Life & Work with Devonne Luna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devonne Luna.

Hi Devonne, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From a young age, the beauty industry was so inquisitive to me. As ever-changing as the fashion world can be, what could be more relevant than your beauty expressions?

I grew up in complete awe of my mom; she worked behind the chair in a few different salons throughout her 26-year career as a cosmetologist. She soared with her clients, making each one feel validated by listening to their stories; but even more so by genuinely taking the time to hear the goal of their look. Each visit, each haircut, and each hair color change seemed to be so much more than a “beauty transaction.” She has always been my idol, in every facet – especially her success in her career.

After graduating high school, life does what it always does… I was more grown in my mind than in life experience. I honestly needed a job to help pay rent and to cover the basics. On our usual weekly visit to the beauty supply house, I snagged an application. I filled it out in the car, ran it back inside, and was able to land an interview just a few days later. Maria, who was always a friendly face when we came in to pick up salon supplies asked questions that felt more like a chat with a friend. In the end, she confirmed the job of a third key was mine. I worked for this company for 6 years until a bigger conglomerate acquired the small corporation I loved working for. The corporate ladder seemed to be morally too steep for me to climb and layoffs were headed my way…

Just like everything else in my life, on a slower afternoon, an account (who was well-known in the industry) stopped by for the weekly pickup of supplies. During the checkout – for over the third time he asked what he could do to get me to work for him. After a discussion and setting up a time to “chat more”; a couple weeks later there I was. Now a full-time employee of Antoine Du Chez – often referred to as “Denver’s elite day spa and salon.” After spending four years at the front desk, going through the tangles of inventory and management it finally hit me. I should become a hair color specialist! If this wasn’t fate I’m not sure what is.

I worked for ADC for 11 years and after our original owner decided to part ways and sell off the business, it only seemed right that I start my own as well. So with my best friend and our little apprentice graduate hair cutter – we left. And then in November 2022 our micro salon Earth, Wind & Foil was born.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
If anyone tells you when you start your own business that it’s all smooth sailing — they are lying!! We had a lot of moments of crunch time.

We had to purchase things we couldn’t afford. Make time when we had none and it was all during the holiday season. Looking back, I’m not sure how it all got done but somehow, some way we did it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Unlike the majority of artists in my industry, I specialize in hair color and extensions. I see hair as the ultimate accessory to your person; I mean honestly it is.

It can’t be taken off. I specialize more in communication than I do hair color. Asking the right questions during the consultation, listening to the client and their needs, their lifestyle, their free time, hobbies… believe it or not, these things say so much about what would suit their look.

Regardless of the client, I make sure to have a very in-depth consultation. It paves the path for the ending of the appointment. Once that is squared away and we have together collaborated on what we are going to do – the rest is focused on rapport. Our world has become so digitized that face-to-face conversation has become somewhat of a lost art. My goal at the start of my day remains the same… make the client smile, let them have a comfortable space to open up and confide in, and leave feeling better than how they came in.

I wish I could tell you that my skill set in color is what sets me apart, but again… my passion and my gift are with people. I honestly need my clients – they feed my soul. They give me purpose in this life. And more than anything – the walks of life I get to connect with would not have been possible without this industry.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mom taught me tenacity and ambition. I watched her work 12-14 hour days, come home to cook dinner, and take care of our house. She always looked the part. Showed up to work every day and always stayed late. My Dad, who put work to a fault before anything else. From him, I learned grit and stability, as well as how to be financially independent.

My grandfather, always reminded me everyone always has a story. To stay humble. To remember the day you know everything is the day that you should quit. My best friend Cassie, is everything that I am not. The perfect partner in our business! The perfect friend and the most loyal soul I know.

Pricing:

• Balayage – $275
• Partial Foil – $165
• Full Foil – $220
• All over and full – $265
• Creative Color – $425

Contact Info:

• Website: Devonneluna.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: @yourcolouristdev
• Other: shop.saloninteractive.com/store/EarthWindFoilCo