When it comes to hair, Mikael Padilla's passion is working with natural pigment. He believes that hair color should be within two shades of its natural color. His philosophy is, “it may not be your natural color, but it should look like it is".
After relocating to NYC to follow his dream, Mikael began his career assisting famed stylist Garren, who introduced him to the world of high fashion through photo shoots and editorials. While working with Garren and other top talent like master colorist Christopher John Zerebny at Garren NY, Mikael gained vital in–salon experience and an in–depth understanding of clients’ daily needs, which landed his start of an a-list celebrity client list such as Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Coolidge, Karolina Kurkova and Amanda Peet, Adriana Lima. Four years later in 2003 Mikael met superstar stylist Sally Hershberger on a shoot and Mikael was the second colorist hired at the highly anticipated opening of the Sally Hershberger Downtown Salon, where he was mentored by Sally herself and his clientle continued to grow adding Naomi Watts, Gina Gershon, Kate Moss,Carey Lowell and Trish Goff to name a few.
Three years later Mikael was ready for a west coast adventure, Mikael moved to Los Angeles and continued working with Sally at West Hollywood hot spot, Sally Hershberger _ John Freida Salon where his clientele again grew and again adding more celebritys like Rachael McAdams, Paris Hilton, and Morgan Spurlock. Beginning in 2006, Mikael signed with the prestigious Cloutier Agency in Santa Monica who also repped stylists' like Enzo Angileri and Mitch Stone, doing editorial work, fashion shows, tv apperances with such talent as Fergie and The Misshapes, and shooting with photographers like Kenneth Capello.
Known for using the European brushed-on highlight technique known as" Balayage" or "Painting", Padilla gives blondes sun kissed strands and the locks of brunettes warmth and dimension. Padilla now perfects his craft by splitting his time with three weeks in Denver where Mikael is opening MIKAEL PADILLA SALON coming 1/2/10 and one week in Los Angeles where he naturally transforms and creates the best look he perceives for each individual client. Padilla creates a look as natural as a child's hair, but adds a dynamic edge to it, constructing an eye-catching and remarkable design. He is a master of blending style with timeless technique, and is an artist at creating just the right shade for everyone who sits in his chair. Whether it is the perfect baby blonde, a deep mahogany brown, or a fantastic cedar red, you can spot Mikael's signature look from a mile away.
2007-2009 Mikael was the CELEBRITY COLORIST SPOKESPERSON for WELLA PROFESSIONALS.
2008-present Mikael is on the "EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD" for Launchpad's The Colorist Magazine.
In addition to color, he mastered the keratin blow out one and a half years ago. This process irons a blend of keratin, silica and panthenol into the hair, resulting in smooth, more manageable locks for up to 16 weeks.
