Beauty businesses primp for prom

BY LAURIE GORDON
It's prom time, and that means some area businesses are roiling out the specials and making room for prom goers to get ready for the big night. Here's how some area business owners are prepping for the big event.
Located on East Clinton Street, in Newton, Riviera Tan has the nickname of being “the hottest place in town” for it's great range of tanning beds, always featuring new bulbs, great staff and spray tanning. For prom, Riviera's owner, Deb Singh, is featuring deep discounts on tanning.
“We explain to the girls and guys tanning for prom the difference in the three levels of tanning beds and lotions we have available,” Singh said. “It's important to help them choose a tanning package that works for them to get the results that they would like to achieve. We have extra help during the prom season so that our customers hopefully won't have to wait very long to get in to tan. Spray tans are by appointment so people call ahead of time to schedule so there are no waits.” Singh added, “Spray tanning gives you that 'just off the beach color' every time. We re-lamped our beds in February so that our beds are hot and on our shelves we have a lot of the new lotions for 2016.”
Riviera has a special on a one-week tanning package plus month-long discounts. One month in a Level 1 bed is $40, one month in Level 2 is $110 and one month in one of their Level 3 beds is $130. Spray Tans are on prom special of just $30. All of these are available to high school students only. Riviera is also offering 20 percent off all bottles of indoor tanning lotion.
Hollywood Tans is located on Newton-Sparta Road in Andover and with a student ID and parental consent, 17-year-and-older prom goers can buy one month unlimited tanning and get two weeks free. They also have a special of $15 for spray tans and 15 percent off lotions and teeth whitening for $59. These specials are available at both their Andover and Hamburg locations.
When it comes to flowers, RayAnn Martin, who owns Blooms of Elegance, in Newton, said, “We encourage the kids to come in and look at our board of ribbons. This way they can find something that compliments the dress.” She added, “A wristlettte should be viewed as a piece of jewelry and shouldn't be 'matchy matchy.' Rather than matching the dress, it should compliment it.” Staff is more than happy to assist in the selection process. There are many flower shops in the area, but all advise to be sure to order in advance.
Debbie Anderson is the owner of Sew 'n Sew Bridal in Lafayette. The spring is a busy time for her dress and tuxedo business with both proms and weddings. Anderson started as a seamstress in a small shop on Route 206 in Andover and then started getting into the bridal business. Things took off so much, that eight years ago, she moved to much larger quarters on Route 15 in Lafayette and expanded to include all kinds of events including proms.
Danielle Strack has been Sew n' Sew's manager for the past five years and said that prom season is big business. The store transforms to make room for prom mannequins and displays.
“We pay close attention to the trends and look at different designers to decide what we'll carry for the prom season,” Strack said. “We also think about what our customers would like to wear based on our previous customers.”
Strack said this prom season, the girls are going for “more simple and tasteful pieces.” She added, “It's kind of shocking to see the girls going with the neutral colors, blacks and navys this year, rather than the bright colors that have been so popular in the past.”
Most girls select long dresses except those who attend High Point High School as they have a senior formal rather than a prom. "With that school, they seem to opt for short," Strack said.
When it comes to the guys, for many Strack said it's a pretty last minute thing to get a tux. Some girls start looking for dresses as early a January, but the guys swoop in and need something close to prom time.
“Most of the boys rent their tuxedos. We do a lot of things with the schools so the class will get donations for ever tuxedo that's rented and stuff like that. We also have a new deal this year where if a guy comes in with a buddy, they both get a free slice of pizza next door.”
Enelda's Happy Brides, in Lake Mohawk in Sparta, also carries prom dresses as does The Bridal Store at Liz Clinton, on Route 206 in Andover. The latter is advertising La Femme gowns as well as those by Madison James. Chrissy O Designs, in Newton, has prom dresses as well, and owners of all these shops are highly reputed for helping find that perfect dress.
Colleen Decker owns Salon Fig, in Newton. The salon is extraordinary in the fact that they pay very close attention to the ingredients in the products they use and sell personal care products that are healthier for their customers and the environment.
When it comes to prom, Decker said, “We always try to keep prom prices reasonable because we understand most times kids are paying for themselves.” She added, “Prices vary on style and amount of hair, but hair starts at $50 and make-up starts at $45 for prom.”
Bella MediSpa & Salon, on Newton-Sparta Road, in Andover, prepares for prom by creating a flyer and circulating it via social media.
“Social media is the way to get the word out to teens and it's important to offer specials for the girls and book them in with friends when they want to really make the prom something special,” said owner Laura Rinoala. “If girls book with five of their friends, they can even have the spa to themselves. What an incredible way to start the night.”
For nails, the salon is featuring a full set for $55 (regularly $85), a gel manicure for $29, a French Gel mani for $36, a mini pedicure for $25 and a mini French pedicure for $32. When it comes to hair, a blow out is $30 and a Formal Style is $68 which includes a hair accessory valued at $20. Professional make-up is $55 (regularly $75). The salon is also offering an organic airbrush tan for $40 and glamour lashes for $20.