I've been going to Risa Flaten at Curl Up and Dye for more than a decade, going back to when we were both relatively new transplants to Chico and young mothers just trying to find our way. All these years later, she's still one of my favorite people to sit down with--and one of the very few people I trust enough to routinely say, "Do whatever you want." She has never led me astray.
Risa is an artist. She's wildly talented, hilarious, creative, and has a wonderfully unique gothy vibe that is entirely her own. I've followed her across five different salon locations, from SeelaDavid to Scissorhands. No one cheered louder than me when she announced she had cobbled together her dream: owning Curl Up and Dye. That determination and resiliency is unmatched in my personal life.
But what I admire most is the way she has invested herself and her small business in this community. She routinely gives haircuts to people who need them but can't afford them, offering her time and talent because she understands that sometimes a haircut is about much more than hair. It can mean dignity, confidence, a fresh start, or simply feeling like yourself again.
I've had the privilege of watching Risa build a business, raise a family, find her place in Chico, and continually give something back to the community that embraced both of us. More than a decade of trusting her with my hair seems like a pretty solid endorsement--but the person behind the chair is an even better reason to recommend her. And if there's any doubt, check out her reviews from loyal, long-time customers. Peruse her website. Then remember that she opened her salon less than six months ago and has already snagged a coveted Best of Chico nomination in four categories and get in before she closes her books to everyone else interested in the best of the best. read more
