Locals Swear By THIS Brigantine Salon. Here’s Why It’s So Special..

Christine Traux has two favorite places: the beach and the salon. Deciding to take over Art Is Salon in Brigantine - where you can literally see the ocean when you step out the front door - couldn't have been a better fit.

"The beach, for me, is my happy place. And now I have my two happy places in one. I think that's another reason I chose Art Is," Christine reflected. "I'm right by the beach and I'm doing hair. It can't get any better than that."

Dan Eafrati - still a master stylist at Art Is - started the upscale salon about 30 years ago. Christine took over in January of last year and has been working behind the chair alongside Dan and 8 other stylists and two apprentices, most of whom have been with the salon for many years.

"The reputation that the stylists have built over the years - they're just really well established with their clientele," Christine said. "We offer coloring, cutting, styling - anything hair-related, we do."

Christine's love of styling goes back to childhood, giving hairdos to her sister and Barbie dolls. She then worked as a receptionist at Red Door Spa in high school.

"That's where I really fell in love with the whole experience," she said.

After high school, Christine earned a marketing business degree from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. From there, she decided to go to the Rizzieri Aveda School. Before landing at Art Is Salon, Christine worked at six other salons.

"I"ve seen it all. It's been a great learning experience," she said.

Christine already owned Hibiscus, a small boutique salon in nearby Absecon, when she decided to buy Art Is Salon. Owning two salons alongside raising three small children (and a dog) with her husband wasn't necessarily what Christine envisioned, but it's a dream come true nonetheless.

"It's been a wild ride, but it's been great. I'm always up for a challenge," she said. "It happened very quickly, and Dan's been such an amazing transitional guide."

Art Is Salon is known for its modern trends of coloring and styling, and keeping its upscale reputation was important to Christine from day one. Clients are treated top tier, with a front desk that caters to them and professionalism throughout the salon.

They are a L'Oreal salon, meaning the team primarily uses hair colors and products from the brand. They also take advantage of L'Oreal continuing education courses alongside other extensive trainings.

"We like to stay up-to-date. The trends are constantly changing," Christine said.

Trends for 2025 include bright money pieces framing the face, curtain bangs, center parts, gray blending and the natural wave.

"Embracing the natural texture for sure is definitely on trend," she said.

Art Is Salon also offers balayage, blonding, highlights and lowlights, and dimensional color. There are also basic waxing services (eyebrow, lip), eyebrow tinting, Great Lengths hair extensions and keratin smoothing treatments.

"A lot of summertime people get the keratin. It helps reduce frizz and shortens blow drying time," Christine said of the keratin, which lasts about three months. "We also offer keratin express as an add-on to any service. That lasts up to four to six weeks.

Consultations are encouraged, especially for new clients who may want a whole new look, and for those who aren't confident about styling at home, Dan has started offering personalized styling sessions.

"You come in with whatever tools you use at home. You will show him what you're doing. He will show you how to tweak it," Christine said. "It is a full one-hour session of learning how to do your own hair like a pro, but at home."

Art Is Salon is open year-round 9am to 7pm Tuesday through Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays. They stock L'Oreal, Kevin Murphy and Verb hair products in store, and can order styling tools, too. Wedding parties are welcome.

"You will leave here feeling your absolute best," Christine said. "Hair is an art form. Art is what you leave with, with whatever your stylist has created."

30114th St S, Brigantine, NJ • 609-266-9212 • www.artissalon.com