By Lauren Lisitano –
Joseph Farias III decided to open his own salon in Newport in October 2006. He originally wanted a space in Providence, but found this Newport property and decided he was led here for a reason. Celebeautique is classified as an upscale, private boutique-salon located on the second floor in Brick Alley. Farias always gives back to charities, and one way he does this is through Locks of Love.
Media Credit: Locks of Love
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that creates real human hair wigs for people suffering from illnesses that cause hair loss. All the hair is donated by generous people who are willing to cut off at least 10 inches of hair. After participating in Locks of Love twice myself, I was interested in learning the salon’s perspective of this charitable cause.
When was the first time you heard about Locks of Love?
In cosmetology school was the first time. Being a guy going to barbershops they don’t talk about Locks of Love. So when I was brought into the salon culture they made me well aware of Locks of Love.
How long have you been doing Locks of Love?
I’ve always partook in some kind of Locks of Love format. Here at the salon in Newport, we did it right from the gecko. We usually give a discounted rate, especially if it’s for an event like a hair drive. It’s a real commitment to grow your hair that long and to meet all the criteria they go by to donate. They are a lot less stringent than they used to be. Before they did not accept dyed hair, basically it had to be virgin hair. Now they take processed hair.
Participants have to grow hair to at least 10 inches in order to donate. What do stylists have to do on their end to send in the hair?
Typically, we ask the client if they want us to send it in or if they want to send it in. Most clients want to do it themselves because they get the letter back from the organization. If you’ve been growing your hair out for that long, you want that recognition. We’re fine with it either way. In order to get the hair ready, it should be in elastics from top to bottom or braided. If its braided it’s going to be longer in length once you unravel it. I normally tell clients that after those 10 inches there will be another 2 inches off because you have to make something of what’s left. They either have to be comfortable with something shorter in the back similar to the Victoria Beckham trend, or they just have to grow it a little longer than the requirement.
Do most people come in saying they want to donate or do you suggest it if they have enough hair?
Some people come in because they have been growing their hair with the intent to donate. Others say they want six inches off, and I suggest chopping a little more and donating it. Someone with thick hair can take a section off the top of the head, where you would put layers anyway, so they can still donate without taking all that length. We try to get creative and help everyone find what is good for them and makes them feel special. Whether it’s making them feel better about themselves or feel like they are giving back.
What’s the greatest story behind someone donating their hair?
I have one client who is fabulous. Her hair grows really fast and she lets it grow until it’s at donated length and then she chops it and grows it again and chops it. Personally with me, she has done it three or four times. She had cancer twice and is currently battling her third round, and still wants to give back to others.
Do you do any other charity work at the salon?
We donate lots of gift certificates to different charities, like Big Sisters Rhode Island. We attend events and hold hair drives at the salon. We support not only cancer charities, but whatever I feel morally drawn to at the moment. For instance, the Island Moving Company and Newport Ballet do a lot of community outreach and the dancers go to the elementary schools in the area and teach Creative Movements classes, we support them doing this.
What do you hope is next for Celebeautique?
Moving forward, we are actually having a re-launch of the salon in July. New look, new concept, new name. We are still keeping Celebeautique for the retail part, but the salon portion of the business will be renamed. We’re also going to try to get more involved with Salve students with different weekend specials and events.
Why did you decide to re-launch?
In marketing, you find things that work and things that don’t work. When you have an interesting name, but people can’t spell it, it becomes difficult to market yourself. Initially I opened the business with the fear of “am I going to make it,” but I did. So we are going to keep Celebeautique as the retail locations name, and then the salon name will be new. We’re looking forward to this change.
