First & Park Beauty

The salon was founded by Rayna Girson, a former New York City hairstylist, to bring her specialized approach to Columbus. It began as a solo practice and grew into a team of several stylists. Rayna now co-owns it with Emily Nugent.

The team sees a person's hair as part of their identity and aims for personal, start-to-finish appointments in an unhurried setting. Much of the work centers on low-maintenance color and simple hair routines at home.

Color is the core of the menu. Balayage is painted in open air with broad strokes of lightener and grows out softer than a traditional foil highlight. Appointments usually run two to three hours, and the color generally lasts three to five months, with a gloss and trim every eight to twelve weeks recommended. Gray blending weaves gray hair into the existing color rather than covering it, and usually takes three to four visits over about a year. Foil highlights tend to lift hair to a lighter shade, while the lived-in technique works with the natural base color. How light a single session can go depends on existing color, hair health, time and budget.

Haircuts range from trims that keep length to bolder shapes, and are usually done dry on hair the way the client normally wears it. Clients can book online with each stylist or join a waitlist. Paid street parking is across from the salon on 1st Avenue through the Park Mobile app. The SP+ garage at 30 E Hubbard Ave costs more and is about a block farther, but the salon reimburses the first hour for guests who use it. The Short North space is decorated with curated vintage pieces and is meant to feel peaceful, bright and fun. The home page shows a 5.0 rating from client reviews.

Built around personalized, start-to-finish service and low-maintenance color, with each client's hair treated as part of who they are.

A bright, peaceful Short North space decorated with curated vintage pieces.