Sirens Salon is a Hybrid of Seattle’s Defining Characteristics

If Seattle were a massive ship, then Wallingford Ave., as it slopes downwards towards the water, would be the crow's nest. At the corner of Wallingford and 37th in a nondescript residential area, is Sirens Salon. Narrow alleyways and sidewalks bordered with summer foliage intermittently give way to breathtaking panoramic views of the city beyond. Looming like a giant in the mist is the Fremont Bridge. Lake Washington hides beneath a layer of gray fog, and rising sharply above it is the city, shining like an emerald statue.

The view from Sirens Salon at times looks as if one might fall right off the face of the earth into the atmosphere of Seattle's most infamous landmarks. But planted firmly on the sidewalk, the building, like a coastal boutique or a seaside relic, provides a safe hideout for those in need of a fabulous blowout.

On a hazy day in August, I walked in to find owner Jessica Reich sitting in one of the plush leather chairs, her long black hair pinned back in a state of mid-processing. She is pure Seattle; half mermaid, half roller girl, with black-rimmed eyes and nymph-like features all beneath a coal-black veil of waist-length hair. Behind her working methodically is stylist Mark David. He is straightening her hair. "I want it to have that wavy, mermaid quality," Reich said. "My hair is naturally curly."

The salon interior looks nothing if not clean, sharp and modern. The building is sparsely decorated, yet entirely warm and inviting. It feels a bit like a Mexican resort spa with its stone-slab floors and burnt-sienna wall paint. Full-length mirrors stand before each station, of which there are four, and delicate, modern lighting hangs overhead.

The salon has been open for nearly 10 years now, establishing itself as a Seattle underground staple that is incredibly close with its clientele. "Our clients are family to us," Reich said. When I asked what was so unique about the salon, David, running a comb through a vertical section of Reich's hair, tilted his head to the side, eyes sparkling and said, "Oh, we are!" ending with a giggle. The salon is host to a broad spectrum of locals, and specializes in extensions, highlights and every conceivable color of the rainbow. "Orange, Purple, Blue, Green...we do all that fun, funky stuff," Reich said. And yet the salon is approachable by even the most conservative of clients. One customer was having her hair rinsed in the porcelain basin by stylist Lisa MacAuley, sporting a summery blonde look with natural honey and beige highlights.

Sirens Salon is a hybrid of Seattle's defining characteristics: the ocean, the elements, as well as the grunge, glamour and angst. And for those, like Reich, who are stranded to serve this life in human form, it is a place where they can be themselves.