By Crysta Coburn • Photos by Susan Ayer
For some of us, getting our hair cut is an experience. It isn’t often that we allow other people so close into our personal space, touching our heads, changing the way the world literally sees us. For me, it is a way to allow myself to be cared for—pampered even–which is not something many people get enough of. We all need to be taken care of sometimes, but it requires the right environment. It requires trust. Getting my hair done is also a kind of ritual; a way to reset when I need to reconnect with myself.
When a friend of mine connected me with Randall Stephens, a somatic hair artist and fellow creative, and her new business Crown Chakra House located in downtown Ypsilanti, I felt drawn to her philosophy. Your hair is like your crown, hence the name Crown Chakra. And while the business is a boutique salon in the strictest sense, there is so much more on offer which is why Stephens chose to call the space a house.
Crown Chakra House is a modestly sized open space in downtown Ypsilanti that immediately upended my expectations for a hair salon. Every part is visible as soon as you step in the door. Two chairs suitable for a living room flanked a side table and were angled as if in conversation. An altar table changed between my multiple visits making the space feel lived in. The raised stage in the middle of the room also changes depending on what it’s been most recently used for (on my visits it was for two different photoshoots). The hair washing and cutting stations are in the back and can be compressed if more space is needed for an event. The walls are painted an almost jewel-tone forest green.
During my first visit to the House, Stephens told me, “I’m really trying to build a lane that’s different for the concept of a salon... I [prefer] practicing this slower paced, more intentional, mindful way of doing hair.” Another aspect of the business that goes counter to what I am used to is no tipping. Stephens charges by the hour instead. If your appointment is very involved and takes a lot of time, you pay more, but the opposite is also true. You pay less for a less time-consuming service. Speaking as someone with short hair who is often bewildered by tipping culture, I found this approach to be a relief.
Plus, there are no shelves of styling products, removing the pressure to make an extra purchase during your visit. If you like the products used on your hair during your session, you can scan a QR code and take your time in making the decision to buy or not. The products are then shipped directly to your house. This also means Stephens doesn’t have to focus on selling products or meeting quotas. “It makes my experience so much better,” she said. “I just focus on [my clients]. You tell me if you need something, and I tell you where to get it. And if you can’t afford that, okay. I understand. No problem.”
Stephens offers what she calls the Crown Care Method which takes some inspiration from somatic therapies and modern spirituality. “Somatic hair is rooted in the understanding that transformation happens not only through how we look, but through how we feel in our bodies,” reads her website. “I believe the salon chair can be a space for regulation, reconnection, and self-expression—where beauty rituals become an opportunity to feel seen, safe, and more deeply one’s self. Through intentional presence, touch, nervous system awareness, and personalized ritual, we create hair experiences that nourish both inner and outer transformation.”
On a new client’s first visit, Stephens sits down with them to get to know that person and what their goals are. This is very different from what I am used to with a stylist standing behind me and communicating with me through a mirror. It’s more personal. As a result, Stephens said that sometimes a first meeting can be “very emotionally charged.” When that happens, she will “immediately start to do sensory work,” adding, “As an energy worker, I’m immediately starting to tap into your nervous system and get you to kind of regulate… I want you to breathe. I want you to feel your lungs. I want you to feel your belly. I want you to feel your feet through your breath. And then let’s start to talk… Then we sink into the story of your hair.”
During my first appointment, we discussed my hair goals as well as realistically what my hair is capable of doing and the amount of time and effort I am willing to put into it. I have textured, wavy hair that will never be straight but can have a lot of body if I work with it and don’t fight it. We worked together to create a flattering cut that I love and is within my ability to maintain. Also, as part of being a new client, I received a scalp cleanse that was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. The cushioned chair was supportive and embracing; my neck and head felt fully supported (I frequently suffer from neck pain), and the fluffy blanket I chose to tuck over myself was coziness itself. There was no chemical smell from the product used on my head, just soothing herbal notes. And is there anything better than a head massage?
Too often I have found salons to be busy and loud environments. People are coming and going, stylists and clients are chatting, hair dryers are blasting…the frenetic energy can be overstimulating. But not only were Stephens and I the only ones in the building, the front door was locked so we wouldn’t be interrupted. There was always clear communication, and she asked for my consent before touching my hair. I left that day feeling calm, relaxed, refreshed, and confident.
Stephens is working to make Crown Chakra House a community space. “There’s a stage here that is for photo shoots,” she said, “but it’s also here for folks that want to teach small, intimate classes.” She also uses the walls as gallery space for local artwork. Crown Chakra House opens its doors for Ypsi’s First Fridays, a kind of self-guided art and culture walk that takes place the first Friday of every month, playing host to a different artist each time. That artist’s work goes up at the beginning of the month and remains until the month’s end. You might also find a craft to participate in or an intuitive reading cards.
Crown Chakra House is also home to a New Moon circle and a writing workshop. In the future, Stephens also hopes to host a food pantry, clothing swaps, or a one-dollar clothing rack to support community members in need. She said, “I’m excited to be down here in Ypsi because I can see myself organically working with my neighbors.”
Crown Chakra House is located at 12 South Huron Street in downtown Ypsilanti. For more info visit crownchakrahouse.squarespace.com or instagram.com/crown.chakra.queen, or email crown.chakra.queen@gmail.com.
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For some of us, getting our hair cut is an experience. It isn’t often that we allow other people so close into our personal space, touching our heads, changing the way the world literally sees us. For me, it is a way to allow myself to be cared for—pampered even–which is not something many people get enough of. We all need to be taken care of sometimes, but it requires the right environment. It requires trust. Getting my hair done is also a kind of ritual; a way to reset when I need to reconnect with myself.