Total Image Salon barber gives quick cuts to students, alumni
Lindsay Lorenz
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News
These days Ciccone averages about 20 to 30 haircuts a day at the Total Image Salon. Though some might think that aspect of his job might be repetitive, "every head's different," he said. Ciccone even likes to wear a white t-shirt when working. He explained that it serves as a backdrop, which allows him to get a better look at what shape head he's working with.
Ciccone is also happy to make suggestions to students who don't know what kind of cut they want. According to him, if a student can remember the last time he or she had a hair cut, Ciccone knows exactly what he or she may need.
"Hair grows half an inch a month," he said. "If they don't know how much, I know how much to take off."
Ciccone said he's made some good friends during his time at URI. "A lot of these guys I've watched grow up," he said. "Every once in a while you see people pop back in." He said sometimes alums come back in for his classic cuts. A few clients even bring their kids in now.
He said many customers come in stressed, and when they're in the chair sometimes people get chatty. "It's a relaxed state of mind when you're in the chair," Ciccone said. "You become a therapist in a way."
Ciccone said he hears all kinds of things. "It's college. The biggest topic is sex," he said with a laugh. Either way, Ciccone said he tries to make his clients feel comfortable.
"I try to tell the guys about life, that everything will fall into place," he said.
He should know. Aside from working at URI, Ciccone owns his own salon in Cranston, where after an eight-hour shift at Total Image, he devotes another three hours back at his own place. His business keeps him busy during the summer and academic breaks.
With a pressing work schedule, Ciccone said he devotes Sunday to spend time with his wife of six years and his two sons, ages three and five, who he calls "precious little things."
In his spare time, Ciccone likes to surf, which he's being doing since he was a young boy. He also enjoys cruising around on his motorcycle "and just, you know, being a dad."
Ciccone said confidently that he has no plans of leaving. "As long as I can stand on my feet, I'll be here," he said. "I hope that everybody when they get out of here finds something that they love."
Ciccone is also happy to make suggestions to students who don't know what kind of cut they want. According to him, if a student can remember the last time he or she had a hair cut, Ciccone knows exactly what he or she may need.
"Hair grows half an inch a month," he said. "If they don't know how much, I know how much to take off."
Ciccone said he's made some good friends during his time at URI. "A lot of these guys I've watched grow up," he said. "Every once in a while you see people pop back in." He said sometimes alums come back in for his classic cuts. A few clients even bring their kids in now.
He said many customers come in stressed, and when they're in the chair sometimes people get chatty. "It's a relaxed state of mind when you're in the chair," Ciccone said. "You become a therapist in a way."
Ciccone said he hears all kinds of things. "It's college. The biggest topic is sex," he said with a laugh. Either way, Ciccone said he tries to make his clients feel comfortable.
"I try to tell the guys about life, that everything will fall into place," he said.
He should know. Aside from working at URI, Ciccone owns his own salon in Cranston, where after an eight-hour shift at Total Image, he devotes another three hours back at his own place. His business keeps him busy during the summer and academic breaks.
With a pressing work schedule, Ciccone said he devotes Sunday to spend time with his wife of six years and his two sons, ages three and five, who he calls "precious little things."
In his spare time, Ciccone likes to surf, which he's being doing since he was a young boy. He also enjoys cruising around on his motorcycle "and just, you know, being a dad."
Ciccone said confidently that he has no plans of leaving. "As long as I can stand on my feet, I'll be here," he said. "I hope that everybody when they get out of here finds something that they love."
