Dinner and a Makeover, Cactus Salon Style

Cactus Salon provided 57 women with a free night of beauty as part of its third annual makeover night of beauty with the Family Service League on Monday.

Over 50 stylists from the 24 salons in Nassau and Suffolk County volunteered to style, cut and color hair, do manicures and pedicures and serve dinner to the women – and their families – nominated by the program, Marketing Director Karen Vito said.

Lori Anne Brennan, Division Director for the league, said Cactus approached the center with this idea.

"They participate in our Christmas gift wrap programs and several years ago wanted to participate in another fundraiser. This idea has been quite successful," Brennan said.

Women in all of the league's 47 programs are nominated by program directors and then they are chosen by a lottery. Each year's final number is different, but Brennan said 60 women were invited this year. 

One client, Jeanne Hart of Kings Park, said the hair color and cut makes everything extra-special, because she wouldn't have been able to go to a salon without the program.

Women are invited to bring their children and Cactus provides coloring books and volunteer babysitters. 

Brennan said 70 percent of the women who attend a salon makeover night ultimately have a better chance of finding a job because of their self-esteem boost.

"It is amazing what a makeover can do for these women who are struggling," Brennan said.

Stacey Bente, a returning participant, said the event really makes a difference.

"It makes you feel pampered...All the services always make me feel so different. It's very uplifting," she said.

Cactus Salons also collect purses, jewelry, and accessories, and clients are given four raffle tickets, three of which can be used to purchase one of these items. 

Nina Phillips, assistant manager at Cactus Setauket, said the ability to transform customers is what makes her volunteer each year. A few years ago, Phillips had a client who knew one of the stylists in high school and when she was finished, the stylist said the client looked exactly like she did in her yearbook photo. That memory, Phillips said, is her favorite of all three nights she has participated in.

"I like being able to transform everyone," she said. "It's giving back to your community."

Diane LaPorte, of Cactus Port Jefferson Station, said she also works with Dress for Success to help these women prepare for professional interviews.

Stacey Williams, of Huntington, said this is her first time at the salon night. The league, she said, is a great resource in the community. They assist her with her bills, food, and school supplies for her daughter.

When his staff presented the idea to him, Joe Secreti, owner of all the Cactus Salons on Long Island, thought it would be a great way to give back to the community.

A native of Dix Hills, Secreti started the chain at the original Dix Hills location, which is one of the larger stores. The number of women able to participate is limited by Cactus' space restrictions, so Secreti uses the Dix Hills store for this event.

He estimates the cost of the night of beauty at $10,000 and he said Cactus also provides donations throughout the year to other organizations, many of which work directly with Long Island residents.