NYC Style: Celebrity Hair by Luis Guillermo Duque

by Kimberly Rae Miller

Luis Guillermo Duque

Borough/Neighborhood: Chelsea, NYC
Profession: Hair stylist

Luis Guillermo, an award-winning Colombian hair stylist, received his professional training in Venezuela where he worked in one of the country's most prestigious salons. Eventually Luis ventured to Europe where worked as a hair stylist for fashion shows, magazines, and as a personal stylist for European celebrities.

In 1995 he moved to New York, and has since been busy styling the locks of celebrities like Mariah Carey, Matt Damon, John Leguizamo, Kim Cattrall, Milla Jovovich,  and Micky Rourke just to name a few.

How would you define your personal style?

I consider myself very relaxed and casual.

My work, I think is sexy, chic very comfortable.

When you're working with a client, what's your process in creating a signature style for them?

The most important is to please my client; create a look that fits the personality and bring out their best features.  I don't think about my signature style, it is about my clients and their needs.

What should we all know before going into the salon?  Questions to ask?

You should know that you have all you need to be beautiful and to get the best.

Listen to the professional [stylist] and accept their advice in order to improve yourself.

You should ask as many questions as you want…

• Do I look better if I change my hair color?
• Is my length right for my face and age?
• Are the products that I use are the right ones?
• How can I style my hair at home?

Hair trends you wish would go away?

Greasy hair… I can't stand it.

Biggest mistakes people make with their hair?  Risks people should take more?

I think lot of people abuse their hair over doing chemical process, colors, relaxers etc. Sometimes less is more.

Definitively [take] more risks when cutting your hair,  and choose the to color only if is necessary.

Favorite Five in the Five Boroughs?

I love Sephora, best treatments,  face creams, cosmetics, and amazing perfumes.

Ricky's NYC is incredible the variety of great products for hair, face and body.

Rays Beauty Supply, is best place to find any professional tools for a hairstylist.

Duane Reade pharmacy, I love that it's open 24 hours a day.  You can find so many great hair, makeup, and  body body products there.

Also, I love C.O. Bigelow Chemists on sixth avenue in the Village. It feels like I'm in Europe when I'm there!