Tiffany Pompa, 24, spends her days surrounded by scissors, blow
dryers, top-of-the-line shampoos and other hair products, but she’s
not just a hair stylist, she’s a psychologist.
Tiffany Pompa, 24, spends her days surrounded by scissors, blow dryers, top-of-the-line shampoos and other hair products, but she’s not just a hair stylist, she’s a psychologist.
“You listen to their stories and learn about their lives for the two hours they’re sitting in your chair,” she said.
Pompa is talking about her clients who visit her at Attitudes and Images in downtown Hollister. Although she’s only 24, Pompa has been giving men and women hair styles for six years. After graduating high school early, Pompa began the 18 month cosmetology program at Gavilan when she was 17-years-old.
“I always knew I wanted to do hair,” she said. “When I was in high school, I use to style my friends hair for the prom and Winter Ball.”
While standing on her feet for 10 to 11 hours a day is a pain, Pompa sends roughly four to seven clients, ranging from ages four to 63, home each day with new hair styles. She said the best part of her job is making people feel good.
“I get to make people feel good emotionally and physically,” she said. “I get to know them and learn about their families, and physically because if they’re having a bad day, they get an uplift when they get here.”
Along with cuts and colors, which she specializes in highlights, Pompa uses her artistic talents as a make up artist as well. Most of her clients, who she beautifies with a bit of blush and mascara, are getting ready for their wedding, and Pompa said it’s a lot of fun to be part of it all.
“It’s such a special day and it’s so much fun to be part of it,” she said.
Pompa admits to wearing high heels to work, but said when she’s off the clock she kicks off her heels and is pretty low maintenance. The rural landscaping and tight-knit community of Hollister enticed Pompa to move here from Gilroy.
“I like shooting, dirt-biking, fishing, boating, hiking and lots of outdoors stuff,” she said.
Christine Tognetti can be reached at 637-5566, ext. 330 or at ct*******@fr***********.com.
