EXCLUSIVE: Shamari-Rene Cherry, founder and CEO of Diamond Facez Skincare Bar, has once again made history in the city of Atlanta! In 2007, Shamari-Rene aka Sha-Sha became the first openly trans woman to become a licensed esthetician in Georgia. In 2012, she became the first Trans woman to own and operate a skincare bar, now she holds the 2022 title of "Aesthetician of the Year" from the Beauty & Barber Bosses Awards.
"I am overwhelmed with emotions, disbelief, almost speechless," said Sha-Sha in an exclusive statement to Gaye Magazine.
The Beauty & Barber Bosses (BBB) Awards and Scholarship Show took place Sunday evening (Jan. 30) in Atlanta at the Hilton Hotel. The ceremony was hosted by musical artist and celebrity hairstylist, Cliff Vmir, with sounds by DJ Che Mack of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta.
The aesthetician category was the first to be awarded of the night and Sha-Sha was nominated among two other notable candidates. She ultimately took the crown and the audience cheered in excitement.
"The LGBT community has been the foundation of my business, especially Black men in the community. So to have this award given to me means a lot. Over ten years of hard work and dedication has finally paid off. It's such an honor to be the first trans woman to win," Sha-Sha tells Gaye Magazine.
As the only Trans woman enrolled in her class, Sha-Sha received her license in esthetics from the International School of Skin, Nail Care and Massage Therapy. After becoming licensed, she completed an understudy for renowned esthetician Elaine Sterling. With her now strong educational background and expertise, Sha-Sha began building and servicing clients from her home.
With her notoriety within the underground Ballroom community as International Icon Founding Mother Sha-Sha Chanel (Atlanta Chapter - Hall of Fame Recipient), she quickly attracted and established celebrity clients such as Reco Chapple, Kellon Deryck, Dr. Heavenly, Shekinah Anderson, Miss Quad, and Derek J to name a few.
"My male clients have fully supported my business, even during Covid - they held me down. I wouldn't be as successful without them."
Now that Sha-Sha has been recognized as a leading aesthetician in the Atlanta metro, she is loooking to give back to the community in more ways than she was afforded coming up in the industry.
"A lot of times, skincare companies don't create space for girls like us. So to have created a space starting from my house till now is amazing. I don't see myself doing anything else. Now, I want to have masterclasses, not just for trans girls but for everybody."
Keep up with Sha-Sha on Instagram and book an appointment via her website at dfacezz.com!
This article is made in loving memory of Jordn Saeed - manager and assistant to Sha-Sha. May he rest in peace.