Live Canvas Beauty opens on Belle Terre as one-stop shop for cosmetics

Published 12:28 am Saturday, February 26, 2022

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LAPLACE — Live Canvas Tattoo Parlour owner Raul Guillen’s work is more than ink — it’s art. The talent, passion and attention to detail that Live Canvas is known for has carried over to a new business expansion with a focus on beauty.

Located side-by-side at 434 Belle Terre Boulevard in LaPlace, Live Canvas Tattoo Parlour and the new Live Canvas Beauty form a one-stop shop for cosmetics.

After several delays from the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida, the grand opening of the Live Canvas Beauty expansion was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 21.

The wide range of services offered includes custom color and cuts, microblading, custom wigs, facials, hair extensions/sew-ins, teeth whitening, head-to-toe waxing, and eyelash/eyebrow lift and tint.

Esthetician Tammy Murphy also specializes in special effects makeup, and her work can be seen at several of the New Orleans area haunted houses every Halloween.

Raul Guillen’s wife Morgan Guillen specializes in microblading, a procedure that uses a needle and pigment to create defined, natural looking eyebrows.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Kaylee Caronna is a pro when it comes to hair and other cosmetology services. She’s already gained a following of happy customers for her braiding, hair styling, and coloring services.

“She’s an over-achiever. She’s here every day at 6 a.m.,” Morgan Guillen said.

Raul Guillen agreed that having a strong team has allowed Live Canvas to thrive in the St. John the Baptist Parish community, and he looks forward to reaching more customers with the recent expansion.

Live Canvas Tattoo Parlour was initially opened by Guillen’s longtime friend Josh Keating.

Guillen was in gifted art from the time he was in the third grade. He represented East St. John in District rallies for art and even painted a mural at the school in 2005. It wasn’t a surprise when, straight out of high school, Keating asked Guillen to start tattooing with him.

At first, it didn’t seem meant to be. Guillen had an AC business that was running relatively well, but having back surgery in 2016 signaled it was time for a career change.

“This was a hobby for me, so I gave it a shot. I’ve been blessed ever since. This is my calling,” Guillen said.

After joining Keating at Live Canvas, Guillen moved from apprentice to manager and eventually became owner in 2019. Keating has since relocated and expanded his tattooing business out-of-state, but he will be temporarily returning to Louisiana in May to work alongside Guillen once again.

Live Canvas Tattoo Parlour specializes in realism, watercolor and glitter, as well as scar tissue and blemish cover-ups.

Expanding the tattoo shop to include a neighboring beauty bar has been in the works since Guillen became owner. His wife wanted to join the business by incorporating services that complement the tattoo parlour. The Guillens signed a lease on what would become Live Canvas Beauty in spring 2020, days before the unprecedented COVID-19 shutdown.

“It was a struggle from the get-go, but now everything is falling into place,” Guillen said.

Live Canvas Beauty hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Appointments are preferred by calling 985-359-2043.

On the tattoo side, walk-ins are welcomed for same day appointments 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 2 p.m. through midnight Friday and Saturday.
For more information, find Live Canvas Tattoo Parlour and Live Canvas Beauty on Facebook and Instagram.