We are excited to offer you a $75 gift certificate to Bristle & Prim graciously provided by the salon. To enter, leave a comment on this feature and tell us what hairstyle you are loving in 2014. Giveaway ends Thursday, Oct 30th at midnight. Winner will be announced Friday morning!

Our Masters of Their Craft series is monthly features where we give a glimpse into the life, vision, and work of artists, entrepreneurs, craftsmen, musicians, business owners, innovators, and fellow dreamers who excel in their area of expertise. They use their gifting with passion and excellence. Their work is tried and true. By sharing these innovators with others who we know will value the labor of their hands as much as we do, we aim to make a humble attempt at giving them honor

Team member Karen is the vision and hands behind these special posts…she will take it from here.

Take one stroll down Queen Street in Lancaster, PA, and chances are you will look twice at the rustic elegance of the hair salon Bristle & Prim. The reclaimed lumber walls and front desk juxtaposed with the black leather client chairs and pastel KEVIN.MURPHY hair products offer a visual representation of Bristle & Prim’s attitude. True beauty has a softness but a toughness: an air of naturalness, a lack of trying too hard.

If you’re looking for a salon where showing your roots finds favor, makeup is subtle and optional, and the words “tousled” and “unkempt” have positive connotations, Bristle & Prim has much to offer you. You won’t find a tanning bed or acrylic nails, but you will encounter an eco friendly business with stylists committed to staying a step ahead of trends, while producing a look true to the individuality of the client.

Dana Paparo, the youthful mastermind behind Bristle & Prim has intentionally built a team of stylists who will challenge and inspire one another. Each team member possesses strengths in specialized areas that will accommodate the business’ varied clientele—male, female, young, and old—and their array of hair textures. Ms. Paparo adheres strongly to the notion that the responsibility of finding the perfect hair stylist for the client, rests in the hands of Bristle & Prim, not the client. A highly personalized experience is key to resulting in the most flattering style.

Bristle & Prim has received a gracious welcome in the downtown Lancaster community since its inception. The vibrancy, history, and character of the town gave Dana Paparo the dream to one day open a salon in its midst, and today, the dream has become tangible. Yet another business opens its Lancaster doors, adding just a little more attractiveness to this distinctive town.

BRISTLE & PRIM | DANA PAPARO: OWNER

Can you share some background on yourself? Where you grew up, what brought you to Lancaster, childhood influences, early signs you would be doing what you do today?
I grew up in a small town in Lancaster County. Fashion and hair were certainly not the main focus in my upbringing. I think that is one of the main reasons why I became so attracted to it. I’ve always been creative and interested in new aesthetic ideas. Hair is certainly something I have been drawn to since I was a child; it’s the medium that I’ve become the most comfortable expressing myself through.

Can you comment on your journey thus far as a hair stylist? Where did you go to school? Have you ever worked in other salons?
I have been very fortunate to work alongside some amazing master stylists. These are the people that have made the biggest contribution to my creative growth. I’ve also tried to take the best aspects of every salon that I’ve been a part of and bring those qualities to Bristle & Prim.

What made you choose Lancaster city to open Bristle & Prim?
When I moved downtown five years ago, I was amazed by the potential this town had to offer. I was really drawn to its deep history and rich character. I knew I wanted to open a salon in the heart of it all.

Explain the name of your business and what gave you the idea for it.
I wanted to go with something original that would set us apart from other businesses downtown. Also, we wanted a name that would define us as a group of talented individuals who deliver professional service in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

You shop looks amazing! Who did the work on the salon and who had the vision for the décor?
Thank you! I took a lot of time gathering ideas and coming up with the design concept. Thankfully, Wooden Buffalo was able to come in and pull off an incredible job.

Have you felt welcomed thus far in Lancaster city? Have you been able to establish a faithful clientele thus far?
Absolutely. The people of Lancaster have been incredible. We are lucky to have a very loyal client base and see more and more new faces everyday.

What product lines do you carry in your salon and what made you choose them?
Currently, we carry KEVIN.MURPHY and Deva Curl. We chose KEVIN.MURPHY because we were looking for a product line with organic growing practices. All of his products are sulphate free, paraben free and cruelty free. We also have two in-salon Deva Curl Advanced Stylists. Deva Curl is a low to no lather line using botanical ingredients for maximum moisture retention and frizz prevention. The outcome is beautiful. Elly and Joy are able to use the Deva line for amazing looking curls and waves.

How does your job challenge you on a creative level?
Everyday we are presented with new clients who challenge us to create new looks and styles. Sometimes a client will even sit down and give us full creative freedom. That’s always the best!

You call yourselves a group of “inspired stylists.” What are some of your sources of inspiration?
We are committed to expanding our knowledge of the industry through continued education and are constantly bringing back new information to share with one another. Education is key. I can’t stress that enough.

Which hair trends for the 2014/2015 season do you love and which do you despise?
Of course we are still obsessed with ombre and the stretched root look. I’m in love with the mid-length tousled bob. There isn’t anything I really despise. Anything goes as long as you are rocking your look with confidence!

How do you stay up to date in your field?
I am constantly reading fashion blogs and cruising through my instagram feed to follow my favorite artists. I could spend hours looking at other work and trying to recreate styles on my friends, family, and peers.

Name some essential qualities people should look for in their hair stylists.
That is one of my pet peeves. When scheduling, we specifically pair the client with a particular stylist based on what the look and hair type may be since each of our stylists are specialized in certain areas. It’s our job to make sure that the client is perfectly matched with a stylist that can deliver exactly what is needed.

You credit teamwork as being your most valuable asset to best serve your clients. How do you maintain unity as a team of stylists?
I feel my main focus should be to create a unified environment. With the exception of Nicole (who I thought immediately would fit right in), I knew everyone who currently works at B&P for years. It was really important to create a team that I knew had a common goal and would work well together.

At Bristle & Prim, what do you do to make your client feel special?
Each client receives a tailored service based on wants and needs. We try to create a beautiful and comfortable atmosphere for everyone who walks through our door and want our clients to know that we are excited to serve them.

Besides cutting and styling hair, what are your responsibilities with Bristle & Prim?
I manage, do the ordering, clean, etc. I want to know what’s going on and to make sure that the girls know that I am as committed to this as much as they are.

What does a day off look like for you?
I like to take Sundays to completely unwind. A typical Sunday for me consists of brunch and spending time with friends and of course my boyfriend and my fur babies—my French bulldog Atlas and Pomeranian Berkeley.

What are some of the difficulties in your line of work? Any personal tough times you encountered?
After hair school, starting out as a new stylist was probably the most difficult—figuring out my strengths and weaknesses and trying to build a client base. It took a lot of patience, but I was driven and eager to learn.

How have you found your work satisfying?
I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Can you share some key pieces of advice to any one interested in pursing a job as a hair stylist?
Surround yourself with people who are stronger than you. Their experience is priceless.

Thanks so much, Dana! Be sure to check the blog tomorrow for an opportunity to enter Bristle and Prim’s $75 GIVEAWAY!

Brittany : Stylist

Nicole : Stylist

Joy : Stylist

Elly : Stylist