Head Over Wheels Salon, Millwood
Helping cosmetologists find their way in a competitive industry is what Dominique Simons had in mind when she opened the high-end Head Over Wheels Salon in Millwood offering cutting edge styles, color, makeup and facial services.
Colette Connolly photo
The salon’s European-style décor features white counters and cabinets and LED lighting that complements the hair styling services provided on one side of the salon and the application of makeup on the other.
It is, however, Simons’ business model that distinguishes it from other salons in the region.
“Looking at other salons I realized there was no opportunity for creatives to find their way,” the former Julliard-trained classical musician explained.
“The idea that we are striving for is that our stylists work with each other, comfortably sharing their best tips and tricks with the team so that we build our team as a whole, raising everyone’s level of expertise,” she added.
The ambitious CEO, who obtained her cosmetology qualifications from the Northern Westchester School of Hairdressing and Cosmetology and later completed the rigorous Core 4 course in entrepreneurial training from the Women’s Enterprise Development Center in White Plains, has learned a lot from Nick Arrojo, the celebrity stylist who came to prominence as the host of TLC’s “What Not to Wear.”
In fact, Simons’ new salon is an Arrojo Ambassador, meaning her staff is committed to the Arrojo culture of excellence and integrity as well as maintaining an environment of teaching and learning.
Arrojo’s line of conditioning, styling and finishing products are sold in the salon, in addition to other products from the likes of Mario Badescu, Kerasilk, Goldwell and others. Simons will also be introducing an organic line of ammonia-free products in the near future.
The single mother of two boys, Simons has adopted many of the techniques she and her staff have learned from attending Arrojo’s seminars and boot camp classes. They include his signature razor cut along with a variety of hair coloring strategies.
In November, Simons is hoping to unveil Arrojo’s American Wave, a new type of perm that creates healthy beach waves and romantic curls instead of the “poodle perm” of years ago.
“Our stylists are encouraged to research, develop and create with each other to take the world’s trends and redefine them here,” explained Simons, a Montrose resident.
It’s not just superb hair care you’ll get at Head Over Wheels. Myriad skincare services are also available, including the Hydrafacial® skin resurfacing procedure that cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates the skin, in addition to Badescu’s signature facials that are customized to meet clients’ skincare needs.
Custom blending has become a popular option for many of Simons’ customers, including the blending of cosmetics to create foundation, lipsticks and blush, all matching a client’s exact skin tone.
Simons, whose mentors also include, Karen Gordon of J. Gordon Designs in Chicago and Jeff South of Intrigue Salon in Atlanta, hopes to soon add a master barber.
In addition to running the environmentally friendly 1,200-square-feet salon (Head Over Wheels was among the 100 local businesses honored by the Westchester Green Business Challenge earlier this year), Simons plans to extend her business to a 45-foot luxury motor coach within the next two years, hence the name Head Over Wheels.
The six-chair salon will offer all of the services she currently provides, but will be targeted to busy professionals whose work schedules make it difficult for them to get to the salon.
The coach will also serve as Westchester’s premiere off-site salon, giving stylists the opportunity to use it for editorial and fashion styling work. For now, Simons is focused on positioning Head Over Wheels as Westchester’s go-to salon.
“We never want to be behind the trend wave, but instead generate the wave that inspires other stylists to do the same,” she said.
Head Over Wheels is located at 238 Saw Mill River Rd. To schedule an appointment, call 914-236-3700. Check out the salon’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/howsalon for hours and promotions.
Colette Connolly is a copywriter and p.r. expert. She owns Connolly Communications, which is based in Bronxville, New York. Colette specializes in providing content-rich, SEO-optimized press releases, articles, newsletters, brochures, and customer success stories.
