July/August 2000 Issue

Coastal Coiffures

There’s no excuse for having a bad hair day on the islands. Whether you’re a short-term visitor or plan never to leave, there are plenty of stylists and barbers who will help you with just the right look.
    Scarlett Arnold operates Scarlett O’Hairs, a unisex hair and body salon that’s been, for the past three years, "conveniently located across from Jerry’s Plaza in the pink canopy mall on Casa Ybel." For three years before that, Arnold ran her shop next to Matzaluna, about half a mile west of the causeway, but says she’s in "a better location now." Year-round local residents comprise much of her client base. About half are men. Scarlett O’Hairs uses such products as Goldwell, Graham Webb, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, and Sebastian. "Appointments are appreciated and walk-ins are welcome," Arnold notes. 1711 Periwinkle Way, Suite 2, Sanibel, 941/472-5699.
   The hair salon is just part of the 3,000-square foot, state-of the-art Sanibel Day Spa. Both women and men are welcome at the full-service salon at Periwinkle Place. Its stylists are particularly known for highlighting, which is one of their specialties. And ladies, after your hair is styled, treat yourself to special-occasion makeup, makeup lessons, or color analysis. Spa packages and gift certificates make popular presents, too. Periwinkle Place, 2075 Periwinkle Way, #27, Sanibel, 941/395-2220.
    Pat Kair Crysler has been "serving the islands for over 20 years" with her beauty shop, Pat’s Hair Kair. It’s located at Sanibel Square and bills itself as the "home of the Sanibel sport cut." The full-service shop specializes in classic styling for men and women, including "sculptured hairstyles." Featured products include Aveda, Framesi, Goldwell, Matrix, Nexxus and Paul Mitchell. Kathy Prosser, a licensed barber and cosmetologist, joined Pat’s group of stylists two years ago and has a growing number of male customers. Sanibel Square, 2248 Periwinkle Way, Unit 9, Sanibel, 941/472-2425.
   The former Village Hair Salon is now known as Little Joe’s Beverly Hills Hair Design...at The Village. Joe and Ginny Micale, who hail from Beverly Hills, Calif., bought the shop in November 1999. It’s got the same great staff, they say, and is keeping very busy with existing clients, of whom about 40 percent are men. The shop features European products such as Goldwell and Schwarzkopf. Joe specializes in custom non-surgical hair replacement, using only human hair. "We are getting several clients, men and women and even children, who have medical-related hair loss," Ginny explains. In addition, the Micales have started Hair For Kids, and plan to raise funds for custom wigs for children with cancer. (See related story, Making Waves.) The Village, 2340 Periwinkle Way, Suite I-1, Sanibel, 941/395-3116.
    At Bailey’s Shopping Center is Sanibel Barber Shop, with its traditional red-and-white barber pole that spins when owner Dennis Seifert is open for business. He’s had the "Men’s Grooming Center" for 15 years and prefers walk-ins in season and appointments out of season. About a quarter of his customers are year-round residents and he caters to all ages. "It’s funny," Seifert notes, "young guys now like their hair short and the older guys say not to cut their hair as short as those kids." He says that occasionally women wearing short, sporty haircuts will come in with their husbands and want a trim also. Bailey’s Shopping Center, 2465 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-5626.
    Next door is Sanibel Beauty Salon, which was the first salon on the island when it was opened in 1951 by Mary Aleck. (Aleck, who passed away this year, had one of three telephones on the island. She was given a number that’s awfully easy to remember: 472-1111!) Aleck’s daughter, MaryAnne Banta, says the shop originally had two booths and four hair dryers. It’s come a long way and is now designated a L’Oreal World-Class Color Salon. Clients include many local residents, winter residents, tourists, and spring breakers, who "go for the beads and braids–the fun stuff," she says. "We get a lot of men, too, as we have a licensed barber," she adds, "and quite a few kids come in, especially for back-to-school haircuts or proms, etc." Bailey’s Shopping Center, 2467 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1111; nail department phone is 941/395-2022.
    Go across Tarpon Bay Road and you’ll find New Spirit Hair Design, which has been in the Olde Sanibel Shoppes for three years. It’s been on the island for 16 years and the full-service salon’s motto is, "A hairstyle as individual as your signature." Hair products include Artec, Framesi, Matrix, MOP, Nexxus, and Paul Mitchell. Clientele include many winter residents; about 40 percent of customers are men and children. Appointments are preferred but not necessary. It’s also possible to schedule evening appointments. Olde Sanibel Shoppes, 630 Tarpon Bay Road, Suite 6, Sanibel, 941/472-HAIR (941/472-4247) or 941/472-2371.
    Down the road a bit, at the Sanibel Promenade across from the post office, is Island Winds Coiffures. The "affordable full-service salon that pampers men and women" is in its fifth year at the Promenade but is starting its 27th year on the island. The proprietor, Jeanne Melvin, makes use of a wide variety of hair care products, although her shop’s specialty brand is Paul Mitchell. She numbers many winter residents as customers and about a quarter to a third of her clients are men. Sanibel Promenade, 695 Tarpon Bay Road, #9, Sanibel, 941/472-2591.
    At the corner of Sanibel-Captiva and Rabbit roads, Donna Carberry has owned Harry Ruby Salon for the past three and a half years. She worked at a Chicago salon for 20 years and now enjoys running her own Aveda Concept Salon. "Aveda products are made from naturally derived plant and herbal extracts," Carberry explains, "and that goes hand in hand with this environmentally conscious island. It’s something I feel real strongly about." The salon counts women, men, and children as customers and Carberry stays busy all summer, too, with local clientele. "Lots of young families are moving onto the islands and that’s the kind of hair I know how to cut," she adds. 975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel, 941/395-0910.
    On Captiva, Resort Salon Services at South Seas is located at Chadwick’s Square on the second floor, above the fitness center. (If you’re not feeling very fit, don’t worry; customers can take an elevator to the salon.) The facility is open to the public, although about 70 percent of its customers stay at South Seas Plantation or other accommodations on Captiva. In addition to hair care, the full-service salon is known for its massage therapy. Chadwick’s Square, South Seas Plantation, Captiva, 941/472-5757 or 941/472-5111, ext. 3311. –Libby Grimm