My Go To Colorist Is Talking Rhode Island Favorites And Styling Your Hair In A Heat Wave
She transformed my hair color recently and I’m getting sooo many compliments! Today I’m introducing you to the super talented Lauren St. Hilaire at Magnolia Salon & Spa on Park Avenue in Cranston.
About Me
Pisces. 401 born and raised. Lover of cheesy 80’s slashers and sitcoms. Collector of vinyl. Pizza and Cherry Coke. I sing really loud in the car. Mama. Hairstylist.
I specialize in customized color services as well as cuts and event/bridal styling.
I’ve been a stylist for 9 years, all of which I have spent working at my family’s business Magnolia Salon. Safe to say we don’t observe the normal work or fam boundaries (but then again we are Sicilian, what boundaries do we have?!) but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
It feels like I’m at home wherever I am.
I didn’t always know I wanted to be a stylist. I just knew I was creative and couldn’t sit at a desk. I dropped out of film school my sophomore year and signed up at Toni and Guy, best decision of my life. Not only do I get to be creative every day, but I get to hang with amazing people and help them to feel beautiful, confident and cared for. It’s a dream.
I’m inspired by all types of stuff. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a super fan; I’m so passionate about the things I love: music, movies, fashion, pop-culture, traditions. So I’m bound to draw some inspiration from all that. What I love has always sort of become part of who I am and what I do.
But I feel my biggest inspiration is drawn from each individual client in front of me, we share so much. They let me into their worlds — We laugh together, cry together. We’ve seen each other through so much. I know where that random cowlick is on the back of your head and I can’t wait to hear about your weird online dating experience. It’s true that I’m not splitting atoms, but I am connecting all day everyday and it’s what drives my creativity.
My philosophy as a stylist is much like my philosophy for everything else in life: GO FOR IT. I love to learn new techniques, services and I’m always up for a challenge. I find a lot of clients that reach out to me are in my chair because I’m willing to try something another stylist perhaps was not, or they are entertained by my ever-changing hair and looking to make a change. I’m always upfront, realistic, and looking out for the integrity of my client’s hair, but I’m also always going to encourage you to take the risk and express yourself! Life is too short, cut the damn bangs.
Favorite RI Spots
I’m a simple gal. My favorite dinner in RI is a large pizza from Tommy’s on Chalkstone Ave. They’ve got the crispiest, curliest pepperoni and opening that white rectangular box is like looking into the eyes of god himself. Order it for take-out and pair with sweatpants and Good Fellas and you’ve got yourself a Friday night!
My favorite all-time-favorite outdoor summer spot in RI is the Rustic Drive-In in North Smithfield. I love the nostalgic vibe you instantly get upon arrival, and it’s totally authentic! Nothing curated about this spot. Pay per car. Double features, candy, hot dogs, humidity. That’s a Rhody summer night in all its glory!
Photo Courtesy Of The Wild Colonial Tavern Instagram
If we’re grabbing a drink, I’m dragging you to my favorite bar, Wild Colonial, for a Dark and Stormy and a round of darts.
Coming from a family that runs a small business, of course I was raised to support and love the local shops. Three of my faves are The Salty Babe in Newport, YES! Gallery in Wickford, and the RI Antiques Mall (love that place, everything from Art Deco estate jewelry to Miller High Life bar signs) in Pawtucket.
Outside of all the cool shops, another small business that I’m really enjoying recently is The Booty Camp; it’s a fitness/dance studio with tons of classes to whip you into shape. I’ve taken classes from sound healing yoga to chair dancing burlesque — it’s a blast, totally inclusive and such a great workout! It’s owned by two great women (both RI natives) and they are killing it! You have to check it out.
Okay, Back To Hair
I wanted to share a few of my favorite products to help you rock your locks during a RI HEAT WAVE!
I love R+CO Rockaway Salt Spray. It is perfect for enhancing or recreating your beach hair. It’ll give you grit and pliability and I love prepping a boho braided look with this!
For my girls who try to fight the elements and rock smooth hair all summer, I recommend R+CO Two-Way Mirror. This is a serum to apply to towel-dried hair prior to heat styling, and can also be used (sparingly) as a finishing gloss on dry hair. It reduces frizz, smoothes and coats the hair, and gives it a reflective quality that’s otherwise hard to achieve in the humidity. A must-have!
As far as in-salon services, I recommend trying a smoothing treatment like keratin or Brazilian Blowout. You’re a good candidate if you fight against your frizz, are working up a sweat trying to work your round brush or you are looking to cut styling time in half. Some of my clients are obsessed and get these quarterly (throughout the year), while others just do it when it *really* counts, during the summer months.
For more from Lauren, give her a follow over on IG @LaurenSt.Hilaire.
Magnolia is located at 1375 Park Avenue in Cranston, Rhode Island.