BY ASHLEY HANSEN
June 22, 2016
When Melinda Hooper moved to State College in 1981, she noticed that the town was lacking a full service salon & spa. Driven by her desire to establish a city-like atmosphere within State College, she decided to recreate the salon she owned when she lived in Florida. In the years since, Designer’s Denn Salon & Spa has expanded several times; its success is a testament to Hooper’s commitment to developing a premiere staff, providing a healthy environment, and creating memorable, relaxing experiences.
Designer’s Denn prides itself on being in the top 5% of salons in the industry that do their own skill-certification program. With access to constant educational opportunities, the technicians keep up with new trends and further develop their skills to ensure their clients are receiving the best treatment possible. Through Hooper’s award-winning business strategies, the stylists learn to adapt the trends originating on the streets of New York to the needs of each individual client. Technicians attend advanced training programs in New York, Connecticut, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh as well as weekly in house training sessions. Along with skill-based education, the Designer Denn staff focuses on teambuilding and leadership development. This cohesion creates a positive energy among the staff and sets the foundation for the consummate client experience.
In addition to their talented team, Designer’s Denn applies cutting-edge practices to traditional spa services. Clients see their hair’s true color throughout the coloring process because the specialized lighting in the hair coloring room blocks out any other lighting effects. Also, the newly remodeled nail room assures the highest quality of cleanliness, and could easily hold the title of being one of the healthiest in the world. The addition of a state-of-the-art ERV (energy recovery ventilation) system removes every harmful chemical out of the air, while the pipeless pedicure bowls prevent the growth of bacteria, emphasizing the healthy culture at Designer’s Denn.
At Designer’s Denn, clients feel they are partaking in more than just a service, but an experience. There are six departments within the salon and spa: cutting, coloring, nails, waxing, esthetics (skincare and makeup), and massage. With technicians at varying levels of the advanced skill certification program, there are services offered at a variety of price levels in the salon, color spa, and esthetics departments. Because these departments feature a wide range of services, the experiences are endless. For example, some of the massage therapists have a medical background as well as a relaxation background, which means they are trained in subsiding pain that comes with certain injuries. Designer’s Denn also offers services for special events such as bridal packages, pregnancy massages, and baby’s first haircut. In the New Year, Designer’s Denn is excited to begin construction of a new, private couple’s suite, which will enhance the experience of the current couples massage. Whether celebrating a happy moment in life or needing a place to escape from daily stressors, Designer’s Denn is there for it all!
To see what’s happening at Designer’s Denn, check out their website and Facebook page.
