Kalamazoo, MI Beauty and Salons

A picture of a serene pond dappled with water lilies seems to imbue the treatment room at Trocoa Skin Acumen with the calm of a woodland hideaway. Candles glow by the floral bedspread and the gray-green walls, chasing stress from clients' minds as aestheticians pamper skin with custom facials that treat a range of conditions. The Urban Renewal facial, for example, uses the powerful antioxidant vitamin C to reverse sun and environmental damage caused by bathing in radiation in order to gain superpowers. Fruit acids shrink blemishes during the Defiant Acne facial, and the sensitive-skin facial likewise channels natural ingredients, including chamomile and green tea.

Though the spa's staff members specialize in these examples of noninvasive skincare, they also administer chemical peels, waxing services, permanent makeup, and teeth-whitening treatments.

Michael Baker, owner of Michael Warren's Studio, likes to stay on top of salon trends so he can offer his clients the most current services in the biz. What started as a small three-person shop more than 30 years ago has now grown into a full-service salon. Michael recently became the director of education for the USA team at Di Biase Hair, an Italian company that produces professional hair extensions. Along with the keratin-bonded extensions, his salon also provides laser hair-nurturing therapy and free spins in the stylist chairs.

Teased Salon owner Brooke Hammer has saved people from what she refers to as "hair hell." She and her staff of stylists have witnessed sea-green color catastrophes; they've consoled mothers whose manes look butchered by their children; and they've rescued cuts after patrons visited a "chophouse with a new girl," says Brooke. For such cases, and for all her clients, Brooke employs the tips and techniques she learned during 11 years and through training with Aveda and Paul Mitchell. Each haircut or style—for men, women, kids, and brides—centers on communication; she consults with clients before snipping a single strand. And she gauges not just physical attributes such as face shape and hair texture, but also personality traits, such as edgy, conservative, or Aniston.

Brooke's path to a career in hairstyling wasn't always laid out before her, even though as a child––to her parents' dismay––she altered the hairstyles of several dolls and a few cousins. Yet she always had a creative streak, which a master stylist and instructor nourished in a protégé program. After nearly a decade in the business, she struck out on her own with Teased Salon, in the company of Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and other Hollywood icons who now star in the salon's chic, vintage decor.