I loved Shaun at Sanctuary!

Before I even got to Sanctuary, I had a good experience. I called to make an appointment. The day before, I was going to have a conflict. I was picking up the phone to call and it was Sanctuary, calling to remind me of the appointment. They were happy to reschedule for the next week. No problem. And they called the day before to remind me. That was very helpful.

Sanctuary is a BEAUTIFUL salon in Homewood. It is easy to get to from Highway 31. The only trouble would be parking on a busy Saturday, but even that was no trouble when I went.

I loved the atmosphere. There were complimentary beverages and friendly staff in the front waiting area. I saw someone helping a client use the one cup coffee machine, and then sending someone else running to the grocery store to buy cream for her. That's service!

The receptionist, knowing I had not been there before, showed me where the restroom was, and where I could change into a smock and hang my jacket. This part always freaks me out a little. It has been YEARS since I've been to a "real" salon and I would have been intimidated if I hadn't experienced this before.

I met Shaun, and he really listened to me. I told him that if it was possible, I would really like just some kind of gloss on my hair to make it shinier rather than coloring. I know that chemicals have come a long way since I was young, but I saw too many people I know get stuck with a bad color and fried hair on top of it. I have always been against dying. He said he could do a gloss with a smidgen of color that I would not have to maintain. It would not look bad if it was growing out. I would not have roots issues.

Shaun took me back to the room where there are shampoo sinks and dryers. He mixed the color himself, and put that on my hair. He left instructions about how long it was to set under the heat, and then a lady came to offer me a drink and magazines. I accepted and went into my own little world while I dried. This was the nicest and hardest part about the whole trip. I was anxious (though I shouldn't have been) about how my hair would look, and nervous about having left my little one with my husband (though I shouldn't have been). But I did enjoy the opportunity to just sit.

The shampoo lady did get my back a bit wet, and when Shaun reappeared at the chair, he noted that immediately and apologized. He suggested I get a new smock. I was so grateful. I couldn't bear the thought of shivering while he cut my hair, but again, it's because I get uncomfortable that I wasn't going to say anything, and he put me at ease.

While Shaun liked the general style of my hair, he did want to shape it up. He thought I had a good length in mind, and he took my existing layers and just did a bit more with them. It was good to know that a) he wasn't going to do anything drastic and b) my stylist I had been working with for years (although she doesn't work at a fancy salon) had done pretty much what he would have done with my hair. I have thin, but naturally wavy to curly hair, further complicated by the fact that I had lost a lot of hair after my pregnancy. Shaun, who is a self-described health nut, even recommended a hair and nails vitamin to me.

Shaun is not only a great professional, but he is also a good listener and very smart about hair. He told me all about how light is reflected and what that has to do with hair color while he was getting a stubborn piece of hair to lay down perfectly. He curled it out a bit, but fixed it to make it look "not too Marlo Thomas," which I appreciated.

The gloss with color had the benefit of covering up my gray. His goal was to make the color return to what it looked like "when I was a little girl". He took out the "muddy" and "mousy" characteristics of my hair and we were both pretty pleased.

The total service was $140 value, not counting the tip I was glad to leave. Thanks to info I read on Salonfly and at Sanctuary's website, I was prepared for this.

I am definitely pleased with the results overall.
- Laura Gallitz

Hair Centre SalonSpa (Pell City)

You cannot place a price on how they make you feel. There are a few times in my life where I have felt pretty. But today, I felt beautiful. The Hollises and company really made me shine and it was better than I dared to dream it could be. They took someone who didn't know who she could be and gave her wings.

My color is so rich and dynamic and my cut just makes me feel really vibrant. The staff come from all walks of life and nationalities and are so down to earth. I find it so interesting to talk to them and see the world through their eyes.

I was so impressed with the father, Jimmy Hollis, that he remembered me from so very long ago when I had moved away. And it was just a ridiculous amount of riches in the small touches offered complimentary from a hand massage, to a back rub, to tea or whatever your poison and alas, I forgot to dive into the cake. I ask you, how exciting a place must be to distract moi' from nibbling fresh cake. LOL!Anyways, not to dissuade anyone from a commute to Birmingham. But, if you find yourself in St. Clair or surrounding counties, this place is a gift and I have truly found a home there.

Well done Hair Centre Salonspa and all my love and gratitude to the staff. I cannot stop smiling and looking at myself with awe and wonder.

Thank you for that.

Kathleen Smith