Meet Ariana Bishop-Falu

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ariana Bishop-Falu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariana , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I’ve loved hair and makeup for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I wasn’t even allowed to wear makeup myself, but I always knew this was something I was meant to do. I was drawn to how beauty could change how a person feels about themselves, that moment when someone looks in the mirror and truly sees their own confidence and worth.
At 18, I started school for hair and makeup, and by 19, I was a licensed cosmetologist. I began by doing hair and makeup from my home, working on friends and family, learning and growing every day. Moving into a salon gave me the chance to sharpen my skills and build my clientele. I became the top product seller across the U.S. and Canada for a blowout franchise, which led to opportunities I never imagined, working on runway shows and behind the scenes with high-profile clients.
Eventually, I opened my own salon suite, and now I travel the world for film, photoshoots, and special events while still serving my local clients. Each step of this journey has been a mix of excitement and doubt. Being young in this industry, surrounded by people who have years or even decades of experience, I often questioned if I truly belonged. There were moments when I felt out of place, like I wasn’t experienced enough or that I was just lucky. But I learned to quiet those voices by focusing on the joy I brought to my clients and the small victories along the way.
What kept me moving forward was the impact I saw in the people I worked with. Every time a client left my chair feeling stronger, more confident, or just genuinely happy, it reminded me why I started. Overcoming imposter syndrome wasn’t about being perfect or having all the answers; it was about embracing my purpose, to uplift and empower others through beauty.
That purpose gave me the courage to keep going, even when I doubted myself. It’s not always easy, but knowing I’m helping people see their own worth makes it worth every challenge.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a licensed cosmetologist and the owner of ArianaXioBeauty in Colorado Springs, where I specialize in natural hair, personalized styling, and makeup for both everyday and special moments. Whether I’m behind the chair or on set for film or photo, I focus on helping people feel seen, confident, and cared for. Right now, I’m welcoming new faces to the salon and would love to connect with anyone looking for a stylist who truly listens and tailors every service to you.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, connection, and trust. Resilience kept me going through slow seasons and moments of doubt. Building genuine connections with clients, artists, and mentors opened doors I never expected. And learning to trust myself, my skills, and my vision gave me the quiet confidence to grow, even when I was still finding my place.
For those just starting out, focus on showing up with intention. Be kind, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to take up space. Your growth will come as you learn to trust the process and yourself.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is someone who truly enjoys the beauty process and sees it as a form of self-expression. I love working with people who are excited to sit in my chair, who trust me with their vision but are also open to suggestions. Whether it’s hair or makeup, I connect most with clients who love trying new things, want to feel pampered, and enjoy that one-on-one connection. I pour a lot of care and detail into what I do, so it means the world when someone appreciates the experience just as much as the result. Those are the people I love creating with the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arianaxiobeauty.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: ArianaXioBeauty