Beauty salon opens on Frontier Street

By Art Pulis, Business Advocate

Pictured left to right are Lisa Wilkes, Bobette Moralez, and Christy Criswell

Three experienced beauty professionals joined together under the leadership of Lisa Wilkes and have opened the new salon called Cowgirl Essentials. The salon is located in the historic building on the curve near the north end of Frontier Street.

According to owner Wilkes, the idea for the salon was hers as she was looking for a good location for her nail practice but quickly took shape when she met immediate acceptance from Cosmetologist Christy Criswell and nail professional Bobette Moralez.

“The idea just clicked and came together,” said Wilkes. “I discovered that this unique building was available, and when the others liked the idea we jumped on it. I have to give a lot of credit to my husband Conley for making it happen. He was the one to jump in and help with a lot of the hard work, making the building suitable for the business.”

Wilkes has had 12 years of experience with nails as a technician, teaching the profession, and owning three salons. Most of her time was spent in Utah, but she has been in Wickenburg for the past four years.

“I love doing nails because I love to visit with people,” continued Wilkes. “When I’m doing a person’s nails I have hold of their hand and they can’t go anywhere for an hour or so. The person has to visit with me, and I love it.”

Criswell was brought up in Wickenburg but after being married moved to Oregon. In the Northwest she worked at several salons but spent much of her time with the Regis chain of salons and eventually moved into management. In this position she had the opportunity to attend and work at shows and hair events all over the world.

“While going to school in Wickenburg I was friends with several girls with mothers who were cosmetologists,” said Criswell. “I guess it was those mothers who encouraged me into the profession, and I am grateful for their leadership. When I came back to Wickenburg and was looking for a place to return to the business, this became available.”

Moralez is a longtime Wickenburg nail technician with nine years experience including owning her own salon.

“I worked with Lisa before and knew that this would be a good fit,” said Moralez. “We have a lot of experience and have a vision of having the best product and service at reasonable prices. We specialize in pink and white French tips using competition products, and our clients understand the quality.”

Wilkes has a vision for further expansion. There is plenty of room for several additional operators, and she said that she is always looking for new talent who will work in well with the pleasant atmosphere of the salon. Their clients are already giving them the reputation of being “trendy,” but they pride themselves on delivering the highest quality at reasonable prices.

Criswell said that their motto was to have people, “look like a million without spending a lot.”

The salon is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is located at 279 Frontier Street and can be reached at 684-8795.

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