Meet Arlene Vega | Cosmetic Tattooer

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

Hi Arlene, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
All of my past work experience is office related. I had no experience in the beauty industry. All I knew, was how to apply my own makeup, but the interest was always there. Cosmetology was an option. However, it did not fit my lifestyle at the time. I am a mother of 5 kids, I didn’t have the option to pursue my dreams, my career was always put on the back burner.

Permanent makeup has grown so much over the years! Powder Shading became a big hit! After seeing a brow procedure in YouTube video, I fell in love!! Immediately showed interest and had an “I can do that” attitude! I would love to bring that kind of joy to women! However, it just was not in the cards for me at that time of my life. That was my reality. It started to become just a “dream” of mine.

I met my boyfriend, Gabriel Ayala Sr. in 2020, at the start of the pandemic. Gabriel is the owner of Mainline Ink, a tattoo shop in Webster, TX. After sharing interests and getting to know each other, I shared my interest in Powder Shading with him. Long story short.. Not long after that, I was certified to do Powder Shading and Microblading. With no experience, I was so scared, but I picked up a machine and started tattooing. I did it!! Mainline Beauty was created. A dream come true!! Gabriel then blessed me with a station to work out of at his reputable tattoo shop. At the time, I was also working a 9-5 job, full time, first shift, early hours. So working a full time job, taking care of children full time, and starting a beauty business with zero industry experience, was not easy at all. But I realized that I had to make a few sacrifices. I took a risk, and finally quit that full time job to pursue my PMU career, and to be able to spend more time with my family. It was such a big decision, but I knew that this was where my passion was. I will never look back!

I had to take that leap, I was terrified, but I knew that if I didn’t take that chance, I would miss my opportunity. I’m so glad that risk turned out to be the best decision of my life. Now a full time PMU, I have 4 certifications, I am currently offering Powder Brows, Permanent Eyeliner, and Tooth Gems. My education will not stop there, I plan on adding more services in the near future, including lip blushing. I never realized how important eyebrows were, until I listened to the stories of my clients. I have been told that this procedure has been life changing to them. It’s such honor to be trusted by so many women from all over Texas. Mainline Ink, Gabriel and all the shop family have made everything so amazing, and I am so blessed to be a part of such a great group or artists.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is more diverse for each client as an individual. I have learned from experience that no person, will have the same skin as the next. So I use different needle configurations and techniques to saturate all skin types. I had to practice on latex the different techniques with different needles before I could use them on any clients. That wasn’t always easy. Ive learned that practice, is everything. So after working on so many clients, I can now determine which needle I need based on looking at their skin. It can be very challenging at times. Again, every one is different.

I, Mainline Beauty, care for each one of my clients. I always want to do right by them, I love building that trust, that’s very important in this line of work. Your clients have to trust you, it’s their face! Nerves are very common before the procedure, but I always try to make everyone’s experience the best I possibly can.

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?
It really just depends on the season for me. If it was fall, we would visit local fall festivals, hit up haunted houses. I would take them outside the city, into Galveston. It holds a special place in my heart.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Gabriel Ayala Sr. Definitely!! Without Gabriel, I wouldn’t be in this position in my life. He has been my rock. His love, support, encouragement, has been endless. I could never thank him enough, from my children and I. We all love and appreciate him.

Instagram: @arlene_mainlinebeautytx

Facebook: @mainlinebeautytx

Other: TikTok @mainlinebeautytx