I called a local hair salon today to set up an appointment for a hair coloring, simple highlights. The receptionist asked me if I also needed a haircut.

I detest when retail establishments ask if I would like an additional service; as if I had Alzheimer’s and just couldn’t remember if I needed a haircut or not. No, if I needed a haircut, I would ask for one, just like if I wanted to super-size my McDonald’s order, I would say so.

Oh, but magically, with the encouragement and the oh so subtle hint by the receptionist, my mind will restore itself to refreshed thinking, my memory retention will become immediately reconnected! And suddenly, I will remember that in addition to hair coloring, I need: a brow wax, bikini wax, shampoo, conditioner, a massage, a protein hair mask, pedicure, manicure, facial treatment and a Caribbean coconut papaya scented, raw sugar body polish made by locals in Tahiti.

This mode of psychological sales tactics is enough to turn me away from the establishment, more likely than it is to get me to make additional purchases. I bid her farewell on the phone and continued in my search.

I admit, I have been a beauty snob in the past, however, with age, I have mellowed in my quest for perfection; either that or my memory is in need of exercise. In my search for stellar beauty services in the Charleston area, I waxed skeptical.

I had seen the ads for Stella Nova with their pastiche ads. A trailer park trash man runs out the door of his shack to call back his lover. She in curlers and some sort of nightgown...a mini of course. Another one features a sort of imitation, tamed version of the ads by American Apparel, ala Terry Richardson photography knock offs themselves. I don't know who does the art direction, but the only flattering thing is it's imitation.

I have to say, I was not impressed with the salon, it was noisy and trying too hard to be hip. However, I will say that the Esthetique and Make-up Studio is quite impressive. They carry hard to find brands like Natura Bisse, Nars Cosmetics, and Santa Maria Novella. I felt like a kid in a candy store, this was my heaven.

I am very selective about my hair services and have been a client of Garren Salon for years. Garren of course is the master stylist with a body of work that has been featured in Vogue, Allure and just about any other beauty or fashion publication in existence. My other favorite hairstylist is Hiro Haraguchi. Hiro has been cutting my hair with precision for 13 years, he is a master with the scissors and has been featured in countless magazines. In addition, he has styled the Marc Jacobs fashion shows for many seasons now.

How would I be able to find an equivalent for hair styling in Charleston? Well, I still sojourn to New York to get my haircut, however, my roots were in serious need of help. I tried Stella Nova, see above, and a few other unmentionables. I was desperate in my quest and called a host of salons to no avail. I ended up finding a small, out of the way place called Salon Salon. When I telephoned, the owner was quite accommodating. It wasn't Garren or Hiro Haraguchi, but heck, I needed help and I needed it now, and accommodation is part of the experience of which I demand. I don't need some wanna be hipster trying to hard to be cool to listen to my needs.

The stylist, Stacia, was great. She listened to my needs, determined a solution, and charged me all of $65.00 for my highlights. I was in disbelief.....$65.00, now that is value! She did a beautiful job, didn't hit me over the head with small talk, was concise with the foils, and layering of color; I prefer precision and accuracy over decor anyday. I highly recommend her.

Other personal faves in the area:

The cute, cottage like atmosphere of Beach House Spa

Salon Cappelli in Mount Pleasant,Bernadette is fantastic.

Ulta has a bevy of cosmetics and skin care lines, such as Smashbox, Stila, DDF and Dermalogica.

I am still on my quest for beauty services, so if anyone has local recommendations, please do not hesitate to inform.

xo- Shell