Newest addition to our staff
Melissa
Melissa comes to us eager to learn and will be offering limited Level 1 services. Please help us welcome her to our salon. Stop by to inquire about low pricing services available with Melissa!
Darlene
Master Colorist, Master Hair Cutter
SO.CAP USA Certified Hair Extensionist
Artistic Director, Educator
Darlene has been actively involved in the hair industry for 20 + years. She won her first award while still in Cosmetology school and has been going strong ever since and has taken many awards thru the years. In the 1990’s she was known for giving the best spiral perms and cuts anywhere and drew in a perming clientele from all over the state.
At the turn of the new millennium perms were fading out and color was quickly becoming more than merely for gray coverage and frostings. Darlene’s love of color turned into a passion for learning all she could to become better than the average stylist.
She began attending educational academies, seminars, group observations, one on one classes, product knowledge events and hasn’t stopped yet. Her strong belief that continuing education is a necessity for a successful career eventually led to her becoming a NC State continuing education provider and educator. The knowledge she gains from participating in all the latest training events she eagerly shares with the many licensed cosmetologists who attend her educational classes. She also mentors new stylists just entering the wonderful world of hair.
Bright and Shiny hair color doesn't come by chance or by do-it-yourself hair color kits, although many a person has tried and ended up calling Darlene when they realize they have a mess. She’s the one to call for color correction!
This talented stylists' clients rave over her work and boast her many hair talents all across the country. Her hair cutting skills are cutting edge. After analyzing a client’s facial structure she doesn’t hesitate to design a unique and trendy look that’s just right for that individual. She is known for her versatility in the hair color world. Be it a natural look the client requests such as subtle highlights or simply gray coverage to match their own natural color or the bold and dramatic, chunky multi colors, or the vividly bright red head, Darlene can satisfy even the most finicky clients.
Clients come to Darlene from all over. While the majority of her clients are currently living in North Carolina, she has regulars that hail from as far away as Ohio, Florida, Oklahoma, New York, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia just to name a few. She has become a highly regarded and sought after stylist.
The Level System
We have developed a level system to better meet the needs of our clients. By providing our clients with choices they can best choose the needs that suit their specific needs or budget.
No matter which level stylist you choose, rest assured that our goal is to please you and give you absolutely, positively the best service!
Level 1 Stylist: Our level 1 stylists have successfully graduated cosmetology school, passed a state board exam and passed our in salon entry exam. They will work an intensive training program at our salon. Their work will be closely supervised, critiqued and thoroughly checked by a master stylist. Advanced training in the areas of communication, awareness, technique, creativity, chemistry, customer service and professionalism will be drilled into them before moving on to a Level 2 stylist. Service times with a level 1 stylist may take a little longer as we stress quality work over quantity. Pricing of services with a level 1 stylist will be the lowest of all.
Level 2 Stylist: As graduates of the level 1 program, a level 2 service provider in our salon has earned a step up the salon ladder.
She has satisfied clients in the areas of cutting and color application under the direct guidance and supervision of a master stylist. With the one on one training she has received from our master stylists she has better skills than stylists many years her senior. Her training is ongoing as she still continues to learn more about her craft. She will shadow our master stylists in order to continually advance and learn to provide the ultimate in all services. Our master stylists still watch over her work as she learns to perform more on her own, developing her creativity. She is performing haircuts with little or no assistance. Pricing of services with a Level 2 stylist will fall in the middle, higher than the apprentice but less than the masters.
Master Stylist: A Master Stylist has gone thru years of training, taken countless advanced and continuing education classes and seminars, tested and completed certification in many catagories of cutting and coloring. In addition she has many years of hands on experience in her field. She can formulate colors with the complete understanding of why this will work, (not just pot luck hope that it will work). Her knowledge of color theory is unsurpassed. Her application of color is immaculate and her cutting skills are an art of perfection. She has practiced and excelled continuously over the years. Our master stylists are mentors to other stylists, and often are educators both in salon and for outside sources including product manufacturers and state boards.
Whatever Level stylist you choose, we want you to be happy. At any time if your needs change you are welcome to change levels. You can request to drop or increase levels if your budget changes or you need or desire a more experienced stylist. We understand and no ones feelings ever get hurt if you choose to change levels. We encourage you to ask about our pricing for all levels of stylists so that you may best suit your own needs.