By Norine Longo
Linda Parker, owner of A Cut Above Salon and Spa in Lawrence, says when it comes to hair styling, it is important to listen to what clients want.
Parker said people who come from other salons have told her other salons’ stylists just don’t listen to them.
“You could know every technique and cut and product in the world, but if you don’t listen, it’s a waste,” she said.
Parker said she and her staff are always passionate about helping people look and feel good. She started out styling her and her sister’s hair for school photos as a child, and continued to develop that interest well into college, when she attended Rutgers University and worked as a hairdresser to pay her way through.
During her fourth year of school, her father noticed a studio salon for rent. She said she comes from a family of entrepreneurs, and they convinced her to go for it. In 1991, she started A Cut Above at its former location on Lawrence Road. Later, she moved to the Manors Shopping Center, and will celebrate three years at that location this month.
Parker, who has taken classes in New York with Redken and graduated in the top of her class at Mercer County Cosmetology School, said word of mouth is one of the main way she reaches new clients.
“A lot of clients come in because someone said to them ‘I love your hair. Who does your hair?’” she said.
At A Cut Above, they hold regular drawings to reward loyal and referring customers. Rewards can include a free services or product goody bags.
Their services include haircuts, styling, retexturizing, coloring, manicures, pedicures, skin care, special services like bridal or prom styling and make-up application and waxing.
The stylists in the salon have different hair types and styles and are able to give clients tips and tricks they’ve learned, Parker said. Sometimes they give them suggestions based on hair type and face shape, so they can learn to change their style on their own as well.
A Cut Above stylists include Melissa Rose Manfredi, master stylist; Marsha Nirenberg, advanced stylist; Brenda Funk, advanced stylist; Alba DePaola, advanced stylist; Kyrstin Cottrell, junior stylist; Gia Scali, advanced stylist and assistant and Justine DiVanna, junior stylist and assistant.
The stylists were among the first in the area to be trained in a new Keratin Therapy, a straightening treatment, that cures in one day as opposed to the usual three. Another specialty is their DEVA cut, which is a cut for curly hair that is done dry and by cutting each individual curl.
For its third anniversary, A Cut Above will offer new clients 20 percent off their first visit with a maximum savings of $50, and free treatments with cut or coloring service for existing clients. Clients can check in the salon for more offers throughout May.
A Cut Above Salon and Spa is located at 160 Lawrenceville-Pennington Road, Suite 10 in the Manors Shopping Center in Lawrenceville. They are open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (609) 896-2500 or go online to acutabovesalonandspa.net.
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