Most of us start out life like any other; with a head of hair. Each strand holds its own color, memory and weight, telling our story and helping us with the ultimate form of self expression. It can be cut, colored, have length added onto it, be styled for specific weather, hold accessories for certain occasions, turn grey with age, and change with you through every step of your life.
Kirtsen Foust is the owner of Haircrush Salon, a homey establishment with a cabin-esque feel located in downtown Sherwood near the Chamber of Commerce. Her shop has been up and running since last March, employing four hair experts: one in curly hair, two in extensions and the last in lived-in color and wedding hair.
Foust grew up watching her aunt do hair in Mississippi, helping around the shop when she could. The individuality of salons and hairstylists is what drew her in, captivated by the ability to make hair your own and have complete control over your own beauty. A few years ago, Foust underwent a surgery that resulted in significant hair loss. This situation sparked her passion for extensions and wanting to help people gain their confidence back. She helps clients in hair loss situations, such as cancer or hormonal circumstances, through extensions. “I help people create what they had before,” said Foust.
Around 15 years ago, Foust’s best friend, Amber, worked as a hairstylist in the building that she now owns. “I remember walking in and telling her that I could see her owning this building one day,” said Foust. Her friend has since passed. Once the building became available, another one of her friends encouraged Foust to make an offer and start her own business. She bought the building, moved in and started her business plan that night. “The building reminds me of Amber. I thought one day she would own it, not me, so it feels like we have come full circle.”
Foust has been a stylist for around 15 years, evolving with her clients and spending time with them through every cycle of their life. She has seen regulars grow up, get married, have kids and pass away. She is the middle ground for her clients, bringing empathy and beauty to their lives, remaining non-judgmental and assisting in their individuality in a chair that outsiders would find simple.
Her establishment is considered a Green Circle Salon, recycling their color tubes, foils, hair and other products that would otherwise end in a landfill. Her salon mainly uses R & Co. products, which are gluten free, vegan, use cautious recycling and doesn’t test on animals. It is their most natural product line, which is sold in their salon for customers to use at home.
In the future, Foust wants to add on to her team, bringing on more extension artists and potentially a female barber. As a “chemistry nerd”, Foust would love to create her own product to bring her passion and skill together. Growing up as an educator, Foust wants to be more involved in the educational side of hair styling, taking on apprentices and helping starter stylists find their calling.
Although her shop is fairly new, Foust has big plans for her future in styling. Hair is an art that can be hard to master, but once you gain the knowledge and experience that Foust has, you can change not only hair, but lives.
"Hair is your crown. It is the first thing that people notice."
"I want everyone to be individual and be themselves. I help people create what they had before and add on to their current beauty."