Truvy’s Beauty Spot is More Than A Movie

Jessica Montz, the nail technician, is a part of the Truvy’s salon family.

For a little over a year, Truvy’s has offered a fresh take on salon experiences for customers with a positive and friendly atmosphere.

Shop owner, Karen Landers, grew up in Oxford and opened the beauty shop in July 2014 at the age of 27. Despite the four other salons open on West Oxford Loop, Landers believed that she could have a salon that would bring unique features to Oxford.

“I think the town has grown so rapidly that I think there is room for everybody to stay busy,” said Landers. “Customers enjoy coming here and a lot of people say that it smells really good in here.”

Karen Landers, founder of Truvy’s, takes care of a client.

Landers opened Truvy’s and brought two co-workers, Rebecca Hamberlin and Marla Houston Barnett who she worked with in another local salon in Oxford for seven years. They’ve recently welcomed a new nail technician, Jessica Montz. Montz has only been working at Truvy’s for six weeks but has become a part of their close-knit family.

“I’ve worked in every salon in this town with the exception of a few,” said Montz. “Working here is a completely different atmosphere and there is no discombobulation between us even though cosmetology is a cutthroat industry.”

Inside of Truvy’s

Most salon atmospheres are competitive. Landers makes the extra effort to make her co-workers feel like Truvy’s is as much theirs as it is her own by doing activities together outside of work. The closeness of the co-workers leaves customers wanted to come back to get to know these women better and for the relaxing atmosphere.

“I like for it to feel homey and for people to feel welcome,” said Landers. “All of us are really good friends and we get along.”

Many Ole Miss students are nervous to get their hair cut by someone new due to loyalty to their hairdresser or salons of choice back home. However, Truvy’s provides a hair salon as well as manicures and pedicures.

One of the brands available at Truvy’s

The beauty shop has new hair products like Indie that is being used in their salon. They also recently started using hair extensions by Dreamcatchers. Other beauty shops may use damaging glues, waxes and chemicals to attach hair extensions but Dreamcatchers leave cuticles intact.

Landers created the shop’s name from a character, Truvy, in Steel Magnolias that was portrayed by Dolly Parton. The shop has received customers solely based on the name because of the popularity of the movie.

“It really has resonated with people a lot more than I thought it would,” said Landers. “I tell people it was the smartest thing I’ve ever done but I didn’t know that I did it.”

To make an appointment at Truvy’s call 662-234-1844 or email Karen Landers at truvys@yahoo.com. Truvy’s is located at 2704 West Oxford Loop, Suite 113.

Merrill Robinson is a senior print journalism major. She can be reached at marobins@go.olemiss.edu.