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Salon Blush owner Alanna Ralph, who was born and raised in Fishtown, said that she’s grateful the community embraced the quirkiness of her business.
“Regular salons can be very sterile and cold,” she said. “We’re really unique.”
Indeed — Salon Blush celebrates the colorful and over-the-top in everything from its cheetah-print hair coloring treatment to its vintage-chic design aesthetic. With the salon’s five-year anniversary approaching, Ralph said the secret of Blush’s success is the staff.
“They are artists in their own right,” she said, explaining that some staff members have experience in art or painting.
The salon’s specialty, she said, is vintage hair and makeup — customers can even purchase a classic “pinup girl” style photo shoot; Ralph runs a photography studio next door to the salon.
One of the most popular treatments at the salon, she said, is a Moroccan oil hair treatment complete with head massage, wash, cut and blow dry for $60. Ralph learned the massage technique during a trip to India.
Ralph said the best part of running a salon is, of course, the people in the community. Since the salon is spacious, she said hosting events is easy, and many people swing by just to hang out on the fuzzy pink vintage couches and chat.
“The community is really strong here,” she said. “In other places, people don’t even say ‘hi’ to each other. Here, everyone has your back.”
Visit Salon Blush online at www.ilovesalonblush.com, and call at 215–634–1606.
-Mikala Jamison
Runner Up: Shampoo Bar at 2651 E. Somerset St.
