While Kate Gelbart’s professional career in hair began in 2017, Kate’s love of cosmetology came from a much older love of art and creativity. Having become enamored with the process of makeup and hair backstage during their fifth-grade school play, Kate quickly began to practice and learn all she could regarding this art form. She studied Cosmetology at Southeast Career Technical Academy, a vocational high school in her hometown of Las Vegas, and began assisting for fashion shows, weddings, and local television shows while in school. Upon graduating and receiving her license, Kate began working as an assistant in-salon to both Leysa Carrillo then AnnaMarie Adkins, working hard to expand her knowledge specifically of curly hair, color, and styling, and prepare for a career as a well-rounded stylist.

Through working with Leysa Carrillo, Kate began educating with Forever Curls Academy, an international curly hair education brand, from 2019 to 2025. Kate helped shape Forever Curls in the brand’s infancy during her time as Carrillo’s in -salon assistant, to it’s current multi-national presence as a member of the brand’s Education and Culture Team. When it comes to Kate’s own education, they have taken classes and become certified by many different brands and stylists in various techniques, including Hairskeen USA, Bellami Professional, Goldwell Academy NYC, Sharon Blaine, Ira Pope Sage, and Alex McDonald Sanchez.

Kate has had the opportunity to work with various brands at fashion shows, beauty shows, and on set, including Redken Professional, Social Art Group, Circus Couture, and Forever Curls Academy

Outside of the salon, Kate has experience working in theater as a substitute dresser for the Wig and Wardrobe department at Spiegelworld shows Opium and Atomic Saloon Show in Las Vegas, NV. Kate has taken theatrical wig classes regarding lace and hard cap wigs, including with London School of Wigmaking and wigmaster Emma Dirks.

Currently, Kate lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, with an in-salon focus on curly hair, vivid colors, and LGBTQ+ friendly services. It is Kate’s goal to continue expanding their skills in both salon and theatrical hair, and especially to grow their knowledge as a lace wigmaker.