Indianapolis, the largest city in the state of Indiana, is known for hosting numerous sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500. It's also home to many hair salons. Nicole Palmieri found four that strive to always stay ahead of the game.
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1. StellOZ Salon
"We offer a modern, upscale environment with a friendly staff," says Arynn Boone, who co-owns StellOZ Salon with her fiancé, Sain Ozdemir. "We offer the same upscale hair services of luxury salons at a reasonable price point." The 3,300-square-foot full-service Bumble and bumble salon and spa opened its doors in 2006, and got its name from a combination of Boone's grandmother's name, Estella, and her fiancé's last name. The salon features four treatment rooms and 12 styling stations. Light blue floors, soft gray walls and artwork create a clean, modern decor. Boone believes education is key and credits Bumble and bumble's approach to teaching current techniques and cutting-edge business tools for helping the salon grow. "If you don't keep up with trends, you can't satisfy the ever-growing demands of clients," Boone says. "On top of cut and color techniques, learning the business portion of owning and working at a salon is crucial."
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In stock: Bumble and bumble
2. Modé Salon
Modé Salon is dedicated to superb hair services and professional customer service. Offering a menu of hair services, including cuts, color and styling, the salon welcomes all clients and hair types. Since Modé opened its doors in 2003, the salon has also evolved into a day spa, adding facials, massage and nail care treatments to its menu. The 1,500-square-foot space features a modern interior that can be compared to that of a New York City loft, according to Alan Hayes, director of marketing for the salon. The modern photography displayed in the salon complements the eggshell and light aqua colors with red accents. Clients, who consist mostly of professional working men and women ranging from doctors and artists to architects, are attracted to the salon because of its top-notch services and its branding approach, Hayes says. Like its tag line states, when clients visit Modé, they are sure to have a "unique haircare experience."
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In stock: Matrix, L'Oréal Professionnel, TIGI
3. Salon Orange Moon
It wasn't easy for co-owner Cindy Zoellner to choose a name for her salon. "It's like naming a child," she says. She finally settled on Salon Orange Moon, after one of her favorite songs by singer Erykah Badu. The name also fits because orange is one of Zoellner's favorite colors, and it attracts creative energy, which also happens to be the salon's motto: "The art and attraction of energy." The sleek, modern decor of the 1,000-square-foot Aveda Concept Salon attracts an urban and artsy clientele. "Clients come to us for a signature look," says Zoellner, who co-owns the salon with her husband, Michael Miltenberger. The hair-only salon believes in giving back to the clients by treating them to complimentary hand and shoulder massages. Zoellner also believes in giving back to the community by hosting events and participating in environmental programs. She says, "There are three things we always say 'yes' to—art, humanity and the community."
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In stock: Aveda
4. Emmett's Studio
As a hairstylist for 32 years, Emmett Cooper knows a thing or two about the hair industry. He co-owns his eponymous salon with makeup artist Naieem Abdool. The salon, which has been in the same location for 15 years, is expecting to call a new space "home" this month. The new 730-square-foot location is a few blocks away from the current space in a trendy neighborhood. The new salon's neighbor, a recording studio, and hip new stores and restaurants create a happening place to be for locals and a perfect environment for the salon's social attitude. "We do a lot of networking with clients at the salon," Cooper says. "We introduce all of our clients to each other." The new salon features an Asian-inspired decor with brass dragon chandeliers, Tibetan drums, and a green and red color palette. The new salon will continue to offer just hair services and will also include a large retail area offering hard-to-find product lines.
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In stock: Emmett Cooper Haircare, Naieme Cosmetics