Jersey City resident Michelle Arriaga is making her mark on the Hudson County beauty scene by opening her own salon. Ten23 Style Lounge, located at 203 Brunswick Street in Jersey City, is the culmination of many years of work and training for Michelle. The Hoboken Girl visited the space to learn more about Michelle and what clients can expect. Read on to learn more about Michelle and ten23 Style Lounge.
About Michelle
Michelle was born and raised in Nutley. She currently lives in Jersey City with her husband, Kalven, and dogs Willow and Little One in The Heights. The Heights is home to many of their favorite things, especially the burgers and wings at Corkscrew as well as the Sunday Farmers Market. Michelle especially loves the nearby Riverview-Fiske Park, where she and Kalven walk their dogs and Michelle meditates many mornings. “We like to walk the pups down the block to hang by the park and enjoy the skyline,” she said.
Michelle has been in the industry for 10 years, including several years in Hoboken. She is a Master Stylist and has trained with many luxury brands including Moroccanoil, Paul Mitchell, and Wella. “I completed my Master Stylist training in 2017 with Wella,” she said. “That included everything — styling, texture, updos, and event styling.” Michelle also notes she is trained and experienced in working with hair textures of all types. “I specialize in blowouts for all hair textures,” she said.
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After working at other salons, Michelle made the move to open her own space. “It felt like the right time to bring my vision and create my own space and energy,” she said. The space in Hamilton Park was a good fit, and she is enjoying getting to know the neighborhood. The salon’s location at 203 Brunswick Street is at the intersection of 7th and Brunswick, not too far from the Brunswick Center.
“I put myself into my own place,” Michelle said. “I’m excited to be creating in my own space, to meet new people and make connections, and to see old clients. I’ve been in the area for a while so I’ve met a lot of great people. I’m looking forward to seeing old and new faces.
Michelle said the overall goal for her business is to help clients feel their best. “Our goal is to keep all of our clients on-trend and feeling confidently their best selves,” she said.
Michelle told HG she will eventually have a small team. “I’m looking forward to meeting other artists and working together and being creative.” Of all the things Michelle will offer at the salon, what she is most looking forward to is styling. “I like doing updos and creating a look for people who are putting a full look together,” she said.
About ten23 Style Lounge
The style lounge has services for both men + women and includes services from haircuts and color all the way to updos and special event styling. Michelle wants to build a team that will allow her to offer more services, including makeup application. “I want to be able to work with clients to create the whole look,” she said. Clients can come in to get styled for a big event such as a birthday party to get their hair and makeup done to create the full look.
See More: A List of North Jersey Salons That Specialize in Curly Haircuts
Michelle says that the aesthetic of the space matches what she thinks of as her own aesthetic. “I’m calling it gilded street style. I’m trying to keep it classic and a little mix between gilded and then an edgier street style,” she said. “ I’m excited for people to feel the energy that I created in there. I’m excited to bring my style to Jersey City.”
The salon is so imbued with Michelle’s sense of style that the name of it is her birthday, October 23rd. The salon has exposed brick walls and custom-built oversized mirrors. “Everything can be customized,” she said. “We can make the space work for whatever the client wants.” This includes makeup carts on wheels, light-dimming window shades for photoshoots, and other thoughtful touches. While Michelle says that she’s enjoying working with clients, she’s also looking forward to collaborating more with local creatives. “There are so many great things we can do with this space,” she said. “I’m excited to make it all happen.”
