Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivan Betancourt.
Hi Ivan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I arrived in Los Angeles six years ago. While growing up in the Central Valley, I like so many others, needed to chase my dreams of a more vibrant and fulfilling life as a hair and makeup artist. There was a calling within to “come back home” as I born here in LA. I brought with me years of experience in beauty, having worked over a decade with MAC cosmetics, freelancing and as a platform artist for the haircare company, Aquage. All the lessons learned from my mentors and life in general pushed me to reach for more. For the first years, I was on constantly flying and on the road. Educating on stage and in seminars both as a hairstylist and a makeup artist. LAX and I were very well acquainted. Then came the time to plant roots in the city and I shifted focus on finding a salon to call home. With many pivots along the way, I am grateful to call 454 North home. A beautiful boutique salon and hidden gem in West Hollywood. Right on Robertson blvd. Through tenacity, grit and self-exploration, I can say I feel like I’m just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s true what they say about the trajectory of success. It’s not a straight line. It is a line that loops bends and winds as it ascends. The first lesson was learning the pulse and rhythm of the city. Coming from a smaller town, I viewed the city as a well-oiled, rigid machine. Only to realize the charming blend of balance and the beautiful chaos of chance meetings and an overall drive to create. There were several salons that I dedicated my time and energy along the way. Though each time, something didn’t feel right. The energy given was not the energy received and I had to move on. This trend leads to a deeper connection to my spirituality and a spiritual awakening of sorts. Empowered with a newer perspective, I was able to shift my goals to reflect what I truly value. My biggest shift came from making my way into the most prestige salon in West Hollywood/ Beverly Hills at the time (I’ll leave without naming). Working in a place with such dense yet chaotic energy reflects what you really are made of. You realize what really drives you, what you want to become. More importantly, who and what you don’t. I’m grateful to have weathered these storms because the product is a strong pair of sea legs and I can guide others to strengthen their own.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I feel my overall aesthetic can be described as “Elegant Edge”. Whether I am cutting or styling hair or creating a makeup, it has to start with the concept of beauty. The edge comes in after with detailing to keep a look modern and livable. Whether people realize it or not, Hair and how it presents says a lot about how you identify inside. It is a nonverbal communication to the world and It’s my goal to bring out how you feel inside and translate that to your personal aesthetic. Though I work with all hair types, I cannot deny the natural inclination to long hair and long hairdressing. As a loud and proud Virgo, I’m most identified by my attention to detail in combination of my intuition, which I’ve learned to work in tandem instead of against one another.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Since the pandemic, there has been a huge overhaul on what we value as stylists. I find it so refreshing that both clients and stylists alike are yearning for quality over quantity. Experiences are the new equity. In my specific salon demographic, we’ve seen a rise in demand for combo stylists. Those who are skilled in both color and cutting. The beautiful thing is that this demand doesn’t take away form those who stick to one modality. Internally, stylists are working toward more balance. We saw how quickly our flow, incomes and body of work can be wiped out, which pushed us to shift our values. We gained new perspective of how we can show up for what really matters to us. Our goals have changed and we want to be met halfway in all aspects. Stylists have realized their own power and how to better rely on themselves, leaving behind doubt to a better state of being.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Ivanbetancourt.com
- Instagram: @ivan_jose
Image Credits:
first two color profile photos: @sambrano.photo. black and white profile photo: @jozsefdaniels Elina Updo photo: @Danyamorrison.
