Joan's Beauty Salon

Jan 2015

This little shop is as plain as it gets. It's a one-seater, behind Joan's house. Her husband, Lynn, built it for her after the birth of their twins so she needn't pay for child care when they were small. You drive down the driveway and park under one of the old pine trees, and walk in. There's only one door, and usually Joan is deep into conversation with one of her long-timers when you walk in. They both greet you, and often, if you know the subject of the conversation, they'll ask you for information. It's painless and good-natured and soon you'll be drawn into the discussion. She's got lots of magazines. She sold Redken products the last time I was there, and uses them in her color and styles. The little shop isn't even online; when you pay her in cash she gently pulls bills out of her bag that she's got in a half-opened drawer. She keeps track of everything in an appointment book, and that's where she tallies her payments. Did I mention that she can cut hair like nobody's business? When she cuts your hair you don't need product and all that nonsense. You just need your fingers to smooth it into place. When I got a haircut there she recommended a Redken mousse to make it fluffier, but you don't even need that. But Redken mousses smell good and don't dry out your hair, so just go crazy and get a can. For Heaven's sake, when you're driving down Highway 60 through Burna, stop and get your hair cut at her salon. You'll get Joan's company, a great haircut and you'll be supporting a one-woman business.