When I first stepped into Chaz Dean’s Hollywood compound I didn’t know what to expect. My knowledge of the celebrity hair stylist was minimal—I knew him mostly from his late-night infomercials. As a writer for nearly two decades—much of that as a Hollywood events editor and red carpet reporter—I’ve had my share of celebrity encounters. Still, I wondered what he would be like, and if he really was a great stylist. Driving to Hollywood, I passed his legendary billboards. Dean started his hair care company Wen in 2000 at his then-salon in Los Angeles, but he didn’t formally launch it to the public until 2001. As an L.A. native, I feel like his Wen billboards, which he regularly updates with new photos of himself, are part of the unique fabric of our sprawling city.
After missing the turn into the obscure-from-the-outside compound, I found street parking and took it, not knowing I would be there for nearly the entire day. I headed toward the gates off Fountain Avenue and mistakenly walked into his bungalow and spotted Dean—tall, handsome, looking somehow younger than ever—along with three other stylists (eight currently work at the L.A. location) and their clients, with assistants buzzing around. It was orchestrated chaos, but the type that you’d expect from any celebrity salon. His three large Labrador Retrievers lounged nearby, waiting for a walk.
I greeted Dean, who was with another client, and quickly realized I walked through the wrong side, bypassing the salon’s front desk. He ever so kindly told me which way to go to check in and get a robe. As I left through another bungalow door and stepped outside, it was like walking out into a sanctuary.
A Buddha statue stood ahead, fountains trickled and bamboo swayed—all placed intentionally, with Dean’s unmistakable perfectionism. I followed the serene path to the main bungalow, a breezy open-air space with a small boutique stocked with Wen products—there are currently more than 800 SKUs. Dean personally develops the scents and essential oils for his seasonal lines, all manufactured in L.A. After greeting the receptionist, I returned to Dean’s bungalow, where his dogs kept me company on the sofa. Dean’s infomercial (a new one!) played on the TV above, until it was my turn in the chair.
Dean has a magnetic yet peaceful presence—charismatic, but also commanding in a busy salon. Many of his clients have been with him for decades. Before I sat down, he mentioned that we were live on TikTok (he streams all day) and pointed to another camera filming content. He knew exactly how to play to the viral age: People want to see who’s in his chair, hear the gossip of course, and find out what’s happening behind the scenes.
I was surprised to see Dean himself still booking clients on Saturdays, back-to-back (he continues taking on new clients), cutting and coloring hair long after the rise of his infomercials and QVC stardom two decades ago.
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We went over my plan—just a root touch-up and gloss—before one of his assistants led me upstairs for before-and-after photos. Ring lights and a white backdrop made it clear Dean is meticulous about documenting transformations. His desk held thank-you cards, Wen products and photos (many with his dogs). After taking countless photos and videos, Dean mixed my custom color (kept on file for future visits) and applied it. He explained that he created his own line because he believed traditional formulas lifted too much from the hair. His same philosophy inspired Wen: an alternative to shampoo, which he is against and believes strips natural oils—his cleansing conditioner became the brand’s staple.
While my color processed, I relaxed outside among the fountains and plants. Then came something unexpected: Dean’s handmade salad and teas. His cucumber mint iced tea is famous with clients, and the salad was something I wish he would sell. Vegan, Dean prepares teas, soups and salads using herbs and vegetables from his garden, complete with two homemade dressings. He even walked me through the dizzying amount of healthy ingredients he uses, tucked away in the back kitchen.
Once my hair was ready, another stylist washed out the gloss, applied a nourishing Re-Moist treatment hair mask and gave me a soothing rinse before I returned to Dean’s bungalow for a dream blowout. Nearly six hours later, I had the full Chaz Dean experience. Throughout, I learned that Dean, who lives nearby, is constantly on the move—seeing clients between his L.A. and NY salons, spending time at his Pennsylvania home (near the QVC headquarters, where they film) and making continual QVC appearances.
Dean’s energy and the serene atmosphere of his Hollywood space were contagious. I left not just looking my best but feeling it too. His “compound” felt less like a salon and more like an oasis hidden from busy Hollywood streets.
A master in every way—from his well-trained dogs to his vibrant garden, from his healthy dressings to his personalized cuts and colors—Chaz Dean has created more than a salon. He’s built a sanctuary, a lifestyle and a brand that explains why, decades later, we all still know his name, whether from TV, TikTok or a towering WeHo billboard.
Haircuts start at $300, color glossing starts at $275, highlights start at $400 and Re-Moist treatments are $50.