Business Profile: 2nd Nature Hair Lounge

Niwot's newest hair salon, 2nd Nature Hair Lounge, located at 300 2nd Avenue, is owned by Amanda Jensen, who originally hails from Rhode Island. Jensen said her salon specializes in unique services that include French Haircutting, balayage, and a special hair product line called Oribe.

Jensen has been in the salon industry since 2004 and had no vision of being a salon owner until Liz Edge, the owner of Ivy and Thistle, the salon formerly at the same location, asked if she wanted to take over the salon. Jensen gave it serious thought as she is the mother to a two-year-old and a four-year-old, and decided it was a good opportunity to reduce the commute from Longmont to Boulder by half. It was also closer to home, but not too far away for her existing clients in Boulder.

Jensen has worked in big salons but never in such an intimate space and in a small town like Niwot. She said, "It has a much more relaxing feel and having it smaller makes it more quiet and serene for clients to enjoy." She currently has two other stylists working with her, Jillian Guzzo and Kasey Sphire, who both have years of experience under their belt as well. 

Jensen originally started her career by seeking out the best salons in Sarasota, Fla., and was hired by an upper-end salon and mentored by James Griffith. Griffith had a training program specific to French hair cutting, and Jensen trained with him for more than a year under a master stylist.

Jensen explained that the technique of a French cut is how you approach the haircut, body positioning, and where to start pulling hair up off the head first. The technique helps create seamless and flowing layers, and optional framing to open up the face. 

Jensen said her approach to a hair style with a new client is to learn about their lifestyle, hair maintenance routine, and observe their head and face shape. Her ultimate goal is effortless hair that fits into one's lifestyle and can be reproduced at home. She also likes inspirational photos from the client to see their vision and tries to balance reality between the photo and the client's hair texture.

She also provides a service called balayage, which means "to sweep" in French. It is a hand-painted highlight, customized to the client's hair. The process is surface highlighting, creating seamless growth and much more longevity.  Most of her balayage clients come in twice a year. Jensen explained that if you want 100% gray coverage, balayage might not be for you, but if you want to gray blend your mature hair, it can be an option.

Jensen believes in natural and high-quality hair products and carries the Oribe product line, which is made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. All Oribe products contain UV protection for hair and are gluten-free, cruelty-free, color-safe and keratin-treatment-safe. The products suit all hair types, including blonde, frizzy, curly, and dry hair. In the long term, the products help the hair's health and are customized, as Oribe has products prescriptive to the hair's needs.

She said, "Niwot does a pretty good job promoting the town's small businesses and I am surprised about the number of events hosted here. The most recent event, Let's Wine About Winter, was a great turnout for 2nd Nature Hair Lounge. It was good exposure for the salon as many people did not know my business was here." Jensen is considering teaching classes on advanced techniques of French Haircutting. 

On a personal note, Jensen said she is 80% Italian and found Italy the most exciting place to which she has traveled. Her favorite music includes deep house, funk, and jazz, and her favorite wine is a California or Oregon pinot noir.