Press

Shirin and Frank Rahimi own Styles of Elegance. The business recently moved to a new location at 2410 Mahan Drive. (Dave Hodges/Tallahassee Democrat)

Clients Find Salon Is
A Quiet Retreat

Despite the stress of today's economy and the rigors of work life, Karyn Shafer of Tallahassee has an outlet.

She has been a Styles of Elegance client for five years. "It is good for you. We do tend to carry a lot of tension. I think with the economy, we are little more uptight," she said.

Her answer is an afternoon of pampering at the salon and spa at 2410 Mahan Drive. "I like everything. It's very personalized. It's very comfortable," she said. "It's a place you can go that you make new friends."

A growing client list and the space needed to offer all its services prompted Styles of Elegance to relocate recently to the larger facilities. The business was started in 1990 by Shirin and Frank Rahimi and offers a full line of personalized services, including hair styling, massage, skin therapy, manicures, pedicures and microderm abrasion.

Shirin Rahimi was a stylist for JC Penney for 10 years. That experience gave her the confidence and desire to have a salon of her own. Husband Frank noticed that, too. He found a property on Thomasville Road that would be suited for such a business and had it outfitted with the necessary furnishings.

"After it was finished, I invited her to dinner," he said, but they made a detour on the way to the restaurant, stopping at the building. "I opened the door and said, 'This is your salon.' "

Her excitement was understandable, but aside from her surprise, Shirin was also determined to make the venture succeed. "I put the goal down, and I worked day and night," she said.

Cosmetologist Mona Bhatty at Styles of Elegance uses the technique of threading to shape Allison Flowers' eyebrows. (Dave Hodges/Tallahassee Democrat)

That desire is apparent with the staff, too. Hair stylist Allison Flowers, a specialist in hair color and precision cutting, likes the atmosphere. "It's person to person," she said. "When people come in, it's not like a huge salon." The privacy appeals to clients, especially those who don't want neighbors or coworkers to know they color their hair.

Aromatherapy is available, along with Bare Essentials makeup products that the Rahimis began offering in Tallahassee 15 years ago.

The massage therapy is provided by Paula Nievas, including essential oils and variations such as Swedish massage and hot-stone therapy. "The idea is not just to feel good on the table, but after you leave, to feel good for a couple of days," she said.

Waxing is available for hair removal, though cosmetologist Mona Bhatty is skilled at threading, a technique used in China, India and the Middle East that is less irritating to the skin.