Brandermill, VA Beauty and Salons

The trained staff at La Bella Salon combine classic beauty rituals, such as manicures and waxing, with modern aesthetic techniques, such as laser hair removal for every skin shade. Not far from the glimmer of an onsite jewelry shop, trained stylists sculpt flattering 'dos with Biolage and Wella products, and aestheticians personalize facials to each forehead crease. Massage therapists drain stress reserves with soothing strokes and ensure that their craft lives on by teaching massage-instruction programs and hiring monks to transcribe their cosmetic handbook word by word.

Makeup artist Tish Perkins's resumé sparkles with accomplishments, from working as a member of the Glam Squad for the 2011 Miss Black USA Pageant to earning Go Pretty's first annual Beauty Pro Award. Though these recent praises have gained her a lot of attention, Perkins has stayed focused on her passion: bringing out her clients' natural beauty with traditional and airbrush makeup. Whether dolling up faces for a boudoir shoot or applying jewels to an Indian bride, Perkins relies on her seven years of experience to work on any skin tone. Perkins is also a trained eyelash extensionist, using strip lashes, clusters, and semi-permanent lash extensions to define lash lines. By applying one strand at a time, she is able to build upon sparse lids until they resemble the glamorous lashes of a movie star or reach the football-size lengths that comprise a giraffe's main form of self-defense.

The owner of Nail Theory is no stranger to nailcare. As part of a family that owns salons all over the world, she channels her own two decades of experience when revivifying keratin plates with a slate of treatments. Wielding gel brands such as Shellac, Gelish, and OPI, she leads her staff in keeping manicures chip-free for up to two weeks and adds a touch of glamour of 19th-century realism to digits with nail art. Four types of pedicures each begin with a warm soak and end with a moisturizing massage, and waxing services evict unwanted hair with either hard or soft wax.

Since 1988, Felicia has been primping her clients with the latest nail care techniques—including a specialty in diabetic hand and foot care. To ensure the quality of her services, Felicia attends industry events and does not use any drills, toxic chemicals, or non-union chimpanzee labor. For nail care, the skilled technician performs spa mani-pedis, gel nails, acrylic nails, and nail art. She also offers traditional spa services such as facials, waxing services, and semi-permanent eyelash extensions. For groups, she hosts spa pamper parties and can provide in-home mobile services for individuals that enjoy getting pampered without missing their favorite infomercials.

Rita Gregory began wearing acrylic nails in 1982 and continued wearing them for six years. Over this time, they caused severe damage to her natural fingernails. She sought advice at nail salons, but the professionals she asked didn't offer a satisfactory solution—they simply recommended covering up the damage with more artificial nails. So Rita began conducting her own research.

Atir Natural Nail Care is the culmination of her studies; it’s not only a nail salon, but a nail clinic, where technicians strive to educate clients about natural nail care and nail health. Drawing from her research, they smooth cuticles, strengthen fingernails, and moisturize hands. Treatments bridge the gap between health and beauty by utilizing natural ingredients such as tea-tree oil and shea butter, and Zoya and essie natural nail lacquers leave a gleaming shine without the use of potentially harmful chemicals.