Meet Jessica Eden | Salon owner, balayage specialist, and session hair and makeup artist.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Eden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, what inspires you?
I love this question! My inspiration plays a HUGE part in my salon, as well as my side projects doing hair and makeup for editorial shoots.

I seek inspiration from nature, and life experiences. My first photoshoot creation was inspired by my sweet boyfriend. It took place in an arcade, and in was inspired by our favorite date: arcade bars. Every time we go it makes me feel like a kid again, and I wanted to portray that through the images the team created.

My inspiration for my salon is very forest derived. I feel the most safe, and most authentic in the woods. Growing up In Nashville, the forest was always my safe space to get away from the noise of the world. I wanted to give my guests a little slice of that peace on Earth as well.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have been in the industry for 9+ years and taught for 2 of those. I now focus heavily on balayage, because that is where my passion lies currently.

I have a small, socially distant salon suite located inside Belmar, in Lakewood, Colorado. I love the location, there are so many cute shops and parks near by. Parking is plentiful, the scenery is lovely, incredible restaurants too. My personal favorite is that there are a TON of dogs being walked around Belmar at all times.

Opening a business during a pandemic was NOT easy. As much as it has been a challenge, it has been the biggest blessing as well. I started taking a business course, I saved up to take 3 balayage classes so far this year (and counting!), and I have the freedom to have actual work-life-balance. I shifted so much about the way I’ve done business in the past and it’s come with learning opportunities and great successes. I could not be happier with where my business is headed and I’m so pumped to see what the rest of 2021 has in store for me as a new business owner!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh yes, I love this question. I LOVE daydreaming about these things.

I would recommend starting your day off at Jelly cafe in Denver. Take a bike ride around the city and end up near some water like Sloan’s lake. Once you’ve worked up a good appetite again head over to Tennyson street and grab happy hour food and drinks at Vital Root. Make sure you pass the cat cafe on the way! After lunch, head back to Sloans to watch the sun set and don’t be afraid to still get in one more of the quarantine, 8pm howls. Finish off the night at Blue Pan in the highlands. The next day, pack your camping gear and spend the rest of the weekend in the mountains, maybe Buena Vista, Telluride, or Marble. Wherever you land, make sure to find some clothing optional hot springs to jump in at night time for some serious relaxation!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Gosh, there are so many people I’d love to thank for helping me get to where I am today.

I’d like to thank Brad Van Dyke for taking me under his wing and teaching me skills to break into the editorial world. I’d like to thank Photographer and Onyx Studios owner, Randi Trujillo and multitalented model, Alicia Myers for taking a chance on a nobody hair and makeup artist during my first shoot. I’d like to thank anyone and everyone whose ever let me be a part of their hair and makeup team, and who was ever joined me in one of my visions on a shoot as well.

In business, and personal life, of course I have to thank my parents. They taught me the value of finding a job I LOVE and will be happy with for life vs something that would just pay the bills. I’d like to thank my sister and brother in law, Brad+Jen for being some of the most influencer creators and badass photographers I know. I’d like to thank my sweet nephews and boyfriend for being a source of inspiration and constant encouragement. I’d like to thank my guests who are a literal dream, y’all love me so well.

I’d like to thank all of those as well who believed in me from the start, and whispered “just go for it” in my ear when I doubted myself. I’d like to thank Brene Brown for her insightfulness, and my therapist for listening to all my fears. Every person we meet brings us to where we are today, so I could go on and on!

Website: Www.edensalondenver.com

Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/edensalondenver

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edensalondenver/

Image Credits
Gina Spinelli Randi Trujillo