Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Collins.
Hi Elaine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story begins like this, I worked in corporate America for 10 years in the insurance industry starting with Life and Accident insurance and ending with health insurance, I really enjoyed working for United Healthcare in Plano, Tx. and ending corporate America working in upper management as an Actuary assistant in Los Colinas for North Texas Health Care Network. Once corporate America started crashing due to Enron and a bad economy in 1999, I decided to finish up my hours in Barber College.
After finishing my education with Dallas Barber & Stylist College in May of 2000 I immediately started working at Elite Kutz Barbershop in Plano, Tx. doing men’s cuts and providing hair services for women too. As time went on I was able to partner up with a business partner and open Hair 4 U Salon in 2006 to 2013 in Plano. While working in the salon I freelanced a lot with photoshoots, tv, film, and traveling abroad with Nakeah Cosmetics of Hollywood working BET AWARDS, SAG AWARDS (3yrs), and a host of celebrity events along with New York Fashion Week. Not only am i into Hair and Makeup, Im also a certified Makeup Artist and an educator for All About Face Academy in Dallas, Tx.
In 2013 I moved to a private salon suite and Elaine Collins Beauty; LLC had a new home. Since being in my private suite I am able to service CEOs and several Nfl Players!!! My clientele also consists of Entrepreneurs, Professors, Doctors, Lawyers, Department Heads, and the everyday working man and woman who work hard and love to be serviced in a private suite with professional one on one service. I treat my business like corporate America by having excellent time management skills and communications skills!! Clients love this.
Now how I got to where I am today working in the IATSE 484 Union for Hair and Makeup I can thank God for my best friend Celebrity Hair and Makeup Artist Shereese Slate for inviting me into work as Key Makeup Artist on THE SENIOR movie in 2021 starring Michael Chiklits and Mary Stuart Masterson. This allowed me to apply to be in the union and I’ve been keeping my hair and makeup brushes working ever since on shows like Walker (CBS), Love & Death (HBOMAX), and The Chosen season 3(AmazonPrime).
I’m enjoying my career but it is challenging working the Salon and working in tv and film but so far so good!! To God, I give all the thanks and praise and for the opportunity to do what he has gifted me to do. I’m truly grateful.
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?
When you are given a gift by God it’s never easy you will have haters that hate and try to block your blessings, so yes, the struggles are real. But what God has for you is for you, my struggles along the way was managing small children when I got started but with family and friends, I was able to do what I do and keep my head on straight.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a licensed Barber Stylist and Makeup Artist in Texas and I’m a visual artist, so I’m able to do hair for all hair types specializing in Relaxers, Hair extensions, Dreadlock Maintenance, Natural Hair and Barber cuts. Just show me a picture and I got you. As a Certified Makeup Artist i’m able to do makeup for tv, film, some Special effects, weddings, photoshoots and I have in person or virtual makeup classes available as well.
I’m also known for getting you in and out for the 22 years I’ve been in Plano doing hair. You will never be in my suite for an 8 am appt and leaving at 3 pm , I get so many new clients for that reason alone. Corporate America taught me time management skills and I live by them.
I’m most proud of how long I’ve been in the industry as a business owner, 22 years is a long time.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Well, some are so surprised that in my downtime you can find me and my husband at our boat slip on Lake Ray Hubbard fishing!!! We love it and always look forward to the Lake. It’s so relaxing, quiet and stress free. And yes im a country girl raised in Tyler, Tx. and i bait my own hook!!!! I Love it!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ElaineCollinsBeauty.com
- Instagram: @elainecollinsbeauty
Image Credits
Sag Awards
Mahershala Ali
Octavia Spencer
BET Awards
BET Experience runway show
New York Fashion Week
Ty Hunter
Jersey Mikes
Jema Hill
Thomas Hoeber
