From the moment you walk into Freshair, you can tell this is not your average salon. A big piece of driftwood holding artisan made scarves and jewelry hangs in the window, bottles of vegan and eco-friendly hair and body products fill the shelves, and a library of books for borrowing sit next to the couches. You are immediately greeted by friendly smiles; the sound of happy chatter coming from the ever-occupied chairs; and - depending on the day - soul, 90's r&b, or indie pop by local artists Imaginary Cities float over the sound system. And every single member of the impeccibly-dressed staff are nice - not the kind of forced niceness that comes from other high-end salons in search of great tips, but genuine friendliness. You sit down to a cake dome filled with homemade treats and if you were smart enough to book your appointment on a Thirsty Thursday, you are given a glass of wine(with label decorated by resident esthetician and artist, Renee Girard).

Scarves by Tony Chestnut

I have been getting my hair cut at Freshair for almost two years now, and I can't even think of what I used to do without my regular trips to this eco-consious, soul nurturing oasis. Not only are they super good at what they do, they are just flat out good. The salon is Winnipeg's ONLY green-certified salon, which is kind of a huge deal and speaks so much of the dedication they have to doing good. Freshair is also owned by an absolutely incredible woman and my personal beauty guru who runs her business with three parts heart and one part hustle. The salon is frequently running fundraising initiatives for local organizations and contributing to their community by donating shampoo to local women's shelters. Their chalkboard, fashioned by receptionist and sweetest woman alive Christie Peters, sits out front offering encouraging words to passerby. You walk out with not only your cut and color refreshed, but your outlook too.

Nails, freshly painted with PritiNYC's Summer in Arizona Collection.

Glittery seafoam nails.

These ladies are great at what they do, full-stop. Really great. However, at this local salon it is about so much more than that. The dedication they make to their craft is second only to the dedication they have to their clients. It's not just enough to leave the doors looking beautiful, but feeling beautiful is essential.