The hair game got real last week. Really, really real. I’m that person who changes her hair on the reg, no matter what. If I’m bored, stressed, just saw a gorg picture of Rachel Bilson on Pinterest, it’s inevitable I’m changing my hair. 

For as long as I can remember (ok, since about senior year of high school), I’ve been dying my hair dark. You know how it goes, you get addicted to changing the color, the style and so on and so forth and it’s hard to stop. Hair is an addiction and I am no longer in denial – I am an addict. I’ve come clean, you guys.

When it comes to hitting up your go-to salon, it’s all about the experience. Your hair stylist is honestly somewhere along the lines of your therapist, your mom, your best friend and your spirit animal all rolled into one. You not only go to a stylist to give your hair some major tender loving care, but you go there for the experience, the ‘therapy’ session and the feeling of becoming a new woman. Yes, you walk out those doors feeling like the hottest, most confident person alive (unless of course you got a hack job, then that’s on you). Am I right or am I right? ::Rhetorical question::

Enter: Rock/Paper Beauty Lounge, my newfound treasure nestled in the Ponce De Leon in Downtown Roanoke. Now if you’ve been following social media, the news, I don’t know accesssing the World Wide Web, you know this barely-been-here-for-5-months hair spot has been getting some major recognition for their ability to paint color like freaking Picasso. Cheesy? Yes. But it’s true. Charlotte Boxley, Lyndsey Lenee and Lindsay Accomando, can transform your tresses and make you feel like a damn goddess after walking out their doors. 

Now here’s my experience. Going through a breakup is definitely one of the most difficult experiences in this crazy place called life, but changing your hair is one of those unwritten rules that’s pretty necessary after a relationship ends. It’s just one of those things that can boost your confidence like whoa and pretty much make you feel like a new woman. ::Shania Twain music playing in the background::


Walking into Rock/Paper Beauty Lounge is comparable to a modern day Alice in Wonderland. Between the gorgeous decor, paintings, the colors and the stylists that make you feel like their best friend – these ladies are doing the damn thing right. I felt like I was the most important person there and you know what? That’s how every single lady/fella should feel at their salon. As weird as it sounds, these ladies made me feel like I could conquer the world with just a few changes to my hair. The best part of it all? The experience. Yes, the cut and color were amazing (beyond amazing, if you ask me), but the experience was what really mattered to me. Hey, I’m in marketing. I’m all about the experience and the overall brand consistency – it’s pretty much my thing. Anyways, these ladies nailed it. Between the amazing décor, the couch sink chairs (OMG you guys, I almost feel asleep while getting my hair washed. This was heaven. In a chair.), and the feeling like your hair stylist was your newfound BFF – this place has got the hair game experience on lock.

If you’re looking for a new salon, these ladies know what’s up. Give them a call. Right now. Seriously, it’s for your own good. Whether you’re getting over heartbreak or just need a change, these ladies have your hair’s back. Promise.

My color/cut cocktail of choice:

Color: I wanted to go for something ‘lived in’ and beachy. I’ve been eyeing balayage (color painting technique) on Pinterest and felt like going lighter was pretty much calling my name. I picked out a few pictures on Pinterest and let Charlotte do her thang. Typically, I get nervous when I go lighter because my hair tends to look dry, but Charlotte knows what’s up and made sure I was getting the right color treatment to prevent dryness. The girl paints like an artist, I couldn’t have gotten a better color. I’m seriously obsessed.

Cut: Let’s just say I’ve been trying to grow my hair out for as long as I can remember (I’m secretly hoping this summer is my summer for some long locks). I pretty much stick to a trim to keep it healthy.