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Ask The Experts
Experience You Can Count On
Carol boasts 35 years of teaching makeup application, with extensive training in Las Vegas and Las Angeles by experts in the film industry. Carol also has over 15 years experience as a hair stylist and master colorist and has owned and operated the Shining Image Salon for over 14 years. Prior to becoming a salon owner, Carol was a former Air Force Flight Nurse, with specialty in operating room and surgical intensive care unit. Carol was the first board certified technician in New Hampshire and has over 14 years experience as of today 8/28/2008 - with over 700 clients completed. Specializing in Alopecia client solutions producing a more natural look as well as improving the makeup techniques for clients with facial or surgical deformity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are salon products better, or just more expensive?
Salon products are made to be like a prescription for your hair. They are pH balanced. Ask your stylist what that means--if he or she can't tell you, they will not know what products are best for you and are usually selling what sounds good, not what is good.


Is there a way for me to "try on" a new style without making a permanent change?
Absolutely. We offer a visual evaluation of hair texture, evaluation of face shape as it relates to style options and a full half-hour of free consultation to help you choose what is best for you!


I want to know more about artificial nails before I have mine done. What can you tell me?
The quality and safety of artificial nails depends almost completely on the training and experience of the nail technician who is creating your new nails.


Concerns about the salon's environment?
Sanitation / sterilization of working area and implements is critical. Also critical is our proper understanding of care and maintenance of the nails to prevent fungus infection, lifting and breaking. We use only FDA-approved arcylic for Nails. There has been a huge problem in the industry with the "quick stop" nail places run by non-licensed people who try to use dental acrylic because it is cheap and harder.


Nail Problems?
Permanent damage to your nail bed comes from using drills and dental bonding agents--making a painful mess of your nails. Always ask about products used and ask to see the your technician's license.


What type of acrylics do you use?
We use OPI Competition 3000 acrylics, and feel that this is a superior product line.

Are Permanent Cosmetics Right For You?
The field of Permanent Cosmetics (Cosmetic Tattooing) is rapidly expanding in popularity. Women all over the country are learning of the benefits of having Permanent Eyeliner, Brows and Lips or Lipliner. Wake up looking as good in the morning as you did in the evening.
Preview Our Before and After Gallery »

What are the benefits to Permanent Cosmetics
The benefits of Permanent Cosmetics are being discovered by a wide range of people, including professional women, older women with poor eyesight and unsteady hands, those with allergies to traditional cosmetics and athletic women whose exercise program precludes wearing makeup.

Many women will not tell you that they had Permanent Cosmetics applied, as they want to give the impression that they look their best at all times. However, being involved with this field for over five years, I can vouch for the fact that many thousands of women are discovering the wonderful freedom from not having to worry about their makeup.

While it may seem like a big effort, it is imperative that you visit the site where the work will be done. Remember that you are having your appearance altered permanently, so it is important that you recognize this fact and treat this as a major, life-altering decision. Women are thrilled with the results from having Permanent Cosmetics applied, if the work is done professionally.

The first clue to the professionalism of your technician is the physical appearance of their salon. The Center for Disease Control requires physical cleanliness and a sterile working environment. Find out if the location meets this outward criteria. Ask if there is hot and cold running water on the premises, other than a public restroom. If the work is being done in a beauty salon, check to see if it is in a separate room where hair treatment particles and other contaminants cannot circulate in the air. Do not consider a salon where this is not the case.

Next, look at the technician's physical appearance and cleanliness. Are their clothing and hair clean and neat? Do they use new gloves? Do they use new sheets on your chair/bed? Are their nails clean and short?

Most importantly, find out if the technician uses sterile needles and equipment with every client. There are some machines on the market that cannot be heat sterilized or are not fully disposable. Ask to see the autoclave. Do not go to anyone who does not use this type of sterilizer on their equipment, and walk away if needles are not taken from a sterile package.

Ask about the technician's background. Find out how long they have been in the industry and how many procedures they have done. Ask to see all certificates of training and continuing education. As this field is rapidly evolving, the technician should be attending an industry convention or going to a class at least once a year. for relatively new people in the field, find out how many hours of training they have had. A two-day course is not enough and should disqualify a technician if she/he has not been in the field for more than one year.

If you desire to have your full lips colored permanently, find a technician who has been in the field over one or two years. Full lips is a more advanced procedure than eyeliner and eyebrows and should only be entered into after careful consultation with the technician. If you are considering cheek blush work, your technician should be in the field for many more years. Cheek blush is one of the most difficult procedures of all and should not be considered unless you have seen other acceptable work from the technician, and you have reviewed their portfolio and their qualifications. This procedure more closely approximates body tattoo work where people get many years of training before attempting such an advanced procedure.
Preview Our Before and After Gallery »

Can makeup be used toward camouflage work?
Through all of your research into this industry, bear in mind that Permanent Cosmetics are a form of tattooing, and must be thought of as being "for life." Do your research and be comfortable with your technician before you start.

We are constantly working to improve our products and our knowledge, and we keep your comments and questions in mind.

Please write to us at starsalon@aol.com. We will respond as quickly as possible.

Owner Profile
Owner Carol Hallenbeck
Click to enlarge photo


Carol Hallenbeck
RN, cosmetologist, esthetician.
The first board certified practitioner in New Hampshire and over 14 years experience as of today 8/28/2008 - with over 700 clients completed. Specializing in helping Alopecia clients with a more natural look as well as improving the makeup techniques for clients with facial or surgical deformity.-- 400 of which are para-medical in nature, such as:

» nipple aerola graft pigmenting
» post-surgical brow and lip correction with enhancement
» cleft lip scar camoflage
» specializing in alopecia clients
» vitiligo correction with multirepanic collagen activation


We use and provide
only the finest in professional hair,
skin and nail care products. Read more »

Permanent Makeup
Permanent makeup in the form of permanent eyeliner, eyebrows, and/or lip liner and coloring creates a fresh alive look anytime of the day.
Before and After »


We are always interested in hearing from hair designers, colorists, nail and spa technicians who are looking for booth space. Please include a cover letter and resume.
Apply Now! »


A antique you'll find interesting to look at when you visit the salon. Salon equipment has come a long way.

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© Shining Image Salon, 2002  |  Telephone: 603.883.2668