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Tariff Survival Guide for Stylists
Don’t Wait to Restock – Why Fall Glam Will Cost You More
Here’s the deal: Right now, glam tools, lashes, brushes, and packaging from China are coming in at a temporary lower tariff (30%). But this deal won’t last—and neither will the stock. Ariel breaks it all down in beauty-school real talk, so you can keep your kit ready and your rates locked in. #createdbyariel
Imagine this: You’re mid-wedding trial, lashes halfway on, foundation blended to perfection—and suddenly, your favorite glue decides it’s empty. You dig through your kit like a raccoon at midnight only to remember: the shipment’s late. Again. Why? Tariffs.
You heard me. The same word that gives economists job security is now the reason your go-to disposable spoolies are mysteriously $9.99 instead of $4. It all started with those 2018 tariffs—yes, the Trump ones—that slapped extra fees on imported goods, including most of the brushes, glues, lashes, and packaging we rely on.
the Pause IS the cause
Fast forward to 2025, and while we’re all still catching our breath from shipping delays and import spikes, a temporary 90-day tariff pause has just been announced—buying time, not solving the root issue. The beauty industry, like every industry, is realizing that global trade policies now impact local bookings.
Why You Should Care
A few months ago, when those big 145% tariff threats hit the news, a bunch of retailers canceled or paused shipments. Now? Fewer ships, fewer goods, and higher costs to move everything. That slowdown is already baked into the system—and it’s gonna hit your kit this fall.
What Glam Shortages Actually Look Like
Let me break it down:
- Your lash vendor? Imports from China.
- Lash glue? Might double in price by September.
- Curling wand? Backordered 'til 2026.
- That one glitter pot you swear by? Gone.
- Clients still want Pinterest-perfect glam—and you’ll be scrambling for a dupe.
When customs gets cranky, your kit gets hungry. And if your business depends on being stocked and ready (which it does), every shipping delay becomes a mini crisis.
My Stylist Survival Guide
(aka: Don’t Panic, Plan Like a Pro)
**1. Forecast Like You're Running Sephora’s Secret Warehouse**
If you’re waiting until you’re down to one pair of lashes to reorder—you’re not forecasting, you’re gambling. I track what I use each month. That means I don’t just plan styles, I plan SKUs. Nerdy? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.
What You Need to Do (Like, Now)
- Order Now: Pre-tariff stock is all that’s left on shelves.
- Think Ahead: Stock up for fall/winter weddings and events.
- Go Local: Build relationships with in-state suppliers.
- Set Aside a “Prompocalypse” Bin: Save supplies for seasonal surges.
**2. Double Up on Dual-Use Products**
When a lip stain doubles as a cheek tint, or your thermal spray works for straight and curly sets—you win. The less stuff you need to reorder from different vendors, the better you sleep.
**3. Know a Local Supplier Like You Know Your Star Client’s Latte Order**
Find out who’s distributing *in your state*—not across the ocean. I’m in Dallas and Sherman Oaks, and I’ve got backups in both. No one’s flying in for their quinceañera only to hear I’m out of setting spray.
**4. Bulk Order Before the Prompocalypse**
Every spring and winter, we hit a glam surge. Weddings, proms, family photos, and production calendars align like Mercury in retrograde. Beat the rush. Order heavy. Hoard mascara like it’s 2020.
**5. Create a Backup Kit That Could Save a Sitcom**
I’ve got backups for my backups. I once did an entire film cast with what I call my “car glam kit”—a bootleg bundle of sample sizes and brands I still trust. Because panic is the enemy of polish.
💼 From Warehouse Floors to Wedding Venues
Here’s a little secret: my husband runs logistics companies and full-scale manufacturing companies. We talk about inventory like other couples talk about Netflix. What I’ve learned? Whether you’re shipping pallets or prepping lashes, the supply chain rules don’t change.
Bonus Wisdom from the Warehouse Whisperer (aka My Husband)
He runs actual factories. And even he says:
- The ships have slow down now, very few suppliers shipped when the tariff spiked at 147% Expect empty shelves, backorders, and prices spike in 90 days.
- What’s “in stock” today is already a discount.
- Spring 2026 is when things *might* chill out. Until then? It’s war paint and spreadsheets.
- Know your lead times. (how long it takes to get to you after you order it)
- Don’t trust “in stock” unless you’ve seen the manifest.
- Always have a Plan B that doesn’t involve explaining yourself to a stressed-out client.
Your Clients Don’t Know There’s a Trade War
They just know if their brow pencil smears or their lash curls collapse before the cake cutting. So while they’re sipping mimosas, you better believe I’m watching shipment ETAs and contingency plans like a military commander with a flat iron.
Cue Ariel (That’s Me)
You don’t need to be a supply chain expert—you just need to think like one. Keep your kit stocked. Keep your rates honest. And don’t let a shipping delay be the reason a bride goes viral for all the wrong reasons.
🖤 Stock smart. Glam hard. #CreatedByAriel
I’m not just the girl with the glam—I’m the girl with the spreadsheet. Licensed in two states. MUD-trained. IMDb-credited. And stocked like a prepper with good taste.
📍 Serving Downtown Dallas and Sherman Oaks
🖤 Come for the artistry. Stay for the inventory management that could shame a logistics firm.
Sources.. (YES - I look this stuff up too!)
- ASI Central – Tariff Pause Update (May 2025): https://members.asicentral.com/news/industry-news/may-2025/us-china-agree-to-substantially-lower-tariffs-for-90-days/
- Reason.com – Supply Shortage Fallout:
Supply Chain Disruptions and Ingredient Shortages:
The industry is grappling with shortages of key ingredients and packaging materials due to global supply chain disruptions.
These shortages are causing raw material and finished good prices to rise, impacting both large and small beauty brands.
Supply chain issues create an opportunity for counterfeit and potentially hazardous products to enter the market, posing a risk to client safety and business reputation.
Men’s Grooming Rewired
Men’s Grooming Isn’t Extra — It’s the New Standard
Let’s kill the myth: taking care of your skin, hair, and beard doesn’t make you any less of a man. It makes you look like one who handles his business. In this post, Ariel breaks down why grooming is self-respect, not vanity—and why more men are taking a seat in her chair.
Men’s Grooming Isn’t Extra — It’s the New Standard
If You Know How to Fix a Fade, You Know How to Handle Yourself
I’ve styled actors, athletes, and dads who swore 'just a trim'—then walked out looking like they had a press conference. Men’s grooming isn’t about filters or flexing. It’s about showing up with sharp lines, healthy skin, and quiet confidence.
Why Men Are Booking Grooming Appointments Now
- Selfies, Dating Profiles, Zoom meetings. Weddings. Headshots. First dates. Enough said.
- Skin issues? I’ve got the knowledge to keep your face smooth, not shiny.
- Beards? I line, trim, hydrate, and make sure they *frame*, not fuzz.
- Haircuts? Not barbershop-blast fades—real artistry, tailored to you.
This Isn’t Your Grandpa’s Haircut
I don’t do cookie-cutter clips or buzz-and-go jobs. I look at your bone structure, your hairline, your goals—and then I design a cut that works for real life, real schedules, and real confidence.
Grooming ≠ Vanity
You take care of your car. Your gear. Your career. Why not your face? This isn’t about glam—it’s about showing up like you give a damn. You can be rugged and refined. Masculine and moisturized.
You Don’t Need a Full Beat. You Need a Pro Who Gets It.
Whether it’s a trim, a lineup, a brow cleanup, or basic skin help—book with someone who sees you and knows how to work with your look, not against it. I’ve got the training, the tools, and the vibe to make it chill, not awkward.
📍 Appointments available in Sherman Oaks & Northeast Dallas.
🖤 Sharp fades. Clean brows. Quiet confidence. #CreatedByAriel
Why a Licensed Cosmetologist Matters on Your Wedding Day
Let me tell you a story.
It’s 8:42 AM on wedding morning. The makeup artist is 42 minutes late. The hairstylist forgot bobby pins. The flower girl’s curls have already unraveled, and the bride’s mother just whispered, “She doesn’t even have a license, I checked.”
You laugh—until it’s your wedding.
Let me tell you a story.
It’s 8:42 AM on wedding morning. The makeup artist is 42 minutes late. The hairstylist forgot bobby pins. The flower girl’s curls have already unraveled, and the bride’s mother just whispered, “She doesn’t even have a license, I checked.”
You laugh—until it’s your wedding.
In most states, makeup artists *aren’t required* to be licensed. Meaning anyone can buy a brush set, post on Instagram, and start taking brides. And while there are incredibly talented MUAs out there, skill doesn't always equal safety.
Now, imagine that same chaotic wedding morning—but the person holding the brush is a licensed cosmetologist.
She’s on time. She brought her own lighting. She’s already trimmed a split end, calmed a breakout, and reminded the mother-in-law where to sit.
What Licensing *Really* Means
A licensed cosmetologist has:
| Formal training in sanitation, skin care, and scalp health
| Legal permission to cut, color, and style hair—not just twist and pin it
| Accountability through state oversight and insurance
| Structured education from schools like MUD (Make-up Designory), not just practice on friends
Why It Matters on Your Wedding Day
| No handing off between a hair girl and a makeup girl who’ve never worked together
| No “oops” moments with foundation oxidizing halfway through photos
| No miscommunication when you say “low chignon” and someone gives you a 2010 prom twist
Ask Yourself:
- What’s the cost of glam going wrong on the most photographed day of your life?
- Would you hire an unlicensed caterer to serve raw fish?
- Do you want a “Pinterest fail” or a pro who’s trained for pressure?
Cue Ariel
Every bride needs a moment where someone walks in and says:
“I’ve got you. Hair, makeup, veil, calm. It’s handled.”
That’s me.
I’m Ariel Velasquez-Stevens—licensed in two states, trained at MUD, and seasoned on sets where glam has to hold through tears, flashbacks, and last-minute timeline meltdowns.
Whether you’re walking down the aisle or stepping in front of a camera, I bring artistry, order, and enough bobby pins to secure a dynasty. And yes—if the best man forgot to shave or the groom suddenly thinks he’s a hair model, don’t worry. I’ve got scissors… and zero hesitation.
📍 Booking in Sherman Oaks and Downtown Dallas
🖤 Be styled by many. Be sculpted by Ariel.