Photo: Tina Larkin

Originally published in Taos News

The artist

A native of Oklahoma City, Diana Rogers, hairstylist and owner of “hair,” has an eclectic background. “I have managed restaurants and been a bartender, a bar manager and a cook,” she said. “I’ve done a lot.”

Rogers attended beauty school in 1992 in Albuquerque, but continued working in the restaurant business until she moved to Taos in 1999.

“I worked at a hair salon for three years and was a bartender at Lambert’s,” she said. “Eventually, I decided to open my own business and have had it for 9 years now. It’s been fun.”

“hair” is located in Central Station, a quaint live, work and walk community just south of TaosPlaza.

“I love Central Station,” said Rogers. “It’s close to many restaurants and shops and to the heart of town. It’s the perfect location for a business like mine.”

Hair art

Rogers is an active participant in fashion shows, like the Taos Runway Vigilantes. “Last year we had a Film Noir inspired show, featuring great designs and styling,” she said. “I also do a lot of weddings that include styling the bride, the bridesmaids and even the mothers-in-law.”

She keeps up with the latest hair style fashions. Among the trendiest are feather extensions and pastel highlights.

“Rickracking is another lively style that creates texture in the hair with a bobby pin and a flat iron,” she said. “It can give you an avant-garde look or a softer appearance, depending on the amount of curls you get.”

As for the feather extensions, Rogers likes the fact that they add a playful touch to any hairdo. “They aren’t complicated,” she said. “I put them in place and they stay there for months. They aren’t difficult to take care of either: you can shampoo and comb them, though I don’t recommend using a curling iron.”

Extensions can get really fancy with Swarovski crystals, beads and sparklers.

“But there are very discreet ones that blend in with your hair,” Rogers said. “They can be tailored to the clients’ preference and lifestyle.”

The pastel extensions are gaining popularity too. “They are a good way to spice up any style and add more body to your hair,” Rogers said. “Extensions come in many shades but lavender and purple are big now.”

Roger favors a wash-and-go kind of hair. “Personally, I like to keep things natural. It’s more relaxed and doesn’t require too much fuss.”

Services

Rogers moves easily between basic haircuts and precision ones. “Razor cuts are one of my specialties, for men and women,” she said. “I can give styling instructions and tips for make-up application, too.”

Besides colors, high-lights and low-lights, Rogers also offers manicures, pedicures, lash and eyebrow tints and facial waxing.

Lash and eyebrow tints can last up to two months, said Rogers, and save time in the morning for women who like to wear mascara and eyebrow make-up all day long.

“Both are great ways to frame the eyes,” she said. “Thick eyelashes are particularly helpful for blondes with lighter-colored lashes because they not only accentuate the eyes but add more definition to them.”

Teeth whitening is not a service that you find often at hair salons. In fact, Rogers is the only hairdresser that offers it in Taos. “It may not be very common, but it is quite convenient,” she said. “You can have your hair, nails and teeth taken care of at the same time and place.”

Rogers uses Whiter Image with prefilled trays and LED technology. The procedures costs $130 an hour and she provides the products. The treatment can be done for 20, 40 or 60 minutes at a time.

“White Image works really well for people who smoke a lot and drink coffee and red wine,” she said. “They can see the results instantly. It works wonders to increase people’s self esteem.”

Tips from Diana to keep your hair healthy

Don’t shampoo too much. You only need to do it once a week. Overwashing strips your hair of natural oils and makes it dry and brittle.

Use conditioner and cold water every day if you want to keep your hair shiny. Conditioners increase manageability and help detangle hair without breaking the strands.

If you have long hair, braid it or pull it into a high ponytail at night so it doesn’t break off on the pillow.

Massage the scalp instead of scrubbing it.

Use color-protective products. If you have colored your hair, use a spray with UV protection or shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair. UVA and UVB rays damage the hair cuticle and inner structure and make it look frizzy.

Trim ends every four to ten weeks depending on your hair.

Minimize the use of hot styling tools as they can damage the hair over time.

Let your hair air dry. Don’t get out of the shower and start blow-drying it immediately. It dries out the scalp and may damage hair follicles.

A healthy diet helps ––eat foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids, like salmon and flaxseed as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Deals

Rogers has a permanent special deal for kids, “I charge only the amount that corresponds to their age, from 1 to 16 years old,” she said.

Currently “hair” is offering another special: book an appointment and get another service for half the price, either for yourself or a friend. (Expiration: September 30^th.)

“hair” is located at 208 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Suite 503 (Central Station)

Phone: (575) 613-2999. By appointment only.