Winter in Alexandria can be beautiful, but it’s no friend to our hair. The good news? With the right care, your hair can stay hydrated, healthy, and full of shine all season long. Here’s a step-by-step guide to winter-proofing your hair, featuring must-have products we love at Salon deZEN.

I invite you to embrace the most accessible beauty secret: dedicating time to yourself. This practice not only redefines vanity but also nurtures the soul. In our fast-paced lives, we often wear our exhaustion as a badge of honor, neglecting simple pleasures like taking a moment to breathe or appreciating our loved ones.

You could go for the usual suspects—luxury candles, cashmere scarves, maybe a bottle of vintage Champagne. Or, you could elevate your gifting game entirely with something unexpected yet undeniably luxe: a personalized makeup lesson.

Let’s face it: great hair doesn’t happen by accident. At Salon deZEN, we know that achieving that effortless, fabulous style requires a few insider tricks of the trade. Lucky for you, we’re not gatekeepers.

Every now and then, life brings you a “full circle moment” – a chance to reconnect with the people who helped shape your journey. Recently, I experienced one of those moments when I welcomed Ruth Roche, one of my biggest influences from my early years in cosmetology, to Salon deZEN. Ruth, a seven-time NAHA winner (basically the Oscars of hair), made a massive impact on me back in cosmetology school.

Permanent makeup offers a transformative way to simplify daily beauty routines while enhancing natural features. At deZEN, we’re embracing the latest in permanent makeup trends that prioritize artistry, personalization, and timeless beauty. Here’s what's trending:

With fall settling in and the holidays around the corner, this is the perfect time to plan your cool weather aesthetic treatments – and have your regularly scheduled enhancements timed right for all those holiday parties! 

At Salon deZEN, we take sustainability seriously, and it’s become a core part of our mission. Our dedication to reducing waste has led us to recycle an impressive 3,575.97 pounds of beauty waste this year alone—including hair clippings, excess color, used foils, and single-use plastics like gloves. But sustainability isn’t just about numbers; it’s about creating a positive ripple effect.

With chlorine, sun and salt water no longer wreaking havoc on our manicures, we’re all in for rocking some new nail looks this fall. Our hands are an extension of our daily look/vibe/mood and keep us feeling polished (pun intended) during the fall madness. While we’ve been out and about in Old Town, we couldn’t help but notice the vast range of shades and styles displayed on our friends’ hands. So we asked our contributors to share the fall hues they’re loving:

Your haircut is more than just a style—it’s a reflection of your personality, lifestyle, and most importantly, the unique features of your face. While many people think certain cuts are only for specific face shapes, the truth is, most haircuts can work for most people, as long as they are adjusted and tailored to the person wearing them.

When you decide to open a business, there's a natural desire to create an amazing space. But this moment became something more. I realized that within this business, I had the opportunity to give my creativity life. With that, I knew I was nurturing a new culture from my unique lens, perspective, and experiences. Redefining vanity became a mantra—a celebration of our self-esteem journeys.

Hair growth can feel like one of those elusive goals. We've all been there – staring at the mirror, willing our hair to just grow already. But often, it’s not just about what we’re doing to encourage hair growth; it’s about what we’re unknowingly doing wrong. Here are some common mistakes that could be stalling your hair’s journey.

Something people don’t know about Stylists At North is that it has a boutique inside the salon with tons of great beauty lines. Not just hair products, but makeup and skincare, too. You also might not know that they also have an amazing makeup artist, Gus Hamburg. If I could just see Gus every morning I would look – and feel a lot better about myself.

This fall, variations of the classic bob are dominating. First up, the French bob—a timeless, effortlessly chic style that sits just above or at the jawline. Whether you opt for subtle front angles or a uniform length, the French bob exudes a certain je ne sais quoi.

Of course the elephant in any medical spa treatment room is the tried and tested: “Botox”. Throughout your visits with me you’ll hear me refer to any and all of the injectable Neurotoxins as “Tox” because they all work essentially the same and have the same treatment goal: stop movement.

With the fall months closing in fast, a more potent fragrance with impeccable staying power is in order. If you’re unfamiliar with House Cire Trudon, allow me to introduce you. Sultry, intoxicating and infamously long lasting, their fragrances are second to none. 

Whether you're ready to make a bold change or simply add a subtle touch of warmth for the season, let your choice reflect your inner vibe. Fall is all about transformation—not just in nature but within ourselves too—so why not let your hair be a part of that journey.

There’s just something about having your hair and makeup done that provides a boost. That’s what I love about deZEN – we’re in the business of making people feel their most confident.  We’re also here for those women getting back on their feet, trying to find a light in sometimes very dark days.

One recent Monday morning I was dragging my feet getting into work, trawling the makeup aisles at Target. Maybe it was the recent stretch of summer heat, or the piles of admin I had waiting at my desk, but my little brain was on the hunt for a dopamine boost. So, I gave it to her in the form of a fun homework assignment: Match drugstore lip glosses to our bestselling book covers. 

This innovative tool is designed to help us pair clients with the service providers who are not only experts in the specific services they need but also share complementary personality traits and communication styles. By taking this quiz, clients can ensure their beauty experience is perfectly tailored to their preferences, making each visit enjoyable and memorable.