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Nassau Street Cosmo Bleu Salon Offers Hair and Make-up Expertise

Clients are made very welcome at the new Cosmo Bleu Salon at 170 Nassau Street. Coffee and tea are waiting for them, a fountain/waterfall with gently rippling water reinforces the relaxing atmosphere, and the contemporary/chic decor with classic undertones is inviting.

Cosmo Bleu has a very distinctive look, points out partner Amber Augustyn. "Every station has a different framed mirror, representing both the diversity of the partners and of the clients. We think this is special."

"We strive to make our clients feel at home," adds partner Tiffany Basma. "We take time with them. They are never rushed and have our individualized attention."

"We want our clients to feel very welcome and comfortable," continues partner Teresa Eun. "We want them to feel we are really helping them. We definitely want people to come in and see what's new here. The door is open. Come in and check us out!"

Hair services and make-up applications and instruction are the specialty of Cosmo Bleu Salon, and a Princeton location was very important to the owners, notes Ms. Basma.

"What we love about Princeton is that it is a very diverse and fast-paced town. We capture that too – we are diverse in our backgrounds. We are a unique, eclectic blend of four women. We are different just as our clients are different. Princeton represents us, and we represent Princeton."

Cosmopolitan Clients

The diversity of the clientele was also a factor in the genesis of Cosmo Bleu's name, adds Ms. Basma.

"All our clients are very cosmopolitan," she points out, "and blue is a rich, warm, elegant color, as well as restful and calming. All features we were striving for."

Helping to make their clients – both women and men – look their best is a priority at the salon, she adds.

"Fashion trends change. We like to give a classic sophisticated woman what she is comfortable with, but with an edge. When creating a hair style, we take into consideration hair texture, skin tone and coloring, facial structure, and life-style. An important factor is that the cut should accommodate the person's life-style, and we also help with instruction so clients will be able to take care of their hair easily at home.

"Some clients are reluctant to have a new look," continues Ms. Basma. "We might give them a nudge, but always remembering that what is a minor change for the stylist could be a major change for the client."

Color is so much more than just covering gray, note all the partners. Today, it is a fashion statement, and with the advent of safer, enriching and moisturizing color, more and more people are taking the color plunge.

"Color is a perfect accessory for every hair cut," points out Ms. Basma. "A lot of time, clients are looking for dimension. We can highlight to add dimension, but the big thing is placement. We call it the block color technique. It is introducing more than one color – a family of color. For example, you can add ash brown and chestnut by means of foil or brush application, to make the hair sing!"

Full Spectrum

Highlights can lighten or darken, she notes. For clients with gray, for example, darker highlights are an opportunity to retain some natural color, along with the gray, but with a heightened effect.

"There is no question that color is a big issue today, along with easy maintenance," says Ms. Basma. "We offer the full spectrum – vibrant, vivid colors, as well as softer, subtle shades."

The experts as Cosmo Bleu can help with corrective color for clients who may have had a bad "do-it-yourself color hair day", and there are also treatments for those with thinning or problem hair.

"In addition, for people going through chemotherapy, we offer private wig consultation," says Ms. Basma. "We like to get a swatch of their hair for color and texture before, and then we can help with the choice of something very natural and becoming."

Perms have taken somewhat of a back seat lately, she adds, but they are still important for body and volume. "Perms are reinventing themselves these days. Body and volume are very key now. We design a wrap (perm), customized for the individual client. We have support wraps, such as body waves for very fine hair. We also offer root lifter perms."

Make-up is the other specialty at Cosmo Bleu, and Najwa Comeau is the expert.

Perfect Day

"She can do everything," reports Ms. Basma, "but her specialty is eyebrows. They are so important. They frame your face. We offer instruction and application for all ages – from teens to mature. We help people to stay current with their make-up. Especially, as people get older, dimensional color in make-up is good."

Coming in for a make-over or lessons can be a fun outing, she adds. "It's a perfect day out for a mom and daughter. And we also do a lot of weddings. We're 'Wedding Central' here! In addition, we do bridal parties – hair and make-up – on location. But it's fun to have 'Princess For a Day' here. They can rent the salon for a day, complete with styling, make-up, mimosas, and croissants!'

The partners have high hopes for Cosmo Bleu's future in Princeton. "We are set apart by our advanced training and techniques," notes Amber Augustyn. "We always continue our training and education, and we offer far more advanced techniques than many others. We are truly a state-of-the art salon."

Adds Ms. Basma: "We are all very active in the professional side of the industry. I do a lot on 'Seventh on Six' in Bryant Park in New York City, when there are style shows, and I style hair for models and parties.

"The other partners do a lot of private work, too, and Lynda handles a lot of styling for the actors at McCarter Theatre."

Cosmo Bleu offers gift certificates and special gift packages, and competitive prices. Hair products, such as Paul Mitchell and American Crew for men, and Trucco make-up and skin care cosmetics, are available, as are hair accessories and styling tools.

Walk-ins and appointments are all welcome, and hours are Monday 1 to 8, Tuesday through Thursday 10 to 8, Friday until 5, Saturday 9 to 5. Special make-up demonstrations will be offered Saturday, October 11. 497-2538.