CHICAGO SPLASH: Who to Watch: Jillian Seely

The renowned stylist keeps the good hair days coming with the launch of her own shampoo and conditioner.

AGE: 50 LIVES IN: Lakeview

CLAIM TO FAME: One of the Windy City’s most sought-after stylists for over two decades, Seely continues to coif A-listers, while also launching her own hair care products.

RÉSUMÉ BUILDER: A lifelong love of fashion, hair, and makeup led Seely to beauty school. “I was never a good student and spent most of time looking at fashion magazines,” she says. It was the catalyst for an illustrious career working on editorial shoots, TV and movie sets, and Chicago salons; she’s worked at the famed Paul Rehder salon for nearly 20 years. From athletes to movie stars to politicians (including Chicago’s own Rahm Emanuel), Seely has cut and colored the hair of some of the biggest names in the business.

HAIR TODAY: “My philosophy? I want everyone to look their best, and leave my chair feeling better than when they sat down,” she says.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: After noticing changes in her own hair, Seely set out to create a shampoo and conditioner that could address the tress stress that comes with age — thinning, lack of shine, loss of moisture. “I thought, I can get an eye cream for fine lines and a face cream for tighter pores, but why can’t I get a shampoo that will help my hair?” she tells us of her motivation to move into product development.

BOTTLES UP: It took three years and “lots of trial and error” to nail the formulation, but Seely finally launched Hair Health by Jillian Seely Anti-Aging Shampoo and Conditioner in January (available at hairhealthbyjillianseely.com; $28-$30), and sold over 1,000 bottles in less than a month. OFF THE CLOCK: When she’s not at the salon, you can find Seely volunteering at the Misericordia home, taking Pilates classes (often with her clients), or dining with friends at classic spots like RL (115 E. Chicago) and RPM Steak (66 W. Kinzie).