Bella Boutique targets male customers

ANDOVER — The Spa at Bella Boutique has gained the reputation of being “state-of-the-art” and then some. Owner, Laura Rinaolo is a go-getter businesswoman determined to bring the latest beauty innovations and cosmetic procedures to Sussex County. If it’s happening in California, it’s at Bella Boutique ASAP One of her latest installations is the Men’s Room at Bella Boutique.

A few months ago, a woman named Susan Ayres, of Ogsdensburg, came to Rinaolo with the clientele and the idea to create a Men’s Room at Bella Boutique. “It made complete sense. We had the space and here we are. Coincidentally we were already providing services to a lot of her clients, wives, girlfriends, relatives, etc,” said Rinaolo.

Bella Boutique is located in Andover, where Ayres was born and raised. She attended Sussex Vo-Tech for her training and worked in the beauty industry until she had her kids.

In 2007, it was time for her to return to the world of cosmetology, but this time with the desire to specialize on men’s services. She went to an all men’s hair cutting school in Denver, called American Crew Academy, for training and began her specialty here in New Jersey working at several different salons.

“[Ayres] had both the experience and talent to create a custom look for all types of men,” Rinaolo said. Ayres described each appointment as consisting of coming up with a style plan in front of the mirror then heading to a special sink area designed just for men’s comfort then returning for a cut, back to the sink to remove any extra hair then the finishing touches with drying and styling. Men are offered a complimentary soda, beer,Scotch or brandy, and the environment is “chitter-chatter free.”

“[Ayres] does a fantastic job,” said one of her clients, Scott Lotosky who works at his family business, Family Ford, in Netcong.

Like most of her clients, Lotosky followed Ayres to Bella. Adjacent to the Men’s Room is the salon’s massage area where Larry Lorel and Basia Matsutti work magic to unkink sore muscles and help clients relax and unwind with a host of professional massage techniques.

The other innovation at Bella is a new Electrolysis System and Electrolysis professional, Cheryl Dunn. This FDA approved form of permanent hair removal uses short-wave electric current to destroy the hair’s roots.

Men’s hair cuts are $29 for a 45 minute appointment which includes style consultation, cut, styling and scalp massage.

To learn about all of Bella’s services or to schedule an appointment, visit bellaboutiquespa.com or call 973-579-7709.