True Images Salon
By Rebecca Cross
Walking into the receiving area of the True Images Salon on Church Street, you will find a spacious, bright, clean, and comfortable environment. It is a relaxing atmosphere painted in beach hues of aqua and tan. You can even browse a collection of jewelry and handbags for sale while you wait. This is where five ladies, who treat each other like family, are found demonstrating their talent and creativity through various hair and nail treatments. True Images Salon offers services to the whole family. Some of their services include waxing, manicures, pedicures, acrylics, gel nails, and all hair services (including color, perms, highlights and cuts). Owner Kim Bright moved her Salon business from North Road Street to East Church Street on July 1, 2010. She has been in the Salon business for 12 years and wanted a better opportunity. “I needed a change and downtown is great,” said Bright. Each of the ladies in the Salon enjoy what they do and enjoy working together. “We’re a good team, kind of like a small family,” says Tracey Cosgrove, one of the hair stylists who has been in the Salon business for 7-8 years. Three of the ladies, including Kim and Tracey, were born and raised in Elizabeth City and four received their cosmetology licenses from College of the Albemarle. Tracey’s Aunt was a cosmetology instructor at COA for years and was one of Tracey’s inspirations to go into the same business. “She always seemed so trendy and classy,” Tracey commented. When asked about the goal of True Images Salon, Tracey replied, “We want clients to feel like they have had a full Salon experience and feel different and good about themselves when they leave.”
True Images prides themselves on keeping up with the latest trends and styles. They use a premier Lanza Brand color product that they say gives top of the line color that they are very happy with. They have had the education and training on the product and are excited about offering it. They sell the Lanza line of products out of their Salon as well as using it on their clients. A Lanza instructor will even come to the Salon every quarter to keep them up to date on the current styles, trends, cuts and colors. The ladies also offer consultations to their clients while in the Salon including hair and nail care tips. Another new trend that the Salon will be offering is a gel polish for natural nails that lasts 14 days. It is called a “shellac” by CND.
Katelyn Watson has been a hair stylist with True Images, but she has recently taken a job on a cruise ship and will be leaving soon. The girls say she will be greatly missed. Kim Robbins is another of the hair stylists at True Images and she has been in the Salon business for 12 years. Her mother was a hair dresser, so she grew up in a Salon environment. Kim likes all the kinds of people she meets at the Salon. She also likes the downtown location, “There is so much going on downtown and the setting is nice.” Tracey agrees about their downtown location, “We like the people, the water, and parking is great”. Being located next to the Free City Parking lot is an added bonus for their clients. Mica Romanchock, who is lovingly referred to as the “Queen Bee” of the Salon, has been doing hair for 23 years. She earned her cosmetology license from High School and has always known she wanted to be in the Salon business. She even used to cut her friends hair in 6th grade. “I just love it as much today as when I started,” she says with a smile. Mica commented on the creativity it takes to do what they do, and how much they love the “before and after” experience with each client. “I’m an artist and each client is my canvas!” she said.
True Images is now accepting applications for a nail tech position. They are located at 505 E. Church Street, Suite 1, in the Noble Brothers building. Their hours are Tuesday through Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 8 until close, Monday is by appointment, and they are closed on Sundays. For appointments or information please call 252-334-9955.