Donovan Mills Hair

“Beauty draws us with a single hair.” ~Alexander Pope

Your choice of mate, spouse, lawyer, doctor and accountant are very important. But in many ways, none may come close to your selection of a hairdresser.

It’s a fact that a great haircut can enhance one’s self-confidence and bring one’s self- image into focus. A smart hair styling can send you out of the salon brimming with joy and vigor that can last for months at a time. It can attract and influence people, as well as bolster your energy, drive and successes in all aspects of life.

When you land yourself in the chair of a hairdresser, you are putting your head—and by extension, significant aspects of your life—in the stylist’s hands.

Donovan is a guy you’d do well to trust with you head of hair. Hairstyling is not a job for this man. It is his life’s passion.

“My love for hair is grounded in my desire to make people feel and look better,” says Donovan. “For me, doing hair is an art form. I work with my hands and sculpt in a way that will benefit my clients’ head shape, facial features and lifestyle.”

Donovan’s passion for his work was born of a similar passion held by his mother. She too is a hairstylist, and she has been his inspiration.

Growing up in Portland, Oregon under his mother’s tutelage, young Donovan gained a knack for hairdressing at the age of 17. In 2003 he moved to Southern California, kicking off his career in the field as a student at Toni & Guy Academy in Orange Country.

Upon graduation, he was taken under the wing of the Umberto Salon in Beverly Hills for a year of formal training with seasoned professionals.

It was then that Donovan met Anh Co Tran and was invited to join his team. Donovan traveled the country working as Anh’s lead assistant, finally becoming a senior stylist at Ramirez|Tran Salon.

Cutting hair dry is what he does 98% of the time because of the natural effect it has. “My approach is focused on knowing the cowlicks, hair growth patterns and natural fall of the hair. That’s the reason I do dry cuts—to get the natural fall and movement of the hair, and finally the haircut grows out beautifully into the look we want.”

Donovan’s philosophy is unique: He works from the inside out. Not only does he tend to the top of his clients’ heads—he gets inside of them, too! Establishing a rapport with people is critical to what he does, getting a sense of his clients, their lifestyles and personalities, which he adapts to the cuts and styles he fashions for their hair.

“It’s all about listening and understanding in what the clients want,” says Donovan, “providing the service in a professional manner to not only make them feel comfortable, look better and most importantly build their confidence, but to have them come back and begin building that relationship through trust and loyalty ... all because of one amazing experience in my chair!”

Humor plays an important part in the process. “I think all my clients know I have a good sense of humor. I try and make them laugh at least once through the visit. I feel it brings a sense of comfort.”
In the end, for Donovan, it’s all about bettering people’s lives.

“Being a stylist in this industry gives me a sense of peace. Through my love of hair styling, I’m able to conquer the looks that best suit my clients and, hopefully along the way, change lives in a positive manner.”