Beyond The Beauty - BTS of a SurfHair Session
Ceremonial Self Care
When you think about it, we spend more time—and often more intimate time—with our stylists than with many others in our lives.
First things first: I truly hope you have a stylist you love, someone who makes you feel seen and valued, and who you’re excited to spend several hours with. If you don’t feel this way, know that you can! It’s time to find a stylist who’s aligned with your energy and needs.
Recently, I’ve had the privilege of looking back at selfies with my clients from 5, 6, even 7 years ago. It’s re reminded me how powerful this work is.
I’ve had the honor of witnessing many of my clients go through relationship shifts, job changes, and deep personal transformations. I’ve listened to their heart shares, hearing about both the best and most difficult moments in their lives.
Some of my clients have even joined me on my Surf & Ceremony Retreats in Costa Rica (like what… this is my job?!). I’ve walked alongside them as they’ve continued to evolve and blossom in ways that are just SO GORGEOUS.
Through it all, I’ve never taken for granted how special and powerful a woman’s salon session can be.
That’s why a long time ago, I consciously turned my sessions into something much more than a typical salon experience. Instead of cramming nine clients into a day and rushing through the process with assistants, I’ve created space for ritual and ceremonial self-care.
At a SurfHair session, we drop in in a relaxed way with tea, and taking a moment to catch up. I take time to tune into where my client is at—physically, emotionally, and energetically. When a client says, “Do whatever you want,” I appreciate the trust, but I also pause to check in. Is she going through a tough week and too drained to make decisions? Or is she feeling uninspired? Every part of our life affects every other part, and I want to make sure I’m reflecting that in her experience.
Before we start the color process, I start with a cacao oil neck massage and gua sha. It’s a beautiful way to help them release stress and transition from the chaos of the outside world to a calmer, more centered space.
Once their color is complete, I bring them back to a private shampoo room where they zen out in a fully reclining shampoo chair (truly, the best feature of my studio, Casa Sagrada).
Here, I drape a weighted blanket over them, use calming essential oils, and give them the most relaxing scalp massage of their life—complete indulgence.
We often end our sessions outside on the porch, sipping iced coffee, or by the fire, enjoying a glass of wine together.
It’s such an honor to invite women into this cozy Nashville home-turned-salon, to spend one-on-one, intentional time with them, and to offer a grounding moment in their busy lives.
If you’re going to spend several hours and hundreds of dollars at the salon, let it go beyond mediocre beauty… Find someone who brings you closer to yourself, in an environment where you can truly relax—leaving you not only looking your best, but feeling your best too.
“I tell my husband all the time; when I leave Ray it’s really like I just had 3 hours of therapy, a massage AND my color done perfectly. She’s just one of those people that really leaves you better than when you walked through her doors””