The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • C.L. Garvin

    salon
October 31, 2009

Salon offers variety along with traditional services

By Jessica Farrish

In movies and on TV, the popular image of the local beauty shop is one of coloring, perming, waxing ... and gossip.

From Truvy’s Beauty Parlor in “Steel Magnolias” to the Queens, N.Y., salon frequented by Fran’s mother in “The Nanny,” the beauty shop is the place where secrets no longer exist.

But A Touch of Elegance salon on Sisson Street in Beckley breaks the stereotype.

It was started 15 years ago with a platform that sets it apart from other salons, operator Angela Powers said.

“We initially opened the salon considering the privacy of the client,” said Powers, whose husband, Richard Powers, owns the business. “From past experiences of overhearing everyone’s conversations, we wanted to open a place where the privacy of the client came first.”

A Touch of Elegance is a full-service salon and spa that offers traditional services as well as offers hair replacement, foiling, custom perming, the new Helix cuts, waxing, acrylic and natural nails services, and massage therapy.

Each professional working at A Touch of Elegance has her or his own private room.

“The clients feel more comfortable knowing that they’re not in sight of everyone else, whether they’re having hair replacement, coloring or any other service,” she said.

To celebrate the salon’s 15-year anniversary, Powers and her staff will offer specials throughout the first week of November, she said.

Massage therapist Vicki Kingery performs medical, sport, connective, deep tissue and Swedish massages to relieve stress and a tense or knotted neck and shoulders.

Hair replacement specialist Steve Morris has 30 years of experience in treating hair loss for men and women.

Trained through Roffler Sculpturecut and Zotos International, Morris also offers haircuts, color and other services.

Morris explained that to treat hair loss, he first makes a mold of the hair loss area.

He then takes samples of hair from other parts of the scalp and sends both the cast and hair samples to specialists.

“They actually make a prothesis that will fit that area, and all those (hair) colors blend,” he said. “We attach it to your own hair but using growing hair and weaving it through the prothesis.”

The hair may be treated like the client’s own hair, said Morris.

“You can swim, you can do anything you want with it,” he added.

Nail technician Connie Underwood has 12 years of experience with acrylic nails, manicures and pedicures.

Gary Basham, a stylist of 24 years, is a past member of the West Virginia Cosmetology Association. Basham offers various hair services.

Stylist Savannah Gunnoe specializes in hair color, cuts and the Keratin complex smoothing therapy, which eliminates up to 95 percent of frizz.

“Doing hair is my passion,” said Gunnoe. “I continue my education and keep up with the latest hair styles by attending hair shows.”

Cosmetologist Tabitha Kincaid says she specializes in the latest, most fashionable cuts, colors, perms and waxing.

Powers said A Touch of Elegance staff will host a 15th anniversary party with cake and other free refreshments this Friday and Saturday.

Appointments may be made at 304-253-4247.

— E-mail: jfarrish@register-herald.com

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