Hidden on the bottom floor of the Memorial Union, a world of manicures, skincare and haircuts awaits.
The Cutlective is a new salon and barbershop, independent from ASU, that opened in September.
"They're (students) coming through the Union," Keshanda Jones, the owner of The Cutlective, said. "They grab something to eat … they run in, they get a haircut and they're right off."
For many college students, haircuts are an afterthought, especially since there is not ready access to salons and many may have to travel far to get the resources they need.
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The transition to college can be stressful because it is a new environment, which can affect your appearance and mental health.
"College life can be busy and demanding, and many students don't have the time or transportation to travel off campus for hair, Nail, or skin care services," Aniya King, a hairstylist at The Cutlective, wrote in an email. "A campus salon makes it easy for them to maintain their confidence, personal grooming, and overall well-being without adding extra stress to their schedules."
Hannah Davis, a freshman studying criminology and criminal justice, said that getting a haircut in college was not a priority.
Still, the adjustment to Arizona pushed her to go to The Cutlective because she did not know how to take care of her curls in dry weather. Jones convinced her to get her hair cut, talking her through the process, which emphasized to Davis that the salon is a caring environment.
"She even made me call my mom too," Davis said. "It was my first time getting my hair cut. My mom was crying. My dad was crying."
Jones used to work for the W. P. Carey School of Business in career counseling before COVID-19. She now gets to come back and give advice to students in a new way — like she did for Davis.
Getting active on campus, staying engaged their freshman year and finding a community is something Jones recommends students do, so they can be successful in this chapter of their life.
The salon not only gives the chance for students to find a community, but the salon staff members as well.
"I enjoy working on a college campus," King wrote . "Being able to see my peers regularly adds a level of comfort and connection that makes work feel less like a job and more like a part of my community."
Jones said the salon has high ambitions of giving back to the University community and has goals of providing work-study opportunities and using Maroon and Gold dollars for appointments once they get settled in.
Working on a college campus presents a diverse range of clients, from students to professors to national and international students.
Because of this, Jones' main goal is accommodation and making people feel comfortable in their own skin. For example, the salon includes a private room they use for Muslim women when they need a haircut.
"This isn't only a black salon or only a white salon," Jones said . "We can accommodate everyone."
Edited by Natalia Rodriguez, George Headley and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at galawre3@asu.edu.
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Grace Lawrence is a reporter for the community culture desk at The Arizona State Press. This is her 1st semester working with The State Press.
