Katie Pattison
Katie is a California native who found her heart in Portland, Oregon. She has been a part of this amazing industry for over 16 years - 14 of those as an independent contractor. Specializing in precision & razor cutting, natural textures, and wash & wear, air dry hair, she loves working with individuals to find the perfect cut to fit their unique hair type, personality, and lifestyle. Her love for hair is rivaled only by her love for the people she gets to meet & know when they sit in her chair. Inspired by all things vintage/retro, queer/lesbian and married to the love of her life; she has 2 kids + 4 fur babies (3 cats + 1 dog) and has been sober almost a decade.
Get to know and love Katie Pattison as we have!
What does a "typical" day look like for Katie?
I work behind the chair 3-4 days a week, and most of my days are at least 10 hours long. I specialize in cutting, but do color as well, and I work independently (without an assistant or front desk person) so I'm hustling hard all day. Recently I've been re-evaluating my 'typical' day, and have started making some adjustments to my schedule so that I don't have to hustle quiteso hard.
What advice would Katie today tell Little Katie on her first day of beauty school?
You didn't end up here by accident and this isn't just a space filler until something better comes along. You've been lucky enough to find your true calling, don't take it for granted and don't fuck it up.
You have a very clear aesthetic online, what advice would you give to others trying to achieve/find their aesthetic?
Basically, I think a clear aesthetic is one that quickly & clearly represents who you are, giving others a general idea of your personality, what you love, what inspires you, and what makes you uniquely you. Your online aesthetic is going to be the first thing that others use to determine whether or not they can relate to you or are interested in you. What is your message? How do you want to make people feel? What do you want your first impression to be? Writing these things down can help, along with collecting images that you love. When I have a client who wants to try a "new look" but is really unsure about what they want, I suggest they create a digital collection of hair that they like and are drawn to, and then we look at it together. Most of the time we can figure out exactly what they want (and don't want) because there is almost always a general theme, or aesthetic, to the photos they collected. The same goes for finding your personal aesthetic.
What are your top 3 favorite social/editing apps?
My favorite social apps are Instagram, Pintrest, and Reddit—there is so just much inspiration out there! For editing photos I love Moldiv, VSCO, and Afterlight.
Favorite 'words of wisdom' you've ever been given...
When I was first starting out in my career, my mom wrote me a note that said, "always let your creative nature shine, and always let people glimpse your compassionate and true heart." To me, this is really the true essence of being a successful hairstylist. When we allow ourselves to be open and vulnerable with others, when we can offer them true compassion and understanding, we can create a space that encourages self-love, self-compassion, and mutual trust, and in this space the magic happens.
Katie and her daughter Alexandra
Did becoming a young mom have any influence on your journey into the industry? What would you tell others looking to enter the industry whom are on a similar life path?
Oh yes, definitely. Becoming a mom my Senior year of high school completely derailed my plans for college and what I thought I "wanted to be when I grew up". (I thought I wanted to go into medicine which is wild to me now!) I floundered around for several years after I graduated, working mostly in retail and food service, and partying a lot. While I've always been hair obsessed, I had actually never considered going into the industry until my daughter was about 4.
I followed a friend into beauty school because it seemed like it might be a cool gig, since the only thing I really cared about at the time was having a job that allowed me to look/dress however I wanted, be around people, and be creative. Wow was I unprepared for how incredibly amazing the path I was on would be. Seriously, I can't say it enough, being a hair stylist is the shit. Best career choice ever, especially if you're a young parent. It can offer you flexibility and independence, an outlet for your creative and social energy, and a wealth of invaluable human connections, insights, and social support.
Biggest accomplishment of your career?
Honestly, at the risk of sounding cheesy, I feel like the biggest accomplishments of my career are every time I receive a message from a client telling me how good they feel about themselves after our appointment. At the end of the day, if I can help the people sitting in my chair feel better and more comfortable in their own skin when they leave than they did when they walked in, I have accomplished what I set out to do.
Most recent Netflix binge??
That 70s Show. Laughs and 70s hair & fashion inspiration abound. Also, The Office always.
Top 5 hair-hero's or influences in your career?
60s & 70s mods & rockers
80s & 90s Punk & Grunge
Vidal Sassoon – BobFather, hair architect, icon
Corinna Hernandez my hairstylist, mentor, friend, and one of the best hairstylists and educators in the country. I try to spend as much time as I can at Pony Studios in Oakland, soaking up her razor cutting skills and positive energy. If you are looking for hands-on straight razor education on the West Coast, Pony is the place and Corinna is your gal.
Jayne Matthews an inspiration as a hairstylist, salon owner, educator, and non-toxic beauty warrior. Finding Jayne's Instagram years ago and seeing her beautiful vintage-inspired cuts & styles lead me to learning the straight razor and got me excited about doing hair again. She approaches her craft with creativity, honesty, compassion, and vulnerability and she is changing our industry in so many positive and impactful ways.
Assisting and advanced education... what is your take/stance on both?
I am an education junkie through and through. I LOVE to learn and challenge myself and find that my passion and commitment for my craft strengthens in proportion to the understanding and inspiration I receive through continued education. I personally do best with live, hands-on education and love getting the opportunity to meet, learn with, and be inspired by other hairstylists. There is a special bond that happens when we collectively step outside of our comfort zones and create together in a collaborative space. I have taught a couple of classes for my co-workers, as well as some one-on-one's with other stylists, and I've found that I can also enjoy the teaching side of education. In regard to assisting—if I could do it all over again, I would have started my career as an assistant because I think the knowledge, experience, and opportunity you can gain through an apprenticeship is invaluable.
If you weren't doing hair, what would you be doing?
If I wasn't doing hair I would probably be an Engineer because I happen to also be a total math nerd, and I live to solve problems and find solutions.
What would you say is the biggest misconception about your job/the beauty industry
I think the biggest misconception is that we are just in the business of doing hair when in reality we are also in the business of meaningful human connections. We spend our days listening to others share their experiences and sharing our own, being compassionate and understanding, building confidence and trust, and creating an environment of non-judgement and self-acceptance.
I knew I was a Hair Nerd when...
Always have been, always will be
Where can people stalk Katie?
I am currently working on a website, but until then you can find me on Instagram @katiepdxhair.
As for my local hangouts, you can find me thrifting/vintage store shopping, exploring Portland by foot, hiking in Forest Park, tackling my latest DIY project, or hanging with my wife & kids.