A cut above: New specialized salon for alternative hair solutions for clients with hair loss

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. WAND) — Willow & Birch is taking steps to make the world of hair styling more inclusive by creating a salon for alternative hair solutions.

The Nest by Willow & Birch is a specialized salon that provides alternative hair solutions for clients who are experiencing hair loss, alopecia, or chemotherapy. This specialized service is just one aspect of Willow & Birch, a salon, spa and boutique located in Downtown Springfield.

After nearly 20 years as a cosmetologist, owner of Willow & Birch, Jessica Kocurek said she thought she had seen everything. But then a fellow small business owner, Lauren Nevius, reached out asking for help cutting and styling a wig for her.

"When you go to hair school and you open a hair salon, the last thing that you're thinking about is hair that doesn't grow from the head," Kocurek said.

Lauren Nevius was diagnosed with alopecia areata when she was in the first grade, and has been wearing wigs since she was a child. Before The Nest, there was no place where she could get a wig cut, dyed, or styled.

"The services aren't just styling your hair and getting a new color; it is really just people caring about how you want it to look.

"'How can we make it last longer?' It's making you feel special, and you really don't get to have that, which is important for a girl," Nevius said.

The Nest offers extensions, toppers and wigs. Clients can get their hair solution completely customized, including coloring and dying, shaping the wig, customizing the wig cap and cutting.

Nevius said that by creating this resource, Jess is helping little girls just like Lauren to feel beautiful.

"It's just making this burden a little bit easier for kids and especially women who need to go out and live their lives while they're dealing with a hair loss situation," Nevius said.

The salon is located at 521 E. Washington Street, Springfield, IL.

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