Today we’d like to introduce you to Ernesto Garcia.
Ernesto, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a hairstylist. My first experience doing someone else’s hair was in high school. My best friends and I would ride our bikes to the beauty store to buy bleach and we would have a bleaching party that night, also buying wine with our fake IDs. That became ritual for the next couple of years. I moved from Thousand Oaks, an hour away from LA, to West Hollywood when I was 21. That’s when I started beauty school at Paul Mitchell in Sherman Oaks where I went for one year. As soon as I graduated from beauty school I started looking for assisting jobs in West Hollywood.
One interview I had with a salon owner turned me down pointing out that my verbiage, the way I talked, didn’t fit in with her salon. Right after, I started looking outside of West Hollywood where I found a salon called The Harlot located in Venice beach. The salon relocated to West Hollywood on Melrose in 2017. It’s where I spent my 20’s, starting off assisting the owner Marylle Koken and other stylists including Jonathan Van ness who is featured on queer eye for the straight guy. That’s where I built my cutting, color, and styling skills. I’ve competed in hairstyling competitions where I’ve been finalists for. I also got the opportunity to work along LA fashion week at 23 years old. I knew working as a freelance stylist was also in my heart.
I’ve assisted other hairdressers like Will Carrillo on major campaigns including commercials and others on set work. My editorial work has been published in magazines around the world. My goal is to currently have my work published in major magazines like Vogue or Bazaar. I also work for a haircare company called NuMe. I create hairstyles using their products published on their social media and website. Not only hair am I gifted in but I’ve also modeled. My modeling has gotten me published in a major salon magazine called Modern Salon which has been printed all over the US. I’m now 29 years old, about to head into a new era. My career has definitely been one hell of a ride and it only goes up from here.
Has it been a smooth road?
Financially struggled in my early 20’s trying to pay my bills on my own getting paid minimum wage. I might be using the wrong term for this but hustling for clients in Venice and surrounding areas was hard since I’m not really a social person. I eventually grew a stable clientele on the “Westside” making it more easy not to stress out how I’m going to pay my rent. Moving from salon locations, Venice to West Hollywood, I took a big financial loss. I had to give up my car, which it’s pretty crazy not to have a car in LA. I managed to work everything out, I take the bus/subway every day to work now. I currently live in DTLA next to the subway. My photoshoots/freelance work are mainly located in DTLA, so don’t be surprised if you see me carrying my hair kit. It’s been two years now with no car and it’s only made feel more independent.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I work in a salon called The Harlot located on Melrose part-time and then I freelance styling hair on photoshoots around LA.
In the salon, I’m known for my textured haircuts and lived in highlights. Outside the salon, I’m known for my creative hairstyles and natural beach waves. Working for a haircare brand, NuMe, helps me boost my creativity level using just their tools and products. I’ve been told that people love looking at my work on social media because they always get the sense of creativity
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is definitely a good creative place to be a hairdresser in. There are so many routes that you can take including being an educator, salon work, editorial work, and on set work. Being a new person in the industry I would examine your options and see what interests you the most.
Contact Info:
- Email: ernesto.garcia222@yahoo.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/ernestogarcia222
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