Featured Colorist: Jen Spil

 

Jen Spil describes hair tones like fine food at a trendy restaurant. Soft beige apricot, champagne blonde and mauve chocolates are among her favorites.

 

For Jen, color is art, and art has always been her passion. She began her first creative career as a manager at a pottery painting studio, and was so good at it, customers commissioned her work. It’s here that Jen began playing with color combinations, creating pieces that “made people smile.”

 

 

Jen credits her father for influencing her to go to hair school. “He always encouraged me to do something I loved and something that made other people happy as well,” she said.  Jen enrolled in the AVEDA Institute and has been “in love” with her career path ever since.

 

 

For Jen, who is also a Fresh Salon educator, the great days are those where she is teaching. “I love seeing all the pieces come together as they realize the endless possibilities,” she said. She enjoys mixing and matching trends and creating something unique for each client. Her other passion is getting brides ready for their big day. Jen is great at up dos and loves the challenge. She also enjoys getting clients ready for proms and holiday parties. “I love creating beautiful, long- lasting styles for a client’s special event.”

 

 

And while her FRESH family has always meant the world to Jen, she now has a deeper appreciation for the stylists and colorists who work alongside her. In April of this year, Jen and her husband Ellis, had their first child. Their son, Ezra, is the light of their life. But like so many moms, Jen worried how she would do when she returned to work after maternity leave. “My Fresh family welcomed me back with open arms and lots of hugs. My clients were also supportive and kind.” She realizes now that with the help of her husband and her support system at Fresh, she can make this next transition. “I feel so confident in the knowledge and skill that I’ve obtained over the last nine years. I’m excited for the new challenges that are in front of me.”

 

 

Pinterest Problems

The Problems with Pinning!

It rolls off our tongues. “I saw it on Pinterest.” And while the pictures, pins and people delight all of us, the truth is, Pinterest is just one way to pick your next style.

Yes, Pinterest is the “go to” for ideas. But it can’t replace a consult with a stylist.

Remember, some of what you see on pinterest is photo shopped. The pictures can be enhanced and changed. That beautiful creamy blonde, may be blue in another picture, and auburn in yet another.

At the end of the day, nothing beats a face-to-face consultation with a Fresh Salon Stylist. We love to see the pictures that show the styles you love, but by actually looking at your hair, and talking to you, we can tell you how realistic it is for you to get the same look. And more importantly, we can keep it real by telling you honestly what you’ll need to do to keep it up and what it will cost to maintain that coveted new style and color.

So come in. Bring your phone. Show us what you’ve pinned. But let’s talk too!

We’ll miss you Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saying goodbye is never easy.   But sometimes the people we say goodbye to leave such an impression that they’re never really gone.

Lisa Hoover is one of those people.

Bright, bubbly, silly, funny and positive, Lisa was one of the original colorists at Fresh.  And sadly, she’s leaving us July 28^th.

“I can’t say enough good things about Lisa,” says Fresh Owner Jason Vittorio.  She always puts a smile on your face.  She’s a talented colorist, but she’s also an amazing mom.  She consistently gives back to the community and to others, and we will miss her.”

Perhaps the highest praise a coworker can get is the respect of other colleagues.  Lisa has certainly gained respect.

“Lisa is one of a kind.  She does everything with her whole heart, with lots of feeling, and unmatched enthusiasm,” said Fresh Stylist Emily Hamilton.  “She’s one of the most generous people I know.  She has taught me so much over the years:  the fun stuff like organizing my closet and the not so fun stuff, like potty training my toddler!  Lisa has become one of my best friends. It is not going to be the same without her.”

Client Shawn Crouch said “For eight years, I have always been excited to see Lisa .  She is sweet, kind, caring and fun.  Everyone wants to be Lisa’s friend.”

Lisa is leaving our salon and industry to be home with her two beautiful daughters Lyla and Hannah. We believe they are two of the luckiest girls on the planet to have such a wonderful mom and role model!

Fresh owner and founder Julia Vittorio said, “It will not be the same without Lisa.  She brightens every room she walks into.  Her enthusiasm for life is contagious.  Whether she’s excited about hair or food, she always makes you smile.  There aren’t enough words to express how much I will miss seeing her each week, but Lisa, you will always be a part of our Fresh Family.”

February Stylist: Taylor Moore

Taylor Moore might be the best kept secret in Charlotte. As a new member of the Fresh team, Taylor is actively learning from other colorists at the salon. And as she does, two times a week, Taylor offers ultra-affordable appointments to clients who are excited to act as “models.” Sound too good to be true? When you hear more about this up and comer, you’ll be even more amazed.

Like many stylists, Taylor always loved hair and fashion. As a young girl, it was baby dolls; soon after she was practicing styles and cuts on friends and family, and now Taylor works alongside Fresh Salon associates, closely watching some of the most outstanding colorists in the South Charlotte region. She considers each person on the team a mentor, learning different things from each of them.

While her experiences are new, Taylor fondly recalls her first “real” client. She was in beauty school at RCCC Cosmetology and the woman sat down, told her the color she wanted, and then said one sentence that still resonates with Taylor today: “I trust you. Do it however you like!” Taylor admits being nervous, but the conversation went smoothly and she confidentially did her job. When the color was complete, the client’s face lit up. “She loved it!” A great first experience, and now part of her ever growing foundation!

There are other new and exciting life events for Taylor. She’s recently married, and considers her husband her best friend. “My wedding day was the best day of my life,” she says.

Interested in booking an appointment with Taylor? Call the salon 704-841-2100 or book online. She works on live models on Tuesday and Thursday at 2pm. The cost: $20

Bobby Pins and Hairspray: Featured Colorist Tana Isenhour

 
As a young stylist, Tana Isenhour routinely put her favorite client to sleep. It was Tana’s grandmother, Dora!  Tana was just a child.

“I would put rollers in my grandmother’s hair as she sat on the floor watching TV.  It was not perfection.  It was play,” she said.  My grandmother would always close her eyes and nod off,” she laughed.

Tana’s desire to express herself continued throughout her young life. Consider what she remembers about her dance and cheerleading classes.  While the practices and recitals were most important, it was actually getting ready for those dance moments that made Tana who she is today.
The Fresh Salon Stylist remembers the smell of hairspray and the bobby pins from those early days of dancing.  She remembers the fun of preparing behind stage.

“I’ve been surrounded by hair and makeup my entire life,” she said. “When I was a kid, I would watch my mother do her hair and makeup.  I couldn’t wait till I was old enough to do the same,” she said.

Tana graduated from high school and immediately began beauty school at Paul Mitchell Academy.  She completed the assisting program at Fresh, and found her “home” at the Providence Road salon. With almost a decade of experience today, she says she gained confidence in those beginning years, by watching her colleagues and learning.

“Being a colorist can be challenging, so being able to give it your all, is important.  Your clients are your walking billboards,” she said.

Tana loves working with today’s hottest trends especially “Balayage” or “Baby Lights.”  Balayage is a French word meaning to sweep or paint.  The process gives a softer, more natural look.  Tana calls it “sun-kissed.”  When Balayage grows out, it’s not as drastic and noticeable, she says. Tana uses the method on many of her clients, those with long and shoulder length hair.

Today you can find Tana giving clients a look they adore! Her chair is always full.  But unlike that first client, her beloved grandmother, today Tana’s clients are awake!  Falling in love with their new look!

“I love the moment when your client is at a loss for words because she is so happy and feels beautiful and more confident,” she says.

Featured Stylist – Kaia Sellitti

   

There are some stylists who just look cool! You know what I’m talking about. The person you see in the salon, and think, “That’s who I want to do my hair!”

Kaia Selitti is that kind of stylist. She has a vibe, years of experience, and a desire to continue learning.

The mother of two young girls, a puppy named Georgia and a cat named Vicious, is a Goldwell educator. Working and learning with the Goldwell team is a prestigious opportunity, because as a Goldwell educator, Kaia has an inside look at the latest trends and how to perfect them every time for every client.

  

“One of the things I love about our industry is bouncing ideas around with other stylists. We do this at Fresh, and now I have a larger group to collaborate with as well,” she said.
“It’s been an awesome experience.”

Part of her Goldwell education includes learning the latest trends in coloring, how to improve a client’s hair and experimenting with the technology that only Goldwell can bring.

The trend today? Subtle shading that enhances color and delivers superior results. Kaia can do it all, from traditional color to Color Blending, Men’s’ Reshade and Elumen, an innovative technology delivering texture control and mega shine without fading.

“When my clients tell me that they love their hair and that I made their day, it makes me fee
great,” she said.

  

Now that June is here, Kaia is excited for wedding season and will spend much of her time helping brides prepare for the defining moment when they walk down the aisle.

“When a bride trusts you with her big day, that speaks volumes. Watching a bride get a first glimpse of what the rest of the day holds is a special feeling,” she said.

If you want to learn more about how Kaia can help you define a new look or enhance your personal style, give Fresh Salon a call today!