We are excited to feature Misty Blake on our blog! She is the owner of SYMMETRY HAIR DESIGN in downtown Kalamazoo. She is an extremely talented hair and makeup artist. We have worked together on several projects and I am always blown away at her amazing creations. Not only is she so good at what she does, she is so kind and fun. This girl makes me smile…and laugh all the time. I just adore her amazing personality and her crazy style. Enjoy learning more about her…you too will fall in love with her.
All of the photographs she has displayed at her studio are of my work. We have so much fun creating something fun and even a little crazy! If you are interested in having your small business featured on our blog…please contact us through our website and we can fill you in on all the details.
Business Name: Symmetry Hair Design
Location: 536 East Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Website/Blog: www.symmetryhairdesign.com & www.mistyblake.com
Describe your business:
A unique and eclectic salon, boutique and makeup studio. Featuring unique gifts, such as Anne Taintor, Blue Q, and Olly Pop Jewelry. There is also professional makeup and skincare by my exclusive lines, M makeup & M skincare.
What’s one thing that everyone should know about you?
I love, love, love what I do! I like to describe my relationship with my profession as a really great marriage. The kind that you love more on your 30th anniversary then you did on your wedding day. I am also addicted to education, which is why I joined the National Matrix education team as an educator; so I can share knowledge with the amazing and talented peers of my industry.
How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
I have been in the salon industry for 19 years, and I started my career at a very early age, before I was licensed; when I cut Strawberry Shortcake and her friend’s hair.
Does your speciality require special training?
Yes, I trained at Wright Beauty Academy in Battle Creek, Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts in Burbank, CA and several continuing education classes in NY, LA, Las Vegas, Chicago, Palm Springs, Arizona, Texas, etc.
What change are you looking most forward to this year…both professionally and personally?
I am looking forward to updating my websites and working more on social media.
If you were given $500 today, what would be the first thing you would do?
At the risk of sounding boring and responsible, I would save it, and eventually use it towards education or new equipment for my studio.
Where do you go to find inspiration?
I find inspiration every where I look. Art, nature, fabric, industry publications, fashion magazines, but most importantly, my client and their features, personality and lifestyle.
What is a great tip or quick bit of advice you can give us?
It’s most important that you are wearing your hair, makeup and style and it’s not wearing you. Also that your style reflects your inner beauty.
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What is the favorite thing you like about your job?
The honor of playing a role in someone’s self image. The opportunity to reveal their real beauty, the one that’s there before I pick up the scissors or color brush.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I have many passions and everyone who knows me, knows that this is not so hidden. But I am very resourceful with my addiction to education. I have found very resourceful ways to travel on a dime. Including, but not limited to turning one plane ticket into 7 by repeatedly giving up my seat on over- booked flights, and renting a room from a random stranger in New Jersey when I went to the New York Makeup Show a few years ago. Requiring me to share a bed with her dog, and take the subway into the city.
Tell us about your family.
I have a wonderful 10 year old son and an amazing family of friends, clients, and of course my Matrix family of educators; who are dedicated to raising our industry standard and supporting our communities.
How do you get a connection between you and your client?
I always feel a connection with every client, however I follow their lead with what their comfort level is. It’s all about the consultation. My favorite question to ask a client is, “What do you like about your hair?” Which is very different that the, “How do you like your hair” question I asked when I entered the industry at 17 years old. If a client can tell you what they enjoy about their hair, it helps you work to being out those qualities in your finished style.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Wow! 10 years! If things go as planned, I will be finishing up a media tour regarding my rare reverse aging disease that stops at 25 that I developed from eating chocolate ice-cream… Oh, you mean professionally? That is difficult as I am completely fulfilled with my life and career. At the same time, I am addicted to education and growth, both personally and professionally. I desire to continue my career path in the same direction (always forward) serving my clients who I adore, with the addition to the following goals; entering the North American Hairstylist Awards (NAHA, our industry equivalent to the Academy Awards), I want to have my work published in a minimum of one professional industry publication, and I would love to work on at least one movie.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Writing… Actually, I am a writer, it’s just not my first priority at the moment. I see myself continuing to engage in ruthless run on sentences and punctuation errors for years to come, it’s just not my focus right now. If I was unable to work in the beauty industry or write, I would be very content as an OPI nail polish namer, a chocolate taster or a shoe buyer.
What profession would you not like to do?
Accountant. When my calculator on my iPhone isn’t working, I tend to struggle with actual numbers. The concept is cool, but at the end of the day I only have ten fingers and ten toes, and when I’m done counting those you have to break out fancy stuff like multiplication…
What one thing can just “make your day”?
professionally; the quote “I love it! This is what I wanted, but I didn’t know how to explain it!”
personally; anything to do with my son. A hug, smile, laugh…
Oops, that’s more than one. See! I told you I was bad with numbers.
What is the main goal in your business? To empower every client and enrich their life by emphasizing their true beauty/ identity, not just their awesome hair.
What is your favorite restaurant in Kalamazoo? The one with food… Oops, I guess there are a lot of those. I love food, and Italian food rocks my socks! Martini’s on North Westnedge is fabulous, and the owner, Rich, is an outstanding human being that supports so many local projects and people.
Do you have an specials or first time offers for us? My services are humbly priced. I offer complimentary consultations* , complimentary neck and bang trims in between haircuts and I celebrate education and those who seek it by offering a 10% student discount to college students*.
*minor restrictions apply
Anything else you would like to say?
Come check out my selection of feather extensions! This is a hot new trend, and a great way to accessorize!
