A Cuban operating under the name L'inglesa BeautyBar revealed in a video posted on TikTok on July 4 that micropigmentation—specifically eyebrow design—was the activity that enabled her to acquire her home and car in Cuba without financial support from her family.
"Yesterday, I promised to tell you about the business in Cuba that changed my life. I don't come from a wealthy family. What I achieved was thanks to a profession that I learned and perfected over time," the creator stated in the 38-second clip.
The young woman was straightforward in revealing the secret of her success: "That business is micropigmentation. And yes, my people, by doing eyebrows I was able to buy my house and my car in Cuba."
Far from presenting it as an easy path, she clarified that the outcome was the result of perseverance: "It didn't happen overnight. It took years of study, discipline, and hours working with my clients."
The testimony takes on a particular dimension within the Cuban economic context, where the average state salary does not exceed 5,000 pesos per month, equivalent to less than 15 dollars at the informal exchange rate.
Micropigmentation is one of the most expensive beauty services available on the island, primarily quoted in foreign currency: the initial session costs around 30 dollars and the touch-ups range between 20 and 25 dollars. This difference is staggering compared to other services in the sector: a keratin treatment in Cuba costs around 9,000 pesos —about 26.50 dollars— and eyelash extensions range between 1,000 and 3,000 pesos.
Mastering this technique requires specialized training, imported materials such as pigments, machines, and needles, as well as sustained technical skill. In Cuba, where these supplies must be obtained with difficulty and at high costs, this barrier to entry protects practitioners from massive competition.
Acquiring a home and a vehicle in Cuba represents an investment of tens of thousands of dollars. Properties in areas such as Vedado or Miramar, which previously exceeded 50,000 dollars, have fallen between 50% and 60% in price compared to 2018-2019 due to mass emigration, and today can be found for between 15,000 and 20,000 dollars. Imported cars, on the other hand, start from 7,950 dollars for used models over five years old and exceed 27,000 dollars in the high-end range, according to regulations in effect since January 2025.
Entrepreneurship in the beauty sector in Cuba is not without its challenges. Young people working in aesthetics on the island face frequent power outages, water shortages, and lack of gas, conditions that make it particularly difficult for jobs that require consistent lighting and precision, such as micropigmentation.
The video from L'inglesa BeautyBar is part of a growing trend among Cubans who use social media to share testimonies of economic improvement from within the island, in an environment where the private beauty sector operates under a de facto dollarization that enables service providers to accumulate capital in foreign currency.
"I'm not saying it's easy, but if you prepare and remain consistent, a profession can change your life," the entrepreneur concluded in her message.
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