Kerastase Featured Professional Hair Stylist: Kate Olson

Salon Affiliation: Ochoa Salon and Spa, Western Massachusetts
Years of Experience: 13 years
@Kate_Olsonhair

Kate Olson is a hairstylist and Kérastase National Artist with 13 years of experience in the beauty industry. For 12 of those wonderful years, she has proudly called Ochoa Salon and Spa in Western Massachusetts her salon home. Specializing in dimensional color, lived-in blonding, customized haircutting, and healthy hair, Kate combines artistry, personalized consultation, and luxury haircare to help every client look and feel their best.

Her passion extends beyond the chair through education, where she loves helping fellow stylists build confidence, expand their knowledge, and elevate the guest experience. Originally from Kansas, Kate brings warmth and authenticity to everything she does. Outside the salon, she enjoys singing and spending time with her husband, Wesley, and their two beloved cats.

FAQ:

What is your favorite part about working with clients?

My favorite part is the opportunity to help and serve people. I love listening, collaborating, and creating living, breathing art that helps each client look and feel their best. Seeing someone’s face light up after a transformation and knowing I was a bright spot in their day is incredibly rewarding.

What are your top tips for preventing hair breakage?

Replenish, protect, and handle the hair gently. Refresh your mids and ends as needed, always use heat protection, and detangle from the ends upward. At night, a loose, low ponytail or braid with a soft scrunchie can help reduce friction and tangling.

What professional salon tip would you give every client?

If I could give every client one professional tip, it would be to never skip heat protection. Kérastase has incredible thermal protectants for every hair type, and they’re about so much more than just shielding your hair from heat. They also nourish, smooth, and help improve the overall health of your hair. Whether you’re using a blow dryer, curling iron, or flat iron, protecting your hair should always be part of your routine.

What is your favorite Kérastase product and why?

Densimorphose Mousse is one of my absolute favorites. This lightweight thickening mousse creates fullness and improves texture while keeping the hair soft and touchable. I especially love applying it through the mids and ends, where hair can often appear less full, to build body without weight.

What is the biggest mistake clients make with their haircare routine?

The biggest mistake I see is using too little product or applying it unevenly. I show clients exactly how much to use, where to place it, and how to distribute it. You cannot experience a product’s full benefits if it is not on the hair, so put that goodness in and brush it through!

What is one haircare myth you wish would disappear?

I wish the myth that you should never wash your hair daily would disappear. There is no one-size-fits-all schedule. If your scalp, hair, and lifestyle call for daily cleansing, you absolutely can when using a professional routine prescribed for your specific needs.

What are the top three products every client should have in their haircare routine?

While every routine should be personalized, my top three are Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum, Elixir Ultime, and Chronologiste Overnight Youth Serum. Together, they create a scalp-to-lengths, day-to-night routine with moisture and comfort for a dry scalp, versatile shine and protection, and overnight care for the visible signs of hair aging.