Two of Nashville's hottest hair stylists are no strangers to the gay scene, or each other. Their paths first crossed in Jasper, Ala., where Shana Michelle Taylor and Adam Barnes grew up. Now some 20 years later, the friends have become colleagues and entrepreneurs on a mission to make Nashville's citizens look fabulous.

No Limits
1717B Church Street, Suite 105
(615) 327-1033

Where’d you get those skills?
Taylor has been styling and profiling for more than two decades with her aesthetic style chiefly resulting from her years working in Los Angeles, Cali.,

The space
No Limits has experienced two major growth spurts since the opening of its first location, a 100 square foot space on Nashville's 18th Avenue. 

Taylor opted to start small and expand her shop space as her client base developed.  The shop soon expanded to a 350 square foot space on 17th Avenue.  In October of 2007, Taylor began the architectural planning phase of her third salon, an open 1,100 square foot space, located in the heart of the Church Street district.  The third location officially opened in April of 2008, with Taylor and one employee offering styling and make-up services.

No limits isn’t a ‘red drama salon’ instead offering a casual and comforting environment, Taylor said.  The work of local artists adorns the walls and wine and light snacks are available to clients.

"Our shop is an after hours salon, open until the last client leaves,” Taylor said.  “You'll often see our lights on until 9 or 10 o'clock; sometimes we don't close until midnight.  We just turn up the music, do hair, and consider it a party.  It's what we love to do."


Who do you do?
Taylor has a diverse clientele ranging from high school and college students to local celebrities. But she moved her salon to the heart of Nashville’s gay scene for a reason.

"We moved into (the Church Street) area to cater to the GLBT community,” Taylor said. “Today, 30 percent of our clients identify as GLBT. " 

Taylor's former celeb clients include actress Barbara Eden, University of Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summit and country singer Sara Evans. She also was personal stylist to actress Kristy McNichol for seven years.

What’s the fall forecast?
Taylor wants to see each client to stand out in the fall season. 

"With this economy, we tend to let our theatrics show,” Taylor said. “We ramp up our hair and clothes and spend more time with one another, rather than going out shopping or to the movies.  If you look good, you will feel it.  I bring out the theatrical self and get you out on the stage."

 
Gloss.
1201 5th Avenue North, Suite 101
(615) 255-1419


Where’d you get those skills?
Barnes' possesses an affinity for hair and make-up that started back in his early youth, when his five-year-old sister became his first customer.  He acquired his makeup skills doing drag shows in Birmingham, Ala.

The space
Barnes previously worked as a stylist in the Green Hills and Germantown Elan studios.

In Sept., he bought the Germantown location and gave it a new name and a new look.  Gloss. offers an expansive 1,000 sq. ft. space and with six styling stations, all of which are occupied, in a spacious urban loft.

Glosse offers full hair styling services, extensions, make-up artistry and eyebrow and lip waxing. 


Who do you do?
Barnes doesn’t gear his salon to a certain demographic, instead welcoming clients of all ages and walks of life.

“My youngest client is 14 months old,” Barnes said. “ I have conservative Green Hills customers and clients in their seventies.  Because of our location we have attracted a portion of the neighborhood residents.  Our shop is a modern, urban salon."

Barnes past celebrity clients include many of the famed Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. He has also worked on set for many CMT photo shoots and has styled for In Style magazine.


What’s the fall forecast?
"I don't like to follow trends, rather set them," Barnes said. " Medium and dark chocolate colors are popular.  Similarly, medium and burgundy highlights/lowlights are in high demand for fall;  Purple is the color of the season and our clients' hairstyles should complement their wardrobes."  

Barnes said posh bobs, or pobs, are a hit with women this season while a hipster backlash is growing in popularity with men.

"We are focusing on good clean sides and necklines," Barnes said. "Activity in hair is hot right now."