A lower and color: Calgary hair salon provides tattooing to its menu of companies

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It’s tiny in measurement however large in symbolic delight.

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The small crimson define of a Canadian flag on Marilyn Douglas’s ankle is the results of 5 years of planning and ready. It was lengthy desired however going to a tattoo parlour wasn’t one thing the Calgary girl was ready to do.

“I had been pondering of this specific tattoo for about 5 years. I simply didn’t really feel comfy with different locations. After I found this was right here, it gave me the motivation to leap in and do it.”

This refers to a brand new tattoo studio that has opened inside Angles Hair & Esthetics within the Brentwood Buying Centre. A part of the reception space has been changed into a glassed-in studio that permits hair and spa shoppers to look at the method when the curtains are open.

“Frank (the salon proprietor) lives in the identical advanced as me and once I heard about this, I used to be . You’ve gotten all these perceptions about tattoo parlours. This felt higher, safer, and cleaner to me. There are such a lot of optimistic issues about it,” stated Douglas.

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For the report, there are quite a few well being and hygiene regulation for tattoo retailers and licensed ones adhere to them rigorously or they wouldn’t stay in enterprise. However there are ladies, particularly these in center age, who’re nonetheless uncomfortable going to at least one.

Longtime Angles proprietor Francesco Rizzuto needed to take away that stigma and supply an choice for his shoppers and others who want a tattoo however are afraid to step right into a parlour. In doing analysis earlier than committing to the plan, Rizzuto couldn’t discover one other instance in Canada of a hair salon partnered with a tattoo enterprise. Salon Journal believes he’s the primary. So it was necessary to him to place it entrance and centre in a bid to maneuver away from the established tattoo tradition.

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“I needed to mix completely different artwork kinds beneath one roof. It’s not opening a tattoo studio per se however increasing our companies. So many purchasers stated they had been however intimidated to go get a tattoo so I didn’t wish to put it within the again room. I needed to carry it out of the basement. Individuals need a cool tattoo however not essentially all of the tattoo tradition that goes with it.”

“Right here, it’s simply one other artwork type within the salon. In all places you look right here, individuals are creating.”

Lesia Hildebrandt was on the lookout for a artistic method to designing a tattoo after shedding one among her beloved canine not too long ago. She deliberate to get a wrist tattoo alongside together with her husband and daughter however that fell aside when she broke her hand. They went forward with out her. After she healed, the Angles studio appeared an ideal match as she was already a longtime hair shopper.

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“There are such a lot of locations so determining the place to go is overwhelming. When this place opened up, it was like kismet. It’s not intimidating, it’s a cushty feeling.”

Cherie Johnson was the tattooist at Angles from opening till not too long ago. She left for medical causes and is changed by Drew O’Neill of Drooz Tattoos. Johnson stated the studio appeals to salon shoppers as a result of it’s such a well-known setting. About half of the greater than 20 prospects she had since opening in March had been salon shoppers. And it’s a blended bag in the case of what they need.

“It’s 50/50 if they’re very positive of their concept or are on the lookout for some assist. We sit down and go over it. I’ve had folks carry me their very own paintings, that’s fairly well-liked. I’ve been requested for medical alert bracelets and commemorative tattoos. Even ‘the mustard man’, no matter that’s, and bitter patch children.”

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Rachael Romero was on the mall’s pet meals retailer when she noticed the signal. Newly married, she had been fascinated by getting a tattoo on her finger as an alternative of a marriage band since she’s a climber and may’t put on one. She had checked out different retailers however they didn’t really feel proper.

“I’ve been for some time however the others appeared actually intense like with large again tattoos. I wasn’t positive in the event that they’d snort at me if I needed one thing easy and small. “This,” she says pointing to the brand new, tiny inexperienced tadpole on her ring finger, “is strictly what I needed.”

Tattoos have gotten extra mainstream with 38 per cent of Canadians having not less than one tattoo. In Canada, ladies (24%) are extra doubtless than males (20%) to have a tattoo, as are these aged 18 to 34 (36%) when put next with Canadians aged 35 to 54 (24%) or 55+ (8%), in accordance with an Ipsos Reid ballot in 2012. Regionally, British Columbians (28%) are most definitely to have a tattoo, adopted by Quebecers (25%), Albertans (23%), Atlantic Canadians (21%), residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%) and Ontario (19%).

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Including tattoo companies to the hair salon, which has operated within the Brentwood area for 22 years, permits for one-stop magnificence procuring. Angles additionally partnered in March with Glow Laser and Spa, providing manicures, pedicures, botox, waxing and tinting, spray tans and laser remedies, together with the opposite facet of tattooing — removing.

“Having all us in right here collectively, it’s a fairly large umbrella,” says Glow proprietor Max Bouchard. He says his laser tattoo removing is an efficient cross-business with the studio, though it’s extra concerned. “It’s dearer than a tattoo and extra painful to take away. Make sure what you need.”

Rizzuto stated the salon-spa-studio idea is working nicely and he’s proud of the choice to mix the companies.

“It’s a pure match, but as a result of it’s so new, most individuals don’t consider a hair salon after they suppose tattoo. I’m very proud that it occurred in Calgary.”

O’Neill’s portfolio is on Instagram at drooztattoosyyc or by a seek the advice of at 403-220-0017.