I happen to have a friend who I run into around town and her hair looked great last time I bumped…read moreinto her and when I asked who did her hair she told me George at First Impression in Little Silver, across the street from Little Silver Pharmacy, I could not place it, but have driven by the place for the last nine years without ever making note of it. I called them and made an appointment. First Impression is owned by a Husband and Wife who called me back to ask if I could stop by to meet with George so he could look at my hair before our appointment to see how long and what was wanted. I stopped by he was pleasant, but really what has always stood out for me is that he is concerned about not me, but really about my hair. He tested a strand on a machine that he has, it snapped immediately, he told me my hair was over processed, and that he could not do the color as I wanted. He told me that he would have to cut quite a bit off, and it would take a while (6-8 months) to get my hair healthy. He was honest and stood on his principals which I found interesting, this was not about money, it was about my hair and how I could look my best without further damaging the hair I have sought to change to be thicker, fuller, brighter long ago. I had some reservations, sure because why I had not heard of him before, and how come other salons were not concerned about the health of my hair?? I also, had a major event coming up ...the wedding of my step-daughter in three weeks and did I have time to change my hair so drastically. Well, I kept my appointment and although it was not perfect because we had to do this in steps, I can tell you I could not have made a better decision to get my hair healthy. I am not a bleached blonde anymore, but more a beautiful, gentle, tone of blonde with highlights, and my grey shine here and there...which I am liking too. The other part of this is that he has helped me take my hair to a place no other hairdresser could, once I left he gave me the instructions and tools to keep it going. The tools are not a $300 flat iron, $65.00 bottle of shampoo or hair product, but a $5.00 curler that comes with 3 of them and you roll them so easily I almost feel like kicking myself for being so gullible to have purchased so much hair products that sit in my closet and I could easily set up a shop because I have so many. No pins, just take the roller when hair is damp, roll it and then blow dry on low to finish drying. My hair is full of body for at least two days and I cannot thank First Impression/George for carrying these. I love my hair and it took many years for me to find George.
Now a bit about Georg, he is engaging, passionate about what he does, loves to be creative, and respectful at all times. George is real. George has worked in London and Europe, taught classes on cutting and such. George owns his salon, did most the work on his salon himself and is proud of it. George and his wife are animal lovers, they care for the feral cats and the cats are on the porch sometimes when I arrive for my appointment, they have a beautiful dog and George loves that dog and dog loves George. The dog is shy and timid to the clients but watches Georges move and I have seen George in his car with his dog in the passenger seat which always makes me smile. I think that says a lot for these individuals who care deeply about how they contribute to what they believe in.
The other thing you have to know about George is that he is a bit like the Soup Guy in Seinfeld show. You make an appointment, you better be on time, cancel before the day comes or if you miss it, good luck on getting a new appointment. He does not tolerate anyone who does not have consideration for him as a professional or a being and I have to say I admire that immensely about him. I fear the day I cannot get an appointment with him and for the first time in my life I feel like my hair has an advocate, a protector and someone who will do their best for me. I am fearful that as I write this review that others will make appointments with him and that he will be harder to an appointment with but I have to remember that as George shared with me the good in protecting my hair that I must do the right thing and let the area know of his talents. George has taught me that when that day comes and we part to look for the person who is going to do just that ...the best for my hair and not do what they consider vogue, hot, costly or to make their ego inflated.
Thanks George!
