Stylist Spotlight: Mimi Garcia, milk + honey

Stylist Spotlight: Mimi Garcia, milk + honey

Our stylist community is our family. Each Stylist Spotlight, we love sharing with you these brothers and sisters who not only support Virtue, but also help share our vision that everyone deserves to have truly healthy hair. They inform and enlighten us, and in turn, we continue to deliver the most revolutionary hair care they could ask for. What we’re trying to say is, we couldn’t do it without them.

Before stylist and Virtue® educator Mimi Garcia took her current role at milk + honey in Austin, TX, she apprenticed there for eight months. “As an assistant, I learned so many things and was eager to be on the floor! Assisting was a challenging job, but in the end it was so worth it,” she says. She’d been so inspired by her role models at the salon, and getting behind the chair finally felt like she’d gotten her break. Here she discusses the mentors who’ve inspired her, how Virtue transformed her own hair, and the power of positivity.


Q: What insights do you have for the pro community regarding re-openings/navigating the new normal?
Go above and beyond TDLR sanitation standards. It makes both employees and clients feel safe and welcome in the salon.


Q: Is there anyone in the industry or beyond that you really admire, or someone who inspired you in your career?
There are several, actually: David Dennis, who was a Paul Mitchel cutting instructor. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I’ve had at milk + honey. Kacie Febbo and Danielle Dragotto were mentors to me during my apprenticeship and after. They were so patient and understanding with me, and have taught me so much. I could not be more thankful to have them in my life.


Q: How do you define a “success” after a client leaves your salon?
The reaction of them falling in love with their hair is priceless. The communication we have, and then the client’s reaction to the end result makes me feel proud of my work!


Q: What’s your favorite way to unwind after work?
Hiking and cuddling with my dog. I also wind down the aerial yoga.


Q: If you could spend the day with someone who you consider a “style icon” who would it be? What would you do?
@camouflageandbalayage is one of my biggest icons out there. She is just perfect in my mind. I would ask her to go to brunch and teach me everything she knows!


Q: How do you like to stay up to date on the latest trends, techniques, and styles?
Instagram is my best friend! It shows me the trendiest things. Fashion week also gives me so much insight about what’s new.


Q: What’s a trend that you hope comes back? Never goes out of style?
Super flowy 70s-type style, with the curtain bangs, recently came back into trend and I hope it never goes out of style again.


Q: Worst haircut you ever gave someone else?
A pixie cut. It was a pixie cut from hell. It was so boxy, thick, and bulky. Pixie cuts are not my forte.


Q: What was the first hairstyle or technique that you mastered? The hardest?
First: a bob. Hardest: a men’s cut.


Q: What’s your personal hair routine?
I use Virtue® Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner, Purifying Leave-In Conditioner, Healing Oil, Un-Frizz Cream, and Moisture-Defining Whip. On my dry hair I use the Texturizing Spray.


Q: Why Virtue?
So, I was platinum blonde. It was to the point that my hair was literally melting off. I had no clue what to do. I was introduced to Virtue® at a hair show, and after using it, I was absolutely hooked. It was my Holy Grail.


Q: What other things are you passionate about that aren’t hair related?
I’m passionate about makeup, especially bridal makeup. I’m also passionate about spreading positivity. I come from good and bad places of mental health and really understand how positivity can benefit people.


Q: What’s your favorite guilty pleasure to indulge?
Chocolate molten cake.


Q: How do you manage work-life balance?
Spending quality time with my family. I have a pretty amazing schedule at milk + honey; I don’t have to work super-long hours, which I appreciate, so I naturally have a pretty good balance.


Q: What’s next for your career?
Right now, I’d say focusing on myself and learning as much as I can from others. Also, soaking up as much information as I can to progress and improve day by day.


Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t worry about what other people think, and don’t listen to them. Keep doing you and be happy.

Stylist SpotlightsStylist Spotlights
2020-06-24 20:37:00 0 viewed