Local profile: Diane’s Hairstyling

By Codi Yeager
Sun contributor
It’s girls’ day on the town. You choose the hairstyling studio as your destination, and the car fills with lazy summer excitement. From the eager looks upon everyone’s faces, it’s easy to tell that you are imagining how you will look in a few hours. Images of the perfect hairstyle flash through your minds. The road rushes by, and then, there it is. The small, unassuming building sits like a content kitten, surrounded by blossoming lavender and budding day lilies. The car slows as it pulls into the drive and rolls to a stop. Everyone piles out of the door like a clown act. Immediately your noses fill with the sharp and distinct smells of chemicals, shampoos and blow-dried hair. The radio plays softly in the background as you take in the large mirrors and the rows of hairstyling products. The anticipation is almost tangible now, and the room buzzes. Taking a seat, you pick up a book full of ideas for different styles. Your mind races as you flip through the pages. So many choices …

Diane’s Hairstyling Studio is a familiar destination for many of us living in southern Leelanau County. Owned and operated by Diane Aylsworth, the studio provides a friendly and informal environment. Diane herself is a modest professional who has gained the business and respect of countless clients. Most come from around Empire, Glen Arbor and Maple City, but a few make the trip from as far as Suttons Bay and Benzie County. Her customers include men, women and children. A multitude of summer residents make their way to the small studio, as well, coming back year after year for the exceptionally dedicated service.
The current building has been in use for 13 years, but Diane herself has been in the hairstyling business for a whopping 32 years. She says that her interest in this business began when she was young, about first grade, during her childhood in Nebraska. A lady down the street was a beautician and owned a salon. “ I used to go and sit under the coat rack and just watch,” Diane recalled, “I loved everything from the smells to the chaos.”
After attending beauty school in Nebraska, she moved to Empire and started her first shop across from Deering’s Market, where the furniture store is now. Lucky for us, she decided to stay for many more years.
Apart from running her hairstyling studio, Diane does a lot of volunteer work, using her skills as a beautician. For the past seven years she has graciously offered her services to help style hair for the annual school play at Glen Lake Schools. A few years ago she did the hair for the school’s cheerleaders and regularly volunteers her time at the Maple Valley Nursing Home. When asked what motivates her to do this, she replied, “ I can’t say no to kids.” It’s the same with older people. They can’t get out anymore, but they are still as worried about their appearance as any one of us.
Diane has also participated at Career Day, a day at Glen Lake when professionals from all over Leelanau County come to tell the students about their jobs. She remembers how difficult it was getting the kids to interact, so she tried a different approach by telling them about the natural products that they can find at home to help their skin and hair. These include raw eggs and other familiar home ingredients. “Many of the reactions were ‘eww, that’s weird!’, but it got their attention.”
Styles have no doubt changed from the time when Diane first started hairstyling, but there are several different ways that she can keep up to date on the newest trends. She keeps an eye on shows, videos, magazines, books and even computer programs. “It takes about two years from the time that you first see a style to the time that people actually want to try it themselves, so you have time to prepare.” Diane said. She remembers the early 70’s when the hair was actually molded with lacquer and was hard to the touch. Then came the feathered look and the Dorothy Hamel style. The styles gradually grew more natural, but she predicts that the time of full hair, perms and platinum blondes is coming back. When asked what her favorite style of all was, she simply said, “ I enjoy them all. You have to be versatile and not get stuck in a rut. Everyone is different and the challenge is finding what looks best on each individual person.” With products greatly improved, as well as healthier for the hair, people will be looking better and better.
You walk out the door, your hair as soft as a feather and whisking past your face. Your new style is totally trendy, and you can’t wait to get home and try on all your clothes again to see what looks best. Of course, your friends will be there and you’ll all go out for ice cream before heading to bed. The summer is here and nothing makes it more real than the haircut.
Diane’s Hairstyling is located on M-22 in Empire across from State Savings Bank.