: https://daelascottsdale.com

Instagram: @hollisaesthetics

Facebook: @hollisaesthetics

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