Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Heinen.
Hi Kyle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into hair was not a typical one. I didn’t go to beauty school right out of high school. I moved to New York City right away from a farm in Kansas where I grew up and began a career as an actor. After spending five years in New York, I moved to California and ended up through an acting job working in art direction and production. I eventually settled into a production career for almost ten years producing fashion photography for many great photographers, Steven Klein, Craig McDean, Mert and Marcus, Greg Harris, and so on. What I discovered was that I was always attracted to the glam side of that world and was hanging out on set with the hair and makeup teams. Eventually, I burned out of production and wondered what to do next and it was a bit of a light bulb moment… “what about that hair thing?” After a lot of contemplation, I quit my job as a producer and went to beauty school.
While beauty school was certainly not my favorite journey, I got through it as quickly as I could and got my license. I began assisting hairstylist and men’s groomer Kristen Shaw right away at her studio in Venice as well as assisting her on photo sets. I then got introduced to colorist Naomi Knights and began a more in-depth color education, assisting her in Highland Park. Striking the balance between how to color around a haircut and how to cut around hair color. Covid happened as I was ending my assisting journey. Salons had a rough go during those first months, so I decided to open up a private studio to make my clients feel comfortable getting back in the chair. From there, I joined the team at Bleach London at its inaugural US salon before going back to working in a private studio in West Hollywood where I currently see clients balancing salon work and styling on photo and video sets.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a pretty smooth road actually! Every move I’ve made has come about pretty authentically.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a hairstylist and colorist both in the salon and on set. As a colorist, I do a lot of bleaching…whether that be hand-painted highlights or bleach and tones. Bleach and tones are something that a lot of people don’t do because it’s arguably one of the most technical skills you can have in your pocket as a colorist, but they are some of my favorite things to do!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the diversity of Los Angeles. It’s probably my favorite part about it. It truly is a melting pot of cultures and that diversity seeps into all areas of the city. Just walking around, you get to see people from all over the world. That brings a flair to a city and can really set it apart.
My least favorite thing about LA….is it lame to say the traffic?? Lol. But honestly…it’s the traffic.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kyleheinen.com
- Instagram: @kyleheinen
Image Credits
Main image: Joey Battaglia @joeybattaglia
Other images: Diane Crea
