Barry Nadeau knew Palm Springs was the right place for Brush, his one-chair salon where clients enjoy craft cocktails, a view of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains, and the hair stylist’s undivided attention.
“Palm Springs offers a cachet like New York, New Orleans, and Miami — it’s a destination,” says Nadeau, who had previously styled the hair of models and celebrities in Paris, Rome, and Los Angeles. “People want to come to Palm Springs. And they expect a higher bar than in other places.”
Situated in the historic 1929 El Mirador garage — “I glassed it in so that clients have an unobstructed view of beautiful Palm Springs” — Brush offers services and amenities uncommon to most salons — including the ability to book an appointment online.
For a gentleman, the Brush experience feels akin to an old-fashioned barbershop, but more luxurious. “You can come in, have a great gin and tonic or bourbon,” he says. “You have no one moving around, listening to your conversation. You can talk about things that may be a little embarrassing, like hair loss and scalp issues.” For women, “It’s a luxury to talk about the color, the cut, the design that they want, the lifestyle that they have.”
His clientele reflects the city itself: a core of loyal locals and discerning and fun-loving visitors of all ages and backgrounds. “Each collaborative effort is designed to work with each individual client’s lifestyle,” he says. “People deserve that.”
VIDEO: Watch the interview with Barry Nadeau.