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Gentlemen, you might as well book an appointment right now at the Just For Hym nail salon in Livonia.
Located at 28422 Five Mile Road, the Black-owned mani-pedi experience will soon be your go-to destination for self-care.
Opened this past spring, the husband-and-wife duo, Joanne and Rodrick Byrd, are all about giving quality, curated salon experience that is exquisitely and exclusively for men.
“We are owners of Just For Hym. Just For Hym is a nail salon that’s designed for men only. We do manicures. We do pedicures, we do facials. We do beard trims. We do nose and waxing eyebrows,” Joanne Byrd told the Michigan Chronicle in early October in her salon, which also sells treats for the fellas including hot dogs, Cajun peanuts, and more. “We’re going to incorporate chair massaging and different services for the upcoming year.”
Joanne Byrd said that opening in May was an experience in and of itself after working toward this goal since the idea’s inception last year.
“It took us a whole physical year to open,” she said. “I didn’t know along the journey, how, you know, stressful or tenuous that it would be but once I looked at the long haul, I just said it was worth it.”
Joanne Byrd added that their growing, illustrious customer base includes politicians, police officers, and everyday men who are warmly welcomed by the all-female staff.
“We have gotten a lot of prominent people coming here. We’ve had a 36th District Court judge, attorneys come in … firefighters. … That’s what I wanted. And I tried to design the salon around that,” she said adding that clients of all ages are invited to come.
“We have fathers and sons (who are like five and three) come in,” she said.
The owners are not alone in their quest to bring needed beauty treatments to this sometimes-hesitant segment where it’s rife with disparities surrounding self-care and self-love, according to verygoodlight.com.
“While some can recall self-care practices being instilled in them as a young child with the help of strong role models, others said that self-care evolved over time,” according to the article. “From celebrity stylists to CEOs in this project of a diverse pool we hope their words can shine a light on a narrative that is often overlooked when it comes to them.”
Terrell Britten, a licensed esthetician, told Very Good Light that when he was 14 when he found his calling with skincare.
“Every time I would get paid or received money from my grandparents, I would end up in the skincare aisle,” he said. “After graduating high school, I just knew I couldn’t let society choose my path on how I should look, or act, or even talk because they aren’t me, I’m me. By living in a box that society tries to put you in, you begin to realize that you can’t evolve into your higher being. With this in mind, I decided to follow my passion for skincare and pursue a career as an Esthetician. Eight years later, you can find me across Sephora campaign ads all across the United States. … All in all, self-care is simply what you make of it, it’s what gives you peace of mind. Beauty is a big part of my identity and it fuels me to help others feel more confident, fearless, and more powerful about themselves as well.”
Calvin Quallis, CEO of Scotch Porter, agrees in the article.
“I was taught the basics, get up shower, brush your teeth, wash your face, and comb and brush my hair,” he said. “Today, I spend a little more time in the mirror, with the belief that men should not have to break the bank to look and feel like a boss. I began to develop products that disrupt the multicultural grooming space, utilizing my collections to promote the importance of health and wellness amongst men globally. So, getting up each morning, and spending time, whether that’s 5 minutes for some or 30 minutes for others, in front of the mirror taking care of your hair, beard, and skin to me is an expression of self-care and wellness.”
Joanne Byrd said that she is noticing that a younger generation of guys is beginning to pamper themselves.
“You’d be surprised,” she said adding that her clients break the mold and stereotypes that men aren’t interested in getting pampered. “I wouldn’t even be in business. … But these guys come and get pampered.”
The owner’s grandson, Adarus Chase, 19 of Detroit, told the Michigan Chronicle works at Just For Hym and uses its services.
“It’s been an enlightening experience,” Chase said. “I meet a lot of new people here. And people from different walks of life.”
He added that Just For Hym is an opportunity to go beyond any stereotypes and step into something new.
“Being hygienic is looked at as I don’t know, really feminine,” he said. “But like when you have a place like this, it makes it a bit more comfortable with your (self-care).”
Roderick Byrd agrees.
“Women like to see their man with well-manicured hands and feet,” he said. “If you give this one chance you will love it. This is an experience of a lifetime because what we try to do is not only try to make them feel comfortable, but we also this location is a judgment-free zone.”
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