Local salon in national spotlight

PALMER -- Most would agree that Alaska is a state filled with colorful people, and a Palmer hair styling salon is where you'll find evidence that at least some local color is of the bottled -- or blended -- variety.

Country Cutts, a busy salon in Palmer's downtown area, was recently recognized as the number-one seller of Paul Mitchell hair coloring products for five years running -- outselling larger salons in Seattle and other metropolitan areas.

Stan Guthrie, owner of Country Cutts, said the success can be attributed largely to one thing -- his commitment to selling Paul Mitchell products.

"It was developed by a hairdresser," Guthrie said. "And they promised they would always stay professional, and that they would always back hairdressers."

They have, and they do, Guthrie said. And Guthrie has stuck with them, selling the product for 20 years -- even when the long-distance shipping means products can be delayed or even arrive frozen. Country Cutts was the first salon to carry Paul Mitchell products in Alaska, and so much product has been sold through the salon that the salon is a Paul Mitchell Inner Circle member, a level Guthrie said has brought several awards to the salon and its hairdressers.

To recognize the staff's commitment, Country Cutts was recently featured in the John Paul Mitchell Systems magazine, Cut & Dry. That feature was also printed in American Salon, a national magazine that focuses on the hair care industry and aimed at salon owners and managers. It's a lot of exposure for the thriving Alaska business, but Guthrie and his crew are taking it in stride.

"People from New York, Ohio … all over, were coming up and congratulating us for being in there," Guthrie said of a recent Signature Gathering, a convention and trade show held yearly by John Paul Mitchell Systems.

In addition to using only Paul Mitchell products, Guthrie attributes the popularity of color to the addition of a color bar in the salon's waiting area. Instead of hiding the nuts and bolts of hair color behind a wall or in a cabinet, the silver tubes and small tinted bottles are all on display, along with stainless-steel whips, measuring cylinders and mixing containers. They are reminiscent of the bottles and devices seen in old pharmacies, and they tend to spark people's interest.

"They can look at books, they can check things out," Guthrie said. "Some people might see it 10 times before they step in with both feet -- or all hair."

The color bar has stepped up the salon's color business, but Guthrie said the trend started years ago. In the 1990s, Guthrie said, hair coloring products significantly changed for the better, allowing people to dye their hair frequently without doing severe damage. Along with better coloring products, he said, came better products to care for colored hair.

Guthrie estimated he and the five stylists trained in color use tint about 70 heads a week. With five chairs, nine stylists and a nail technician, the business is busy, and the chairs are often filled by people from outside Palmer and the Mat-Su. A lot of Bush residents stop by the shop when they're in the area, Guthrie said, and he has a number of regular customers from Washington and Canada as well. Guthrie attributed the business' success to good products and a commitment to training -- both of which are provided by John Paul Mitchell Systems.

"We get in at least two guest artists a year," Guthrie said. "In Alaska, it's a little harder to get instructors, to get to classes. But, whether people know it or not, Alaska is really up there with everybody else. As a whole, I think hairdressers in Alaska seek more training because it's harder to get. People in the Lower 48 tend to slough it off."

Guthrie said he and his staff are glad for the recognition -- and glad to see Alaska's salons in the spotlight.

"It's a feel-good thing. We all feel very honored to be part of it," Guthrie said. "It brings recognition to Alaska that hair here is very modern and upbeat -- people knew what they're doing here, and people know what they want."

Contact Rindi White at rindi.white@frontiersman.com.