“Balance Hair Spa – For the Look of Your Life”

        How many times have you looked in the mirror and said to the hapless reflection in front of you “I hate my hair!”  Have you had the same cut since high school?  Always wanted to try a different color?  Maybe you’d like to totally change the texture of your hair…..curly to straight or vice versa.  Well stop pining away over how good you could look this summer and do something about it.  An expert consultation is mere moments away.
         Owner and Creative Director Thomas Crisp along with co-Owner and Salon Coordinator Biff Piner are exuberant owners of Balance Hair Spa in Exton.   They’ve only been open since July of 2007, and they’ve already won “Best Of.”  That comes as no surprise as Thomas has been running his own salons and spas since he was eighteen.  He discovered their Eagleview Town Center location while touring with Alterna Professional Hair Care as a Master Colorist and National Educator and he’s been beautifying the population ever since. 
         Thomas’ expertise and lofty standards when it comes to his hair designers is a wondrous thing indeed.  Balance Hair Spa has about nine employees, a close knit crew I’ve been told and they’re very good at what they do. In keeping with everyone’s (suddenly tighter) budgets, Balance Hair Spa offers three levels of stylists; Directors with 15 years + of experience, Executive Designers with 5+ years of experience and Skilled Designers with less than 5 years.
         Balance Hair Spa has a great selection of intense conditioning treatments – the condition of your hair belies your age more often than not.  To combat the effects of time they offer an amazing Brazilian Keratin treatment, which is formaldehyde-free straightening (easily smoothed but not pin straight).  Also available and widely touted is the Bio-Ionic Japanese hair straightening method.  Thomas was actually one of the first in the area to off that particular service. But his main thing is Color, definitely, defiantly; color.  As Biff says “these days’ people change their hair color like they change their clothes.  Color is a commitment – you have to keep it up.”
         Balance Hair Spa has an impressive Color Lounge Menu with names like Color Shots (pure color pigments), Bling Bling Blonde, Bombshell Brunette and Reds Turn Heads.  You can even zip in on your lunch break for some Lunch Time Color which is a twenty minute treatment resulting in “brilliant shine and amazing hydration” and something I’ve been considering is the Pure Hydration Top Coat which is clear and gives you incredible shine for up to six weeks.      
         Balance Hair Spa offers several high end brands of hair care products, including Alterna Professional Hair Care “Capturing the Essence of Indulgence” for your hair with anti-aging, hemp and even caviar products. Other lines include Dermalogica, OPI, American Crew, Cinema Secrets, Mop, Murval Paris and LAFCO New York.  Balance Hair Spa even has the Paul Mitchell Jon Paul pet line with waterless shampoos, detangling sprays and body wipes; keeping everyone in the household looking their best.
         Biff’s forte is skin care and he is charge of the Spa Therapists and Aestheticians who work with natural-based product lines.  As he points out “it makes a big difference when you go from a drugstore brand to a professional brand”.  Balance Hair Spa skin care services include waxing, cosmetics, and microdermabrasion skin resurfacing done with organic wood chips or crystals, along with a variety of facials and peels.         
         The new massage rooms are softly lit, and fragrant with big cushy lounges.  The rooms can be opened in the middle for couple’s spa sessions.  Definitely a great way to relax while enjoying Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, balancing and sports massages along with reflexology and reiki energy healing.  Balance Hair Spa’s Massage Therapist also does ear candling to balance your equilibrium as well as headache – relief massages.       
        Balance Hair Spa employs a real sense of community – they link with other area businesses for various workshops and services.  For 2009 they’ve added health and nutrition workshops and they also carry the Tea Forte line of gourmet whole leaf tea.  Balance Hair Spa hosts Art Shows featuring local artists, jewelry designers and photographers so be sure to stop by and bring your wares, the art on the walls is always for sale.  They regularly donate o Mommy’s Light and Toy for Tots, and recently they’ve hosted a dog wash for Pets Alive which is a no kill animal shelter out of Philadelphia. 
         Check out their website which has a ton of good information and clients can even fill out online feedback surveys and get a $5 coupon off their next purchase. Become a member of the “B club”; buy a $125 card and get 10% off all services for a year.  For referring new clients you’ll get a $10 thank you off your next service and gift cards are always available. If you want them to do something that will be nightmarish on you they’ll turn you down.  “This is our heart – our passion” says Thomas, “We’re very happy.”  Apparently their clients are very happy with their personalized hair services too as evidenced by the quantity of sterling reviews available on their website.  When you walk out the door of Balance Hair Spa, you’ll look nothing less than fabulous.  What took you so long? 

“Art is as Art Wears”

         Have you ever wondered just how they make those perfectly rounded and smooth glass beads?  Well, the best ones are made by hand, and I had the opportunity to experience it (almost) first hand.  I watched fascinated as the “bead artist” in front of me took a metal stick and brought it to blue flame over a Minor bench burner (looks like a more sophisticated version of the old Bunsen burners we all loved so much in chemistry class).  She then dug into a glass vase full of long stems of colored glass and put a big drip on the heated stick which is first coated with bead release so the bead can be taken off the stick, that’s what makes the hole.  She expertly wound the molten liquid around the stick as it was melting; how it doesn’t fall off I don’t know.  After the bead was just as she wanted it (a lovely pale turquoise) she then took a clear stick out of the jug and melted a clear coat around the hot bead “it adds depth to the color” she murmured softly, never taking her eyes off of the creation in question. 
         At this point I’m beyond fascinated and deluding myself into thinking I could actually do that and what a cool career that would be etc. etc.  Finally she chose a thick black stem from the magical jug and proceeded to put a row of raised dots around the newborn bead.  “You can write on them and decorate them however you like” she commented.  Voila!  Unbelievably this whole process only took about five minutes. That’s because it was being done by the expert – Liz Celento, owner of Artistic Jewels.  “Keep turning it” she said, “it’s all about gravity and controlling the temperature, keep it on there and wrap it around.  It took me a year to get good enough to sell them.”  
         A majority of glass beads are made in China and they tend to break easily, “you really don’t even know what you’re looking at when you buy glass beads” Liz said.  Personally I think they look like candy, good thing they weren’t loose in a decorative bowl, I probably would’ve broken a tooth.  Liz started making jewelry in 2001 out of her house and her friends went nuts, “It became quite the feeding frenzy” she remarked.  As a result Artistic Jewels has been open for about two years now.
         Artistic Jewels builds pieces that are versatile, can be layered, worn in long or short versions and easily mixed and matched to complement any outfit.  Some particularly gorgeous pieces can go from necklace to belt in a moment; you don’t come across that too often.  Artistic Jewels carries mostly sterling silver and a tiny bit of14k gold.   Liz’s creations are decorated with Swarovski crystals, natural gemstones and (my personal favorite) uniquely appealing Venetian glass.  Slides and Charms seem to stay popular, as they can be added or removed on a whim, and Artistic Jewels has lots of accompanying velvet and leather cords to get you started on your own collection.  Today’s hot trends are shades of black and blue together, green stones and browns have stayed in the limelight.  Currently hand made and asymmetrical pieces are huge and Artistic Jewels has mixed metals and architectural jewelry which Liz describes as “more structured and urban.”  They’ve also gotten into Team Bracelets – hockey charms, soccer balls etc.  Liz says she adores doing one of-a-kind pieces so bring in your favorite vintage jewelry for a facelift.  When I was enjoying the art museum like atmosphere there was an eye catching collection of Antique watch faces from the 1850’s that had been made into necklaces and accompanying pieces.  
         Artistic Jewels design center is upstairs in the open upper loft overlooking the store.  They were working on drop necklaces for a bridal party – a gorgeous deep burgundy with a pale amber drop crystal.  The pieces can be intricate or simple; they’ll put together a sample, and once it’s approved it’s just a matter of how many you want and which exact shade you prefer.  Artistic Jewels does two shows a year, and at Christmas she sells her special collections.  Liz turned down QVC because she doesn’t want to mass produce. “I would much rather make ten different necklaces than one thousand of the same, I’m going to keep doing what I do.  People love to come in and add on to what they already have.”  Liz attends all the trade shows to keep on top of what’s going on. 
         Artistic Jewels will be participating in West Chester’s Old Fashioned Christmas held December 4^th to the 7^th.  You can find coupons on the website along with the latest pieces, so be sure to come in and peruse the rest of the collection.  Liz’s unique jewelry is displayed museum-style on the walls in glass cases.  If you find a bead you really love she will make one to match it.  If say, you have a piece that you would like better if it were something else, Artistic Jewels can turn it into something you will treasure.  Forgive me Mr. Celento but I just have to share this story – Liz decided to come up with the whole wish list thing after telling her (adoring) husband that she wanted a necklace for Christmas.  After a moment of silence came his perplexed reply:  “but you already have one.”  That story having been shared – keep in mind that Men’s night is a great destination for Christmas shopping – just have the little lady fill out her wish list and give you guys a fighting chance of getting what they  really want.  Yep, must be Christmas. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sure it’s Cute but are You F*** Kidding Me?

          The things people dream up never cease to amaze me, equally amazing is the variety of dreams I’ve seen brought to fruition as of late.  My current source of fascination is a new storefront in Main Street at Exton called Sweet & Sassy; a full service salon and spa designed and sized exclusively for children, that’s right – children.  Ilyce Cohen is the energetic owner of Sweet & Sassy, a franchise based out of Southlake Texas.  She’s also the young mother of two little girls who would undoubtedly give their tiny eyeteeth (if they have them yet) to come to work with mommy every day.  Ilyce says of her diminutive clientele “they’re not just coming in to get their hair cut, it’s a total salon experience.”

          Just like an adult salon and spa, Sweet & Sassy offers a plethora of services like shampoo, cut and style out, boys cuts, baby’s first cut and even updo’s and braiding for formal occasions.  Enthusiastic patrons are cloaked in plush terry robes and a conglomeration of fuzzy, fluffy or feathered flip-flops while enjoying authentic manicures / pedicures and even chocolate facials.   Unlike an adult salon there’s no cuticle cutting, hair dyeing or waxing since the age of the average Sweet & Sassy patron is approximately three to thirteen.  The only metal implements used are during professional ear piercing which takes place in a big cushy pink chair made solely for that purpose. Salon hair services even have all types and colors of  hair extensions which the girls get to keep, sheer and sparkly makeup makeup application and of course everyone gets a glitter star on their cheek in their color of choice.  I meant to get one before I left but was so distracted by the make-it-yourself lip gloss, body lotion and ice cream sugar scrub stations in the center of the store that I promptly forgot.  Betcha I stood there for a good five minutes debating how ridiculous I’d look mixing up some cotton candy flavored lip gloss and a double scoop of root beer sugar scrub.  Hey I’m not that old yet. 

         Sweet & Sassy has an innovative menu of different Spa & Glam Girl Packages, we’re not just talking birthday parties here.  To name a few of the most popular there’s “Diva for a Day” where the girls enjoy an hour and a half of spa heaven, then there’s “Party Princess” complete with cake, coronation and sparkling tiara.  Unforgettable Party Packages have names like “Rockin’ Pop Star”, “A Night on the Red Carpet” which comes with lots of paparazzi and a photo of each girl made into a magazine cover.  Sweet & Sassy’s  “All Dressed Up and Runway to Go”  is a really cool package where petite partygoers flood the dressing room to pick out a costume from overflowing chests of girly stuff.  Then  they head over to the miniature mirrored salon counters to have their hair styled and sheer sparkly makeup done.  Lastly it’s over to the manicure stations and miniature pedicure tubs, Sweet & Sassy knows how to put the final polish on a girls’ first mani / pedi with a warm strawberry lotion hand massage and their choice of free ring and toe ring.  Bear in mind that while the erstwhile darlings are being fully engaged by Ilyce’s party planners – mom can roam around about a million other stores within strolling distance.  See where I’m going with this?

         After being properly primed for their first big entrance the mini-models burst through a heavy silver-beaded curtain and onto the raised runway from which they can admire their petite performances live on the big screen TV hanging down from the ceiling.  What’s a party like that if you can’t immortalize it?  Always mindful of the unforgettable party credo, Ilyce makes sure that everyone gets not just their own performance on DVD but also a group photo to take home.  Sweet & Sassy also conducts “Girls Rule” Workshops for Girl Scout, Adventure Princesses and yes even Sports Teams.  10% off all salon services on Tuesdays, and they’ll even teach your little darlings how to mind their manners and even give them a shot at becoming a Sweet & Sassy party coordinator. 

         Ilyce maintains “there’s no one out who really does what we do, at the level we do it.”  She’s definitely got a good point there, gosh I can’t even think of an adult salon that keeps a limousine parked outside.  Yes you are reading correctly; Sweet & Sassy’s hot pink “Party Girls To Go” limo service is available to pick your tiny revelers up, roll out a red carpet upon their arrival (no lie) and drape them with a feathered boa as soon as they exit.

         If you’re more of the mind to take something with you Sweet & Sassy has gift cards available and will put together custom gift baskets from their absolutely loaded retail boutique in the front of the store.  It’s a mind boggling array – just like Ilyce says “any birthday present you’d ever want to give a kid complete with free gift-wrapping.”  Moms can pick up all kinds of nifty little things from personal and decorative accessories to jewelry, clothing and webkins.  Just in time for that yearly event most awaited by parents: back to school.  Hey kids, look at the bright side – you’ve never looked better stepping off of that bus.  Remember now; it’s more than a salon – it’s a celebration. 

          My honest opinion?  Cute as all get out – even I have to admit it.  However isn’t that just what today’s already beleaguered single mothers and pressuredsincepreschool little girls need huh?  Sorry but really now, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!  Think I’m making this up?  Alrite smarty-pants, see for yourself!………Sweet and Sassy