Kalista Diamantopoulos
Salon deZEN
In honor of Pride Month, Salon Dezen will be hosting an “In Transition Class” on Sunday, June 30.
During the three-hour class (from noon - 3 p.m.), those who are transitioning their gender will gain practical hairstyling skills, learn how to ask for what they want at the salon and receive helpful tips for achieving different styles for their chosen hair.
Transitioning is an immense and significant change and salons can be crucial in helping individuals in their journey to feeling authentically and unapologetically themselves through their hair, makeup and wardrobe, according to Salon deZEN founder Maria Elizabeth.
Maria Elizabeth said she is very excited and proud to be launching this class.The idea for it came to her when she was out shopping in Old Town.
“A customer came into the store, and as a hair stylist I couldn’t help but notice she had worked really hard to get her bangs just right. I complimented her on them and in doing so she opened up to shared with me that she was in transition and that figuring out how to style her hair and do her makeup had been an ongoing struggle," she said. "She told me how hard it had been to find a community that she felt comfortable sharing her struggles with and getting support from. The light bulb went off! Salon deZEN’s mission is to help people discover create and recreate themselves visually, expressing outwardly how they feel inside.”
The class will provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to meet and connect with other people in the Trans community and also seek advice from the hair stylists.
“The class will help those in transition tackle the changes they face when learning to visually present their authentic selves to the world. We will talk about and teach hair and makeup tips and tricks in a supportive environment where their questions and concerns can be addressed,” Maria Elizabeth said.
Salon deZEN is looking forward to receiving feedback from this inaugural class and the salon plans to create additional workshops that will support the LGBTQ+ community in the future.
Salon deZEN is located at 118 N Fayette Street in Old Town Alexandria.
