Nico’s Cocktail Collection
Inspired by the bright colors of summer time cocktails and fun in the sun…
We are proud to show off our first design in the Nico Cocktail Collection.
Our new collection uses revolutionary foil placements and bright colors. To achieve the looks seen in the collection, it is essential to “cocktail” products together. This will ensure that fresh from the salon look every time you do your hair.
Are the colors too crazy for you? Rest assured, the collection can be used with natural hair colors as well.
To view the recipe for this cocktail, click the Nico Recipe Card below.
Hair by: Rick Stache, Seth Gartin and Audra Mayhew
Makeup by: Audra Mayhew
Photography by: Nic Romanoli
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New York City – IBS
Recently, Nico Spalon sent three of its stylist to the International Beauty Show in New York City. The IBS is one of the largest of its kind in the US. The IBS brings together vendors, designers, and stylists and creates an environment of mutual creativity and inspiration. Rick, Whitney and Rachel were able to witness, first-hand, the emerging styles and trends of 2010. Education is one of Nico Spalon’s top priorities, and we commend our three stylists for seizing the opportunity to better themselves and their artistry.
The Nico Academy
March 14, 2010 – The Nico Academy
Sunday marked the first official class of the Nico Academy. Our class was focused on the Copolla Keratin Therapy Smoothing System. Many of the stylists in the tri-state area were in attendance. We had three models volunteer for the experience, and all three models hair came out flawless. Smooth, silky and shiny. We recommend this service to anyone with curly hair that wants smooth hair. Or damaged hair that needs to be brought back to life. All participants in the class earned 3 continuing education hours. The class was taught by Nico Instructors: Rick Stache, Seth Gartin, Rachel Harman, Audra Mayhew and Whitney Cayton.
The class was offered through Twin State Salon Supply. We would like to thank them for their continued support.
The goal of the Nico Academy is to provide continuing education for stylists and instructors who want to take their art and craft to the next level. The Nico Academy provides a forum and platform for stylists and educators to learn from each other and truly be technical and creative about the industry we love. “Education through motivation and innovation”.
Keep looking at www.NicoSpalon.com to keep up to date on our upcoming classes.
The Nico Academy
Nicholas Romanoli, Executive Director
Rick Stache, Director of Education
Rick Stache – West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
The Nico Team would like to congratulate Rick Stache on recently being appointed by Gov. Manchin to the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. Rick has been a hair stylist for 32 years, and he has elevated the level of education at Nico Spalon. He now hopes to be able to help make some changes in the current system state wide. Rick would like to increase education and experience for all students in cosmetology field.
Congratulations Rick! We wish you good luck in this new journey!
Keratin Hair Therapy Returns: Smooth Hair Part II
October 19, 2009 – Parkersburg, WV
The Nico Educational Team returns to Twin State Beauty Supply and Twin Designs Salon for an encore of the smoothing system, Keratin Hair Therapy by Coppolla. The class was once again a success. The models and the attending stylists from surrounding areas were amazed by the results of this spectacular system. Rick Stache, Seth Gartin and Rachel Harman presented this class with “hands-on” approach. The class was encouraged to participate and got a chance to work with this amazing product. The attendees were also provided a working knowledge of other products that perfectly compliment this amazing line.
We would like to thank Twin State Beauty Supply for all their hospitality, willingness to educate, encouragement to hair stylists to be all they can be. We would also like to thank Twin Designs for allowing us into their salon with open arms.
Pam Berry Benefit Show
Nico’s Whitney Cayton was recruited to assist Morgantown’s own Pam’s Team slow pitch softball team with their benefit performance. Pam’s Team has been playing together for the past 16 years consecutively. Annually, they host a benefit performance to raise money to compete in tournaments along the East Coast. This year, they performed a Grease medley and Whitney was behind the scenes for hair and makeup. Whitney researched the era and the pop-culture surrounding Grease in order to replicate the experience and bring the songs and stories to life. Photographer and artist Nic Romanoli spent most of his time behind the lens to capture the memorable benefit performance.
Long Beach Island
Last Week, Nico was lucky enough to visit some family at Long Island Beach. During his trip, he spent time on the beach, time with family, and even managed to squeeze in a photo shoot or two! He also met up with long time friend and fellow photographer, Stavra Kalina. The pictures that Nico captured while on the beach may induce heartache that summer is ending, but it will be back sooner than you think. Long Bach Island is a beautiful place and everyone should make it a point sometime during their lives to visit! Here are just a few of the wonderful pictures that Nico managed to take while on his vacation. [nggallery id=38]
Keratin Class – Kristen’s in Wheeling
Last Week, Nico’s Educational team went out to Wheeling, WV to Kristen’s Spa and Salon to teach the artists there Keratin Straightening System. Rick Stache, Rachel Harmen, and Seth Gartin made the trip to visit our neighbors and educate them on the fantastic Coppolla system. Overall, the class was a big success and the clients came out looking great! People will be standing in line in Wheeling to get their Keratin treatment!
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New Massage Therapist/New Massage Specials!
Nico Spalon is proud to welcome our new massage therapist Greg Englehart. Specializing in Swedish Deep Tissue and hot stone massage, Greg is a great addition to our team. Whether he is giving chair massages while you’re getting your new do, or a full body massage in our private spa area, you’re in for a treat. In honor of our new therapist, we’re running a fantastic month long special. All massages are 50% off now until the end of September. So come by, book online, or call in your appointment! Meet the new guy and get a fantastic rate on a massage!
Nico Spalon Open Casting
Nico Spalon has a rolling casting call going on indefinitely. We are looking for Nico men and women to be models for our products, advertisements and any other media we would use to promote ourselves. You can apply anytime in person, or through e-mail or facebook. Just shoot us an email at casting@nicospalon.com, nromanoli@aol.com, or facebook message. If you have any questions, please email us!
Nico Spalon RetroHair Photoshoot!
The last weekend in July, Nico was proud to host a photo shoot for RetroHair, based out of Pittsburgh, PA. On Saturday there was an open modeling call, with chosen models being shot on Sunday and Monday. There was so much going on, but it was all very exciting! We had very beautiful models, great designers, and a great photographer. These pictures will be featured in national print campaigns, as well as trade shows, and outdoor boards. It was an honor to work with such prestigious figures as Gino Martino, Bob Campione, and Bill Gunzburg. The hair that was done for the shoot was just as stunning as the models, and our team drew inspiration from this, as well as picking up new techniques. Thank you to the Retro team, as well as all the models that came out and participated in the model call, and the shooting. Keep an eye out because Nico will be looking for local models again soon!
Nico Educational Team – Parkersburg
June 13, 2009 – On the road again
Rick Stache, Seth Gartin and Rachel Harman traveled to Twin State Salon Supply in Parkersburg, WV to teach a class on Coppola Keratin Complex smoothing system. The Nico Educational Team taught a total of two classes and four different models. Our team is teaching other educators and professionals to futher our profession. Participants at the class were eager to get their hands on the system and try it out first hand. All the models had great results and were amazed with how healthy, shiny and smooth their hair was.
We would once again like to thank all the participants in the class and Twin State Supply for promoting education in this industry we love so much.
Click here to see more results we have had with the Keratin Smoothing System.
Nico Educational Team – Beckley
June 8, 2009 – Beckley, WV
Part of the Nico Educational Team (Rick Stache, Seth Gartin and Rachel Harman) traveled to Twin State Salon Supply in Beckley, WV. The Nico Team taught two classes on the Coppola Keratin Smoothing System. The Coppola System is a non-chemical product that straightens, smoothes and brings dull hair back to life with a radiant shine. The Nico Team ran the class with a hands-on approach. All participants were encouraged to roll up their sleeves and really take part in the process. This method of classes gives all the participants first-hand knowledge of what it takes to provide this service to their clients. The results in both classes were incredible and participants were amazed. We look forward to teaching more of these classes.
We would like to thank Twin State for their hospitality and all the class participants for their eagerness to learn and keep up with what is hot in the hair industry.
Trendz Hair Show
April 18-19, Hampton Virginia – The Nico Artistic team attends Trendz 2009, hosted by Twin State.
Link to Nico Profiles: Rick Stache, Seth Gartin, Rachel Harman, Whitney Cayton and Audra Mayhew.
Trendz is a hair show demonstrating some of the latest and most cutting edge techniques and products in the hair industry. It is important to us to stay on the top of our game, with the ability to always offer our clients the latest advancements in hair. Some if the big names were in attendance at the show: Alfaparf, Schwarzkopf, Coppola, AG and Fan Out just to name a few.
One of the key words circulating the Trendz 2009 hair show was “placement”, referring to color placement. The show has inspired us to reach out of our comfort zone and re-think color placement for our highlights and dynamic colors. We have even developed a concept collection using our new Italian color line Alfaparf. Nico Spalon is now an educational center for Alfaparf and will soon be teaching classes on the new color line.
Another rave of Trendz was the Coppola Keratin Hair Therapy (a hair smoothing system). The crowd around the Coppola booth was unlike any other. This non-chemical smoothing system is just what the hair industry has been looking for. It leaves hair smooth, straight, silky and with low maintenance. Nico Spalon has been teaching classes on the Keratin Hair Therapy for the past year now, hosting class at Nico and traveling around to other schools and salons to educate. We are excited to see that the rest of the nation is beginning to follow suit and offer this amazing service, but it’s always nice to be ahead of the curve!
We look forward to attending and educating at many more hair shows in the future! I would like to thank Rick, Seth, Rachel, Whitney and Audra for continuing their education and bringing back to the salon the techniques that make Nico the top colorists in the state!
Italian Color Line Alfaparf comes to Nico!
We are very exctied to announce our new color line straight from Italy, Alfaparf! This new color line has many features that our clients have been dying for! Exciting, more vibrant, natural colors, and a shiny, softer finish will give your hair the edge it wants. What do you get? Extremely luminous and shiny hair, with intensified color with long-lasting results. Best part of all, we aren’t charging any more for our color, so you get the best color treatment at the same price! Nico Spalon is also proud to be a new educational center for the color line! Our stylists will train and inform stylists all over the country in this fantastic new line. Hurry in and check out our new color, and find a new you!
May Specials!
Our Mother’s Day/May Specials are here! Take advantage of these special prices for that special person in your life! Your Mother will be proud!
Cuts for a Cause Press
This post will contain all the press we’ve gotten for our March “Cuts for a Cause!”
http://wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=55505
http://www.wdtv.com/news/local/42089352.html
Friends of NICO
Joel Brown – “Thanks For Creating Our Logo!”
www.figaretti.com – “The Famous Figaretti Sauce We Sell!”
www.whitephotographic.net – “Thanks For The Graphics!”
VF20 Designs – “Our Wonderful Web Site Designers!”
The MAC – “The Monongalia Arts Center, Thank You!”
Into The Light – by Jim Lawson. Featured here at WVQueerNews!
www.dinesargasso.com- “One of our favorite places to eat”
Jessica Lawson article
Meet the governor of West Virginia. Check.
Nic and My Meet Manchin
Be photographed as a model for an as in Racer X, a national motocross magazine. Check.
Train alongside the owner of Morganton, W.Va.’s go-to spa and salon. Check.
When Nic Romanoli decides to do something, he goes at it full throttle. So it’s no great surprise that the laundry list of activities he assembled for 19-year-old Swedish cosmetologist My (pronounced “Me”) Menmark’s recent one-month guest stint at his Nico Spalon was about much more than hair, skin and nails. Indeed, when he agreed to host My for an unofficial internship, he intended far more for her than planting her beside the shampoo bowl and forgetting about her.
“(I’m big on) the exchange of ideas through mentoring,” Romanoli said.
Ideas are something he certainly has no shortage of–and not just ideas about running a successful spa and salon. This long-time business-owner has myriad passions, among them political activism and artistic expression, and he is adamant about igniting similar enthusiasm in My and other young people.
Romanoli is clearly comfortable talking about himself. Yet, an understanding of his total drive and commitment today requires a look at his seemingly single-minded focus on excellence in all he has undertaken. In his 50 short years, he has worked as the top educator for hair-care giant L’ANZA. He has studied with Vidal Sassoon and has worked with fashion greats Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Adolfo, to name a few. A yearlong stint in Europe doing hair for fashion photographers ignited in him an interest in photography, which led to what has become a successful second professional career in that business. Oh, and he has owned five salons and has his own hair and skin-care product line, called Nico.
“I want to be able to do lots of different things”, Romanoli said. “I don’t want to just cut hair behind the chair.”
He has the same desire for My when she began her work with him in November. A longtime friend of My’s mother, Carina, Romanoli had last seen the teen when she was 5 years old. But when Carina contacted him to tell him her daughter had graduated from cosmetology school in Sweden, the idea quickly was born for My to come to Morgantown and study under him. Little did she know just how well-rounded her education would be.
“I wanted My to see how change can happen,” he said. “A lot of young people aren’t involved in politics and don’t think they can make a difference, (but) one voice can become very loud. One person can tell another person, and the voice gets louder and louder, and change is done.”
To that end, Romanoli is a very vocal supporter of Manchin’s Student Educational and Economic Development Success, or SEEDS, a volunteer mentoring program that partners a public school principal with a seasoned business leader and master educator to turnaround a struggling school.
“I think (Gov. Manchin) is right on target with that, and I think other business people need to jump on board and help him with it,” he said.
Just as Romanoli works to inspire political involvement in My and other young people, so, too, does he use his successful spa and salon as a venue for his support of the arts-and, by extension, young artists.
“(At Nico Spalon), we have an art gallery where we showcase young artists’ work. We have a photo studio (and an art studio) here. We’ve had cooking classes,” he said.
On a personal level, the payoff for Romanoli is in seeing the young people he has mentored go on to fulfilling, productive lives. “A lot salon owners in Morgantown at one time worked under me,” he said. “It makes me feel good that (they) are successful.” And, on a professional level, he also knows that an investment in young people will pay off for his business as well.” I (also) utilize young people a lot, because they are the ones that have all the new ideas,” Romanoli said. For example, ” just being with My has changed the way I do thing and look at things.” For her part, My gives her experience high marks in every respect.
“I have had a lot of fun here, and I’ve done so many things,” she said. “Nic is so good at what he does. He has so many ideas. You get inspired by him.”
-Jessica Lawson
A Beautiful Life
Nic Romanoli is a man with a brilliant philosophy and a tremendously successful career as a photographer, hairdresser and entrepreneur. He owns Nico Spalon (Nico Spalon ~ Morgantown, WV) in Morgantown, WV and has spent a lifetime working with the best and most talented people in the beauty industry. He is a master of his trade in both cosmetology and photography. He is a powerful inspiration and mentor to his younger protoges. His mind houses a university of experience and knowledge of the industry. Nic is respected as a ‘Life Coach’ for those inspiring to succeed as models, photographers, makeup artists, colorists and hairdressers, or any other interest in the art and beauty culture.Nic is utilizing his talents and natural instinctive eye for seeing and spotlighting the beautiful, to show us that there is still so much beauty around us at all times. The beauty of a rose is timeless and likewise is the inner and outer beauty of people. From birth to our senior season of this unpredictable journey through life, beauty changes with the seasons, but never fades.
His work and collaborative work with artist, Michael Green, was recently on display at the Monongalia Arts Center (www.monartscenter.org ) earlier this Spring and over 400 people attended the showing of the “Nothing But Nico” exhibit, which highlighted the past 25 years of Romanoli’s photography.
Nic studied with Vidal Sasoon in Chicago and London and attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. When he finished at WVU, he moved to Europe with a good friend who became Miss Sweden. This exposed him to all kinds of people in the fashion industry, including many great fashion photographers.
He then moved to Paris, France and became a hairdresser for fashion photographers there. He has worked with internationally known designers including Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Adolfo, as a hairdresser. He would look through the lens of the photographer’s camera and began to view his own work as a hairdresser through the camera lens.
After returning to Morgantown, he first worked as a top platform artist for Lanza International and began to experiment in photography himself. He met a beautiful young Italian male model and photographed him. His work began to get noticed and he was asked to arrange the WVU Calendar of Men in 1984. To his own surprise, Romanoli became an instant success as a photographer and appeared on Entertainment Tonight to showcase his work.
Romanoli is most known for his erotic, intimate photographs of beautiful, young male models like the one pictured above. However, many of his models did not even see themselves as models or even as being attractive. Many of them were just ordinary, blue collar workers, but Nic Romanoli saw beauty and through his photography he has contributed to numerous successful modeling careers.
Despite his instant success as a photographer, Nic has continued to work as a hair designer and opened his own salon, Tonique. He promoted Tonique through his own photography and advertising. The ads were tremendously successful and a bit controversial. They inspired Romanoli to create two art exhibits of his work in the Mountainlair Art Gallery at WVU.
Nic has also utilized his photography to increase awareness of AIDS and those infected with HIV, as well as those at risk of being infected with the virus.
Nico Spalon is the product of the combined vision of Romanoli’s love for beauty and art. It is a very upscale salon/spa, art gallery and photo studio in Morgantown, West Virginia, that employs some of the best cosmetologists in the industry. It houses and showcases some of Romanoli’s photography, along with various other artists, throughout the entire spa.
Guests of Nico Spalon will agree that the creation of beauty is also an art form. The staff is committed to making their customers feel good about themselves by bringing them cutting edge style and technology. “I leave here feeling complete and put together…” says Lesley, a guest, as she smiles into the mirror and views the results of her visit. “I know I am going to leave here looking like a million dollars”, she adds. “Everywhere I go, I get compliments on my hair.”
“Treva knows what I want better than I know what I want.” –Mindy, another satisfied longtime customer of Nico Spalon says.
Treva is Nic’s main colorist. Nic and Treva have been together professionally for twelve years. They have learned to finish each other’s thoughts and together they create a ‘dream team’ duo of expertise and knowledge of the biz.
The entire staff is composed of the very best masters of the trade, including Rick Stache, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, all of whom were hand picked by Nic himself.
Nic also has his own line of hair care products that the salon uses. These products are available to consumers and to retailers by visiting: www.shopnico.com