We’re looking forward to introducing you to Leilani Passarelli. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Leilani, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’m the type of person who thrives with routines & the first 90 minutes of my day is a perfect example of that. I start every morning by taking my (almost) 12 year old dog, Toki, on a 30 minute walk around our beautiful neighborhood. Once we get home I make a cup of tea, turn on Healing Frequency Vibrations on YouTube (think relaxing harmonies & whimsical visuals), then settle in to read my current book for about an hour. Toki, of course, joins me on the couch for reading time snuggles.
The combination of starting my day with exercise & fresh air, plus being able to enjoy my favorite hobby of reading, all while enjoying quality time with my aging dog (and husband on weekends) ~ truly helps me begin each day with grounded gratitude & a clear mind.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
In the early 2000’s I was a teenager, born and raised in a small town in Hawaii called Kahalu’u, who suddenly discovered the world of art & fashion. I became obsessed with the revelation that there are endless ways to express who you are through the clothes you wear, the makeup you paint on your face, and the hair you adorn yourself with. I started doing hair in 2007 & my focus then and now has always been to help people achieve on the outside – how they feel on the inside. A year later, I left Hawaii with two suitcases & 2k in the bank, to come to California & make my dreams come true.
For the past 11 years I’ve built and fostered my personal business, Leilani Hair Pixie, in the wonderful University Heights neighborhood of San Diego. In that time, I’ve learned a lot about the positive impact hairstylists can have in their clients lives. Not only do I get to help my clients feel good about how they physically present themselves to the world, but I also get to provide a safe/judgement free zone for them to speak of anything that’s on their mind. In a world that now seems to be constantly moving at a thousand miles an hour, having one on one time with someone who truly listens is something special.
The next step in my career path is to begin sharing what I’ve learned with people who are new to the hair industry and/or those who aren’t new but struggle to build a strong clientele. With the rise of social media, there are endless ways to educate yourself about the technical aspects of doing hair. Yet the reason any of us have careers, is also because of the relationships we are able to form with the people in our chairs. In 2026, I’m very excited to be launching my education program called “The Psychology of Hairstyling”, to merge the importance of skill set and human relationships.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For many years, like most overachievers, I thought that burning myself out was the only way to be successful. But, the commitment to my career – the late nights, 50+ hour work weeks, living & breathing everything Hair – got me to where I am today. I have very recently decided to release that version of myself to make room for a work/life balance that will continue to breed success, just in a way that nurtures the new stage of life I’m in.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
In my mid-20’s I was diagnosed with both Crohn’s Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. For the first few years, my life was an endless loop of doctors, hospitals, shame, and depression. Autoimmune diseases are often considered “invisible diseases”, because from the outside most people can’t see the war that’s happening inside of you. It’s very isolating and I learned very quickly that people can be quite dismissive and uncaring about health issues they don’t bother to try to understand. So, I pretended I was okay, a lot. It honestly took me about 10 years to see the power in my pain and to appreciate the beautiful empathy it created within me. Through many lifestyle and mindset shifts, I’ve been able to live without medication or medical emergencies for a number of years now. But I am now very open about my pain, the journey I’ve been on, and how it feels to have your body let you down at such a young age. This openness has helped me form so many connections to other people who also suffer from chronic illnesses, and I love sharing my journey with them. Even if the only takeaway of that is that they feel a little less alone in their struggle.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Being born and raised in Hawaii, there are many cultural values that I live my life by. However, the one that has always sat deepest in my heart is Mālama. Simply put, this means to care for, protect, and cherish with love. It’s about tending to the land, your environment, relationships, and culture to sustain and enrich the world around you.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
It seems bold of me to assume I understand anything that most people don’t, so instead I’ll note an observation I’ve come to realize. Everyone is currently living the only life they get, so they should truly live it the way they want to. People spend so much time and energy judging the way other people choose to present themselves – hair, makeup, fashion, tattoos, ect. When really, you should always just be YOU and practice appreciating people who do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leilanihairpixie.com
- Instagram: @leilani.hair.pixie
