By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Cutting hair is something that has never gotten old for Lisa Malone, owner of Lisa’s Hair Design.
“I love doing hair,” Malone said. “Even after all these years, I still love it.”
When Malone opened her business in 1988, mall bangs and mullets were all the rage as it was the height of the “big hair” era. Twenty-five years later, the big hair days are gone, replaced by more traditional straight cuts.
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
STOREFRONT — Since 2003, Lisa’s Hair Design has been located at the corner of Main and Willard streets.
Malone stays on top of all the current hair fashion trends from her salon at 152 Main St., where she employs a staff of four stylists, a massage therapist and nail specilist.
Malone got her start in hair when she enrolled at D’Lor Beauty School in Brewer back in the mid-1980s. Upon graduating, Malone returned to the Shiretown and worked at Modern Beauty Salon for two years before deciding to go out on her own.
In 1988 she purchased the Mirage beauty salon located next to the Temple Theatre and changed the name to Lisa’s Hair Design. In 1994, she relocated to the hair salon located on the corner of Mill Street and the North Road (near Houlton’s Riverfront Park).
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
ORIGINAL SIGN — Lisa Malone shows off the original sign that was located in her shop when it was located next to the Temple Theatre.
In July of 2003, she moved into her current location, which once served as Mark’s Mart convenience store for many years. Malone said she chose the spot because of the ample parking it provided. The staff includes stylists Stephanie (Swallow) Howe, Laurie Duff, Debbie Cumming and Holly Westerdahl; nail technician Sra Smith; and licensed massage therapist Serenna Fitzpatrick. Tanning beds are also available.
Styles have evolved dramatically over the years, according to Malone.
“The switch from big hair to flat hair happened pretty quickly,” she said. “There was a time when teenagers didn’t want any lift to their hair at all, so we had to get it as flat as we could.”
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
LISA’S STAFF — Lisa’s Hair Design of Houlton is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013. The staff includes, front row from left, Debbie Cumming and owner Lisa Malone; middle, Holly Westerdahl, Stephanie Howe and Laurie Duff; and back, Shawn Malone, Serenna Fitzpatrick and Sra Smith.
Perms, which were once a focal point for hairdressers, have almost become non-existent, she added. Today’s popular trend for younger people is colorful highlights in bright blues and vibrant pinks.
“I have some customers who have been with me from the beginning,” she said.
One of those customers is Mary Woodworth, who is one of Malone’s longest tenured customers.
“I used to go to Mary’s house to do her hair when I was first getting started,” Malone said.
“I love coming here, because there is always something going on,” Woodworth said. “It really makes my day. She has done a great job over the years.”
For her 25th anniversary, Malone said she plans to do something special this summer, but wasn’t quite sure exactly what it would be. For more information, call Malone at 532-4211 or visit them on Facebook.
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
FROM THE BEGINNING — Mary Woodworth, left, gets her hair washed by Lisa Malone. Woodworth has been a client of Malone’s since she first started cutting hair.
