In fashion, a plethora of ingredients come together to make a look, a collection, a show, a shoot. A great looking model is a much bigger concoction than cut+color+fabric. One of these important, often underrated elements is hair. Enter: Lisa Power. Aptly named, the Omak-born stylist now resides her talent downtown Seattle at her self-titled salon. What was once a small town girl grooming horses has transformed into a metropolitan maven known for doting on a different kind of mane.

Lisa Power was suggested to me by Washington darling Zoe Boysen, a Spokane stylist who often makes appearances in the Emerald City when not at her home salon Dept Z, downtown Spokane (that’s a hint to you, Spokanites-get to know her). Lisa was exactly the reputation that proceeded her: professional, passionate, and incredibly talented.  My first question to Lisa, what is hair styling?, brought back a clear reflection of Lisa’s devotion to her craft.

“Hair Styling happens after you put down your shears.  It’s how you dress and finish the hair.  What tools, implements, products and how you work with your hands.  It’s also about teaching your clients how do style their hair.  You must be their coach.  It is our responsibility to make sure they are creating the current looks they see in the magazines and media.”

And that, in fact, might be the most important part-not the hair, but the styling. We here on the Wire love all that is fashion, but it is often overlooked the amount of work and knowledge it takes to create even the I-didn’t-style-my-hair looks we are fed by media today. Additionally, here in Seattle we brave one element most cities (and stylists) fear – rain. And wouldn’t it of course be the case that we are a city that loves edgy, sophisticated, and sleek looks. Thankfully, Lisa and her team have got our back.

Lisa Power Salon opened in 2006, after Lisa had worked for 20 years in the high-end salon world downtown, as well as teaching hair techniques to other stylists. Today, Lisa’s team is renowned for their impeccable quality; each stylist is hand chosen, and endures weeks of job shadowing, a Lisa-style audition before facing the chopping block at which only 100% score gets you the job.

“I work hard to find complimentary personalities and to find people that thrive on peacefulness and happiness…not negativity and drama.  This is a drama free zone!”

Clients enjoy the lack of drama as well. Lisa Power Salon is known for its incredible color work which brings in clientele of all ages and styles.

“We are well known for our color prowess so we do a lot of color.  We do everything from natural and subtle and professional to crazy and wild and bright…I feel fashion and hair go hand in hand.  You can’t rock a great outfit with bad hair!  It doesn’t work.  I think you have to have a good read on people’s personal style and dress their hair to reflect that style.  I think its fun as well to lure people out of the style ruts.”

I asked Lisa to put some of her insider info on the Wire:

What looks are you loving right now?

“I’m having so much fun with a peek-a-boo super short fringe undercut.  The last two shows I went to in Europe featured these ideas.  I’m also having a lot of fun cutting hair nice and short like Carrie Mulligan and Michelle Williams.  It’s so pretty and sweet on the right face.

My favorite style of all time is probably a geometric inverted graduated bob [read slowly, and mathematically, and it makes sense].  When done perfectly it’s amazing…and not everyone can cut it!”  

What are the three big mistakes most of us are making with our hair?

1.   Try to color their hair themselves at home.  Go for it.  I can’t wait to fix it! It’s never going to look as good as when we do it!
2.  Over process their hair.  Some people love changing their color so much they over process it well past the point of pretty!  If you are going to do a lot of changes to your hair you must do home conditioning treatments as well as at the salon.  You must be prepared to cut length off to keep it somewhat healthy.  Unhealthy long hair is not pretty!
3.  Wash their hair too much.  I’m a fan of letting your hair go as long as you can before washing it.  It keeps the color way better and I tend to like the texture better as days go by.  Especially if your hair is curly or prone to being on the dry side.  If you tend to have oily scalp and hair, try dry shampoos or go ahead and wash daily. I get it!

So where is Lisa’s career headed?

“As for my dream job, I guess I have it!  I’m my own boss and I still just love doing hair and participating in my industry.  I was a platform artist for most of my career so now it’s nice to attend education as a guest and not the teacher.  I can focus on being a successful business owner and really mentor my team.  It gives me a lot of satisfaction and joy to see them grow into successful stylists.”

And finally, why is hair styling so important??

“If you have some great style going on, you are going to treat your fellow mankind with more respect and dignity.  Just be more civilized.  Therefore you will not want to shoot anyone, set off a bomb, have road rage, get in a fight, and start a war.  Good hair equals world peace!”

That’s why we love you Lisa. As for her signature style:

“My signature style is cool funky frames. If you have to wear glasses you may as well have fun with it. My hair is naturally curly and I embrace it.  I always have a bold shade of a deeper red.”

I’d like to personally thank Lisa Power for this interview, and her incredible team of stylists for providing some of the looks featured here. As well as Zoe Boysen for recommending her.

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CONGRATULATIONS

To JewelMint Giveaway Winner

The beautiful Ursula Jennings of Seattle, Washington

Ursula’s winning signature style: when you can’t find that perfect piece, make your own!

“This past year I found myself really wanting a charm necklace or pendant with my initials on it. I loved this piece because it fits with my more classic, conservative sense of style, yet still offers a personalized touch. However, with my first name starting with the letter “U,” none of my favorite jewelry stores or websites carried a necklace that would work for me. Eventually in desperation I made my way to a bead store in an attempt to make my own version. I emerged from my trip with a cute cursive “U” charm that was large enough to stand out, yet still subtle enough to allow me to wear other accessories. It cost less than $10 and has been a part of my regular rotation ever since.”

Great idea, Ursula! So…where’s the closest bead store anyway?

Thank you to all the amazing readers who submitted, and stay tuned for more giveaways on the Wire! And be sure to use discount code Seattle104 for 50% off on www.JewelMint.com!