Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Ethridge.
Amber, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I approach hairdressing as a creative art form as well as an approach to guiding others into being their best self. Early on I was drawn into the hair industry by hanging out in my friends, parents garages having band practice and taking turns cutting and coloring each others hair. It was a way of self-expression for me just like the music I listened to. We would walk the streets of North Highland as kids and peek into salons (Key Lime Pie particularly)… I remember a pivotal moment was when a friend of mine actually had the opportunity to be in a hair show and had all her hair cut off on stage into this amazing art form and I thought it was the raddest thing I had ever seen. I knew I wanted to apart of that world and the innovative influence it could bring into my life.
I started working in a salon at 17, soon after I had the privilege to work for Van Michael Salon where I mentored behind some of the best in the industry. My home life is also very relevant, my partner in life is a hairdresser as well and it’s important to us to perfect our craft, we are constantly working together and helping each other try new things. We have even collaborated with a wedding business (Pin+Proper) that has really taken off where we include the grooms as well as the brides. Cause what guy doesn’t love being pampered too? It’s not just hair; it’s a lifestyle, it has opened doors for me I never imagined in the fashion world. I think it’s important to love what you do and I think it’s so great I get to share that with my clients. They get to leave the salon with a part of me and that makes them feel Beautiful, how insane is that!?
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s definitely been a journey, like anything in the art industry it takes a commitment. You are certainly what they call a literal “starving artist” in the beginning. I’m grateful I have had the experiences I have. Continuing Education is key and it never stops in the world of beauty and fashion, things are constantly changing and you have to be on top of everything new, your clients count on that. Also as a hairstylist, you become one of your clients most trusted family members in a sense ..you keep secrets, they look to you for advice, they share moments of joy and sadness with you. Overall it can be tough, but its rewarding at the end of the day.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I would say I have a slight perfectionist problem. I blame my Highschool drafting teacher, after three years of having someone correct your lines and angles it starts to become an obsession. Cutting corners or rushing through a service is not an option for me.
I’m most proud of my relationship I’ve built with my clients. I get to have great conversations everyday with some of the coolest people in the world. I’m constantly learning from them and vise versa. Who needs google reviews when I have them!? I have clients that are moms, chefs, yoga teachers, artists, musicians, etc… and to be able to collaborate and share things with them is one of the most inspiring and rewarding things about my job.
The Salon, Commoner, is located in Little Five Points (L5p). I really feel comfortable there because it’s in a part of town where my journey began so early on. The neighborhood is more than I can ask for, the local coffee shop and grocery store matter more to me than what I take for granted. I temporarily left L5p when Sweetgrass, the salon I was at shutdown and it really hit home that L5p is where I belong. Commoner is just that, they have live music and complimentary drinks and I’m surrounded by other creatives who share the same passion as I do for this industry. It’s important for me to be in a setting where the culture I’m representing for my clients reflects that.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely. I make jokes we are the hair capitol of the south and that our clients are just trying to fight the humidity. Atlanta is a great hub for the hair industry, you can find inspiration in every corner. Whether it’s from taking classes at a local salon or attending hair shows at MJQ hosted by some killer stylists around the city. You def can feel the empowering vibe. Usually, things in an industry as big as ours can feel cutthroat, but I feel like we all do a good job of supporting each other! It’s pretty cool to be able to go to your local shoe shop or festival and see a pop-up of local hairdressers. We have a community that is amazing at coming together and supporting local artists, whether that’s hair, music, wellness, whatever we got each other’s backs.
Pricing:
- Haircuts- $60
- All over color-starts at $80+
- Balayage/creative color-$150+
- Keratin-$295
Contact Info:
- Address: 1188 McLendon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307 - Website: CommonerSalon.com
- Email: pin.proper@gmail.com
- Instagram: Amber_atlhair
Image Credit:
Beccacannon.photo
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
