My vision of expansion has taken physical form: Salon deZEN’s second location is now open on Montgomery Street. We’re adjacent to St. Elmo’s, Sisters Thai, and Oak Steakhouse and around the block from AKA Alexandria. It’s such a vibrant area—there’s art, parks, new developments, and a friendly, active community—and we’re still in Old Town.

The salon is more than just a place for beauty; it’s a hub where we share the latest buzz in town, discover new businesses, talk about exciting local events, and, most importantly, gain insight into each other’s day-to-day lives. We get to inspire one another with trends, cultural shifts, and meaningful conversations. One of my favorite trends right now is comfort luxury—the idea that things should feel both accessible and special.

Every winter clients come to us seeking solutions for brittle, frizzy hair and dry scalps. I did a little digging and it seems many have raided their fridges in the name of hair care. And at the top of the DIY hair treatment list? Good ol’ mayonnaise. But with today’s hair masks and scalp serums, do we really need to dunk our heads in eggy, oily goop anymore? Or does mayo still hold its own?

Jumping on the New Year bandwagon here, so let's get into what’s IN and what’s OUT for all things aesthetic medicine. Regenerative medicine is IN and in a BIG way—the movement towards a regenerative approach to aesthetics has been gaining a lot of momentum over the past few years, but I believe this year it will really take off. 

Every new year brings a fresh perspective on hair color, and 2025 is no different. The trends this year are warm, bold, and full of dimension—just the way we like them. What excites us most is how adaptable these looks are.

I buy a lot of products. I mean a lot. Most are a miss but when I do hit it right I am a very loyal consumer. At the beginning of every year I do a major bathroom drawer clean out. I basically make it my hall of fame and toss the stuff that hasn’t become a favorite. Here are my favorite picks from 2024 that I’m taking into 2025.

Embrace your individuality. This year, let’s embrace everything that makes us who we are. Whether you’re rocking your natural hair texture or stepping into the latest 2025 hair trends, there’s power in celebrating your authentic beauty.

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.