Paris Hair, The New Look Salon — C’est Merveilleux! By Gary Nager I minored in French throughout my college career, so I really get a kick out of the “Franglais” that is so beautifully spoken by Alexandra Jasmine (although she prefers to be called Jasmine), the owner of the “spectaculaire” Paris Hair, The New Look Salon, which is located on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace (in a separate building in front of the plaza which is home to The Olde World Cheese Shop). Jasmine and her husband, a former professional tennis champion from Morocco, are New Tampa residents, so even though her salon is located a few minutes away from our distribution areas, she and her Paris Hair are still well-known in our communities. “Oui, I have many clee-onts (clients) from New Tampa and Wesley Chapel,” she says in her authentic Parisian accent. “People drive here from Spring Hill and Bradenton to get their hair styled or colored, so New Tampa is beaucoup (much) closer, non?” If you spend a few minutes at Paris Hair, you will recognize that this is not your run-of-the-mill hair salon, even though the building isn’t particularly impressive from the outside and there’s only one missable entrance to it. Inside, not only does the salon have an understated elegance, it’s also a very casual, fun and comfortable environment. But, the most comforting things about Paris Hair are Jasmine and her staff of professionally trained stylists and
spa technicians. In addition to top-quality hair styles for men and women, including Jasmine’s favorite “up dos,” high- and lowlights, “dimensional” color and Keratin straightening treatments, Paris Hair also offers manicures, pedicures, licensed massage therapy, facials and other skin/body treatments. “My clee-onts are more like ma famille, like my family,” Jasmine says. “And I have made sure that the wonderful people who work with me make you feel at home, too.” And, I have to say that the concept works. Jasmine originally opened Paris Hair on Busch Blvd., but after about eight years, she outgrew the space, which wasn’t large enough to also offer spa treatments at the same location. Although she did look at several spaces in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, she moved instead to a larger, existing building on 56th St. in April 2011, a couple of miles closer to her home. “I don’t need a location there to attract people from New Tampa,” she says. “After all these years, word of mouth is still my best advertising. People know that I will do whatever it takes to make you ‘appy (happy).” And, Jasmine doesn’t just speak with a French accent. She was born and raised and learned her trade as a master colorist and hair stylist in “Pa-ree,” one of the most stylish cities in the world. She is obviously proud of where she came from, but you can forget trying to make her fit into any negative stereotype you may have heard about the
French people. She is warm and friendly, with the quick wit the French are known for and she admits that her training in her native country is part of what sets Paris Hair apart from most other salons. (Top) Owner Alexandra Jasmine (holding scissors) cuts “En France, the ribbon at Paris Hair on N. 56th St. in Temple Terwe have to race. (Above) Stylists and color specialists Christine (left) apprentice for and Nicole can create a whole new look for you, too! three years and also received a wonderful education we learn everything about the salon into cutting and coloring there, too.” business, too, including management and marketing,” she says. “And yes, I See “Paris Hair” on page 40.
For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com
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