We’re taking you Behind the Veil with some of the Puget Sound’s best wedding and event venues and vendors. This ongoing series of personal interviews will be both entertaining and informative. Who are the real people behind these great companies and why should you put them on your ‘must-contact‘ list? Join us as we answer that very important question for you.

In this edition of Behind the Veil, we interview Debbie Hurter, owner of Transformation Salon & Spa. We sat down with Debbie recently to talk about why brides and brides maids should consider her salon and spa for wedding services, and to get to know her better.

Red Letter Events: How did you get started in the salon and spa industry, and how long have you been doing this??

Debbie: Well, I got started in the salon and spa ( beauty ) industry about 25 years ago. It was always something as a young girl that I was drawn to and dabbled in here and there – finding myself giving advice and “prettying up” my girlfriends. So when it came time to think about college (if you will), I had to think about my passion and where and what would bring me the most joy. Cosmetology School won!

RLE: What inspired you to open Transformation Salon and Spa?

Debbie: My inspiration for naming and opening the salon was simple – with everything I do and have a passion for, it has always been about the joy and desire to help others with their personal needs and goals for themselves.  ”Transformation”, whether it be on the inside or outside – inside being the most important – is such a personal thing. So it just seemed fitting to Steve and I that we name our new business Transformation Salon and Spa.

The inspiration for opening Transformation Salon and Spa was to be able to have one place where we could with a FAB team, touch and affect and empower a lot of peoples lives in one day. I love to show people how AMAZING they are and what they have to offer themselves and the world – give personal encouragement. The salon gives that opportunity abundantly!

RLE: What is your philosophy when working with bridal parties and how do your services compliment that?

Debbie: My philosophy for working with bridal parties is that you need and must remember this is one of the biggest days of the bride’s life. And it is very important to take time and listen to her vision – visualize the day with her, so this way, when it comes to the bridal party you can create that most magnificent day ever! I want to fulfill every dream she ever had – and then some!

RLE: Your services go beyond the typical day at the spa. Can you tell us more about those unique services that you provide??

Debbie: I love the fact that our services are geared toward making our guests shine from the inside and out! We can – with enough time before hand – assist the bride and her party if wanted, with personal training needs, nutrition – making sure she and her party are staying healthy and full of energy during what can be a stressful time – skin preparation to get that glow every bride deserves, and natural nail maintenance. We also offer lifestyle classes that teach and give super info on what the importance of eating well and often will do for our bodies, and of course the HAIR!

I took a lot  of time researching products to bring into the salon that would NOT be damaging to the hair. I like the fact that these products are sulfate free, paraben free and one line is actually gluten free. So cool! I know how important to have that perfect hair is – and our CHI color line does that. It is incredible! No Ammonia, and adds life and shine back into the hair. I definitely know how important that is to the brides and their wedding parties.

RLE: How do you go about helping a bride and her attendants choose the perfect make-up and hair style, just for them?

Debbie: Helping a bride and her party choose the right make-up look and hairstyle is best done with at least one consultation before you do a run-through of the total look, pre-wedding day. This is where I and my team get to “know” the bride and her gals. I feel it is essential to get a grasp on the entire vision that the bride wants to have reflected on her wedding day! I then take into account her skin color, eye color, facial profile, length of neck, and overall hair texture and amount. These things play a huge part in making it all perfect.

RLE: Do you have a favorite trend that brides are requesting this year?

Debbie: I have been seeing a lot of originality, with twists on the classic favorites. Such as half twist done up to the side, chignon off to and behind either ear, all down and big retro waves. I am finding that brides are wanting to show their personality along with being romantic and pretty. I do say to my brides that they need to accessorize as well – it can make or break your entire look. Right now, colored stones are quite popular. It is a great way to add color and not go overboard. Emerald green is the hot trend right now. Another thing I like to have my brides think about is lip color – so necessary for all those endless pictures. Plus it perks up the face when you are starting to feel things catch up to you.

RLE: You guys are really involved in the community here. Do you have a favorite organization that you love to help?

Debbie: Steve and I have a huge passion for community service and working with our chosen charities. We both feel it is important to give back to our community and help those in need! The two main organizations we have been working with are Infant Initiative with the Emergency Food Network of Pierce County, and the Tacoma Rescue Mission. Steve and his twin brother Mike have a golf tourney every summer that supports and creates dollars for the Infant Initiative. It is always so heartwarming to see tons of people come out to support the cause and help give back!

RLE: What do you and Steve love to do after business hours?

Debbie: Ha! After business hours – what’s that? I think we are continuously in business mode of some sort. Steve and I do love to cook, entertain, go for mystery rides to wherever the car ends up, play with our 2 dogs – pretty much anything that lets us be together. I think that is how we have made it to 20 years of marriage.

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We chose to go Behind the Veil with Debbie Hurter because we like the way she treats his clients, we love her work and we appreciate they way she treats other wedding and event vendors. Regardless of how you find a wedding or event vendor, we always recommend that you personally interview them before signing a contract. You should be able to count on a quality referral from your wedding and event planner, but you should always take the time to ensure that you like and trust a vendor yourself.

According to WebMD, a leading medical website, it’s recommended to begin working towards “flawless” skin anywhere from 2-6 months prior to your event date. Start scheduling monthly facial treatments with a licensed and reputable esthetician, up to 6 months prior to your event.

Since allergic reactions are possible with the various skin care products and treatments, make sure to not schedule a treatment too close to your event date - schedule your last facial appointment at least two weeks prior. If you have a reaction, or the treatment brings many impurities to the surface, you will allow your skin enough time to heal and recover prior to the event. WebMD recommends that you do not schedule a glycolic acid peel, dermabrasion or anything chemical for at least one month prior to the event.

For at-home skin care, you will not want to change your skincare or haircare products within the month prior to your event. You can even give yourself monthly facials at home with various products available at local retailers. Make it a fun girls-night-in each month by scheduling a spa night with your bridesmaids and friends!

For last minute pimple emergencies – make-up experts recommend a small dab of tooth paste (not the gel kind) on the blemish the night before. On WebMD, Dr. Mauro Romita states that the best way to rid of a blemish quickly is to hold a hot compress on it, then a cold compress, and finally a dab of benzoyl peroxide to kill the bacteria. If it is still red on the day of your event, put some Visine (anti-redness) on the blemish. Cover with concealer, and finally with foundation and powder.

Since my favorite make up is bareMinerals, I would recommend using their SPF 15 Foundation and Mineral Veil. High quality mineral make-up such as bareMinerals goes on smoothly and easily, feels extremely light, and also provides a porcelain finish on your skin. It hides blemishes and various skin conditions such as rosacea. bareMinerals leaves your skin with a healthy glow, naturally.