CARLOS ORTIZ - Hair stylist / LA

I hope I could do it till I'm 90 years old.

Carlos Ortiz in his East LA studio.

As a photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented hair and makeup artists in the business. Carlos Ortiz has always been on the top of my list for hair. A highly skilled and super creative professional with experience on set as well as owning his own salon, Carlos has a unique style that touches everything he does. His client list includes Vogue, Rolling Stone, W, Elle, Gucci, L’Oreal and Calvin Klein. He has worked with celebrity clients including Selena Gomez, Mindy Kaling, Marcia Gay Harden, Mandy Moore, and Natalie Portman.

Follow Carlos on instagram here

I interviewed Carlos in June of 2024 at his salon in Maravilla, a neighborhood in East LA rich in Mexican & Chicano history and culture.

Scissors and Combs from Carlos’ salon in LA, by Diana Koenigsberg

DK:

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO BECOME A HAIR STYLIST?

CO:

When I was 11 years old, I knew I was going to get into hair. I would go and sweep my Grandpa's barber shop. I used to love to watch my Grandpa do hair. He was an old-school barber, no clippers, no trimmers, all scissor over comb. He was amazing, and I said, "I'm going to do this!" So I decided not to put too much effort in into school. Laugh

DK:

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

CO:

Oh, women. I like being around women. I like doing women's hair. I like women's fashion. I like how they are with each other, there’s a lot more honesty and a lot more friendship, realness.

Behind the paywall you’ll get access to

1. Carlos’ Spotify playlist

2. A map of his favorite places to shop and eat in East LA

3. Processed notes: Carlos’ tips for staying centered as a freelancer and living in gratitude.

DK:

What do you love about what you do?

Carlos:
It's always changing. It's never stagnant for me. I love seeing new variations of past haircuts, like fashion mullets or you see the girls in Silver Lake with the Bettie Page bangs and the 50s, 40s hair and all of that.

I hope I could do it till I'm 90 years old.

A collage Carlos made using hair extensions and a newspaper photo of Halle Bailey.

DK:
I've noticed that being Mexican is a source of a lot of pride for you.

CO:
Oh. Yeah. Because my mom taught us.
My friends growing up spoke English, with English-speaking parents, calling themselves Chicanos. I remember thinking that I was one. My mom said, "No, we're Mexican. We're from Mexico, and we were born Mexican."

"Yeah. But my friends, they're Chicanos." Well, that's them. That's the title they like for themselves. That doesn't work for you, or me, or us. We are Mexican." I remember her being upset with us for mixing Spanish and English. So they either speak one, or the other. Do not ever mix it.

Here’s a map of Carlos’ favorite places to eat and shop in LA with a special focus on East LA.

From left some of Carlos’s favorite things Conchas from La Fama, La Virgen de Guadalupe, Leader bikes, 3 Amigos Shroom Gummies , Adidas Gucci Loafers, Aqua net - always on set.

DK:
HOW DO YOU CONJURE MAGIC?

CO:
When I daily dose, I do better work. It's a little bit more freer, more confident.

I don't do it every day. I forget to take them, but when I do, it makes for an extra special day. A little micro dose. Nothing crazy.

Hit the link to listen to Carlos’s playlist

DK:

HOW DO SHIFT YOUR MINDSET WHEN YOU’RE DOWN OR WORK IS SLOW?

Gucci Adidas collab loafers with Carlos’ LA Dodgers cap, Vintage silver cuff from Oaxaca copyright Diana Koenigsberg

CO:
First and foremost, I'll go buy myself something cute. I like to mix my bougie pieces with sportswear to dress it down. I’ve always liked to incorporate my Eastside elements into my looks: Virgen de Guadalupe, Catholic iconography, tube socks with stripes and the rosary. But I always like to be comfortable.

Carlos at home wearing mix of his favorite vintage pieces, including his custom Mariachi pants, and Adidas platforms

Secondly, I go on a bike ride or a hike.

Third, I say my thank-yous all the time because I'm not sick. I don't have any illnesses. I can walk, I can see, I can talk. Especially when you live in L.A., I see the homeless. I'm like, "So curious. How did you get here? How did that happen?" I think it can happen to any of us, so I'm super grateful and I say my thank-yous. To get myself out of a slump for sure, a bike ride, a hike, a five-mile speed walk, and a great dinner. Taking myself, and a friend out, I’ll say "Let me take you out to dinner. Let's go have something opulent, or let's order everything."

PROCESSED NOTES:

1. Gratitude - Making a habit of keeping a gratitude journal or simply taking the time to acknowledge what’s good in your life can boost your mood and your relationships.

2. Sharing meals - Eating communally includes eating with others, at a table, without distraction. It provides an opportunity for socialization and communication, which can improve mental health,"

3. Microdosing psilocybin mushrooms ( 1/10th of a recreational dose ) has shown to give many people a reduction in stress, improve mood and focus and increase creativity. It's important to note that in most places, psychedelics such as mushrooms are not legal, and therefore are not regulated, so there are risks that come along with microdosing. 

4. Exercise - bike rides, hiking and even walking are essential to maintaining a positive headspace, changing your perspective and physical health.

*The point of Processed is not advocating that anyone use drugs, this newsletter explores the lives of individuals and their experiences. That being said there are resources available to those who are experimenting.

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