Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Lindh
Hi Daniela, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Northern Sweden in the 90’s. My mother’s side is Swedish, and my father’s side is Sicilian. I was very creative from a young age and loved to sketch, paint, and sculpt with various materials. My favorite subjects in school was everything between woodwork, to textiles, music, and art.
I decided to apply to hairdressing school in my hometown, Umeå. Right after I graduated, I got hired at Hårizont, where I had done all my internship as a student from the second year in school. I am grateful for the opportunities that came my way at the salon, where continuous education was always emphasized. Over the years, I have expanded my knowledge in various areas of hair, attending classes in London, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and beyond. My passion for hair extensions has always been my driving force, and I have furthered my education with brands such as Hairtalk, Gocciani, and Rapunzel of Sweden.
At just 23 years old, I had dedicated myself to my career since the age of 18, balancing work, relationships, and personal growth with determination and dedication.
I had a boyfriend, a successful career, and a stunning city apartment. Everything one could desire, yet I felt a yearning for more. While my friends were starting families and settling down, I knew deep down that I wanted to explore the world and live abroad. My heart was set on moving to an English-speaking country, and after much contemplation, I made the bold decision to pursue my dreams.
I was all set to take a comprehensive course at Sassoon Academy in London for a while. But then I realized that the weather there wasn’t too appealing, especially since I was coming from another rainy and cold climate. However, I discovered that the same course was offered at their Academy in Santa Monica. It was only a month long and cost around $4000 in 2015. As I thought about it more, I realized that a month might not be enough time to truly experience living abroad rather than just visiting. Plus, I wanted to expand my knowledge beyond just hair.
Being a hairdresser can take a toll on your body and it’s hard to predict how long you’ll be able to keep going in this industry. After careful consideration, I chose to apply at Santa Monica College instead of Sassoon Academy because the tuition fees were similar. I asked my employer for time off to study Business Merchandising abroad for one semester but ended up staying for a second semester and then another year. Surprisingly, I’m still here after 9 years.
Throughout this journey, I’ve explored various professions and jobs, but I always kept doing hair on the side to stay updated with skills, trends, and techniques. I simply love doing hair and meeting new people.
After freelancing for many years while working a full-time job, I finally took the leap last year and resigned from my management position to pursue my passion. Within just one year of dedicating myself fully to hair, I managed to secure my own Salon Suite at Salon Republic in West Hollywood.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am now has been far from smooth. Growing up, I started learning English in school at the age of 7. I immersed myself in American TV shows, movies, and music, thinking I would be well-versed in the culture before I moved here. However, I quickly realized that Scandinavia and the United States are very different in terms of mentality, gender roles, expectations, laws, ethics, religion(s), food, and humor. My sarcastic sense of humor, which people understood back home, wasn’t always well-received here.
As a child, I used to think my Italian father had no sense of humor. He never laughed at my jokes and just didn’t “get it.” However, my move to the United States made me realize that understanding humor goes beyond language proficiency. Jokes are often based on childhood experiences, traditions, culture, religion, politics, and pop culture. Even after 9 years, I still find myself clueless when my American friends share jokes.
Integrating with the culture has been an intriguing journey. As an immigrant, navigating different visas has been a real challenge. The process of updating your status between student, OPT, green card, and so on is always nerve-wracking. It can take months to receive updates, leaving you stuck in limbo. This can be stressful, especially when you think about the possibility of needing to travel due to a family emergency. It also limits your ability to plan for the future, as you never know if your visa will be approved or if you’ll have to give up everything you’ve built.
I’ve had to say goodbye to too many friends who couldn’t get their visas approved or extended. I consider myself lucky to have made it this far.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in hair extensions, especially curly hair extensions, using techniques like invisible beads, tape-in, and individuals. I also offer organic keratin treatments for frizz-free and smooth hair.
Growing up with curly hair, I understand the struggle of having a good hair day. Being half Italian, my curly hair was different from my Swedish friends’ fine, straight, and blonde hair. I always felt like my hair looked messy compared to theirs. I remember going to the hairdresser as a kid and wanting “yellow and red” highlights like Geri from Spice Girls (even though they were actually blonde highlights). I guess I could already spot a brassy blonde back then. Ha!
Unfortunately, my curly hair didn’t reflect the highlights well. My best friend had also gotten highlights done, and hers looked great. I was so sad and upset about my curls. And it felt like it was never growing beyond a certain point until it was time to get a trim. I sometimes left the salon crying, feeling like I looked like a curly poodle.
Dealing with curly hair can be challenging, but my personal experience and education have led me to make a career out of providing solutions. I take pride in offering various techniques and services to enhance clients’ natural beauty. Growing up, I discovered my passion for creativity and working with my hands. Each head of hair is a canvas for me, and I’m grateful to help others boost their confidence with beautiful, natural-looking hair and hair extensions.
Continued education is still very important to me to keep myself motivated and inspired.
I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by Anastasia K Los Angeles, a renowned Hair Extension specialist and coach for hairstylists. In 2024, I was handpicked by Caitlin Meehan, the founder of Blú Smart Tools and curriculum Co-Creator for Bellami Hair Extensions, to attend an extensive hair extension class in Philadelphia. I also received education on Lana Phan’s successful invisible bead method, which is now my go-to technique for most clients. I recently returned from Las Vegas after completing a training session at Hair Lingerie headquarters with the founder, Kiara Bailey. I am thrilled to announce that I am now a certified Hair Lingerie Specialist, offering top-of-the-line hair extensions and a revolutionary system that surpasses anything I have previously encountered.
I’m proud of myself for always working hard, being open-minded, and taking action, which has allowed me to meet fascinating people and embrace opportunities (that may not always turn out as expected). However, I believe that even a negative experience can still be valuable, as it helps me grow wiser and stronger.
One person who has had a significant impact on me is Joe Torrenueva, a highly successful men’s hair designer from the 60’s. He has been an incredible source of knowledge, teaching me the importance of building strong relationships with clients and advancing in both my career and personal life. Currently, I am collaborating with Joe on a mini-series for my social media channels, where he shares his success and stories from 60’s Hollywood.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I absolutely adore collaborating with fellow creatives, and that’s one of the reasons why I love living in LA. It’s like a playground for like-minded individuals who love to create. I thoroughly enjoy working on various creative projects with models, photographers, and more.
Having amazing clients brings me so much joy. It brightens my day when they share pictures after visiting me, send me texts expressing their love for their hair, and even refer me to their loved ones. These sweet messages from happy clients inspire me to keep pushing forward and doing more.
Another passion of mine is educating others. Through my work with Amitys USA, I provide education on organic smoothing treatments that are free from harmful chemicals. I would be thrilled to collaborate with more hairdressers in Los Angeles, allowing them to offer healthier options for clients seeking keratin treatments.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielahair.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danie.la.hair?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551772917249&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanieLAHair33
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/Z1JLCn7
Image Credits
Amina Touray
Clara Juhlin
