When I moved to Kalamazoo a year ago, I left behind my pro-bono stylist of 5 years who also happens to be my best friend (a really great set-up-- I'd highly recommend it). I have extreme anxiety about getting my hair cut. I hate going. It's nearly impossible to find someone who can lasso and tame my 6 cowlicks-- rarely do I walk away satisfied. I have tried 3 different barbers in the area-- all highly recommended-- and boy did they do some numbers on me. If I were to create a montage of the haircuts I received from them, show it to a complete stranger, and ask them to "name this career," they'd probably guess I was an actor who had auditioned for parts in an army film (flat-top), in a remake of The Little Rascals as Alfalfa (rooster tail), and in a biopic on the life of Kate Gosselin as Kate Gosselin herself (the A-Symmetrical Soccer Mom), and I probably didn't get any call-backs. Also, I was not impressed with their level of professionalism or the hospitality they provided. One barber ran his shop like a frat house. He literally put me on pause for 5 minutes, mid-cut, so he could go order lunch.
Then along came Austynne Blaine. It was pure happenstance. I was next door to her shop getting a fade when that barber called her over to brainstorm and bounce around ideas with for my cut. I instantly connected with her energy and felt as if she were an old friend I had known for years. Her enthusiasm was contagious, her passion for her craft was inspiring, and her generosity with her time to a client that wasn't even hers felt so selfless and almost philanthropic. I thought to myself: I need more of this ball of big-hearted humanity in my life!
A month later I was due for a cut and began my internet search for "the girl with the boy name" which is all I could remember about her. I soon spotted that distinctive name, made an appointment, and when I walked in the door for my first cut, her exact words to me were: "I knew I'd see you again; I have a sixth sense about these things." It was kind of eerie, but it also helped collect me and reassure me I had made the right decision in coming to her. She will put you at ease, she will make you laugh, she will listen to you, she will HEAR you, and she will also gently direct you away from a bad decision, henny! I will say this: I've had the pleasure of sitting in Austynne's chair three times now-- a personal record-- and I've never loved my head more. As she gets acquainted with the geography of your head, her work gets even better! If I were an actor, I would definitely be getting those call-backs! This Lady is an entrepreneur, she's a mother, she's a connoisseur of her craft--go support a local businesswoman and all-around good freakin' human-being: Austynne Blaine! read more
