If Virtue® had a home away from home, it would be at our partner salons. In each Salon Spotlight, we love sharing with you the spaces of creativity across the country that echo our belief that everyone deserves to have truly healthy hair. If we could bottle the feeling we get when leaving our favorite salons, we would. These spaces are our respites, and their stylists are our cheerleaders.

Unlike many salon owners, Brynne Travis of Luxe Color Lounge is not a stylist. God bless all of the stylists who are owners because I don’t know how they do it. I wouldn’t want to do it, and I commend them on wearing every hat that there is,” she says. But Brynne comes by the business side of things naturally. Her mother spent the last 30 years at the helm of at one point two salons, but when she decided to pursue full-time hair color education, she tapped Brynne––then running a successful yoga studio––to take over the business. “I’ve been around the industry my whole life; it just made sense as a natural progression for me.” Here she discusses the importance of staying open minded, her love of fringe bangs, and why she can’t live without her lists.

 

 

Q: Is there anyone in the industry or beyond, that you really admire, or someone who inspired you in your career?

Definitely my mom. She is such a visionary, a hustler. She’s so passionate about the industry. Right out of high school, she went to beauty school, and was one of those people who just knew exactly what she wanted to do and did it.  

 

Q: How do you define a “success” after a client leaves your salon?

When they leave grinning ear to ear (even under their mask you can see their eyes get squinty) or they say things like, “Oh my gosh, I never thought that I would feel this way.” But it’s more than just, Wow, I look really good (which is also great!). It’s when that piece connects to their confidence that the team really hit the nail on the head. 

 

Q: If you could spend the day with someone who you consider a “style icon” who would it be? What would you do?

I have to go with my OG always: Beyonce. She’s not only a style icon, but also a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist––just very savvy. I would want to follow her around all day, to learn something, and see how she moves and operates, so that I can understand the keys. 

 

Q: How do you like to stay up to date on the latest trends, techniques, and styles?

A lot of the trends I like to stay up to date on have to do with customer service and experience. As far as the technical, I like to empower my team to choose and stay up to date, then I do the due diligence of understanding what makes sense for our client base. My mom is so involved in the technical trends with being a full-time hair color educator, so she’s also a great resource.

 

Q: What’s a trend that you hope comes back? Never goes out of style?

What comes back: Fringe bangs. I feel like it is coming back already. I absolutely love this trend. 

Never Goes: Natural, lived-in color. It’s beautiful on everyone, and manageable for the client and stylist, especially for hair health.

 

 

Q: What do you value most about being a Virtue affiliate? 

I love that with affiliate links, people can spread out their spending versus always adding additional costs after their appointment. They can still support the team while having the products delivered right to their door.

 

Q: What was the worst haircut you ever had?

I was about 11, and I wanted bangs so bad. My mom was like you have curly hair, I can give you shorter layers, but if you get the straight across bangs, you’re going to have three curls just sitting there. I was set on straight across, so she cut them. It was really not the look. 

 

Q: What’s your personal hair routine? Your favorite part of your hair routine?

I wash it as infrequently as humanly possible, use lots of water and very little shampoo, lots of leave-in conditioner, a really good lightweight and foamy mouse, and a light hold gel. I diffuse, and then let that rock for about 10 days before I do it all again.

 

 

Q: How do you manage work-life balance?

Lists. I have a whole white board situation that has every. single. thing. outlined. I not only own the salon, but I also do virtual strategy for online businesses. I’m in a band; I do random photography. I have a lot going on, so I need lists to be particular with how I use my time. 

 

Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t be so sure about anything. For the longest time I said I would never run the salon…and here I am. 

 

Q: Why Virtue®

I love that it’s so unique from anything I’ve ever used before. Especially ColorKick®, which has been huge for us. Clients and colorists love the results. We aren’t big on bonders; we think that you should lift the hair to the level that it's healthy. Being able to see the results right away has been a game changer and really justifies the price point. It’s one of the only new lines that the team is excited about, and talk about without being asked to advocate for on their own. 

 

Q: What’s your favorite Virtue® product?

ColorKick®, no doubt. I especially love that it can be used on all hair types or in a mask. It’s so versatile, and it’s a great opportunity for stylists to up their average ticket with real results.

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