Images Hair Design Stylist Kara Granadino has always had a knack for styling hair. As a teenager, Granadino helped friends achieve the look they were hoping for. Now, with 22 years of experience, she looks forward to getting to know her client’s personalities to help the understand a style which will work in their lifestyle.
After working part-time at Images for 10 years, Granadino is looking to invest more into her profession, as her three kids are all in school. Formerly an emergency room nurse, she also works as a nurse injector at Serenity in Bloomington.
“As you mature, change and as your kids get in school, you feel like you have a little bit more “you” time,” she said. “I’d love to expand all three careers.”
Granadino became part of the Images team when owner and longtime friend, Katie Gilbert became pregnant with her first child. Working 12-hour days Wednesday and Thursday has been convenient for Granadino because she can be close and available for her children when they need her.
Even this week, Granadino was relieved when she could leave the salon for a moment to pick up a sick child from school.
“She said she was sorry I had to leave work,” Granadino said. “I told her that’s the beauty of me working here. This is the reason I do what I do. I love my job because I can grab her when she’s sick.”
But Granadino also loves working at Images because the small town feel helps her build relationships with her clients.
“I love having that connection with the community,” she said. “Especially with my kids growing up here. You see people out in the community, and then they say, ‘You do my hair.’ Or ‘You do my kid’s hair or my friends hair.’”
Keeping up on the latest products, technologies or styles is also important to Granadino. Each year she attends hair shows to learn about products and techniques for her clients.
“It keeps you excited about your field, and reignites that passion that sometime wanes during the year,” she said.
Granadino offers hair cut, waxing, color, highlight, perm and styling services. She also provides gelous gel polish services. Granadino said the polish acts like an acrylic in that it will not chip or peel for two weeks.
Although face shape plays into the hairstyle consultation, Granadino also likes to ask each client questions about how much time they want to spend styling their hair, what sorts of product they feel comfortable using and what they do or do not like.
“People know more what they don’t like than what they do,” she said. “I also love when people bring in pictures. It’s so much easier to see it on someone, than to picture it in your mind’s eye.”
Granadino offers styling suggestions or tips to clients before they leave the salon. On Tuesdays, she posts helpful Tuesday Tidbits for the community on the Images Facebook page.
To schedule an appointment Granadino, call (217) 590-2523.
