Today we’d like to introduce you to Desirae Bass.
Hi Desirae, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story is very unconventional. I began my career shadowing hairstylists since the age of 13. My Twin cousins owned a beauty salon called Double Take Hair salon in Arlington, Tx. Imagine how cool it was growing up in the shop environment in the early- mid 2000s. Growing up, my mom had kidney disease and Lupus and my dad did all of the working. We couldn’t really afford much… My cousins would do my hair in exchange for cleaning the salon. So I started as a custodian learning the ins and outs of maintaining a clean work environment, then I progressed to the front desk for book keeping maintaining steady business over the course of 7 years, and eventually begin taking on the kid clients myself under their supervision. I was able to learn by full on immersion into the business. I have witnessed and lived every angle of what it looks like to run a salon space, which has allowed me to successfully operate and manage my own business. I remember growing a passion so quickly for beauty and salon talk. The atmosphere made me everything that I am today.
In addition to growing up in a salon, my mom inspired me to start. Due to her illnesses, her appearance was drastically altered. She lost a lot of weight and she picked her hair out from nerves. Eventually, she hated looking in the mirror. Watching her feel inadequate broke my heart because she was so beautiful to ME. So much beauty and strength radiated from the inside. However, watching her taught me how much looks mattered to women. As her confidence declined, even at my young age, I would try doing her makeup and styling her wigs to get her to feel just a little bit better about herself. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t.. She put so much of her efforts into her kids and everyone else around her. My parents made me feel beautiful and they never stopped reminding me that I was a Star. My mom actually gave me that nickname as a little girl… I was her Star. Now, I put all of that energy into each and every woman that I encounter.
Doing hair isn’t just about a service. Beauty is so much more. It’s being able to trust your stylist enough to release things that you’d otherwise hold in. Maintenance days are so important. How we feel about ourselves and our circumstances can strongly determine how we show up in this world and can have a major impact on how we’re perceived…
I went to college shortly after graduating high school, and to be honest, I lost myself. During my sophomore year, my mom passed away. I couldn’t really bare the thought of wasting my time doing anything else that didn’t fulfill me, so I left and quickly returned back to what I knew… i felt like the ground fell from underneath me and I had so much to figure out. So I went back to Double Take. I started building again but this time… For myself and with so much intention and pain.
I took a 9 year break to start working in IT but my girls never stopped reminding me of how much they missed their encounters with me. No matter how many times I had to step away, they always would end up at my house getting their hair done. Over the last 3 years, I took a leap of faith and invested solely in creating a space where all women could feel as whimsical as most of us started. As DOLLS. I’ve created multiple businesses based on this concept.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In my opinion, there is no such thing as a smooth road. Not for me anyway.
Nothing in my life has ever been a crystal stair. Everything has always been difficult… Painful even. But I’ve learned to choose my hard, have gratitude for the process and realize that things are mostly always collaterally beautiful. Anything worth having will require sacrifice and will come with their own set of challenges.
I will say that there has been plenty of struggles that I can mention. Anything that I’ve earned has required struggle to be achieved.
Although I think that the biggest struggle has been achieving and not being able to share it with those that I lost. When you’re used to not having much, you realize your mindset has to adjust as you obtain more to keep it.
Also, showing up and continuously sacrificing myself, my life, my looks, my own healing to be of service to my girls.
It’s a different type of satisfaction knowing that I’ve cultivated real relationships and smiles even when I felt that I was at capacity and had nothing else to give. God made room for me to give more.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Hairstylist mostly. I started off doing both Makeup & Hair. I’m an artist at heart.
I specialize in weaves but I also can eat a silk press or pixie cut DOWN. One of the best things about growing up in the environment, especially in the early 2000s, is that I learned versatility. I know that nowadays people narrow down their offerings, it probably does make their day to day and growth easier. BUT I’m a chameleon. I can’t help but to do a little bit of everything. Maybe one day I’ll modernize my approach. For now, consider me old school.
I think that also speaks to what sets me apart. I don’t have all of the rules and difficulties that most stylists come with today. I think that makes things a bit more challenging for me, structure wise, but you really do get that old shop feel when you come sit in my chair. My focus truly is their experience and our relationship.
Outside of that, I’m set a part truly by The Most High. I’ve obtained everything that I have today not by qualifications and schooling, but by experience and genuine passion/artistry. Most importantly, through FAVOR AND OBEDIENCE. I can say my table was prepared for me. I just sat down.
With that said, I’m proud of my resilience. There’s been so many times where I should’ve given up. Really… Only if people knew. But I’m here. Remembering all that I’ve lost, having gratitude for everything I’ve gained, and keeping faith for everything I’m working toward. Always.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson that I’ve learned on my journey is to simply do the work. Don’t compare yourself, YOU are 1 of 1. Do the work. Build. Be authentic. Don’t look for acknowledgment and recognition. Everything isn’t meant to be done on a larger scale. It’s about the impact that you have on those that God sends your way.
We are not all meant to be famous and highlighted. My saying has always been “If I can have an impact on just one, I’ve done enough”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dollcetxglitzofficial.com/collections/all
- Instagram: @desiifooo @desisdollstudios @dollcetxglitz
- LinkedIn: Desirae Bass
