This month, we’re celebrating an Oway stylist whose incredible skill and creativity never fail to inspire us and our #HolisticHairTribe. His unique approach to color and hair design has earned him a loyal client base who consider him as one of the best stylists in San Francisco, CA. Meet Daniel Aydelott of HoxtonTom Salon!

Tell us how you started your career as a hair stylist.

My career in hair began 9 years ago, but my love for color has been lifelong.  I have always been very affected by color.  My very first job was at 15, I was painting car parts!  I went to different colleges and majored in different areas of art. I became a freelance makeup artist, then got my cosmetology license to be more “well-rounded.”  I fell in love with hair color!  It could transform a person in a more permanent way than makeup could.

I stayed in the San Francisco area and became a “good” hairstylist.  I wanted to become a “great” hair colorist.  A dear friend of mine went to the renowned diPietro Todd Salons and told me to come along.  There, I started over as an assistant in an intense, 3-year color-specialist program.  After that, I worked as a colorist for them in their Silicon Valley salon in Palo Alto for a while. As blessed as I was, I had developed several allergies and sensitivities, from food, to fragrance, to color!  I would go home and wake up with migraines, rashes, hives and respiratory issues. After an intense car accident, I moved to a salon closer to where I lived. I planned to be my own boss, where I could control what I was exposed to.  Two of my dear friends Glenn Svetich and Jennifer Ross, who are also specialists and educators, opened Hoxton Tom Salon in San Francisco. Their goal was just like mine: to create a salon environment that was nontoxic, and keep the art of hairdressing elevated. I jumped on board with them and have been there since!

How did you discover Oway? What made you decide to switch to the Organic Way of life?

I had already began moving towards an organic and holistic lifestyle. My friends called me the “Bubble Boy” because of all my allergies. I discovered Oway through my friend Jennifer Ross. She began a holistic approach before I did and had already been working with the Simply Organic Beauty family. After research and testing Hcolor, I was blown away that a color line could be so clean and actually work! I leave the salon everyday able to breath, without skin irritations, and happy that I can still give my clients the results they are used to.

Who are the people who have inspired you to become a hair stylist?

At first it was people I had never met!  I knew their imagery: Vidal Sassoon, Annie Humphreys, Antionette Beenders, Vivienne Mackinder, Garren, the Mascolo men and so many more. After joining diPietro Todd and working with a few industry celebrities, they became my mentors and inspirers: Emily Kern, Cares Mills, Erica Campbell, Shelly Mohr, Sarah Classen-Taylor and so many more!  They taught me things I never knew. They taught me to master the rules…and then break them!

If you weren’t a hairdresser, what else would you do?

I would be a baker. I love food, I love to cook, and I LOVE to eat! There are so many parallels between baking and coloring: the precision, the timing, the measuring and quality of your product!

Do you have a signature hairstyle/color that you enjoy doing? Which Oway products are you drawn to the most?

Personally I enjoy doing all colors and techniques, and make sure to keep a variety in my work. I am known for always creating dimension with any tone, and for my blondes. Nothing colored in nature is solid! The Oway products I’m drawn to are Oway Hbleach, Hcolor and the whole Hsystem!

Which 3 Oway products do you think should be a staple in every client’s hair care regimen?

Oway Micro-stimulating Hair Bath, Moisturizing Hair Mask, and Glossy Nectar.  Every client will always need a healthy scalp, hydrated hair, shine and heat protection. Healthy hair holds on to color better too!

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career so far?

My biggest challenge has always been balance between work and home life. If you are unbalanced in one, it shows up in the other. Our clients can feel that. I am constantly learning how to improve that balance so that I can be 100% present for each client and avoid becoming disenchanted or burned out.

Your hair color ideas are so unique! Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspirations come from everywhere! Art exhibits, nature, crafts, dreams, food, coworkers, clients, Instagram…You have to be in a state of play to create!

In an industry where following trends is common, what advice can you give to other stylists on how to find their very own style?

Make sure you master the Classic/Foundation Techniques! Trends are great; they will always come and but they will always go. They show us different perspectives. Trends, however, are just variations of Classic Techniques. Trends change – they are recycled, renamed and they are not always appropriate on every face shape, skin type or hair type.

Know the rules before you break them. Know why something reacts the way that it does. By mastering the Classic Techniques, you can be on trend, predict new trends, or make your own!

If you were to do a famous person’s hair, who would it be? Why?

I can’t answer this one! If they have good energy, and want healthy beautiful color, come and see me!