Meet Kari Daniels, hairstylist and true artist. In the sea of professionals in San Diego, Kari is making waves. She continues to set herself apart by staying ahead of trends and continuously honing her detailed and unique eye. She has redefined haircutting – perfecting the art of using face shapes and facial features to cutting, styling and color techniques in order to achieve the ideal look for each individual client. Currently, she resides as a hairstylist at the cutting edge, trend-forward Richard Joseph Salon located in eclectic Hillcrest.
Cutting hair is more than meets the eye…
One of her favorite professors in cosmetology school always said “ we are of the few people that have a license to touch people, and there is nothing more powerful than the human touch.” Kari takes this privilege seriously – forming connections with each and every client on a personal level. She treats her clients like extended family. Kari’s clients not only call her their hairstylist, but their “hairapyst. “ She loves going to work every day to spend time with them – making them feel great about themselves through the unique styles she creates.
The early days…
Kari was almost born with scissors in hand – figuring out her passion for hair as a child. Kari was always creative and artistic – drawing, painting and sculpting with clay as well as experimenting with her own personal style. A visit to her sister’s friend’s cosmetology school solidified that her canvas would be the head – her art performed on hair. Kari earned a degree from Deloux College of Cosmetology and was quickly hired as an apprentice at a high end Salon In San Diego, CA. She continued her professional education, attending Los Angeles based ABBA Academy for advanced haircutting, coloring, and styling. Her extensive education also includes seminars and hands on workshops from moguls in the industry including Vidal Sassoon, Redken, Tony and Guy, Jingles International, Sebastian, Brazilian Blowout, Aveda, and American Crew for Men. Kari also holds certifications with many brands of hair extensions using only the finest Remy hair.
25 years in the making…
For Kari, success came at a steady pace over two decades. And, Kari attributes her achievements and contributions in the industry to her unwavering passion, dedication and ongoing pursuit to learning, growing and evolving with the many changes and advances in hair care over the years. And she has seen and done a lot – living and working through the 80’s and 90’s when crazy perms and edgy short hair were all the rage to today where Balayage (French meaning to sweep) is her favorite. “Balayage is true artistry. “ It has brought out the artist in me to be loose and creative with coloring – especially with all the different fun, funky colors and color melting!!!! People aren’t afraid of color anymore which is so much fun!!!!!”
Professional Accolades…
Kari will admit that she’s obsessed with styling hair for model shoots, runway, fashion shoots and print work. She loves all kinds of styling from edgy and trendy, classic, Avant-garde and vintage styling. This year her work has been on three covers and featured in multi-page spreads in several magazines including Pump Magazine featuring Sherry Mattia of Glamarella Couture jewelry design, Latina Magazine featuring Meghan Edmonds of The Real Housewives Of Orange County, and most recently, Luxury Trending Magazine featuring the gorgeous Latina Actress Adriana Fonseca, soap opera star, dancer and theatrical actress.
Moving into 2018, Kari is thrilled to be included on San Francisco based renowned photographer, Vincent Gotti’s team of artists. As part of this world-class team, her work will be published in Los Angeles based Pump Magazine and on the cover of National Latina Magazine. She is also included on the artistic team of Columbian based Edward R. Rueda, CEO and founder at Publicom, Latina Editorial Group and Dodigitall Group which includes Luxury Trending Magazine.
Personally speaking…
Kari lives by the quote “ Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you make others feel after an experience with you becomes your trademark. “ It is clear that Kari thrives in this fast paced, creative, social career, which has allowed her personality to shine and also afforded her the freedom to raise two boys as a single mom. When not behind the stylists chair, you won’t find her in San Diego – she’ll be traveling and exploring the world, creating memories with her sons.
Photographer: BECKI FREES LEGACY PHOTOGRAPHY