Patch Peeps: George Low, Globetrotting Hairstyle Artisan

George Low says his career in the beauty industry is a constant learning process. As the Creative Director and owner of , located at 25 Church Street in Little Silver, Low runs this full-service salon with his wife Siv.

Low has been a resident of Little Silver for 25 of his 38 years in business. Born in Brooklyn, Low spent 13 years of his life in Hong Kong.

While attending Wall High School, Low studied to become an auto mechanic. At the time, Low had a passion for building cars. Although he became a licensed mechanic, Low realized that it wasn’t as much fun working on other people’s cars as it was working on his own.

One day, he found himself helping a girlfriend out by trimming her hair. It struck Low that the same principles for working on a car can be used for working on hair, except using different tools. For example, you might not be able to work on a certain part of a car without removing another part.

Low has studied for 38 years in London. He is a graduate of Vidal Sassoon. “There will never be another Sassoon,” stated Low. “He started it all.”

Some of the certificates Low obtained came from Trevor Sorbie Academy in London, Masa Ohtake in Tokyo and Nemectron Belmont in New York. The latter certificate was for the study of Aesthetics. “You have to be involved with every aspect of the beauty industry,” explained Low. “And then, find what you love and specialize.”

In 1974, Low opened shop in Fair Haven. Eventually, Low found a perfect location for his business in Little Silver. After a brief time in the new location, Siv became pregnant. Closing the shop, George and Siv moved to Norway. In 1998, Low opened Reflections Studio. After only 4 years, the high cost of living forced the couple to move back to Little Silver and they have thrived here since.

“All of my tools are handmade and can be as expensive as $4000 a pair,” stated Low.

Their son is currently 14 and he enjoys playing the violin and football. His son informed a teacher once that his dad could fix her haircut.

Looking around the shop, one could tell of this man’s love of Science Fiction and Horror. Loving to work with his hands, Low makes casts, molds and paints, as well as builds remote control boats and airplanes. A bust of the Predator sits directly across from the chairs where Low fixes many haircuts.

“I’ll visit asianhorrormovie.com just to check out the hairstyles,” stated Low.

Having studied in places like London, Tokyo and Scotland, George Low has his sights set on China and Korea next. It is clear that Low wants to keep himself informed on any new innovations that could propel him even further up the ladder within the beauty industry. Not bad for a licensed auto mechanic.

First Impression Studio is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. On Thursdays and Fridays, the shop is open from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.

“My weekends are booked up 3 months ahead,” said Low.

To find out more about the services offered by Low and co., visit www.firstimpressionstudio.com.