Meet Becca Guzman | Hairstylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Becca Guzman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Becca, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I actually never had it in my plans that I was going to pursue a creative career. Out of high school, family and friends would tell me to pursue hair since I was always changing my hair. By 25 I revisited that idea and enrolled at Vidal Sassoon in Santa Monica fortunately finding my passion.

Hairstyling allows me to open up to so many experiences and meet so many people! I get to work with art and science since I am a colorist there’s so much chemistry in concocting colors and also knowing the elemental structure of hair. I feel like a wizard! Also cutting, my other forte, I can transform a look in a matter if minutes.

I love human interaction! Getting to communicate and bond with so many different personalities, helping them through a hard time, making them feel good is what makes my career feel so satisfying and why I wanted to pursue hair. Making magic and good energy!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At 25, I got out of a long term relationship and felt so lost if it wasn’t for that I don’t think I would have challenged myself to pursue something creative. Growing up I was told to work somewhere that was safe and that paid money so that’s what I did. Once I realized I wasn’t tied down and could do whatever I wanted I figured my actual life out. I found myself.

Being a hairstylist, there are no boring days, everyday I get to be comfortable being uncomfortable and challenged. I get to work on all different types of hair textures, people, personalities, color corrections that are like solving a puzzle, etc. It’s never boring and I always learn something new from it. Also making some great friends along the way!

These challenges are what make me a good hairstylist. Every new challenge just helps me improve as a person and stylist. When Im not at my salon suite or on set I am practicing on doll heads, studying color theory, attending hair classes, or engaging in online advanced hair education. I just want to be ready for the challenge so my clients can get the results they want and ensuring my art is displayed correctly on their hair.

I think the biggest lesson has been realizing self worth and vulnerability. When I left hair school I still had the tendency of settling for what was thrown in my path and too worried of rejection. Overtime I gained more confidence through being a hairstylist and with what Ive experienced Ive learned what good qualities to carry with me.

My advice to stylists just leaving hair school is every stylist should apprentice. You just need to know the ropes just 2 years to learn the basics. If you get an apprenticeship at a salon and they make you clean, fold towels and your mentor doesn’t take time to teach you things do not waste your time and find your people. Email that stylist you follow online, hit up that celebrity hairstylist and just go for it! I cannot emphasize it enough!

Going into hairstyling you definitely have to have a thick skin also don’t lead with your heart often because some people aren’t doing the same for you. You gotta find that balance of head and heart.

When you do find your people it’s definitely magical. If you surround yourself with other creatives, ambitious people and genuine hearts your art will spread and attract people. Otherwise if you surround yourself with the latter then you’re just going to attract a whole lot of what you don’t want. Just remember to stay genuine

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Im a busy body and like to stay inspired with my time so art, nature and good looking carbs!

Id definitely take my friend to LACMA, The Broad, Hauser & Wirth, or Jeffrey Deitch Gallery. Hiking is a must so we’d have to hit some Griffith Trails or find some waterfall trails in the area. It Angels Flight Railway in DTLA is open Id have us ride it!
Also walk around the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale so many celebs are buried there, insane tombstones, and a labyrinth.

To eat, Id take them to Larchmont Wine and Cheese shop for a sandwich, Osteria La Buca for some pasta, Pine and Crane, or Won Kok in Chinatown for some
dim sum.

For sweets, Donut Friend, Just What I Kneaded (the chocolate chip cookie and vegan pop tarts) and Proof Bakery because their pastries are works of art taste wise and appearance.

To drink, there is no other place Id take them than the one and only Tiki Ti. Chi Chis and Painkillers are my favorite drinks there!

Sundays Atwater Farmers Market to grab veggies and have Post Era Coffee because it’s my favorite thing to do on Sundays.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My boyfriend Gabe. I’ve never had anyone believe in my art, career, overall me as much as he has. He is the biggest cheerleader I’ve ever had in my life and it feels good having that.

This last year I went from working at a salon I had been at for 6 1/2 years to owning my own salon suite. It was such a big and scary move for me. With running a small business it has it’s ebb and flows so it can be stressful and emotional but having Gabe’s good heart, strong spirit, incredible worth ethic, and dedication he helps motivate me. Love you babe!

Website: beccaguzman.com

Instagram: bex_effects_hair

Other: Tiktok: bex_effects_hair