Today we’d like to introduce you to Nayreli Nevarez.
Hi Nayreli, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sure thing!
I’m a licensed barber specializing in stitch braiding & freestyle artistry.
I’ve been licensed and doing hair full-time since 2019. Barbering was my 2nd chance at life — my redemption. When I say that, the raw transparent truth is I fumbled my life a little by falling at the hands of substance abuse and addiction early on in my life.
I dropped out of college, and walked a shameful and bumpy road for a couple years, but through some tragic events, I wanted out and turned my life around. I sobered up, and went back home to my parents.
When I was about a year into my sobriety, my dad started asking deep questions about my future and one conversation leading into an action plan resulted in him paying for my Barbering education.
I started barbering in September 2017, but it took my almost two years to graduate as I didn’t really take it serious. It took a lot of grit and effort and consistency after a while to actually fall in love with the craft.
For the longest time, I didn’t want to fulfill my commitment, and I just felt like I’d let my parents down if I didn’t see it through.
I taught myself to braid hair while in barber college, and thrived in it pretty quickly.
It wasn’t until graduating and working at the shop that I reached my higher potential. I started cutting full-time and braiding more, and eventually I went from no clients to fully booked now in 2025.
The demand for my services has gone up, and I still work on my education by taking classes and doing new things.
I recently started competing, and have won one competition out of 4. I also have nominations for 2 consecutive years for the global oneshot hair awards in both top 100 and top 25 in my two first years entering.
I’ve gotten sponsorships with brands, taught classes, and finally got to braid my first NBA player, Josh Hart, from the NY Knicks this year.
Its crazy, but you really do get what you put in, and I’ve put my hard work, sweat, blood and so so so many tears into my craft.
I’m really glad I stuck with it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It wasn’t always a smooth road, being shy and not the most confident person sometimes still gets in the way of the things I truly want to do.
Social media is a big one, I’m a natural people pleaser who shys away from hate and mean interactions online, I care too much about what people think / say even though I know it doesn’t matter.
Social media is one of the biggest tools for this industry and many others, especially in today’s age.
I’m working hard to rise above those insecurities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a barber, I do mens fades and beards sculpting with razor handling. I also stitch braid, and create really sick and original freestyles for my braids.
I’m definitely known for my intricate braid styles and my sharp microbraids.
I’m really proud of my customer service. While I’m not the best skillset around, I go above and beyond for all my clients and always give everything I do my best. Customer satisfaction is my goal, and if they aren’t happy, I don’t feel good inside.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I find fulfillment in doing the things I enjoy with pride and initiative and always to the best of my ability.
Why? Because I have integrity and I realize many people lack that. Its about doing whats right for yourself, especially when no one else is looking.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/__thelasthairbender
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@__thelasthairbender
Image Credits
@ziconics for the in action barbershop connect photo
