Simply Divine Hair Salon is a Cut Above

By Emily Glory Peters

It’s hard to overstate theeffect of a great haircut—especially when done by a hairdresser you trust.Whether offering a post-breakup cut, pre-wedding twist-out or simply a new lookfor a new year, stylists have quietly weaved their way into the fabric of ourcommunity as purveyors of near-instant confidence boosts.

In Monrovia, Simply DivineHair Salon is one of those “happy places” supplying professional styling,barbering and makeup services for the last quarter-century. With a particularexpertise in textured and curly hair care and grooming, this salon and spa wasrecently recognized by Councilmember Chris Holden as a Monrovia Business ofDistinction—due in no small part to its founder and owner, Keshia Bowen, andthe team she’s assembled.

“My team members pridethemselves on building lasting professional relationships with their clients,”she says of her Simply Divine crew. They’re relationships built on accuratelymatching a client’s vision with the end result as well as a healthy dose ofhuman interest. “Not only do we care about your healthy hair, but we alsocare about happiness while you’re visiting us,” she says. “I am inspired by being ableto sometimes just be a listening ear for my customers.”

With nine stylists and fivebarbers, there are plenty of ears to go around at Simply Divine, paired with along list of services including cut and color, relaxers, weaves, braids, makeup and more.Most recently, Bowen notes, she’s added an apprenticeship to build the nextgeneration of barbers.

“In January 2020 we will be openingour first barbering academy. It’s a traditional barber school where uponcompletion the student will be ready to go to the state board take the test andget a barber license,” she says. “This is very exciting for me, as I havewanted to own a school for quite some time now, and my dreams are coming topass.”

Still, Bowen shares, it’shard to choose what she’s most excited about with Simply Divine in 2020. Oneproject close to her heart that’s slated to launch this February is the mobileunit she’s building out to bring haircuts to children with autism anddisabilities.

“Until you have had a child with autism orwho possibly uses a [wheel]chair, you don’t understand how difficult it is forfamilies to simply bring them into the salon and barbershop to receive ahaircut,” she explains. “The mobile unit will not only be able to travel tofamilies but provide a haircut in a calm, relaxing environment.”

This attention toaccessibility and comfort is displayed in other ways, too, like Simply Divine’sback-to-school program that supplies free styling for kids of lower incomefamilies, or the salon’s “library” that allows children to select books to readwhile they’re being styled (and to take with them on the way home, too). Afterall, while adults may recognize the relaxation benefits of getting a fresh ‘do,it’s a learned process for little ones—and these details go a long way to createa welcoming environment for everyone involved.

As the year turns, the next quarter century of service is looking strong for Bowen and her Simply Divine stylists, and she has no fear of the future. When asked about what challenges she’s currently facing, she answers with spirit: “Fortunately, I can’t think of one.”

That’s the kind of confidence-boost we’re looking for.

To learn more about Simply Divine Hair Salon’s services or barber apprenticeship program, contact the team at simplydivinehairsalon | 626.357.6695 | and follow along on Facebook and Instagram @simplydivinehairsalon.

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