FollowEchelon Salon Suites, Dry Bar, and Spa may be the new kid in town, but that doesn’t mean they lack experience.
“We are new,” agrees Miranda Augusta, creative director and on-site lead stylist at Echelon. “But the stylists we have are very established, and very educated, and very professional.”
Echelon, the largest upscale salon in the state of Oklahoma, boasts 8,000 square feet of modern glam space that plays host to a large reception area, a dry bar (the only one in the area), numerous private suites, a shampoo room, and yes, an education room.
“We have classes every Monday. All of the stylists come to the classes. We also offer for stylists outside of Echelon to come to the classes, too. We are trying to “up” the education in the state of Oklahoma,” says Augusta.
It’s something Augusta is so passionate about, she requires Echelon stylists to attend at least two Echelon Education classes per month. One reason being, the state board testing hasn’t changed in over half a century.
“You don’t know if that [stylist]is up on the latest technology,” says Echelon stylist, director of operations and Augusta’s right hand, L.J. Hill. “And they can put [chemicals]on your hair, without any regulation from the state, and can ruin it.”
Augusta and Hill have vocalized their concerns, and along with master cosmetologist, Carolyn Webster, petitioned the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology to mandate continuing education for license holders.
“It’s pretty scary,” says Augusta, “a lot of people don’t understand that it’s really a lot of chemistry and geometry.” Some of the treatments, she says, if used improperly, have the potential to burn the client’s hair severely. And even worse, the improper application of hair extensions, “can cause tension alopecia, and the hair will never grow back,” she warns.
Echelon’s adherence to professionalism and style can be seen center-court at Thunder home games. As the official salon for OKC’s Thunder Girls, dance team for the Oklahoma CIty Thunder, Echelon helps to create and maintain the looks for the squad for the entire season.
Already, it appears Echelon has rooted itself into the local community through benevolent projects. Partnering with the local chapter of Dress for Success—an organization geared at helping women get back on their feet and into the workforce—Echelon stylists plan to teach women how to appropriately style their hair and apply their makeup for work. “Our stylists are very open to donating their time, giving away a free color or free cut to help out an organization,” assures Hill.
Professionalism is everything for Echelon, from technique to training to the way they treat clientele and the community, Hill extends an important message to potential customers: “It doesn’t matter what race you are, we do all hair and you’re going to get the same service,” she says.
Augusta nods in agreement. “I want them to feel beautiful, and let them know that we are here to help them, whoever they are,” she adds.
Written by Christina Valentine | Photography by Emily Brashier
