By: Asa Baurle
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| Jennifer Cuzcon owner of Inner Beauty salon gets ready to tend to one of her customers. Jennifer originally was a beautician at a salon in East Boston before opening up her own shop in Winthrop. |
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| Jennifer Cuzcon cleans the hair off some of her brushes after cutting a customer's hair. "At first it was scary to move somewhere on your own after being successful at another place for so long." |
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| Even the buzzers need tending too after finishing the job. Jennifer's salon has been open in Winthrop for over three years. |
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| After removing the hair from the buzzers and combs Jennifer runs them through hot water. "I mostly have female clients, but some men have come through my doors too. I think when I was in East Boston I saw a more broad range of people." |
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| Prep work is needed for one of her customers to receive a hot water wash after their hair is cut. "I always liked getting a wash with warm water when I was younger so I make it apart of my routine for those who ask for it." |
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| Warm towels are also apart of the Inner Beauty experience for Jennifer's customers. This practice was carried over from her time at 'Oxigen' in East Boston. |
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| Jennifer Cuzcon's two kids can sometimes be seen lounging around the store waiting for her mom to finish her shift when they get off from school. "Having them around makes me happy I know they can get bored here sometimes just watching me work." |
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| Jennifer sweeps up the hair from her past client. Even as the owner of Inner Beauty Jennifer still takes the time to do the dirty work cosmetologists face everyday. |
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| Her previous place of employment had someone specifically to sweep up hair. "I think doing the little things like this keeps you humble, and it shows people that you take the time and effort to keep your place nice." |
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| Salon's are known for their gossip and face paced conversations. Inner Beauty is no different as multiple different languages can be heard being spoken throughout the space. |
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| Jennifer prepares the tinfoil as her customer wants to dye their hair. "My kids used to laugh when they saw me put tinfoil on kids hair but now they are at the age where they understand it is just how it works." |
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| Small clumps of hair are put on individual pieces to make sure all parts of the hair receive equal color treatment. Tin foil is used to isolate the pieces of hair and is malleable to stick to the person's head how Jennifer desires. |
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| The process of dying hair can be long so patience is required. From start to finish someone could be sitting in a salon for over an hour. |
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| The smile on Jennifer's face says it all, this is her passion. "My mom was a hairdresser and I would always watch her back in my home country of Colombia. I think she is a big reason why I am where I am today." |
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| Jennifer checks to make sure the product she is about to use is suitable for her client's hair. Paying attention to what the ingredients are in hair products is important to not damage or discolor someone's hair. |
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| Even while on the job Jennifer keeps her phone nearby to keep in contact with her customers. "I give all the people who see me my number, its the best way to contact me and it adds more human emotion to the bookings." |
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| Using water and UV light is a new technique implemented into Jennifer's daily cleaning routine. "I guess I do this now because of what COVID has done to the world but I think I'm going to continue this practice well into the future." |
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| No germs are safe when Jennifer has her UV water gun. All places of high traffic are subject to the spraying. |
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| It is important to wipe down the areas after being sprayed with the disinfectant water. Unless of course you enjoy sitting down in damp seats. |
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| Jennifer roasts a pot of coffee for herself and her customers to enjoy. "I let people be themselves in here, they can order food or drinks, have people come in and sit with them or whatever makes them feel comfortable." |
