Shanghai is more than a name for stylist and owner Patty Ashen-Zimmerman’s Costa Mesa salon, it’s a state of mind.
Not only do the clean white walls and matching, angular decor evoke a distinctly modern, almost futuristic salon utopia, but Ashen-Zimmerman also encourages a progressive, forward-thinking environment for her stylists in which to grow and create. “I desire the salon to have a reputation that delivers the utmost standards of today’s styles along with incredible science and education for the latest retail products,” says Ashen-Zimmerman, who has been a hair stylist for 31 years. “Shanghai is not about a place, but it’s about stylists that can cater to all clients.”
Since founding the salon 10 years ago, the Newport Beach native continually studies new technologies, experiments with new techniques and tests various products, all in the search of the latest and greatest.
Ashen-Zimmerman took some time from styling to answer some of our questions about the salon’s services and the inspiration behind her salon.
Why Shanghai?
The name Shanghai is derived from the city. Shanghai has always been one of the most modern and progressive cities in the world, and that is the attitude we like to take in our salon. We inspire mostly through our travels, as well as architecture, art and fashion.
What do you offer clients that makes hair coloring more efficient?
The trademark: The Mini Root Touch-Up Studio. The Mini is a service that we provide between our customers’ primary color services. We can cover gray and match clients’ regular color, regardless of where they have their hair done. We apply color to the hairline, so around the face and down the part. It’s a quick service that only takes 30 minutes and it’s very affordable. Then we have our Root Boost for blondes; it’s a five-minute treatment that slightly lifts the natural re-growth, allowing for a better blend into highlights. It’s done between the regular highlighting services to take the edge off that dark root. This allows our clients more time between their primary color appointments and is also at a great price.
What other services do you offer to make day-to-day styling easier?
We do custom Brazilian blowouts as well. We design it based on the hair and needs of our clients. Not everyone needs or wants to have stick-straight hair all over. Some only need their roots, some just the bangs, others simply need the underneath layers of their hair. It’s different for everyone. We like to be creative with our application, especially with our curly-hair clients who want to keep their curl and minimize frizz or diminish a little of that undesirable volume. One swipe of the iron or more, depending on the texture of the hair, helps our customers reach the desired result. We also have a large number of male clients using this service regularly to control curl and achieve their desired look.
What’s the latest trend?
Our clients are asking for the Julianne Hough, which is a long bob with invisible layers. Women are also moving away from high-maintenance color, which is why the Mini Root Touch-Up is so successful. As a result, they are spending less time in the salon.
Touch Up
Shanghai is located at
333 17th St., Studio 6
in Costa Mesa.
:: 949.650.0008
:: shanghai-salon.com
