For 25 years, Spalon Montage has offered the best in hair care services and skin treatments to their many loyal clients. In celebration of the salon’s 25th anniversary, we asked some of its talented Woodbury stylists and aestheticians for their expert beauty tips to keep you looking and feeling your best in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. While your style may change over the years, one thing remains the same: there’s nothing more beautiful than embracing your unique qualities and letting your personality shine through.
In Your 30s: Defining Your Style
Hairstylist: Nicole (Jayden) McDaniel
Background: McDaniel has been with Spalon for five years. In addition to completing the salon’s apprenticeship program, she has completed Vidal Sassoon cutting classes in Chicago and she is certified in L’Oreal Professionnel Balayage and Hotheads Hair Extensions.
Tips: According to McDaniel, your thirties are all about “embracing your hair type and natural beauty. You can still have fun but you get to be more comfortable and grounded in who you are.” For a natural look, she uses balayage, a technique of painting color onto the hair to impart soft, subtle highlights that brighten up the face. The result is a sun-kissed look that grows out more naturally than traditional foil highlights. While long hair is still very popular amongst women in their 30s, McDaniel loves the versatility of a blunt-cut mid-length bob that features beachy waves or a pop of pink or blue from a colored hair extension. “You can be daring but still be taken seriously in a job interview,” she says. Forming good hair maintenance habits, like using professional-grade shampoo and conditioner and hydrating masques at home, is essential to keeping your hair healthy and vibrant.
Aesthetician: Gianna Cotroneo
Background: A graduate of St. Paul College’s aesthetics program, Cotroneo has been a Spalon aesthetician for four years; she is an expert in biomedic peels and microdermabrasion as well as waxing and brow-shaping. She is also Minkys lash extension and Latisse certified.
Tips: If you’re using the same makeup and skincare products since high school, it’s time to reassess. Many women in their 30s still experience breakouts and acne; Cotroneo suggests switching to a mineral-based makeup like Glo Minerals that won’t clog pores. She applies concealer in a “V” shape under the eyes to minimize dark circles, and bronzer in the cheek hollows from mid-cheek up towards the top of the ear.
In Your 40s: Natural Confidence
Hairstylist: Ally Bowen
Background: A graduate of the Aveda Institute, Bowen has been with Spalon for 18 years and is an educational director in the apprenticeship program.
Tips: Bowen enhances Esch’s gray hair with soft blonde balayage around her face, mixing in darker pieces to add depth. Esch’s short haircut is livened up with longer fringe to keep her look “sassy but functional,” Bowen says. “The key is to balance modern with not trying too hard.” In your 40s, finding a versatile style that works well with your hair’s natural texture allows for a more carefree, confident look that doesn’t require dozens of tools and tons of time.
Aesthetician: Kat Schriener
Background: With Spalon for six years, she is certified in SkinPen and is a Phytomer product specialist who has done makeup for the Vikings Cheer Team calendar photo shoot.
Tips: Skin-correcting treatments in your early 40s can help diminish signs of aging that may be starting to show. Schriener routinely uses SkinPen, a microneedling device designed to repair damaged and aging skin. She also recommends using Retin-A, a prescription-strength cream that contains a form of vitamin A that battles wrinkles and dark spots and helps restructure the skin. “I love makeup, but it’s important to have a good base,” she says. The better your skin looks naturally, the less makeup you’ll need to wear besides mascara and tinted moisturizer, she says.
In Your 50s: Uplifting Elegance
Hairstylist: Kelly Bowen
Regency Beauty Institute graduate and Spalon educational director for seven years, Bowen is also a Moroccanoil Creative Design Team educator and 2009 colorist of the year award-winner who worked backstage at this year’s New York Fashion Week.
Tips: Bowen keeps Hagen’s long hair looking shiny and healthy with deep-conditioning masques that contain argan oil and essential fatty acids that improve hair’s texture and manageability. “As you move into your 50s, your hair goes through changes. It loses pigment and gets coarser texture,” Bowen says. “You want a look that is classic and sophisticated that accentuates your positive features.” If you’re not ready for a big change, she suggests updating your style by switching up the part or adding a soft fringe. An all-over color with foils can add volume and dimension to thinning hair, and warm-toned highlights like Hagen’s bring out a youthful glow.
Aesthetician: Lisa Kukowski
With Spalon since 1998, Kukowski graduated from Saint Paul College and has advanced training in Obagi and SkinCeuticals products; she is also certified in SkinPen, dermaplaning and microdermabrasion.
Tips: Skin loses collagen and moisture in your 50s as your estrogen levels dip due to menopause, so it’s essential to use products that hydrate the skin and boost collagen production. Kukowski says a milky cleanser and alcohol-free toner should be used with a vitamin C serum and prescription vitamin A cream like Retin-A to combat inflammation and fight free radicals. For day, she recommends using a tinted moisturizer with peptides and broad-spectrum sunscreen like Intellishade to even skin tone and texture while improving elasticity. She often uses microneedling to tighten pores, smooth lines and stimulate collagen production to compliment facial fillers.
In Your 60s: Inner Glow
Hairstylist: Madison McDowell
McDowell started at the Edina Spalon location 19 years ago; she has been an educational director for 11 years and has advanced education in hair cutting, coloring and styling with Wella and Vidal Sassoon.
Tips: “The days of the grandma perm are gone,” McDowell says. “You can be youthful and trendy and age appropriate in your 60s.” McDowell sees clients increasingly embracing rather than fighting their silver color and changing hair texture. To keep a little length, consider a timeless bob that is customized to your face shape and hair type, or opt for a dynamic pixie cut like Carol’s that has a youthful spirit. To keep your hair full and healthy, good habits like taking vitamins and drinking lots of water go hand-in-hand with volumizing shampoos designed to stimulate the hair follicles.
Master Aesthetician: Tiffany Q. Morrison
A graduate of Aveda Institute, Morrison has been with Spalon since 2010 and is known for her expertise in waxing and advanced anti-aging treatments.
Tips: Increasing your cell turnover rate to banish dull, dry skin and reveal the radiant skin underneath is the goal of skincare in your 60s. Morrison says that exfoliating scrubs and chemical peels get rid of dead skin, while microneedling procedures stimulate collagen production to smooth out lines and help with dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Continue using sunscreen daily with a vitamin C product.
*Mention this article when you book a new client SkinPen procedure with master aestheticians Kat Schriener or Lisa Kukowski to receive 20% off your first appointment.
