In the heart of Belize City, 18-year-old Allon Pacheco is challenging long-held gender stereotypes and reshaping public perceptions of the local beauty industry. As a rare male certified beautician, he has built a growing career in a field overwhelmingly dominated by women, turning an unexpected casual hobby into a purpose-driven professional path.
Pacheco’s journey into beauty work began by chance around six months ago, when he offered to give his mother a pedicure on a random day. Impressed by the neat, polished result he delivered, his mother encouraged him to pursue formal training and connect with her friend who worked in the industry. What started as a casual experiment quickly grew into a deep passion, prompting Pacheco to commit to a rigorous six-month certification program to master professional beautician skills.
Today, Pacheco plies his trade at Deluxe Corner Beauty Bar, where he regularly performs services ranging from nail care and pedicures to other beauty treatments for a loyal and expanding client base. His success has not come without pushback: like many men who enter female-dominated fields, Pacheco has faced criticism and condescension from peers, particularly other men who have dismissed his career choice as “not proper work for a man.” Critics have pressured him to pursue traditional blue-collar trades such as mechanics or electrical work—fields Pacheco already has experience working in.
Undeterred by the negativity, Pacheco remains focused on his work. “I’ve done all the ‘traditional manly’ jobs, but I find beauty work far more interesting,” he explained. “I enjoy what I do, I make a good living, and my clients love coming to me. That’s all that matters.”
His dedication and natural skill have earned him high praise from colleagues at the salon. Arilee Somerville, a fellow beautician, highlighted that Pacheco’s work ethic and self-driven ambition set him apart as a standout member of the team. “Allon is an incredible worker—he’s hardworking, reliable, and always willing to help,” Somerville said. “What people don’t understand is that the nail and beauty industry isn’t just for women. Men can do this work just as well, and seeing how much joy it brings Allon makes that clear. Our clients even specifically request him for pedicures now.”
Somerville also recalled that Pacheco was initially hesitant to share his work on social media, but after a little encouragement, he embraced digital platforms to showcase his skills to the broader Belizean community. That choice has helped him attract new clients and build a public profile as a young trailblazer in the local industry.
At his core, Pacheco says what drives him is the simple joy of helping other people feel confident and beautiful. “I love helping people leave feeling refreshed and pretty,” he said. “If I had three dollars left, I’d give it to someone on the street—blessing others always comes back around.”
Despite the persistent social stigma attached to male beauticians, Pacheco has a solid support system behind him as he works to refine his craft. Looking ahead, he has big plans: he hopes to open his own independent beauty business one day, and continues to push forward toward his goals in spite of the naysayers.
In the end, Pacheco wants his story to inspire other people across Belize to chase their passions, regardless of age, gender, or outdated societal expectations. For anyone considering breaking into an unconventional field, his message is simple: don’t let negative stereotypes stop you from doing what you love.