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Vol. LXII, No. 12
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008
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Vol. LXII, No. 12
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008
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 HAIR CARE: “The client’s needs are important. Why this color? Why this cut? We find styles that are appropriate to the client’s need.” The owners of Salon Vis à Vis, from left, David Ordini, and Debra and Carl Edinger, are proud of their quality hair care and personal service. |
“Does she or doesn’t she?” That was the traditional question once upon a time. It’s hardly relevant today because the answer in so many cases is “Yes, she does!” (“He” could now be added, too.)
It’s all about hair coloring, of course. The growth in this activity over the years has been truly stunning. No longer just to cover gray, it has become a fashion statement in many instances, with a client’s color, highlights, low lights, dimensional coloring, etc. changing seasonally.
For expert color, many clients opt for the professional service and high quality products at Salon Vis á Vis. Opened in 1997 at 31 A Hulfish Street, it is owned and operated by Carl and Deb Edinger and David Ordini.
“We are set apart by the personal attention we offer clients,” says Mr. Edinger. “We take a lot of time. No one is ever rushed. We like people here.”
Full Service
“We love color, and we love to be creative,” adds Mrs. Edinger. “People look better when they leave the salon than when they came in. They look and feel better. If you have a bad hair day, nothing else works. Everything can go wrong.”
Salon Vis á Vis offers full service hair care — shampoo, cut, color, and re-texturizing (aka: perms or body wave, and also Japanese straightening). The stylists make sure that each client’s cut, color, or style is the right one for that person. When considering a style or color, the stylist takes in to consideration the client’s hair texture, skin tone, facial structure, and life style.
“Time is a big factor today,” points out Mr. Edinger. “People generally want easy maintenance.”
To help clients ensure the upkeep of their styles, the salon is introducing a “BYOD” (Bring Your Own Dryer) program in April, adds Mr. Ordini. “You bring your own tool, and our stylists will show you different ways to do your hair. It will be a two-hour session, and clients will do it themselves under the guidance of our stylists. It’s important for us to make sure that when you leave the salon, you can style your hair the same way we do it. It’s the best advertising we have.”
With color such a major focus in hair styling today, helping clients select the right color is key. Age, skin tone, and hair texture are all factors, and the staff at Salon Vis á Vis is up to the challenge.
“We are considered by many as the premier hair color salon in Princeton,” says Mr. Ordimi. “We get a lot of clients who have had disappointing color experiences at other salons or from trying to do color themselves.”
Natural Look
Indeed, in the latter case, the TV commercials notwithstanding, applying color is an acquired skill, best practiced by professionals. “There are new products and new technology in color all the time,” reports Mr. Ordini. “We have continuing education, with seminars and workshops and in-house training to keep up with the latest developments.”
“The color products are very safe for hair, but the techniques and how to apply it have changed,” adds Mr. Edinger. “We use Framesi, an Italian line that is a quality product and very safe. All ages like color. Teens love to play with color — highlights, low lights, brown to red, brunette to blond, etc. Some people like to have a very natural look; others want to be sure people know they have done something; they want a definite new look, something very noticeable.”
Of course, he points out, “covering gray remains a major focus. In some cases, I think people are going gray earlier — maybe it’s all the stress today. And with more women in the workforce these days, they want to cover gray. And men are also opting for it.”
Not only can color do the obvious, it has other benefits as well, continues Mr. Edinger. “Applied correctly, color can add volume to thinner hair. Highlighting can make the hair seem fuller. Other techniques to help thinner hair are retexturizing, and permanent hair extensions.”
Family-Oriented
The latter are usually to add length, but they can also create volume, and last six months. It’s a pain-staking, time-consuming practice, however, taking eight hours!
Salon Vis á Vis is family-oriented with services for children and adults, and men and women. “Our clients are kids up to people 75 and older,” says Mr. Edinger. “We have many regulars who are like friends now. Also, we like to connect with the community. We provide beautiful complimentary baskets for fund-raisers, such as for the Princeton Childhood Development Institute, which enriches the lives of people with autism.”
In addition, the salon is offering complimentary hair cuts or color to the current freshman class at Princeton University and to the incoming freshman class next fall.
Gift certificates for any service are available, as are special wedding packages, featuring up-do’s for the bride and bridal party.
The salon carries quality styling products (shampoos, conditioners, etc.) for purchase, which are sulfate-free, notes Mr. Ordini. “We concentrate on lines without sulfate because sulfates can strip the color from the hair. We also feature a product of the month, when we offer an additional 20 percent savings. Through April 19th, it is the Aquage line of styling products.”
Salon Vis á Vis provides a warm inviting setting for clients looking forward to relaxation and a brief respite from their busy lives, as well as a great cut and color.
“What I want to emphasize is that we care about the client,” says Mr. Edinger. “We like to establish a long-lasting relationship, and we try to make a friendship more than make a dollar. We feel if people know we care about them, they’ll come back to us. It’s about instant gratification for us; we create happiness.”
Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 8 to 7, Friday 8 to 6, Saturday 8 to 4. 609-683-9776. Website: www.salonvisavis.com.