I’ve mentioned here before the little things that make (or break) day to day life. Like, the essential services one uses often, which are best when they’re convenient, affordable, and consistent. Such as: a gym, a dry cleaner, tailor/seamstress, pharmacy, and market.
LIKE, a good stylist-hairdresser-salon. You can imagine the pressure I felt when I left Tampa, my home of…many years…and my stylist Evan, also of many years.
But, change is good. I floundered a bit at first, going to one place that was too pricey, then another than was a bit retro for my taste.
On a recent visit to Les Garçons
Then, on a whim, wanting a place closer to home that didn’t require a phone call to book, I tried Les Garçons de la Rue. Previously I’d walked past it, looking down into its subterranean red, black, and white interior and wondering: “is it a hair school?” With plywood benches in the reception area and white plastic chairs for clients, it looked a bit low rent.
But, I was matched by chance with Ross, and we’ve been happy ever since.
In many ways, LG reminds me of Tribeca, my salon in Tampa. But to my delight, it is just a bit sleeker in the way you’d expect something in Milan to compare with its Tampa counterpart.
First, let me say that there’s an equal mix of male and female stylists and they are all attractive. They wear total black, the only uniform requirement I assume, but express personality with crazy, fantastic, glossy advertisement-worthy hair styles. I swear, the one guy Massimiliano has the most luscious dark brown curly hair that seems to look perfectly floppy and imperfect no matter what.
Freshhhh
Then there’s Daniel, a new addition to the staff. He is from Poland, and his modern bouffant is a sort of engineering feat. Through a careful process of cut, color, application of heat and products, it floats like a massive swoosh above his head, glistening and resting in a way that flatters from any angle.
Any time I visit Les Garçons, I have a moment of self pity. My hair is a little greasy, my scalp flaky and my ability to instruct my hair in the morning about as strong as my knack for budgeting (it doesn’t exist). I don’t understand hair the way these people do.
Despite this, I never feel unwelcome or judged. Daniel gives the best head massages (really, best in my life), and Ross takes care to moisturize my scalp and give me hair mask samples to use at home.
Credit: Uala.It
Most of the time while I’m at Les Garçons, I feel relaxed, pampered, and I get very focused. I think about my life, about school. Lately I have thought a lot about jobs and tend to get great ideas while Ross is snipping, shearing, or blending. In part this is because the music is played too loud for much talk, so I go into my thoughtful place and Ross goes into his.
Above all, I get visions of my future at LG. It feels like a big city sort of place, where busy professionals (like my future self) come for beauty maintenance, a stop between work and drinks, to feel good, enjoy saying hello, and watch artisans at work. Eye candy doesn’t hurt either!
Perhaps this is an exaggeration…or perhaps it is just scratching the surface of even sleeker, cooler salons. But it’s authentic, and the quality is there. It’s a place that makes me happy in Milan, and I appreciate it.
You can book online at uala.it, choosing your service and preferred stylist.
