COLOR ME SURPRISED
By Courtney Kretchman
Ever feel like more of a mannequin than a paying client at a high-end hair salon? Stylists sashaying around your head, shop-talking to each other as if you didn’t speak the language. Sound familiar? Yeah, despite our pleasant cappuccino service, there can be a customer service price we pay in addition to the bill, when going to hip upscale salons.
I have grown to accept this reality. As long as the results are good, I can deal with a little attitude along the way. I almost expect it when visiting a new locale.
So, Imagine my surprise when I met Nikki at Warren-Tricomi in West Hollywood. Lovely, earthy and the antithesis of uptight. Nikki chatted, she examined, she suggested – and then proceeded to describe exactly what my color needed. “Wheat is what you need, the color of wheat.” And she was right. Colorists are always trying to sell you caramel and two days later, you’re brassy. Wheat. How simple.
After color, Nikki introduces me to Whitney, a stylist, and it starts to feel like a day with the girls. Whitney is a pro. She gets it. She puts her two cents on the table by saying she wants to cut like a foot of hair off, but knows you’ll freak out, so she goes right into her next offer of “just up to here.” I take it.
Whitney is conversational as she snips. Nikki sits on the side and joins in periodically. It’s all very enjoyable – which I remind you is not a word I generally use when referring to LA salons.
The salon opened last year on Los Angeles’ infamous Melrose Avenue and was the fifth Warren-Tricomi salon to open its doors. The upscale 3000 sq ft space features private rooms for VIP clientele wanting exclusive service. Designed by owners Edward Tricomi and Joel Warren, the space has a minimalist organic feel to it. Floor to ceiling iron and wood mirrors with white light pouring in from the street. Simple. Clean. Relaxing.
Warren and Tricomi actually only work out of the LA location once a month, while their west coast partner, celeb colorist Kaz Amor heads it up daily. Fine by me. I’m sure Warren and Tricomi are everything their fabulous reputations precede them to be, but Nikki and Whitney were a perfect pleasure for this LA-jaded girl.
By the time I got to my car, I had dialed two fellow neighborhood salon-cynics with explicit directions to run, not walk, when they were due for their next touchups.
Warren-Tricomi
8327 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323-651-4545
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