Makeup in Lake Mary

“Jesennia was great! Communication ahead of the appointment was quick, clear and informative. She answered my questions, gave clear directions for where to meet and what to do ahead of the appointment. She did a really nice job on my hair which I fully expected wouldn't hold up, but it did! I was very pleased. This photo was at the end of the night. I had bumped the 1 comb (almost forgot to get an after photo).“

“Velvet Lab has always been comfortable, convenient, and quick to work me in when I'm in desperate need for a cut. That said, it was a nice salon, as salons go, but unremarkable, outside of decor and a few design choices that seemed smart but forced to fit within a certain square footage. In the end, who can reimagine a hair salon to the point that it feels fresh, new, and really, really different?

As it turns out, with the new move, Velvet Lab ABSOLUTELY can.

Located on the 2nd floor of the Winn Dixie plaza (elevator access included), Velvet Lab Hair Studio has completely reimagined what a salon can be. From the moment you step through the doors, it's abundantly clear this is the new normal.

Gone are the receptionists and standard waiting area. Gone is the hustle of stylists and customers moving here and there. Instead, you have a small seating area, a view into the sister nail salon, and an aesthetic that feels more like spa than salon.

There are hallways branching off to the right, and if you're curious enough to follow them, you'll find rooms -actual rooms- devoted to each stylist. What's more, each room reflects everything about the stylist's personality. Some are bold, some are zen, some are avant garde, yet all of them feel like they belong to whoever works inside. There's glass everywhere, so the shampoo and rinsing sinks feel like show pieces instead of afterthoughts, all while the outside light barrels in to give the place a natural tone that doesn't exist under LEDs or forced florescent lighting.

Klodian has been cutting my hair for nearly a decade, and we've always been able to talk over the noise of blow dryers and loud conversations. But his new space, and look at the pictures to prove it, draws in so much light and nature and peace that it's really hard to find something better to talk about.

I had the luck of being early, so I walked around and saw almost all of it, and if you'll permit 'upscale food hall' as a metaphor, then that is what this is.

So many stylists are good enough to own their own shop, but it's so incredibly expensive and complicated to do so. The barriers to entry are HUGE, and so most stay with their chair... wherever they are...and dream about what might have been. This is truly what could be, a next step between renting a seat and owning a business. There's so much personality here and so much joy that it's hard not to root for this to succeed.

But honestly, I don't think I'll have to. It's smart, well-designed, well-run, and it solves a problem in the marketplace, for both stylists and clients. If you're looking for a place to be the last, best stop on your quest for great hair, a place where it feels like you're the only client that matters, this is it. Klodian is my guy, but there are dozens of others here. Just call, come by, and you'll believe it, too. Walking in might be tricky, since they're just settling in, so I'd highly recommend calling or texting one of the stylists to book an appointment.

For the views, the vibes, and the vision, nothing can top the new Velvet Lab Studio. It's absolutely what comes next, and it's here right now.“

“Being a client at Hair Eye Am Beauty Bar is a great thing! I find comfort and peace when I’m there.
Thank you Saniece for your professionalism, laughs, loyalty, and great service. #ifoundagreatstylist“