Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Allen earns her job to dye for



Nancy Dashwood
Staff Writer

HOWARD LAKE, MN – Howard Lake native Angela Allen has been dreaming of becoming a hairstylist since she was a 2-year-old.

Allen, now 21, can check that goal off her list, and enjoy her achievement. She recently started working at the Shape and Style Salon in Howard Lake.

Creative kid

Allen, the daughter of Dave and Bev Allen, grew up spending a lot of her time pretending to be styling her own hair. “I don’t remember ever wanting to do anything else,” she said.

She attended Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (HLWW) schools, and enjoyed participating in drama, choir, and dance activities.

It took her exactly one year –to the day – to earn her degree from the Minnesota School of Cosmetology in Plymouth.

Perfectionist . . . and teacher

Allen is fully aware that she is a perfectionist in the way she approaches her work. If a client brings in a photo of a desired cut or style, Allen studies it intently and creates the match.

Her clients currently range in age from 6 to 105. Allen also works at Westwood Place Assisted Living in Watertown, and uses some styling skills there.

Her most mature clients sometimes prefer to use rollers, as they have for many years.

“They don’t teach roller sets in school anymore,” Allen said. She picked up that skill along the way, and has mastered it.

Allen said that no matter the client’s cut, color, or style, she is always happy to teach the client tips and tricks for maintaining their perfect ‘do.

Artistry for deluxe days

Allen’s most beloved part of her work is creating updos for the biggest days in women’s lives.

“Proms and weddings are my favorite,” she said. “I love when they nitpick,” she said. “Then I can make it perfect . . . a masterpiece.”

Most updos take about an hour to complete, and Allen personally prefers when her client picks a style that is elegant and polished.

“I never do shortcuts,” Allen said. “I take the extra time so it looks nice.”

Requests become reality

Allen’s creativity comes to play in her work. She delights in hearing what a person wants to do with their tresses.

Allen said learning hair color and color correcting was the hardest part of her schooling, but it was worth it. “Now I love it,” she said.

Recently, a teenaged client came in and requested a pinwheel of different bright colors going around her head. Allen was up for it.

When her client and her new rainbow of hair went back to school, it earned that client her new nickname: Skittles.

Ins and outs

Hair is a trendy business, and Allen likes staying on top of it.

She indicated the “beachy waves” look is popular for women.

Allen also said the subtle art of balayage is replacing the more direct light-to-dark or dark-to-light of ombre.

(Balayage is a technique for highlighting the hair in which the dye is painted on to create a graduated, natural-looking affect.)

Fades are the current in-thing for men. The Merriam-Webster dictionary explains the style well: “a hairstyle similar to a crew cut, in which the hair on top of the head stands high.”

Allen appreciates knowing exactly what her client wants. “I’m open to anything,” she said, “I’m not stuck in my ways. I make sure my client feels they are in a safe place. I’m non-judgemental.”

Flexible because it’s fun

Allen currently works at Shape and Style Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m., and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

She is more than willing to book appointments at different times, as well.

Allen simply loves what she does. “Some of my payment is just doing the hair,” she said. “It feels like I am coming to playtime.”

Those interested may check out more of Allen’s work via her Facebook page: Angela’s Hair Designs. Allen may be reached at Shape and Style by calling 320-543-2050. Shape and Style is located at 1114 5th Street, Howard Lake.

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