At Salon 44 in Bellevue, style is not treated as a trend to copy. It is something personal, shaped by a client’s features, lifestyle and sense of self. That philosophy has guided sisters Tawny and Tia Nguyen as they have grown their family-owned salon into a destination for customized color, cutting and luxury hair services.
Tia has spent 22 years in the beauty industry and opened Salon 44 in 2016. What began with the original Newcastle/Renton-area location has become a 10-year journey, including the opening of the Bellevue salon in 2023. Through that growth, the sisters have preserved the close-knit culture that helped build the business.
“Everyone may have an inspiration photo, but the client still controls the length, color and overall direction,” Tia and Tawny explain. “The stylist’s role is to offer thoughtful recommendations based on head shape, skin tone, eye color, hair condition and what the hair can realistically handle.”
That process begins with a thorough consultation. A desired cut may look beautiful in a photograph, but face shape and proportion can influence how it translates in real life. A blunt bob, for example, can add balance to a longer face, while bangs may not be the best choice for someone with a narrow forehead. The team also considers how clients live day to day.
“Do they work out often? Do they usually wear their hair up? Do they have time to style it every morning?” the team explains. “We consider the products and tools they have at home, how often they want to return and whether the cut will still look good without daily styling.”
In Bellevue, clients are drawn to an effortless, polished look. Lived-in color, natural brightness and low-maintenance cuts remain popular.
“Clients want to look bright, classy and well kept while still looking natural,” the team says. “They want hair that feels current but is easy to maintain.”
Seasonal trends still have their place. Summer often brings requests for bobs and shorter styles that are easier for travel, swimming and warmer weather. Rather than following every trend exactly, Salon 44 adapts each idea to the individual, helping clients achieve a look that feels fashionable without quickly feeling dated.
The salon’s range of expertise also sets it apart. Stylists bring different strengths, allowing the team to offer a broad variety of services. Some have been with Salon 44 for a decade, while others have worked in the industry for 10 to 20 years. When a transformation requires four to six hours, the salon makes space for the process.
Luxury is not defined only by the finished result. It is found in the entire experience, from refreshments and detailed consultations to extended scalp massages and small touches designed to keep clients comfortable.
“Luxury comes from the complete package,” stylist Bekah says. “It is making the client feel cared for, giving realistic expectations and still working toward the color or look they hoped to achieve.”
Stylist Chai describes the goal in more personal terms. “We want clients to feel more comfortable with themselves,” she says. “It is about helping them see the best version of who they are and making a change that feels right.”
That same care extends behind the scenes. The team celebrates birthdays, makes bubble tea runs, supports salon mothers with baby showers and gathers around local food and community events. Salon 44 also hosted a salon market last year and plans to bring it back at the end of August.
For Tawny and Tia, that family atmosphere is part of the salon’s identity. After 10 years of growth, two locations and countless transformations, Salon 44 continues to make style feel personal, welcoming and entirely its own.
To contact Salon 44, visit salon44bellevue.com or call 206-883-9819.