The Art of Hair with Katelyn Ellsworth

For some, working with hair is simply a skill, but for Katelyn Ellsworth it is a true form of artistry. With more than twenty years behind the chair, she has transformed hairstyling into an act of creativity and confidence building, crafting looks that reflect both individuality and emotion. Renowned for her mastery of natural colour and extensions, Ellsworth approaches every client as a unique canvas, balancing precision with instinct to achieve results that feel effortlessly striking. In this first feature of our four-part series, we step into the world of a stylist who believes that beautiful hair is never just about appearance, it is about how it makes you feel.

When did you first realise that working with hair was more than just a skill and became your form of artistry?

I have always been a bit of a crafty gal, or if you call it DIY, that’s fine too. But I have loved thinking and working out of the box since I was a kid.

I really was enlightened by the artistry in beauty school at Paul Mithell the School San Diego. 

You are known for your expertise in natural colour and extensions. How do you balance creating something striking while still making it look effortless ?

To me, natural beauty has always been high on my list. So making something look effortless is striking in my eyes! It starts with an end goal, and essentially reverse engineering it on someone’s head, or what we call our canvas. 

Hair is often described as a person’s crown. How do you approach helping clients express their identity and confidence through their hair. ?

A person‘s hair can give them the confidence to express whatever it is. Whether it be business or personal, if you like the way you look, most of the time you will like the way you feel! Helping people  achieve that by merely coloring their hair, adding extensions, or a haircut is pretty amazing in my eyes!

After 20  years in the industry, what continues to excite you about working behind the chair?

Working behind the chair is like a marathon. There are ups and downs about the job but at the end being able to be creative all day long while helping sometimes love themselves more still fills my heart everyday. 

Can you recall a transformation that truly stuck with you and why it felt so powerful?

Extension transformations are some of the biggest. When you are stuck in a rut and you’ve done everything in your power to help your hair grow, but genetically it just won’t. Having the hair of your dreams in a couple hours is pretty miraculous! Giving women confidence and beauty in their own eyes and heart feels great to me, but also watching them enjoy themselves so much more and achieve what they’ve been trying to for years is one of the most powerful things I’ve been able to do.  

What do you think people often misunderstand about the craft of hairstyling?

Now that’s a loaded question! To outsiders I think being stylists for years on end is completely misunderstood. I think it’s one of the only crafts where you are physically, mentally, and emotionally touching somebody. Not only that, our clients put an immense amount of trust in us to achieve their hair goals, while so much is out of our control. Having that weight on your shoulders as a stylist to physically achieve what your client wants all while having them confide in you about life, while you are doing an intricate craft, and standing and making them feel confident in your skillset. We put so much into our clients, and it is why so many people in this industry do not make it. It’s extremely draining yet rewarding beyond words. 

If you could give readers one piece of advice for refreshing their look without a drastic change, what would it be?

That’s easy! Get a tone refreshing  gloss in between visits that will seal the cuticle, add moisture and shine, as well as give your color a pop or depth you’ve lost over time. These are non-permanent colors that will enhance or richen your overall look without having a long term commitment. 

In this insightful conversation, Katelyn Ellsworth opens up about the passion and purpose behind her craft. From her beginnings at Paul Mitchell the School San Diego to the powerful transformations she continues to create, Ellsworth reveals the emotional depth of hairstyling — a profession that demands artistry, empathy, and trust in equal measure. Her perspective on helping clients rediscover confidence through subtle changes reflects her belief that beauty lies in authenticity. And her final piece of advice, a simple gloss to restore tone and shine, perfectly encapsulates her approach — effortless enhancement that lets natural beauty shine through.