Today, we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Darling.
Hi Evelyn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a sixth-generation Savannah native and have a long-standing love for the world of beauty. I started doing hair as an amateur in high school, coloring my friends’ and my hair constantly. This sparked my interest in doing hair for a living, as I wanted to spread my passions to my community. So after I graduated high school, I started my professional cosmetology journey at Empire Beauty School, and I graduated and became a Licensed Master Cosmetologist in 2019.
At the end of 2023, I opened Widow’s Peak Salon Studio, a goal of mine since day one in beauty school. I’ve carefully curated the energy of the space to be a place of acceptance, no matter what walk of life you come from. The studio is a certified Strands for Trans salon, meaning it is a safe space for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Being queer myself, I wanted to make everyone feel equal and welcome with open arms when in my chair. I care not only about my client’s hair and their health but also about my clients as a whole and their mental and emotional health.
Even though this studio has been a work in progress for a long time, I couldn’t have gotten here without the continuous support of my clients, friends, and family. I’m very grateful for the chance to give love back to a community that shows so much love to me.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to owning a salon studio has not been the easiest. I’ve had multiple people in the past tell me all sorts of negative and degrading things about my goals and dreams as a cosmetologist. These people’s words have made me feel small and talentless, and I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome along the way.
However, I’ve learned over the years that everything is part of the learning experience. Some people don’t want to see you do well, and others won’t treat you with the same respect you treat them. I know that other people’s opinions about my life and my career are just that: opinions. I don’t need to focus on the negativity of others when I can focus on bettering myself and growing stronger in my abilities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have prioritized my career as a cosmetologist by becoming a specialist in vivid color, texture, curls, blonding, makeup, hair cutting, and extensions. By specializing in these forms of artistry, I create custom, colorful, and luxurious looks tailored to each client’s style.
I’m mostly known for crafting my clientele’s alternative hairstyles and makeup looks. The alternative community has been a haven for me all my life. I choose to work with prominent styles in these communities as a form of solidarity because I genuinely enjoy them more than anything else. I also aim to bridge the gap between all the different hairstyling communities. I love serving clientele from marginalized groups, including, but not limited to, POC, disabled people, LGBTQIA+, unhoused people, etc.
I also use entirely cruelty free and vegan hair products, and I have low tox options for clients with sensitivities. My main color lines are Danger Jones, Joico, and Difiaba. My main styling lines are K18 and Verb.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
While much of my passion lies within hair and makeup, I also enjoy making media content. I recently started a radio show called Seen by Scene with my friends Zack Strickland and Elizabeth Hunter, where we plan to discuss all things related to art and media in the local Savannah community.
We will speak with a new guest from the local art scene weekly and feature music sweeps of Savannah area musicians. You’ll be able to find us by listening to WRUU 107.5 or going online to www.wruu.org in the coming months!
Pricing:
- Color Services – Priced by Consultation
- Extensions – Priced by Consultation
- Haircuts – Starting at $25
- Makeup – Starting at $60
Contact Info:
- Website: https://widowspeakstudio.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/widows.peak.salon?igsh=MWg2NGd3YXZnbzY1Zw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/eeJetiaQuWQSk2Um/?mibextid=WC7FNe
- Other: https://widowspeakstudio.info/
