Tehachapi News

larger view larger view larger view larger view

“What happens at Secrets stays at Secrets,” is a favorite motto of the salon’s staff, but now they are going public with a special secret: Secrets will be treating one deserving person a month to “the works.”

The free makeover includes a manicure, professional skin care treatment and makeup, hair cut (and color if desired) and style - all for the price of a stamp, and a little time writing a letter explaining why you think you or a friend deserve to be pampered for the day. Letters may also be dropped off at the salon, which is located at 206 S. Mill Street.

Salon owner and hair stylist Susan Hauck, manicurist Pam Carr, and hair stylist Veda Brown believe that everyone deserves to just be pampered once in awhile.
In addition to the makeover by Secrets staff, Carmen Padilla, a certified massage therapist, and Kathleen Selleck, owner of the Victorian Rose Tea Garden, also have volunteered to be a part of the monthly celebration and will be giving the lucky winner a half-hour massage and a free lunch.

“Since we opened, we at Secrets have been giving to our friends and clients (who become friends) when circumstances warrant” stylist Kathy Cronkhite shared. “But, in light of the tough economic times many people are facing with the loss of jobs or the worry that their job may be cut, we wanted to give back to the community that has been so good to us during our first year of business. So, we decided we'd reach out to people who are not yet clients or friends and make this a monthly for-the-community thing.” 

“If you look your best, you will feel your best,” Cronkhite said. “That's what my mother told me and she was right. Our goal is to make someone — man, woman or child — each month, feel their best, at least for the day. We have a lot of male clientele and kids too, so we're not limiting our choice to women only. Our winner might be headed to a very important interview where appearance is critical, or maybe they truly just need to be pampered because of everything that's been happening in their life,” Cronkhite added. “And, there's absolutely no tipping allowed on this special day,” she said smiling. “We'll read all the letters and make a decision as to which person we feel is most in need of our services, looking more for 'trauma' as opposed to 'drama,'” she explained.

The Secrets' “victim” for April was Loretta Cunningham, a long-time client.

Cunningham had been in the dental field for about 27 years and was used to doing for herself when her life changed drastically. A few years ago she discovered that she had diabetes, which now has progressed to neuropathy in her hands and feet as well as causing blindness in her left eye. She became unable to work and now is insulin-dependent. She subsequently lost her home; her marriage fell apart and she found herself no longer able to afford her trips to the salon.

“But no matter how tough times were for her, she always came in happy and made us all laugh,” Cronkhite said. “We just felt she deserved to be queen for a day.”
“Coming in to Secrets is kind of like going to the beauty shop in Steel Magnolias,” Cunningham said. “Everyone is friends here and the personal stuff we talk about stays right here. You don't hear it repeated at the local café the next day. It's a lot like therapy, too. You get really personalized care and don't feel like you're being rushed through,” she added.

Cunningham's brother has moved to Tehachapi to provide her with family support and be around when she needs to be driven somewhere or needs extra help with “honey-do” jobs. Cunningham, a “prisoner of hope,” as she refers to herself, is now looking for a job where she might use her many skills, from front office experience to marketing capabilities.  And, she's computer savvy to boot.

Secrets also caters to a lot of cancer patients, Cronkhite said.

“These women are such an inspiration to all of us here. And when I'm not feeling so well myself, I just think about how strong these women are and what they've been through and how they are still smiling, laughing and joking and I immediately feel better.”

Your story-telling letters can be mailed to: Secrets A Salon, 206 S. Mill Street, Tehachapi Ca 93561.