Up close With
the Star Studded Harlow Salon
(Interview With Stylist Shana Dyer)
by Holly Marie Tong
 “I always wanted to make
people feel good about themselves, whether that
meant clapping the loudest after they perform
their song or giving them a hair style that would
make them feel beautiful,” recalls stylist
Shana Dyer. Shana, who co-owns Harlow Salon with
Eva Clarke indeed always knew she wanted to be a
stylist…but not just any stylist. Shana
wanted to be a stylist for the stars…a dream
that she, Eva and the rest of the Harlow Salon
staff have most certainly met and exceeded and
continue to live as they operate one of the most
successful well noted salons in all of Nashville.
Shana and Eva clearly shared a vision, but where
did the journey begin? Shana explained that she
and Eva met in 1999 at a huge salon and day spa
where they were both working. Interestingly,
their stations were placed right next to each
other. Not surprisingly, this lead to extensive
conversation and the two getting to know each
other and their future goals. They became best
friends and would talk about owning their own
salon and how they would be unique. Their
philosophy was to start small and grow slow as
slow and steady wins the race. Their thinking
proved to be correct as they continued to expand
and would find themselves outgrowing their
current space and moving locations. Today they
are located right on music row in the midst of
all the music they love to support. While Harlow
had a large selection of possibilities for a
salon location, they wanted a location that would
be the perfect representation of who they are.
Now that Harlow is located on Music Row, they are
able to be right in the center of the industry
that they want to work with. As a result, they
have been inspired to be avidly involved with
their community and network to the fullest.
 You may be wondering what sets
Harlow apart from other salons? While I could
simply say “everything,” I believe it
all comes down to the fact that they are as
individually personable with their clients as
they are equally, extensively and actively
involved in the Nashville community. If Shana
isn't doing hair or makeup, she is probably
assisting an aspiring talent with anything from
image consulting to helping promote their work or
just doing something for someone out of the good
of her heart. Harlow continually hosts benefits,
holds charities, participates in fashion shows
(one of which was a “virtual fashion show to
raise money for the March of Dimes), raises money
for good causes, is involved with the Music City
Marathon, sponsors events and writer's nights,
and has parties of appreciation for their clients
and truly goes above and beyond any salon I have
ever personally known. With all this said,
everything from the lighting, to the music, to
the vintage atmosphere truly makes Harlow a
unique experience.
Whether you are an artist, mom, lawyer or
management company, Harlow is always there to
offer advice. They have worked closely with
several artists in helping them develop their
image. They advise on hair, makeup and even in
some cases clothing (especially in preparation
for a photo shoot). As aforementioned, Shana has
always wanted to make people feel good about them
and helping clients find their image is of course
a confidence booster and an important component
of their career as they pursue their passion.
While it would be impossible to list everyone in
the entertainment industry that calls Harlow
their Salon or has graced their doors, some of
Shana's main clients include Diana Degarmo (1st
Runner up American Idol), Adam Craig, Shawn Mayer
(Nashville Star Finalist), Erica Jo (Nashville
Star Winner), hit songwriters, the Nashville
Predators and Ice Girls and numerous other
artists and talents from shows such as Can You
Duet, America's Got Talent, American Idol and
Nashville Star. They also work hard each year for
important events such as the CMA awards (this
year was certainly no ex-ception).
 Maybe you're not in the
entertainment industry at all, but you're a
future bride and you're already stressing about
your wedding. One of Shana and Eva's biggest
goals was and still is to make an extra big deal
out of each bride's wedding day, while taking a
big load off of what is already a stressful day.
Harlow offers a princess package in which the
bride and her party not only gets the obvious
hair and makeup treatment, but is served a
delicious lunch, drinks, and are offered a
photographer to catch each special moment. Shana
and Eva wanted to create a salon in which brides
could just sit back and relax, while taking a big
load off of what is often already a stressful
day. Along these lines, Harlow salon is a place
of encouragement as they tend to promote and
represent strong, powerful women. Even the
bathroom walls contain inspirational words and
quotes. They wanted their salon to be an
experience in which clients could leave not only
feeling good on the outside but on the inside as
well.
When I asked Shana about what styles/looks tend
to be in for the fall, she replied that
“red” seems to be the hair color trend
of the season. She also said hair accessories are
huge right now as many girls have been placing
flowers to add extra flair to their hair. She
went on to say that glitter is very popular right
now and they are doing a lot of glitter eyeliner
for makeup. As for the guys she said that chunks
of color are popular, along with full fauxhawks
and the lighter, shaggier look is still in as
well.
Today alongside Shana and Eva Harlow consists of
5 other stylists each bringing something
different to the table. While each stylist is
undoubtedly multi-talented, they each come with
individuality and a special talent that sets each
of them apart. Shana is not only a great stylist
who you can go to for color, haircuts, updos,
makeup and more, but she is also exceptional with
marketing and promotion. Eva is an extension
specialist and an incredible stylist for the high
fashion hair and make-up look. She is great at
creating the “pin-up” hair style or the
retro/vintage and rockabilly look. As a result,
she is an excellent go to person for photo
shoots. Carrie Kulas is the unique Brazillian
Blowout specialist. Heather Day is the talented
color specialist. Chris Pegram is a world
renowned color educator and has been doing hair
for 25 years. John Sherlock is an educator for
the “Sexy Hair” product line and
teaches classes on stage. Talented Katie McGuire
is the salon manager.
“Slow and steady” has certainly won the
race as Shana Dyer and Eva Clarke are certainly
living their dream as stars continually grace the
doors of Harlow and their exceptionally strong
ambition seems to only increase each day. It is
safe to say the possibilities are endless…
Harlow Salon is located at:
1516 Demonbreun St #A Nashville, TN 37203
|
