Today we’d like to introduce you to Edwin Ramirez.
Hi Edwin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I first got started in the industry about 12 years ago when I began my job as a receptionist at a local small salon in Rialto, CA. After a friend got me the job through his stylist there, I decided that it could be a fun job while I figure out what to do with my life. I had just graduated high school and couldn’t financially make it to film school at the time, which was my dream.
After spending a lot of hours in the salon watching the girls cut & color hair, I realized I didn’t mind spending a lot of time in the hair salon. I enjoyed it.
I started to become curious about learning a lot of the techniques they used.
I asked my friend & stylist to teach me a haircut I was obsessing over at the time. It was an asymmetrical bob that Rihanna was wearing in her “Umbrella” video.
My friend noticing my sudden interest to keep learning recommended me to try beauty school.
I loved it & saw an opportunity to find a side career to pursue my dream of going to film school.
After I finished beauty school, I started to work behind the chair right away & began to look for the right film school.
I found one in Ventura, CA.
I made the move and was working & going to school full time.
I suddenly realized how much this film school would cost me in the long run. So after a year, I decided to call it quits and came back home in tears. Lol
Gave myself a little time to feel bad for myself and then decided I was going to give the hair industry my all.
Found a salon in Claremont, CA that was the kind of place I wanted to be at around stylists that were so good I was intimidated to work there. I began developing this passion for hair & seeing this career in a different light. More then a side career, maybe this could be something I’m super passionate about.
I took many extensive colors & cut classes to further my education. I took trips to hair shows traveled with top stylists to assist them in their classes all throughout the U.S.
Started teaching my own classes with other top stylists in my area.
It seemed like my life had been beautifully intertwining with my dreams, I was creating art & using what I learned in film school to promote my art on a little app called Instagram.
I’ve always just taken chances that feel right, especially when they scare me.
Coming to Pasadena was an opportunity I couldn’t let pass me by. I admire the stylists I will be working with & I admire their work so much. Not only am I taking a chance in a new city but I’m going to be working alongside many super talented stylists. I’m excited for this next chapter in my life & to see what Pasadena has in store for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. As much as I love being a hairstylist, there’s nothing I hated more than being a beginner stylist. You make the most mistakes, make the least amount of money, and have the biggest heartbreaks.
All that truly helps grow some thick skin and become the stylist you’re meant to be.
At least for me, it did not come easy to become confident with my work.
Now, ten years later, I can say I’m confident with my work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in corrective coloring & transformative cuts. I am most proud of the dramatic outcomes that come from certain makeovers. Being able to achieve a dramatic makeover successfully is an art in itself.
Not only because of the technical aspect of it but sometimes being there for the client for this metamorphosis in their life can be so scary.
I’ve been with clients through graduations, pregnancies, marriages, divorces, illnesses, mourning.
All things that are a part of life but they change us. And I get to hold their hand through something as simple as cutting their hair off.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something surprising I would say is that as much as I love switching up my client’s looks, I get the worst anxiety when I change up my own look.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @hairbyedwin
Image Credits:
Picture of me on the roof cutting hair is by: Jesse Contreras IG: @rambleonjesse
