Meet Linda Torres | Hair Stylist & Apprentice

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

Hi Linda, what is the most important factor behind your success?
“To become a master, you must first be the student”. This is a personal mantra that I am currently living by as I am working. toward my goal to become a a stylist educator/ambassador. The salon industry has been constantly evolving, especially during this pandemic. Starting out early into my apprenticeship at Hair By Saint Rose, I am shadowing some of the most of talented artists I’ve ever met. Because of my teachers, all of them, I’ve been inspired to pick up learning new practical skills every day, even on my off-days. There is just so much to learn in hairstyling. When you’re an apprentice, it kind of never stops, even as a well seasoned stylist. It takes persistence and attention-to-detail to become incredible at this craft. Hair By Saint Rose has the most structured
apprenticeship program that I am so lucky to be a part of! It is a place where you are guaranteed to be set up for success, it’s just all a matter of having the heart and devotion to put in the work. Their education program has challenged me to face my fears, and overcome them as well. I have learned to fail and fail again (on a mannequin of course) until I got it right and confident enough to level-up on to respected clients.

It takes trust. Trust in yourself and trust in your teachers, and you will grow. I have been successful with my brand because I stay hungry to learn. Someday in my future, I will be successful enough to pass on what I have learned to a class of students. Until then, I am the artist in the making.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being a creative is hard, and being an apprentice is harder. It’s not easy starting out, but with the right mentors and guidance I’ve been seeing growth in my abilities. In the beginning, there have been days where I have felt so stuck, or discouraged, but what has helped was turning to my leaders and speaking my truth about my struggles. When I have seen a pattern in vocalizing my concerns in the most honest way, my mentors have helped me find solutions. They have even helped me build a strong sense of strategy in problem solving. A common question I have asked to myself and others in my apprenticeship has been: “How can I refine this?”. In the hair world, we all strive to be perfectionists, but it’s important to not beat ourselves up about it. I have three words for anyone on a similar journey: Practice. Patience. Persistence. It’s gonna take repetition, time, and dedication to get that perfect bouncy blow out, or that beautiful and bright balayage. Just trust that you are capable of the badassery. Claim, manifest it, speak it into the universe if you have to, and you will be proud that you did. I am still celebrating the milestones in my path, and I am so excited to have my own chair when my apprenticeship is over, because, well… that chair IS mine!

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.
Two of my bestests friends, Gianna Navarro and Steven Cromer are some of the most H-town lovin’ folk I know.

On Monday’s Gianna and I love to go to Pondicheri for meatless Mondays and their Golden Saffron Masala Milk drinks. Its one of our favorite things to order. On any other day, we like to try other local vegan shops, and other small business shops.

Some days I like to bug her about dishes from her vegan pop-up kitchen business, Somos Semillas. BEST Vegan Tortas ever! I am so proud of her creations in her kitchen. If you are looking to try their food, follow them for upcoming pop-up events: @somossemillas on Instagram. (Also, disclaimer; I am not vegan, I just support her business and lifestyle on full blast)

As for Steven, we are also foodies, concert goers, and enjoy the occasional trip to coffee shops and breweries. Some of our favorite spots are; The Almighty Moontower Inn, Lil Danny Speedo’s Go Fly A Kite Lounge, Xela Coffee Roasters, Grinders Coffee Bar, and Ramen Tatsu-Ya. If you ever want a perfect latte, Steven makes the best lattes at Grinders in Rice Village (@grinderscoffeebar). Tell him I sent you.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Day one, Alexa Covarrubias. (@highmaintenance.hair on Instagram) accepted me into my first apprenticeship at her salon before the pandemic hit. Because of the pandemic, we had to part, but she has been so supportive of me ever since and has always reached out to me for classes or a chance to work a fashion show. She taught me how to love and appreciate all the work that goes into teaching. Little does she know, she has inspired me to want to become an educator.

Present day and wishfully for the rest of my career, I want to thank Timothy Silmon (owner of Saint Rose) and all of the Hair By Saint Rose team (@hairbysaintrose on Instagram). When I tell you they are the most driven collective, you better believe it. Everyone brings something so gifted to the table. I am truly blessed that I get to grow alongside Houston’s best salon team. Check them out if you haven’t already, you’re in for a real treat. They truly inspire me each day!

Last but not least, I want to thank my sister Samantha Torres for introducing me to Go Easy Shop (@goeasyshop on Instagram). Because of my sister and her boss, Molly Mathias (owner of Go Easy) I have been able to network myself through their vendor market pop-ups, while expanding my brand as a hair stylist. In my experience working pop-ups, I’ve met other awesome women-owned pop-up vendors. They all share a love for bringing a community together. I encourage all to check out my favorite Self-Care small business shop located in M-K-T Height’s shopping destination. I am so lucky to have a close relationship with them. Go check them out and support small biz!

Website: www.hairbysaintrose.com

Instagram: @prettytowers.hair

Other: personal instagram: @prettytowers

Image Credits
Jose Rodriguez