Pen and Pencil, By Kevin Ponce

Its no surprise to most that their favorite neighborhood stylist is a talented artist in more traditional mediums.

Alter EGO seeks out designers over technicians.  You can get a haircut anywhere, but would you want to?  A designer is a designer is a designer, and art is at the heart of great design.  Alter EGO's own Kevin Ponce expresses himself in pen and pencil when he's not on the salon floor.  Join us Friday March 7 for a very special First Friday exhibit and bid adieu to Kevin as he embarks on a new chapter of his life in Washington DC.

"the un.Real.estate" art by Grey Griffin

Grey Griffin is a native of Chapel Hill, born in 1978.  She graduated with a BFA from ECU and continued her studies in Italy, Brazil and Washington DC. Recently Geiger, Dali, Escher, Klimt and a number of urban street artists from the late 80's have had significant influence on Grey's art expression.  Her art has been described as a statement of purpose, encompassing how the human spirit can become lost in post modern urban existence. She credits her spiritual awakening and present awareness to the cathartic effect art has given her life, and hopes further inspirations will follow.

Grey currently resides in Chapel Hill where she raises her two beautiful cherubs, Liam and Alexander.

HOW TO WEAR RED. Friday Dec. 6

THIS FRIDAY ONLY, ALTER EGO WELCOMES TOM FORD ICONIC DESIGN STUDIO AND SAKS 5TH AVENUE FOR A SPECIAL EVENT: "HOW TO WEAR RED."  DON'T MISS THIS PRESENTATION ON THE PRIVATE BLEND FRAGRANCES, LIPSTICKS, AND NAIL LACQUERS, AND FIND YOUR OWN RED JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!  

The Last First Friday of 2013!

Rachael Gercken is an illustrator and designer with a love for doodling and hand-drawn typography.  She doesn't go anywhere without her sketchbook.  Her artwork is funky in a way that disembarks from the mainstream.  Don't miss this very special First Friday exhibit!  Preview her work in her ETSY store.

Extended Holiday Hours!

Now through December 27th, Alter EGO is opening earlier and closing later - making it easier to schedule your color or updo around busy holiday events.  Weekdays open at 9am.  Open Tues. through Thurs. until 9pm.

Internationally Acclaimed Artist Grace Wang: Radiance in Nature

Grace Li Wang is an artist renowned by her ability to capture the radiance of nature in exuberant expressionist and impressionist works.  She wants her art to energize and enrich our spirits.  Her vibrant colors and graphic forms infuse a sense of radiant vitality in an imaginative and captivating world.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China in 1953, Grace Li Wang is a graduate of the School of Design at North Carolina State University.  Grace's art has been exhibited worldwide and collected by private art enthusiasts and public institutions.  She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Designer's Choice Awards and the Distinguished Art and Design Graphics Award.  Come and see her work up close this month at Alter EGO.

Celebrate Hopscotch with RDP3!

September is a very special First Friday, coinciding with Raleigh's renowned Hopscotch Music Festival! This year, Alter EGO is proud to showcase RDP3 Photography, "Captured on Canvas." Robert Pettus possesses the uncanny ability shared by the great photographers of our time to capture the human experience frozen in a moment. Whether a landscape or a portrait, come share the raw emotion elicited by his work. And if you stay long enough, you may witness a few Shenanigans After Dark!

Spellbinders and Dreamcatchers (and Ice Cream)!

August First Friday will feature Joel Tesch, one of our most popular artists, in his last 2013 exhibit at Alter EGO. Tesch’s "Spellbinders and Dreamcatchers" collection features over 20 paintings portraying contemporary surrealistic imaginings of the natural world.  As a special treat, we're also screening Marc Carroll's music video "The Fool Disguised in Beggars Clothes," featuring our very own Kegan Rushing.  Join us for a celebration of nature, and human nature, topped off with a serving of strawberry frozen yogurt.  The perfect welcome to August evenings!

Alter EGO's Makeover: L'Oréal Professionnel

From the salon that revolutionized downtown Raleigh, comes the professional hair care brand that changed everything.  In 1909 L'Oreal invented modern hair color.  Now available at Alter EGO, L'Oreal is the #1 Professional Hair Care Brand in the world with nearly 3000 scientists in Paris, New York, and Tokyo.

Request Série Expert Treatments with your next Appointment.

• L'Oréal Professionnel offers the first complete haircare systems to treat the hair's molecular structure from the core to the surface
• In-salon treatments feature Protective Pretreatments that target and fortify the hair's cortex with either AHA-Lipd Guard or Ionene G and Powerdoses that instantaneously condition the hair's cuticle and surface with Bio-Mimetic Ceramide
• Professional homecare formulas deliver high performance results to maintain and preserve beautiful hair between salon visits

A Celebration of Our Home, by Joel Tesch

Joel's Land and Sea collection of acrylic on canvas denotes a vibrant world exploding with colors and movement.  Reminiscent of fireworks, Joel's paintings burst to life, invoking elements of impressionism along with human characteristcs inspired by contemporary artists such as Tim Burton and Edward Gorey.  Following rave reviews, this artist is expanding his display for July.  Don't miss this First Friday event from 6-9pm.

15% Off During the Month of May

PERFECT THE CURL: NEW CURVACEOUS WAVE AHEAD

What is it?  Lightweight airy foam that adds body and structure to define waves.

What does it do? Defines waves with lasting memory and satin finish

How do I use it?  Shake well.  Rub a small amount through hands and apply to towel dried hair.  Leave in. Diffuse or air dry. Layer over Curvaceous conditioner for an even softer look.

Mariah Carey Collection, by OPI

Liquid Sand: OPI's Newest Innovation in Texture.  Dries to a textured matte finish infused with reflective glints of light. No top coat needed. At Alter EGO now - get it while it lasts!

May Artist: Kelsey Melville

Kelsey Melville is a multi-media artist from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Working with a variety of materials and processes, the central idea behind her work deals with human emotion, thought, experience and connection. Join us for May's First Friday this week and experience mixed media art from Kelsey Melville and the smooth underground beats of DJ Kah'z.

Show Your Support

Help us spread the word. Please tweet and share this via social media:

“Purchase your #RaleighNation & #JamieNation shirts! All net proceeds go to @nationhahn – http://bit.ly/raleighnation”

Celebrate the Imperfect Human Hand - Art by Paul Tobin

Paul Tobin was born and raised in the south, though his parents are both yankees. After studying art and history at Appalachian State University, Paul moved to Raleigh in 2012 in hopes of pursuing a career as an artist.  The terms "outsider art" and "street art" have both been used to describe his work, though he prefers "a celebration of the imperfect human hand in a culture over run with digital perfection." His work is currently on display in Canada, New York, Virginia, and North Carolina. He is also furthering his education through the Raleigh based Deadbeat Academy, where students are encouraged to inflate their own sense of self entitlement while maintaining healthy levels of self loathing and developing the unique set of skills necessary to not pay any bill on time, ever. The life of true artists across the globe! Join us Friday from 6-9pm to celebrate and enjoy the show!

First Friday 2013!

This January, Alter EGO welcomes graffiti muralist and screen print artist Brian Norton.  Originally from Rhode Island where he received his BA of Fine Arts, Brian moved to North Carolina in 2007.   His work is characterized by its abstract layering with acrylic, paint marker, spray paint, and stencil combinations.   He is currently experimenting with graffiti on flesh using water based paint markers.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Alter EGO will be closed Dec. 25th as many of us celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ, and again on Jan 1st for New Years Day. We wish you and your families a very wonderful Holiday season together, and we thank you for your patronage and support of our salon.

Many Blessings to you in the New Year,

Shawn Briscoe, Dana Hunter, April Hunter, Alura Lanoza, Jennifer Wang, Kegan Rushing, Jennifer Baldwin, Meghann Holland, Jon Weston, Chelsea Collett, Anna Stancil, Alli Carter, Alisha Hoover, Kevin Ponce Vivian Ellis, Krista Behrendt

This Friday: Ott Art!

On Friday October 5th, Alter EGO invites you to experience Ott Art.  Elijah Ott grew up in beautiful upstate New York on an organic farm.  Spray paint is his medium, and he makes use of various tools from newspaper to bare hands. This First Friday he is bringing you futuristic cityscapes. "Using a can of spray paint lets me create something quickly. I start a painting with just a small idea and from there, go with the flow and let it kind of create itself. I don't have to be neat or perfect with a spray can. Just get lost in paper and fumes!!"

Sept First Friday: Contrast Studios

John Rodgers started his business in 2008, specializing in commercial, weddings, and portraiture, but he personally enjoys more artistic ventures.  John's love of art brought him to choose photography as a career.

John says, "Finding ones style is an ever changing and growing journey, and one that I personally hope never ends. Embracing change is ... refreshing and inspiring. My style today is a far cry from years gone by, but I believe that it is maturing from raw, visceral works -- to capturing a more refined and thoughtful vision of our world. In the end I am driven to continuously heighten my level of skill, while pushing the boundaries of my artistic evolution."

First Friday August! Celebrate Summer before its gone...

Through his illustration, graphic art, and painting Franco synthesizes art and activism to form a genre of his own - visual activism.  The characters and images he creates will grab more than your attention; they will spark your conscience. "By finding an ironic comfort in the use of bold lines and bright colors, my art is designed to gently, but vigorously liberate minds from the bonds of conventional thinking."

At once easy to digest and thought-provoking, Franco's work makes statements about the laudable triumphs and continued struggles of those who fight for social equalities.