Meet Your Hologram Stylist: Melanie
What is better than an amazing hairstylist? An amazing person that has over 16 years of spreading their passion to see clients strut their stuff and live their life in a little color (hair color that is). Here is a little get-to-know-you with master stylist, hair artist, and the one behind the Hologram brand, Melanie Baringer.
What inspired you to be in this field?
I have always wanted to be a hairstylist! I used to play with my dolls’ hair and my brother’s hair when I was a kid. When I was in college at the University of Georgia, I had a salon in my dorm room and people would come to me for their hair needs. I have always been interested in the beauty industry, particularly the science of beauty.
What is your favorite part of this job?
Consulting with clients to really get them to a place where they love their hair. I love being creative and learning about new products and chemicals. I love following trends and it’s so great that we get to transform people in the span of an hour.
What is your hair specialty? What do you like most about it? What makes it hard, or tricky?
My specialty is natural appearing color. Meaning: I want your friends to not know if you go to a hair salon. I want your hair - no matter what we do - to look like it is coming from you. I also specialize in gray hair transformations or gray hair management and planning. As far as cutting styles, I love short hair, particularly bobs. The Bob is such a classic haircut that flatters every face shape.
What is the most difficult hair request you've had and how did you do?
The most difficult hair request I’ve dealt with was someone got a brush stuck in the very top of their hair and I had to cut it out. Their hair was really long but the top of their hair ended up being very short. So, trying to do extensions and blending work to make everything seem seamless was difficult. It turned out great though!
How do you keep up-to-date on the latest hair trends?
Definitely through social media, magazines, and observing the public -- particularly the students in our town.
How do you want your clients to feel after coming to you?
After a client comes to see me at Hologram, I want them to feel heard and understood. And also, I want them to feel hopeful about their future hair needs. We always want every client to feel beautiful, confident, and relaxed.
What are your favorite things to do when you're not slaying hair?
Outside of the salon, I’m a very big nerd and I love to read. I play with my two rescue dogs that are pug mixes. I like hanging out with my girlfriend and watching weird television and listening to crime podcasts. And always going to bed early!
What are your dreams for the future in reference to hair styling?
I want to keep making hair interesting for my clients. Staying on top of trends and techniques and chemical services. It’s really easy to get behind in our industry and the next thing you know you’re doing a perm in someone’s basement. I always want our clients to have the best and the newest technology in regards to hair.
What are some really cool things that we don't know about you?
I’m pretty nerdy and on the straight and narrow. I’m insanely fair skinned so I will generally be wearing sunscreen and a hat if you see me outside of the salon. I like horror films and scary stuff - it somehow makes me relax which I know is psychotic, but it does. I know every episode of Law and Order by heart. I really love SEC football and will be cheering on the Dawgs during our next football season. And lastly, I used to be a librarian at the University of Georgia, and I left my job there to train locally as an apprentice. That is how I got my cosmetology license. So, I am basically an academic nerd at heart.
What is one thing you would like to do once the pandemic is over?
I really want to travel again. Traveling always gives me creativity and ideas and those are so important to what I do every day.
What is your favorite part of owning Hologram salon?
Honestly, just watching all of my stylists grow and become confident in what they do. I love watching their clients come in and leave amazed and feeling so great. I’m very lucky that daily I get to deal with clients and staff who are happy to be with us and love the space.
If you would like Melanie or one of the other insanely talented hair stylists at Hologram to transform your hair, click here to schedule your appointment today. We can’t wait to make your hair dreams come true!