Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Dean McDaniel
Hi Larry Dean, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My subconscious love for hair was ignited at the age of 19 upon attending my first Sasson precision hair-cutting class. At that moment all I knew I wanted to do was hair. I wanted to do everyone’s hair! My life became centered on learning everything I could about hairdressing. I attended beauty school daily and after hours worked as an assistant and receptionist at a salon. Upon getting my license I worked for about a decade behind the chair in Huntington Beach Orange County. There I began to assist under great team of salon hairdressers named: Louis Gonzalez, Bonnie Subnick, Anthony Camacho, Gina Beamon, Ann Sacks, Robin Lansford and Lizzy Richardi. Their strong and well rounded skills in “behind the chair” hairdressing, gave me great foundations in cutting, chemical, and styling of hair, along with other skills. With great blessing I met legendary makeup artist Sharon Gault at a fashion show, while I was hair assisting Sean James, Sharon Gault took me to David La Chapelle Photo Studio to continue as an assistant. It was there that David La Chapelle kindly recommended and introduced me to two of his brilliant hairdressers,
Clyde Haygood and Laurent Philippon. My world of hair changed forever, and my mind was opened even more.These master hairdressers mentioned above gave me exposure to French technique and unorthodox hairdressing. Training me in proper placement, and visual proportion, with both poetic and strict attitudes toward hairdressing. And I am forever grateful. And I LOVE DOING HAIR!
I had the fortunate opportunity to work with Daphne Guinness, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, Pamela Anderson, Paris Jackson, Courtney Love, Lady Gaga, Cheri Oteri, Molly Shannon, Sarah Silverman, Alec Baldwin, as well as other high-profile individuals. After being on set, going on tour, working on music videos, editorial and film for another decade I felt like I had made it; my career was fulfilled. I began to miss behind-the-chair hairdressing so I decided to build salon clientele again. I began to realize the importance of practicing both “behind the chair” and freelance hairdressing and that doing both is such a gift, I couldn’t have one without the other. This serving combination was revealed to me while navigating the pandemic when everything STOPPED. This dramatic pause gave me the opportunity to follow my heart and make a living the only way I knew how…. DOING HAIR !
After a long search, I was introduced to a man named Ryan Boyd who was looking to pass the torch to me as a younger hairdresser in this very special salon that is truly a hidden gem. Running my first commercial space for my hairdressing atelier brought a return of the same spark and excitement of that 19-year-old kid… hairdressing arrived again. Ive had three years in this special place, I Love every minute of it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing good comes easy. You don’t know you have a problem until you realize you have a problem and I stayed at the party a little longer than I should have. I was working at a high level and growing in my career but so was my addiction. The struggle was the progression of my alcoholism which was clear when I began experiencing the negative realities of addiction. 7 years ago I was forced to choose between a path of destruction or to grow in my life and career. I choose life & sobriety instead and everything I have today is a gift of my sobriety.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I LOVE DOING HAIR ! Hair Coloring, Hair cutting , and hairstyling. I make people look great and feel great in the salon and on session set work! I am more over grateful than proud of the wonderful experiences I’ve had in and out of the salon for the last 23 years. I am not focused on what sets me apart from the others but more so on my own hair journey. Focusing on creating a seamless and excellent experience to the best of my ability.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in Huntington Beach Orange County. I was raised in a full house with a Lot of Love both of my Parents were hardworking people. My grandparents and aunts and uncles along with all of my cousins were always around, as we all lived in Huntington beach not too far away from each other. My Mexican American Grandparents ( on mamas side) Were very hard working people and would always have the family over all the time. As a child I introverted myself most of the time, as much as I possibly could. I would create little worlds for myself and get lost into my leggos building and creating, until my mother would come and encourage me to join in with the other children. I didn’t know I was an artist back then…. it is just how I am. I also had a passion for classical music in my adolescent years as a Flautist. I played for 10years seriously. I would love to go into my room and I would just get lost in my sheet music practice. I would play for hours and hours. I remember my mother buying my first flute and she looked at me and said “you better practice !” , She didn’t really have the extra money for buying that instrument. So I knew I better be the best…. and I was. I was raised that if you are going to do something that you are to do it with honesty and integrity and to the best of your ability from beginning to end…. all the way, no matter what! I still apply this discipline to my life today. I was also a swimmer and a water polo player in High school where I learned to compete.But when it was time to go to college I chose beauty school instead. And that’s where my journey began.
Pricing:
- Haircut $150.00
- Hair coloring starts @ $150.00 per process
- Highlights starts @ 250.00
- Blowdry/ Styling starts @$50.00
- Cezzanne keratin smoothing treatment starts @ 350.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ldmhairinc.com
- Instagram: @ldmhair
