Conversations with Katie Ramirez-Abreu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Ramirez-Abreu.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born and raised in the Palm Springs area, I’ve always been a creative searching for my passion. At 19, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue cosmetology, but coming from a smaller town, I quickly felt lost in the big city and stepped away from that dream. I went on to graduate from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising with my AA in Visual Communication, which led me to my first career and my LA “family.” I spent my 20s fully immersed in that life, working what felt like a dream job at Topshop as an Assistant Brand Manager—but after six years, something still felt missing.

In 2017, my high school sweetheart and I got engaged in Amsterdam, and we married in the Dominican Republic in 2019. Life felt like cloud nine but creatively, I still felt stuck. With the support of my partner, I made a leap of faith—leaving my job of 6.5 years to enroll in cosmetology at Los Angeles Trade Tech.

Not long after, I had the opportunity to work my first Coachella Music Festival as a stylist with my soon-to-be mentor, Chelsea Nicole MU & Hair. That experience sparked something in me, and my passion for hair truly began to take shape.

As I continued school, I started to feel disconnected from Los Angeles. What once felt like love was turning into loss, so my wife and I made another spontaneous decision—we packed up a U-Haul and moved back to the desert.

During the COVID lockdown, I continued my education through Milan Institute, turning my mom’s kitchen into my practice salon. After graduating, pushing through doubt, with encouragement from my dear friend Chelsea Layton, and finally began assisting Chelsea Nicole MU & Hair—and my journey as a hairstylist truly started.

Despite the challenges, I kept pushing forward. I found my place in wedding and commercial hairstyling while assisting in a salon, and eventually chose to focus fully on styling as a freelance artist.

Along the way, I’ve been lucky to work with incredible artists who have trusted me as part of their teams, supported me, inspired me, and continue to grow alongside me. A big shoutout to all the talented artists from the CNM&H events team and BeautybyAllyD team—just to name a few.—just to name a few. As well as a HUGE thank you to my wife, family, and closest friends who are always rooting for my goals and dreams.

I feel so grateful to be part of such meaningful moments with brides, their families, and the clients and brands who make every experience so special. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I mentioned earlier, the road hasn’t always been smooth or clearly defined. I’ve gotten lost at times, worked through self-doubt, and navigated a nontraditional cosmetology education during the pandemic. After graduating, I didn’t feel like I had the same hands-on training I might have had otherwise, which affected my confidence in the beginning. I really had to push myself outside of my comfort zone—but I’m so grateful I stuck with it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an events and commercial hairstylist specializing in on-location styling for everything from weddings to brand work. My style ranges from soft, romantic waves to modern updos and sleek, polished looks—all designed to be long-lasting and camera-ready in any climate.

I’m really proud of the growth and confidence I’ve built along the way. What sets me apart isn’t just the hair—it’s the experience. I focus on clear communication, thoughtful service, and creating a calm, fun environment on the day of. I truly love helping people feel happy, comfortable, and confident while bringing their vision to life.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I always try to remind myself that when I feel nervous about a job or the next step in my career, it’s usually because I care so much about it. I’ve always been a little shy when it comes to taking risks, but I’ve learned to push myself anyway.

Each year in my business, I make it a goal to try something new—whether that’s learning new techniques or stepping outside of my comfort zone. It’s been a slow and steady process, but those risks have truly shaped where I am today. From working with other companies to starting my own, from only styling bridesmaids to building the confidence to take on brides, every step has mattered.

Along the way, I’ve also gained professional experience working with a diverse range of hair textures and cultural styles, which has deeply shaped me as an artist and strengthened my confidence.

My growth may be gradual, but I’m proud of every risk I’ve taken. The next step for me is continuing to expand into surrounding areas like Los Angeles and Orange County.

Pricing:

• Email for pricing menu

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylingbykatieabreu
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@katieabreu_

Image Credits
Ryan Horban, Dayna Izarraraz, Margot Landen, Abbi Cooley