Blog, Introduced.
Hi, thank you for taking the time to read my first blog post. I decided to take this opportunity to introduce myself and what I do; My name is Jeff Valladares and I am a hairstylist in Los Angeles, California.
I grew up in a rural town in northern Nevada and eventually moved to Reno to pursue a degree at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). After a few months of classes, I started to feel like I was settling for a desk job. I left as I wanted to pursue more creative endeavors.
At a young age I started giving backyard haircuts to my older brother and some of my friends. I bought a cheap pair of Wahl clippers from Walmart and watched countless Youtube videos on how to fade. I've always had a strong interest in hairdressing even without proper training. Shortly after deciding to leave UNR, I ran into a friend from my hometown who recently started cosmetology school. It inspired me to pursue hair as a career. I already felt naturally inclined to it and I thought it would fulfill me artistically.
I graduated from Paul Mitchell The School, Reno in October of 2017 and immediately started an apprenticeship with a great friend and hairstylist named Jenny O. Eventually the apprenticeship became an opportunity to work as a commissioned stylist while still apprenticing for senior stylists at the salon (including the salon owner). After another year of apprenticing, I was out on the floor on my own. I thrived and was able to move from a commissioned employee to renting a booth at the shop. I was incredibly proud of myself as I had only been behind the chair for two years, yet I had enough of a consistent clientele to become an independent contractor.
I developed a voice of my own and was able to focus on a personal aesthetic when it comes to hair. I'm grateful to have worked with so many hands, it allowed me to decide what techniques I thought were most useful. I did a lot of loose, textured haircuts, as well as a lot of unconventional, creative coloring (chunky, block coloring, fashion colors). In January of 2021, I moved my booth to a top salon in Reno where I was able to further my voice and bolster my online presence. I was always striving for more, and I had already made plans for my next move.
In August of 2021, my fiancé and I packed up and moved to Los Angeles. Shortly after moving I adopted my beloved, 11 lb. chug, Curly.
As much as I love coloring, I find that I am more passionate about cutting and styling. I chose LA to enter a larger market that appreciates a specialty stylist and for the opportunity to polish and perfect my craft. I began apprenticing again, this time for two highly-praised hairstylists, Tim and Tabitha Duenas, working out of their private salon space in West Hollywood. I am transitioning again to a booth renter at their space, Essential Hair Studio, with an emphasis on weightless, wearable hairstyles that flatter the client as well as provide an ease of style and versatility. I am excited to build my clientele and further develop my business in my new home.
I Started writing a blog in the hopes of synthesizing the information I learn day-to-day with the unique experience of being a hairstylist, and share them in a casual, straight forward way.
I love the experience of learning something new and I find myself reinterpreting new information and finding value that can apply directly to my career.
This is what I refer to as Thinking Like a Hairstylist. I draw from everything, from television, to books, to social media posts. Whether it is a lifestyle shift, better communication, aesthetic tips, or business practices, it can all tie into being a high value hairstylist; which is more than just knowing how to highlight or cut a certain style.
My goal is to convey what I find valuable and lay it out for you, without all the fluff. Even in starting this project, I've had to do a lot that I've never done before (like building a website, and researching how to write a blog) through the lens of a hairstylist. I'm excited to share what I've learned, but applied in a more niche way that is dedicated to other hair professionals.
I hope this blog culminates in a community of like minded-stylists. Who love to learn and polish their craft. It can be so easy to get lost in the countless hair videos showing the same foil placement or how to cut curtain fringe. I'd like to dive into the nuances of being a hairstylist, and encourage other stylists in sharing resources and inspiring others through education.