Beauty Maria Elizabeth Beauty Maria Elizabeth

The ‘Old Money’ Hair Aesthetic: The Trend That’s All About Effortless Luxury

The “Old Money” aesthetic—rooted in refined, polished, and understated beauty—is quietly taking over the world of hair. Think Jackie Kennedy’s impeccable blowouts, Gwyneth Paltrow’s sleek layers, or Sofia Richie Grainge’s effortless elegance. This style isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about cultivating a timeless, well-maintained look that speaks to quiet confidence.

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Beauty Maria Elizabeth Beauty Maria Elizabeth

Spring 2025 Hair Refresh: The Must-Try Cuts of the Season

As we begin to usher in spring the hair fashion scene is abuzz with transformative trends that promise to redefine personal style. From the bustling streets of New York City to salons worldwide, these haircuts are set to make a significant impact. Here’s a curated look at the most sought-after styles this year so far:

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Beauty Maria Elizabeth Beauty Maria Elizabeth

A Business Dream Realized: Salon deZEN Brings Its Signature Style to North Old Town

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.

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Beauty Luis Miguel Bujia Beauty Luis Miguel Bujia

The Unity in Community

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.

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Beauty Maria Elizabeth Beauty Maria Elizabeth

Mayonnaise vs. Modern Hair Masks: Battle of the Deep Conditioners

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?

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Beauty Ashley Perkins, PA-C Beauty Ashley Perkins, PA-C

The INS and OUTS for 2025: Aesthetic Medicine Edition

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. 

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Beauty Elizabeth Todd Beauty Elizabeth Todd

Elizabeth’s Picks: The Best in Beauty

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.

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Beauty Maria Elizabeth Beauty Maria Elizabeth

My Full Circle Moment

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.

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Beauty Ashley Perkins, PA-C Beauty Ashley Perkins, PA-C

Getting Your Face Holiday-Ready

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! 

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Beauty Maria Elizabeth Beauty Maria Elizabeth

Beauty with Purpose: Salon deZEN’s Mission for a Greener Tomorrow

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.

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Beauty Alexandria Stylebook Beauty Alexandria Stylebook

What We’re Loving: Fall Nail Colors

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:

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Beauty Maria Elizabeth Beauty Maria Elizabeth

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Haircut for Your Face Shape

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.

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