Beauty Is Closer Than You Think

By Annie Kinnett Nichols

Not that I’m vain, but I’m vain. And what I’ve learned from my part-time job at Lux salon at Studioplex is that you can look awesome and it’s not that hard. You just need the right people to teach you the skills to make yourself gorgeous.

Here are a few friends of mine that can change the way you look and feel about yourself. This applies to guys as well as girls.

Curls, Curls, Curls

I have an amazing hair stylist, Charley Soderbergh, who is the owner of Lux. I have been this man’s client and close friend since the early ‘90s. I use to fly in from Chicago and New York once or twice a year just to get my hair cut by him. Charley is the only man on the planet that has figured out how to cut my hair and have it look, dare I say, great. Now that I’m working for him, I’m learning a ton from all the stylists that work there. One is you can make curls come out of frizz.

My go-to-girl for curl, Charlene Owen, whose mantra is “frizz is just curl waiting to happen.” When she’s not playing bass guitar, Charlene is the “Curl Whisperer.” She has fallen in love with a product called Deva Curl and, for the first time in her 20 years of cutting, she’s got a product that turns her hair (which is nothing but curls) into gorgeous locks. She can teach you how to make your frizz turn into curly, wavy sensational hair.

Cosmetics That Make You REAL Pretty

My friend Louie cuts and colors like an artist at Lux among other amazing things. He is phenomenal with cosmetics. He can make you look naturally gorgeous, heroin chic rock star or anything your heart desires. He can help guys and girls do tiny things that make the biggest differences in the way you look. Bring a picture in of a look you like and you’ll see what I’m talking about. When I use to get dolled up, I’d put my makeup on just like I was taught in 9th grade. No more. Louie has taught me how to do a little magic and make a lot of difference.

The Facial From God

Charley’s salon use to be on Bonaventure and he had a spa, too. When he moved to Studioplex he didn’t have room for the spa and the people that worked there didn’t want to be far away so they started their own place at ReTreat. Nguyen does nails that are perfection, Jo Jameson gives massages to die for and Adrian Benson gives the facials from God. My mom has beautiful skin, so I’ve never been that worried. but I’ve started seeing my face change and who better to help me than the woman who can do no wrong. She can teach you an easy skin regime to do at home that takes years from your face. After a facial, I feel rested, pampered and pretty. If you have never had a facial (I’m talking to men, too) – book an appointment.

Stay tuned for more places and people that make ATL my favorite city of cities.

Lux Studio is located at Studioplex, 659 Auburn Ave, Suite 151. luxstudio.com