My Story

Licensed cosmetologist Daniel Rosati relocated from Manhattan and set up shop in San Diego, where he is taming all types of manes, including cowlicky tresses of local residents.

“I like to leave hair somewhat longer, and then cut it vertically and create shorter layers, and yet at the same time give it the illusion of a one-length look,” he said.

Among Rosati’s dedicated customers are women who have gone through menopause, whose hair is affected by hormonal changes.

“Hair can change; it can lose melanin and elasticity, and may be thinner,” he said. “It might get less curly or more curly,” and some spots may have more ringlets or waves than others.

“Women’s hair may not recede...but (their curls do) all kinds of crazy things,” Rosati added.

“Everyone is different, with different hair and different personalities and lifestyles,” he further explained. “This is what makes my work so interesting. And, of course, you have to take the client’s facial structure into consideration when you consider the cut.”

Yet Rosati is up to the challenge. “Most women like easy maintenance today, and I came up with a technique for a cut that requires no maintenance; it can just air dry,” he said.

Rosati has had plenty of time to perfect his methods. He first entered the profession as a barber with his father, Charles, who is still cutting men’s hair in New Jersey. Working in a Puerto Rican and Italian neighborhood, Rosati became accustomed to handling curly hair. He gained additional experience working with top stylists in New York, such as the renowned Frederic Fekkai and Stephen Knoll.

“I got into the trade to do men’s hair, but eventually I turned into being a unisex stylist,” Rosati said. Several months ago, Rosati arrived on the West Coast. While he works in San Diego, he continues to own a salon in Princeton, N.J.

Rosati said his clients often seek his advice on the most flattering style.
“I like to get to know them, and I love helping women look beautiful,” he said. “If a client looks better, she will feel better.”

And Rosati emphasizes that he also cuts men’s hair, preferring to use the scissors-over-comb technique rather than clippers.