Blush Salon & Spa is Dream Come True

WAITSBURG –Brooke Mikesell has dreamed of opening her own salon ever since she graduated from cosmetology school in 2011. Next week, that dream will come true when she opens the doors to Blush Salon & Spa, in the former home of Tricho Cuts, on Waitsburg's Main Street.

Mikesell and her husband, Greg, have put in long hours and late nights creating an elegant atmosphere that sparkles with glitter (one wall is literally covered in silver glitter!) and glam. The shop is decorated in monochromatic black, white, and grey, with sparkling chandeliers and full-length mirrors to add plenty of shine.

The newly remodeled shop exudes big town glitz and glam, but Mikesell says she plans to charge "small town prices." Customers can soak in the "modern Victorian" ambiance while they enjoy a wide range of services.

Mikesell offers cuts, color, texture services (perms and straightening), manicures, pedicures, eyelash and hair extensions, and facials. Walla Walla massage therapist and Waitsburg native Jennifer Largent will offer her services at Blush three days a week.

"We both have our own clientele that we'll be bringing over so I just know we're going to do really well," Largent said.

The environment is elegant and hip but Mikesell says she wants everyone to feel comfortable.

"I plan to get a liquor license down the road and hope that farmers, and guys in general, will come in for a beer and a $10 clipper cut," Mikesell said.

Mikesell just turned in her resignation as a full time Columbia County dispatcher last week and said she has already been cutting hair for most of the sheriff's office employees.

The thirty-one year old graduated from the Walla Walla Community College cosmetology program in 2011and has worked part-time out of her mother's salon, Creative Designs in Dayton, ever since.

She also works as a Farouk Systems educator which has allowed her to travel to hair shows in Cancun, Las Vegas, San Jose, and Bellevue, while demonstrating Chi and Biosilk products. She also teaches classes in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho.

Mikesell said she knew the time was right to step out on her own when she saw the empty building on Main Street. She said she had also been suffering from vertigo, which her doctor attributed partly to her erratic schedule of working night dispatch shifts, then reverting to a day schedule midway through the week.

"She said I should figure out what I like doing best and stick with that, rather than trying to do so much all at the same time," Mikesell said.

Mikesell has two children who attend first and second grade in Waitsburg and said finding shop space in town, where her kids can check in after school, is ideal.

Mikesell will continue to help out at the short-handed Columbia County dispatch office on a part-time basis through March, but has even more plans for Blush come April.

She intends to partner with a friend, who is a cake decorator, and they hope to make the shop available for monthly parties. Younger girls could have parties with cupcakes, manis, and pedis and adults could plan a Girls Night Out with facials and wine, she said.

"It should be really fun. We can cater to whatever people want to do," Mikesell said.

Mikesell says she also has a second station that she can rent out if another stylist is interested.

The public is invited to check out Blush and meet Mikesell during the shop's grand opening on March 4, from 2-6 p.m. Blush will officially open for business on Mon., Feb. 27. To make an appointment or inquire on pricing, call the shop number at (509) 337-3100.