Kelly: HeaD AreA at Our Best

Photo by Lee Clapson

HeaD AreA believes that education is the foundation of everything. We are at our best when taking on a young stylist and giving them the tools to help them flourish. One of our favorite success stories is Kelly Hursh. A brilliant young stylist and a key member of the head area team for over three years, Kelly exemplifies what we strive to create.

Experimenting on the heads of friends, Kelly's passion for hair was sparked in her early years not only by her inherent talent but as she puts it,"I seemed to be the only one (while doing box color dye jobs) who was capable of not leaving spots and ruining the counters!"

A part-time job at salon in high school solidified her career choice. "I fell in love with the flow and change of it all."

Slicing through(Photo by Lee Clapson)

Kelly packed up and moved to Philadelphia in order to attend Jean Madeline Aveda Institute. She worked as an assistant in various salons while attending school full time, leaving little time to explore her new city and make it her home. She poured herself into learning as much as possible and honing her skills, quickly ascending to the top of her class.

The funny thing is, Kelly almost left the profession before we even got to meet her. Disillusioned and disenchanted by her experiences at a handful of other establishments, Kelly was ready to pack in her shears for good when a chance run-in brought her and HeaD AreA together.

"I had a brief lapse in my confidence of career choice: this city can be tough. I had moved here alone, not knowing anyone and it got rough."

A former instructor, friend and HeaD AreA stylist convinced her to spend a day at our salon, just to see if maybe this was the place she'd been searching for...thankfully it was. By the end of that day, she accepted a full-time position and in no time became an integral part of the team.

It's Kelly's balance between technical precision and creativity that sets her apart from others in the field. She has cultivated her unique style through her years of study. Under the direction of HeaD AreA's education team ( led by Lee Clapson), she has built creativity and personal flair onto the foundation of the classical training. It is that classical, technical training that is paramount to the education at HeaD AreA. Kelly has so fully absorbed this, that she has taken on a teaching role within the salon, helping new stylists find their footing and perfect their craft. She has a confidence and easy nature that puts her clients at ease. This girl knows her stuff and is not one to rest on her laurels. She continues to explore new techniques and widen her range of expertise.

Vibrant, daring color juxtaposed with a classically executed razor cut.(Photo by Lee Clapson)

Her main love of the moment is her straight razor. A finicky and unforgiving tool, Kelly wields it with amazing deft and skill, using it to catapult her cutting to the next level. "I always admired the straight razor and the benefits of using one. I got the cajones to pick it up one day and didn't look back. It took my haircuts to another plane."

Whether it be the straight, the scissors, or the color brush, Kelly has a gift for transforming ordinary hair into something amazing. She is excited about hair and it's an infectious energy. This is something any of her loyal clients can attest to, as they trust their locks to no else.

Photo by Lee Clapson

To book an appointment with Kelly, please call HeaD AreA at 215 829 0699.