Renowned celebrity stylist Danny Jelaca is an expert in the art of creating gorgeous hair. Jelaca originally hails from Chicago, and has spent the last two decades working in South Beach, spending 13 years as the Styling Director at the notable Stella Salon. His dedicated following includes South Florida’s social elite and celebrities and dignitaries around the globe.You’ve seen his styles on celebrity beauties like Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Milla Jovovich, Padma Lakshmi, Naomi Campbell, and many more.
He’s also spent time behind the scenes prepping models for the runways of some of the biggest names included Emilio Pucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, and more. He’s been featured in the glossy pages of numerous magazines, including Allure, Elle, Lucky, InStyle, and Self. Most recently, he’s opened the Danny Jelaca salon in South Beach’s South Pointe neighborhood.
FutureDerm: When did you decide to be a stylist?
Danny Jelaca: I decided right out of school. I was 20.
FD: Would you tell us a bit about how you became an expert stylist?
DJ: I was born with natural talent. I had the best training under Horst Rechelbacher, Martin Parson, Ray Chivello, Jingles, Judith Gold, Luis Guy D and Stella salon. I did my initial training with Horst education center in Minneapolis. Now called Aveda Institute.
FD: What’s it like to do hair at a fashion show?
DJ: It’s very exciting. You get the hair directives from the designer, [and] then execute the style — and managing the team is exciting. Working with hairpieces and models. Also being on a time crunch is exciting.
FD: What’s the most avant-garde style you’ve ever created?
DJ: Probably my modern beehive
FD: What’s your personal hair care routine?
DJ: I cut and color every two weeks. And I use [Leonor Greyl] Éclat Naturelle ($36, amazon.com).
FD: What are some of the biggest hair trends we can look forward to in 2014?
DJ: New ombré with chunky selected pieces and personalized highlights. Long bob haircuts with shattered ends. And bangs of all sorts.
FD: What’s your favorite hair care ingredient right now?
DJ: Silk protein and seaweed extract
FD: What ingredients should FutureDerm readers avoid in shampoo and conditioner?
DJ: Sodium laurel sulfate, parabens, and most of all silicone.
FD: What ingredients should they look for?
DJ: All natural ingredients with natural emollient. Palm oil.
FD: We’ve had a few articles about how often you should wash your hair. Do you think there’s a general rule of thumb for how often in a week someone should suds up?
DJ: If you are active you should wash every day! You should not leave sweat in your hair. There are plenty of shampoos gentle for that purpose. If you are not active, 2-3 times a week is sufficient.
FD: What are some of the biggest hair care mistakes you see people making?
DJ: Over processing their color. Using cheap product that strip the scalp and hair.
DJ: What sorts of questions should FutureDerm readers ask their stylists when they walk into a salon?
DJ: What is good for the health of the hair, treatments, products, [and] color.
FD: If FutureDerm readers have $100 to spend on hair care products, what would you recommend they invest it in?
DJ: A shampoo, conditioner, and a leave-in conditioner.
FD: What are some common misconceptions about hair care products?
DJ: That they are all the same. Some are highly superior!
We asked and Danny told us the three products he’d highly recommend for FutureDerm Readers:
Leonor Greyl Masque Quintessence ($135, amazon.com), which revitalizes, regenerates, and repairs the most damaged hair.
Leonor Greyl Condition Naturelle ($31, amazon.com) as a heat protecting, volumizing styling spray / leave-in conditioner.
Leonor Greyl Serum De Soie Sublimateur ($39, amazon.com), which detangles, prevents frizz, protects, and nourishes as a hair styling serum
FD: What’s the difference between a salon product and a drugstore product?
DJ: Drugstore products are loaded with silicone, detergent, and fragrance. Nothing that is good for your hair. They spend on marketing and packaging.
FD: Is there anything you think FutureDerm readers should know about hair, salons, styling, etc.?
DJ: Keep your hair in good condition. That is always number one. Not to abuse it. Baby it when it’s wet. Don’t wear ponytails in wet hair, don’t overlap or over process color. Don’t go more than two shades lighter — it’s too damaging. Don’t wear clip-on extensions for too long. Anything damaging will show. It’s always sexier to have a good cut and color with style on healthy hair.
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