photos by: JEJ PHOTOS
styling by: Amber Woodall, Owner Alkali Hair Studio + Beauty Lab
Immersing clients in a culture of positivity, understanding and acceptance, the vivacious team at Alkali Hair Studio in Winston-Salem’s fashionable West End makes it easy to love every minute you spend there!
Owner and CEO Amber Woodall has spent the past 15 years nurturing her love of color and art to cultivate a high-end specialty salon where the artists’ camaraderie and respect for each other overflows into their client relationships. The open, airy, naturally lit space lends itself to pure relaxation, exactly the intimate experience for which this diverse group of professional stylists strives! While their knowledge and techniques are cutting edge, their approach to every consultation is down-to-Earth, and their success is well earned.
Named a Salon Today Top 200 salon for three years in a row, highlighting growth and innovation, and appearing on Triad Business Journal’s list of “best places to work” in 2023, Amber is proud of how much her dream has grown, and she is eyeing an exciting expansion for the salon in March of 2025.
“This coming year, we will simply be taking what we do well and building on it!” she shares. The soon-to-be-designed adjacent space, former home of Fiddle & Fig, will introduce more spa features including nail services and head spa treatments (two of Alkali’s stylists are already certified in Yumi Japanese head spa techniques), plus a definite focus on hydrotherapy – one of Amber’s personal passions. She’s also hoping to add Vichy showers and soaking or float tubs.
A sassy new hairstyle or color update may be what brings you to Alkali initially, where stylists only interact with one customer at a time, offering their undivided attention to listen to your wishes and craft a signature style you’ll feel confident in.
But, in addition to their customized color and cut hair services, Alkali currently offers pharmaceutical skin services in the Alkali Beauty Lab. Options include personal skin care consultations, Botox, Juvederm, chemical peels, brow and lash services, makeup application and a full range of facials, including hydrafacial options. Alkali Beauty Lab has a licensed PA in house, Elizabeth Boles Blankenship, MMS, PA-C, and medical advisor Dr. Will Keates, M.D., M.H.A, with W Keates Cosmetic Associates, for prescriptive/cosmetic injectables and services like VirtureRF Microneedling.
“Beauty Lab offers a unique MedSpa experience,” shares Elizabeth. “Each treatment is highly personalized to the client and thoughtfully scheduled, so patients don’t feel rushed and can enjoy dedicated time with their provider. We also offer complimentary follow-up care to ensure treatments are going well and patients are delighted with their results.”
As the entire spa menu of services expands next year, you’ll still find all Alkali products will continue to be high performing, eco-friendly, cruelty free, 100% vegan or vegetarian, and free of phthalates and parabens. The studio is carbon neutral and proudly participates in the GreenCircle Recycling Program, recycling every element used during your visit including hair, excess color formula and foils. Those efforts were one factor contributing to the studio’s recent accolades, along with the choice to transition to a gender neutral, ageless pricing system.
In the essential conversation about top-of-the-line skincare, Alkali carries Environ products – a respected company known for focusing on the creation of scientifically backed products that deliver incredible results and a healthy, more youthful look. Their product line supports overall health and well being which is also at the core of Alkali’s values!
“Environ is a product line that is inclusive of all skin types which can’t be said about the majority of medical grade skin care lines out there. With such effective doses of Vitamins A and C and antioxidants and peptides, it’s an easy recommendation to all my clients,” explains Esthetician Ashley Willoughby.
Another Alkali Studio mainstay, the SkinMedica line is backed by rigorous scientific research, evidence and global clinical efficacy studies with an in-house lab to ensure the best and safest results. SkinMedica products have won more than 80 beauty awards with the major objective of boosting customers’ confidence and happiness – which also mirrors Alkali’s goals perfectly!
Lead Alkali Esthetician, Ashley King, calls SkinMedica’s Retinol serum the best she’s ever used. “It’s nonirritating and works to enhance skin tone and texture, and diminish fine lines and wrinkles!”
The Alkali Studio experience is one that every member of the team takes seriously – where achieving fabulous hair is second nature, and boosting confidence is the ultimate luxury!
As we’re heading into a new season, take some much-needed time for yourself and schedule your own amazing experience at Alkali Hair Studio online at studioalkali.com or by calling 336.724.1453. The Salon is located at 407 West End Boulevard, in Winston-Salem, NC, and on Facebook and Instagram @alkalihairstudio where you’ll want to follow exciting details and updates of their upcoming expansion!
