Livia’s Hair Salon, Hawthorne
As a young girl, Livia DiPaola often watched her aunt cut hair and dreamed one day that she, too, would become a hair stylist. That dream came true 14 years ago when DiPaola opened her own business in Hawthorne called Livia’s Hair Salon.
A graduate of the Southern Westchester BOCES Cosmetology Program, DiPaola, who has over two decades worth of experience, earned her hairstyling chops in another Westchester hair salon before deciding to go it alone.
While DiPaola’s specialty is in applying highlights and color, her reputation as a children’s hairstylist is well known among the local community. A recent online review of DiPaola’s patience with children, especially little ones who can be difficult when experiencing their first cut, is a testament to her professionalism and dedication to perfection.
“I’ve always wanted to be better than good,” said the friendly DiPaola, who is not only concerned about doing a good job for each and every client, but also about making them happy. “I just want to make people feel good; it’s very rewarding,” she said.
Her other services include men’s haircutting, coloring and highlighting as well as a variety of services for women, including design cuts, razor cutting, Brazilian blowouts, ironing, body waves, perms, hair extensions, and special occasion updos, and other styles.
She also offers a waxing service for the eyebrows, chin and lips.
The creatively driven DiPaola is always learning new skills and keeping ahead of the trends. “I enjoy my job most when I’m not always doing the same kind of hair cut or color,” she said.
One of the popular techniques she offers is called Ombre, which involves creating highlights on the bottom half of the hair. The technique, she said, can be applied to any color hair and has been popular with a lot of customers.
A testament to the extensive training that DiPaola puts herself through on a regular basis can be seen in the many framed certificates that are hanging on the walls of her brightly lit salon. They include qualifications in layering techniques from Jingles International London New York and other skills she’s acquired from the Arrojo Cosmetology School.
DiPaola also stands behind specific hair products. She recently spent time in the Scruples Academy in Minnesota, the makers of the Scruples line of hair products that she uses exclusively. She is a big fan of the Scruples gluten-free shampoo, which she said is gentle on all hair types and is particularly beneficial for chemically treated hair.
Livia’s Hair Salon also hosts themed birthday parties for children. Different packages are available, but all of them include the application of hair extensions on the party girl and her guests, in addition to hairstyles, manicures and much more.
Giving back to the community is important to DiPaolo. Every October, she raises money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation through a special Cut-a-Thon fundraiser.
For the month of August, she has been raising awareness of ALS by offering blue hair extensions to customers and in return giving them $10 off their back-to-school haircuts. Her intention is to raise $500 for Pat Quinn, who has ALS and is the founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge.
Livia’s Hair Salon offers a 10 percent discount to first-time clients. The salon is located at 414 Elwood Avenue in Hawthorne. It is open Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, 12 to 8 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.liviashairsalon.com or to make an appointment, call 914-747-6155.
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