Of all the annoyances that accompany a move, finding someone to cut your hair must rank down there in the ninth circle of hell (the eighth is dealing with moving companies). Must be why I just got my hair cut fir the first time in six months.
I have lived places where I never really found a stylist I jived with — State College, PA, for one — and I have lived in cities where my stylist became privy to the most intimate details of my life — my girl Cookie at VSL in Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.
But ugh, finding a new stylist is a careful dance of diplomacy and consumer service.
And so, since this blog sometimes becomes a stomping ground for newcomers to Salem, I offer you a story of how I found mine: Viola, a dark-haired Mexican woman who talks it up at Bella Vita Salon and Day Spa, located behind the Starbucks on Liberty Street (no, not that Starbucks, the other one, in the Liberty Plaza).
Step 1: Ask people who have good hair where they go. This is kind of difficult in Salem, land of burocrat bobs, home to two-toned Pettie Page-reworks, or the anything goes nape-of-the-neck pony tail.
Step 2: Ask some more people. Like 20 of them.
Step 3: Wait six months to gauge the consistency and longevity of the stylists’ work.
Step 4: Let yourself go a little crazy as you put off getting a haircut.
Step 5: Call up the most highly-recommended place at the last second and hope you land on a winner.
Ta da! I got Viola, a bubbly, funny, sassy senora who only shuts up when she’s rubbing Aveda’s signature aromatherapy oils into your scalp before the wash.
I must be pretty lucky, because I got just what I wanted — someone who can take a little bit of direction but who is confident enough in her vision to really make me look good.
The whole team at Bella Vita seems to be doing well, since their business has actually picked up during the recession.
Viola: “People still need to cut their hair!”
She tells me they are even considering opening the salon on Sundays to meet demand. If that’s something you’re interested in, I suggest you call them, pronto, and let them know.
So how bout a picture of the fab new do?
Ha ha, in typical Emily fashion I have it pulled back and haven’t washed it for three days. But as soon as it’s lookin good again…
I love Viola. She doesn’t actually do my hair, but I have had a margarita with her at Venti’s.
She does one of my friends hair and is so fun and sassy I would almost change my loyalties. But no. I love Holly at Zeeba Salon. She does great work with my hair. When I moved back to Salem and decided I needed more than Great Clips could offer, I started calling salons and just telling them what I was looking for (relaxed atmosphere, some give and take in the styling process, etc) I found that it was an excellent way to gage their ability to work with me. I called about 5 places and when I talked to Holly (and saw her hair) I knew I could trust her to do good for my hair. 
Ah! Now that is a good approach. Sadly, I hate cold-calling, even in the name of good hair. Glad it worked for you!
After a move, I used to call and ask a salon had someone who specialized in “naturally wavy hair” (that was in quotes for Violet, from Charlie Brown). I had good luck with that approach twice and then the third time I landed someone who (evidently) just wanted to cut someone’s hair.
The last two switches I did the looking-for-people-with-hair-I-liked thing and ended up with two good choices. Now I’d hate to lose Karyn at Alluria. She’s like a therapist, bartender & friend all rolled up into one. No drinks, just those excellent listening skills. :>)
I am a die-hard devotee of Salon 554. Recently switched from Janna to Nikki, for no other reason than that Janna is booked through July.
I have quite a few friends who love Bella Vita, but 554 is incredibly hip, young and reasonably priced. Nikki even gave me a natural-looking red!
I’m all about Carli at Salon 554!
Whoa! Seems like all the cool kids go to Salon 554. I’ll have to check them out sometime. Don’t tell Viola!
I’ve had my hair cut at both Bella Vita (Viola, and also the owner who comes in once a month, Elaine), and at Salon 554. I think I’m hooked on 554 right now, Kristine has given me two great cuts in a row. And she’s sort of crazy and highly entertaining, so I spend the whole time cracking up. Always a bonus.
I go to Bella Vita…Ashley cuts my hair. Love her. Her station is next to Viola’s. I used to go to 554…but switched. Only because I love the smell of Aveda products!
….. but we highly prize
The female form to perfectness inclined
Where loveliness and wit are happily combin’d.
– From an 1832 advertising flysheet for Alexander Rowland and Son, a British purveyor of a vegetable-based hair oil that was (at that time) the market’s main alternative to hair oils made from bear fat. Yes, bear fat.
These were days when the new crinicultural fashion was to wear one’s hair oiled and comparatively au natural rather than heavily powdered or under wig — a fashion inspired in part when the government passed an emergency wartime tax on hair powder. People stopped using powder and started dressing their hair in other ways. Perhaps Rep. Ben Cannon (D-Portland and leading proponent of le beer tax) should take note!
Funny, I lived in DuPont Circle and loved my hairdresser, and I now live in State College and am struggling.
There used to be a guy named charles down on Calder Way… Hair Loft by Charles? he was pretty great. Gave me my first awesome short ‘do.