The Beauty Professional Behind Island Estates Hair & NailsPhoto/text by Renee Burrell
Former stylist Welly Juhl (seated) entrusts her hair to Victoria Marino (behind the chair) owner of Island Estates Hair & Nails. Said Juhl. "As a former salon owner/hairstylist, Victoria's cutting edge techniques are what the modern woman wants!" A few years ago, Victoria Marino became the owner of Island Estates Hair & Nails. Her head-to-toe full service salon at 136 Island Way in Clearwater is island chic, laid back and friendly. She specializes in modern techniques in color and cut, celebrity updos and wedding, photo shoot and special occasion make up. Her interest in hair and cosmetology has been a lifelong passion. She explained, "Since I was little I loved to do hair and makeup. I was the girl in high school, college and even now, where all of the other girls came to get ready, because they wanted me to do their hair and make up. When I was younger I didn't know how much potential there was in the industry so I went to a four year university and received a Bachelor's Degree with honors in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from the University of South Florida. To make some extra money while in college, I taught myself how to foil, color and cut hair. My friends always asked me why I wasn't pursuing a career in hair; because I was so good at it. I always told them that I wanted to utilize my degree, follow in my mother's footsteps, breaking the glass ceiling so to speak. But then I realized my business intellect and my natural talent could come together. After graduating I worked in sales and marketing only to realize how much I was missing my calling, my passion. So I quit my job and went to the Aveda Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida." Victoria also attended Joe Blasco, a premier make-up school in Orlando where she studied applications for television and film, including prosthetics and the fashion industry. She recently returned from an Advanced Education course at the Redken Exchange in New York City where she had the opportunity to work hands on with Chris Baren, Redken's Global Artistic Director of Design. Victoria's degree in business was a blessing as she hit the ground running -- with scissors. "My mother and partner, Debbie Marino, and I bought the salon while I was still in cosmetology school. It was very challenging coming right out of school and running my own business for the first time. On top of these impending circumstances, shortly after I graduated from the Aveda Institute I discovered that I was pregnant with my beautiful, now two-year-old daughter Lillian. My ability to face these things head on has not only helped my growth as a person, but they have provided me with the momentum to continue to succeed...I have built my personal business through advertising, word of mouth and the referral program. If one of my clients refers a friend, the friend gets 10% off their first service and the client receives a complimentary haircut." Victoria gives back to the community also. "We have donated haircuts to the Battered Women's and Children Shelter in years past. In our most recent philanthropic effort, last year we held an event called "Pampered Pink", a fundraiser for breast cancer research. My staff and I came in on two Sundays in October and together we raised over three thousand dollars." Victoria's entrepreneurial spirit and attention to detail has resulted in her salon attracting a clientele of all ages. Instead of focusing on one type of client, she caters to an eclectic group of individuals. "From young to old, modern to classic, ALL ages are welcome!" Sasha League, wife of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Brandon League gave a great testimonial to Victoria's overall professionalism when she said, "Victoria Marino is my Florida hair dresser! The reason she is my Florida girl is because my husband is a professional baseball player so I have a few scattered around the country and out of the country in Toronto, Canada. Victoria is by far my favorite because she LISTENS to what I want. She takes my idea and makes it even better. The color is always spot on to what I want or envisioned before I went in there. I'm friends with other player's wives and I'm always hesitant to send people to the hair dressers I know in other places but with Victoria I don't even think twice about recommending her. I tell them they will be happy and they always are. I love how Victoria is so versatile. I especially love the "edgy" side of Victoria. Victoria is one of hardest working, most driven women I know. She is always looking at new hairstyles, always bettering herself. She has a gift with hair but her work ethic just puts her over the top. She is one of the lucky people that have found her calling and I'm so lucky to have found her." For the holidays, Victoria advises, "With everyone running around and shopping for last minute items, often times we neglect ourselves. Our highly trained staff has your answer to trendy, sexy holiday hair. Even if it's just a shampoo blow dry, or a polish change, we have the look for you! Aveda offers top of the line solutions and products for any season. Since hair can become flat and often times dry in the winter time, I recommend that you use a deep conditioning system that doesn't weigh down the hair and a great volumizer for those dry, flat hair days. I suggest Aveda's Volumizing Tonic; Allure magazine's 2009 Readers' Choice Award Winner. This remarkable tonic creates maximum volume on fine and medium hair. Aveda's Dry Remedy Line a 2009 winner in Shape magazine drenches even the driest, most brittle hair with moisture, leaving it soft, supple, touchable, instantly improving dry hair up to 63% when used as part of the Dry Remedy Moisturizing System. Both products are available here at Island Estates Hair & Nails." Make sure to pay special attention to Island Estates Hair & Nails ads in the Gazette announcing Victoria's weekly special promotions. The current offerings include a discount on a Brazilian Keratin Treatment (a state of the art hair straightening process valued at $350 offered at $200) through the end of the year. Plus a 30% off coupon for any service. While you're there, enjoy a complimentary beverage of Aveda's Relaxing Tea, wine or beer to complete your salon experience. Island Estates Hair & Nails is open Monday - Saturday from 9-5. Late appointments are available upon request Wednesdays and Fridays. For consultations and appointments call 727-442-1550.
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