Sierra ‘Sisi’ Alejandrez (@blondemesisi) is a hairstylist and educator based out of Northern California!
Ok you guys, I totally love ALL of my Boss Babes in this series but this was one of the most exciting features for me to write! When I began planning out this series a few weeks ago, I started to think of who would be a great inspiration to others and who has inspired me. Sisi was one of the first people on my mind, and I thought to myself “she probably won’t even see your message” but I sent it anyway! Well, guess what?! She seen it and responded! I was so pumped!
I first noticed Sisi’s photo on Instagram’s explorer page. Being a blonding specialist myself, her work instantly captivated my attention! So of course when I opened her page I was wowed by her photos and her friendly personality that radiated through the captions! Not only does she put the time in to better her career, she also puts a lot of emphasis on the self care we all need to have for ourselves. From graduating Paul Mitchell a few years ago to becoming a highly successful traveling educator is an epic story that has truly inspired me!
For anyone who knows me you know I am not someone who gets all giddy around people but this womans expertise in blonding (I’m literally shaking my head writing this) is on another level! It’s kind of like the saying “game recognizes game” hahaha I just cracked myself up. Lets be clear, I am NO WHERE NEAR AT ALL NOT EVEN CLOSE to Sisi’s skill level but what I can sense from her work is the passion, care and commitment it takes to produce what she does. Standing on your feet for hours a day; not easy. Doing multiple steps on one person to be able to reach the goal without compromising their hair’s integrity; very time consuming and tedious. Teaching others in ways that make sure they grasp the information your giving; emotionally draining. Don’t get me wrong, all of these things are EXTREMELY rewarding, but I said that to say; That’s why I can tell you that even though I don’t know her personally, I can see how much of herself Sisi puts into her work every day just knowing what her passion is and what it takes to fulfill it. Not only the fun stuff, but a lot of behind the scenes work goes into running a successful salon & education platform. It’s people like Sisi who continually spend the time it takes to water their passion and watch it grow, that truly inspire me and help keep me going.
I was able to ask Sisi a few questions regarding her inspiration and what she could say to others to help encourage them, let’s see what she said!
~What inspires you?
“When I was 18, my boyfriend of 2 years was killed by a drunk driver… ever since that happened it shifted my perspective on LIFE! I decided I would never settle for anything less than happy. I want to make an impact in people’s lives and show them life is too short to do anything you aren’t passionate about. Honoring and appreciating life is what inspires me!”
~What advice would you give women right now to help them feel their best?
“Two words: self care! I know this sounds cliché but it is so, so important. Now is the most vital time to listen to our bodies and fuel it with whatever it needs – whether that be working out, meditating, reading a book, taking a long bath, journaling, learning a new recipe, anything!”
~What are your favorite products or brands that keep you feeling beautiful and inspired?“I am a HUGE skincare junkie, so I absolutely love Dr. Dennis Gross’ facial steamer, I will pair that with the ‘Cosmetic Warrior’ mask by Lush! It makes my skin feel incredible and it’s another form of self care, so it contributes to boosting my confidence and emotional health”
~What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
“I started working when I was 16; I was an extremely hard worker but I learned very quickly that I was not meant to work for someone else’s dream. The desire to CREATE the life I wanted was ignited when I truly realized that we only have one life, so why not design it to be the very best?! So to me, that meant becoming an entrepreneur“.
~How would you say the world of health and beauty compliment each other?
“They are interchangeable in my book! How you feel on the inside = how you feel on the outside. I was always into beauty… makeup, hair, all of that; but it wasn’t until I made my mental and physical health a priority that I realized how much it amplified the “beauty” aspect of my life!”
~ What are 3 tips you would give to anyone who is feeling down or low about their self esteem and wellbeing?
1: Acknowledge, accept and let go of the feeling.
The worst advice I can give you is to say “No, you’re fine! Just keep your head up!” because in all reality – the ONLY way we can truly grow our mental strength is by accepting the feelings that come for what they are, acknowledging that it is a negative feeling that does not serve us, and choosing to let go of it.
2: Train your brain to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
For example: anytime I get the thought “I wish my legs were thinner” I immediately replace it with “My body is strong and I am grateful for my health”
This requires self awareness. I have a very strict “no negative self talk” rule!
3: Do something that makes you happy
Dance to your favorite song, paint a picture, listen to your favorite music, go for a drive through a scenic route, or best of all… SHOW GRATITUDE TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE! I have found that showing gratitude in times of self doubt is the best medicine.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that passion is the fuel to talent! Lets find what we are passionate for, practice to perfect our talent and pursue our goals!
Sisi I can’t say Thank You enough for being a part of Health is Beauty!
Coming up next; Maya Moore, Master PMU artist & owner if The Microblading Institute
Don’t miss Maya’s feature launching Thursday April 30 at 10am!