Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Sanchez.
Hi Cristina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Cristina Sanchez – My Journey in Beauty & Education
I began my cosmetology journey in 2002, right after graduating from beauty school. I started working in the Metro East area, mainly in Fairview Heights, Illinois, building my foundation one client at a time.
In 2005, when I became a single mother, my life and my career shifted. I didn’t have childcare, and I didn’t have money for babysitters, but I had determination. I converted the front of my home into a small salon studio and named it Sahara Hair Studio, after my daughter. Many days I did hair with my baby tied to my back the same way our African sisters carry their children — wrapped in a towel, close to my heart while I worked. That’s how my business truly began: humbly, with love, sacrifice, and grit.
Sahara Hair Studio operated from 2005 until 2014. During that time, I invested heavily in continuing education. I trained in women’s hair replacement, men’s hair replacement, hair extensions, keratin treatments, and advanced specialty services. As my skills expanded, my clientele grew, and I knew it was time to elevate what I offered.
In 2014, I launched Modern Hair Solutions™, focusing on hair loss, extensions, and specialized textures. Later, I introduced Rubia Cosmetics™, a clean, cruelty-free makeup and skincare line, and ZMEN™, a men’s grooming and hair replacement brand. These three brands represent my commitment to serving every beauty need, with quality, care, and innovation.
As demand increased, I purchased a new commercial location with plans to expand — and then COVID hit. Like many business owners, I was unable to work for months. It was one of the hardest challenges of my career, but I stayed standing. Through persistence, creativity, and the loyalty of my clients, I kept my business alive.
Today, I am not only expanding my salon into a multi-station beauty space — I have also taken the next step in my career. I returned to school, completed the program, and earned my Cosmetology Instructor License. My current mission is to open a state-approved cosmetology school to train the next generation of beauty professionals in the Metro East area.
From doing hair in a small room with my daughter on my back…
to running multiple trademarked brands…
to preparing a full cosmetology school…
My journey is built on resilience, passion, faith, and the belief that beauty can change lives.
And this is only the beginning.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A strong answer could be:
I have been in the beauty industry for more than 25 years, and throughout my career I have continued to grow, learn, and expand what I can offer my clients. I specialize in hair color, hair extensions, healthy hair care, and creating customized looks that fit each individual client.
What I am most proud of is that after all these years, I still have the same passion for learning. The beauty industry is always changing, and I believe that no matter how long you have been doing something, there is always another technique to learn and another way to improve.
What sets me apart is that I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to beauty. I listen to my clients, work with different hair types and textures, and focus on finding solutions that work for the individual person. For me, it’s not just about making someone look good when they leave my chair; it’s about understanding their hair and helping them maintain it.
At this stage of my career, I am also becoming passionate about education. I want to take what I have learned through years of actually working behind the chair and eventually share that knowledge with the next generation of cosmetologists. I believe experience is valuable when you are willing to pass it on.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been in the beauty industry for more than 25 years, and throughout my career I have continued to grow, learn, and expand what I can offer my clients. I specialize in hair color, hair extensions, healthy hair care, and creating customized looks that fit each individual client.
My passion for beauty also goes beyond the salon chair. I created Rubia Cosmetics and Modern Hair Solutions, offering makeup, skincare, hair extensions, and hair care products. These brands grew naturally from my work as a cosmetologist because I care about the products my clients use at home just as much as I care about the products and techniques I use on them in the salon. I want to be able to recommend products that I understand, believe in, and would use myself.
What I am most proud of is that after all these years, I still have the desire to learn and grow. The beauty industry is constantly changing, and I believe experience is important, but so is continuing your education and being willing to evolve.
What sets me apart is that I don’t believe beauty should be one-size-fits-all. I listen to my clients, work with different hair types and textures, and focus on finding solutions for the individual person. For me, it’s not just about how someone looks when they leave my chair. I want them to understand their hair and have the right products and knowledge to maintain it.
Now I am entering another chapter of my career by working toward opening a cosmetology school. After spending more than two decades behind the chair and building businesses within the beauty industry, I want to share that real-world experience with the next generation of cosmetologists. I believe knowledge becomes even more valuable when you are willing to pass it on.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are many ways people can work with me or support what I am building. At Esono Beauty, I am always happy to connect with new clients, beauty professionals, and other local businesses who believe in supporting and growing within our community.
I am especially interested in connecting with licensed cosmetologists and other beauty professionals who are passionate about their careers and continuing their education. As I work toward opening a cosmetology school, I would also love to connect with people who are interested in supporting beauty education, mentoring future professionals, or collaborating in ways that create more opportunities within our industry.
People can also support my businesses by shopping Rubia Cosmetics and Modern Hair Solutions, referring clients, sharing our work, and simply spreading the word.
For me, collaboration is about more than promoting a business. I believe in building relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities where we can grow together. As I move into this next chapter, I am very open to connecting with people and organizations who share that same vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Esonobeauty.com
- Instagram: @esonobeauty
- Facebook: @esonobeauty
- Youtube: @esonobeauty
- Other: https://Shopesonobeauty.com
Image Credits
Jerel Canty
