![\"Thomas](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/glenn-briggs-salon-41-of-41.jpg\")
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“This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” he said to himself. “I want to live here.”<\/p>\n
The generosity and hospitality of Mexico combine with the town’s vibrant flair and stunning natural beauty did the trick.<\/p>\n
And so, like thousands of other people from around the world, Thomas decided to call Playa del Carmen his home.<\/p>\n
The Search for the Perfect Space<\/h2>\n
![\"Glenn-Briggs](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/glenn-briggs-salon-16-of-41.jpg\")
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Thomas, who has ten years of experience working in the beauty industry, didn’t come here with the idea to open a salon.<\/p>\n
In fact, it took visits to several different salons for him to come to the realization that he could bring something different to the local beauty scene.<\/p>\n
“I visited many salons and definitely saw room for improvement in terms of the quality of service,” he says.<\/p>\n
And so the search began for a space that would fulfill Thomas’s elaborate vision of his upcoming labor of love.<\/p>\n
“I don’t feel comfortable when I’m crowded so I wanted to find a big enough place,” explains Thomas.<\/p>\n
“I wanted to find a blank space so that I could create a welcoming atmosphere in my own style; contemporary, rustic, and chic.”<\/p>\n
Luckily for Thomas, a local realtor found him the perfect canvas and Thomas went to work building his dream.<\/p>\n
A Labor of Love: The Birth of Glenn-Briggs Salon<\/h2>\n
![\"Glenn-Briggs](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/empty-space.jpg\")
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Only by seeing a picture of the space as it was when Thomas rented it is it possible to appreciate the vision and creativity that went into creating the salon.<\/p>\n
In the beginning, it was just a concrete space with giant window panes covering the front part of a long vacant store.<\/p>\n
Little by little, Thomas began creating the designs, gathering the materials, and building the installations and furniture that would convert this open canvas into a chic and welcoming environment where hairstyling, art, and hospitality converge into one beautiful space.<\/p>\n
Art, fixtures, and interior design began to fill the spatial void.<\/p>\n
The Inauguration of a Dream<\/h2>\n
![\"Silvina](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/glenn-briggs-salon-3-of-41.jpg\")
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Much like Thomas himself, who is both transparent and generous, the space’s luminous front windows invite you in, seducing you with a feeling of openness and warm hospitality.<\/p>\n
Because Thomas’s vision of creating a welcoming space for people to feel at home, Glenn-Briggs is much more than just a hair salon.<\/p>\n
The drab concrete walls are brought to life with a rotating exhibition of local artists, the first being the pop art works of Alberto Fumora<\/strong><\/a>, which are also available for purchase.<\/p>\n Many of the installations fixtures, including the lighting and a stunning exhibition of tree roots hanging like strands of hair, were made by Thomas himself.<\/p>\n In the middle of the room, just behind the salon’s reception, is a free standing wall that adds to the space’s feeling of intimacy.<\/p>\n A massage and bathroom are located opposite one another at the back of the salon as well as a cool little coffee bar.<\/p>\n An area for manicures and pedicures sits to the left, and to the right: the space where Thomas and his team of hairstylists work their magic.<\/p>\n Once everything was finally in place, Thomas and friends celebrated the successful inauguration of the Glenn-Briggs Salon on January 21st with wine, To understand the concept behind the Glenn-Briggs Salon, it’s important to understand Thomas’s background.<\/p>\n Like many of us, it took Thomas some time before he finally discovered his passion.<\/p>\n Prior to becoming a stylist, he worked in the plant and flower industry.<\/p>\n However much he loved his work, it was much more beneficial in terms of personal gain than it was for making a decent living.<\/p>\n Through circumstance and a close friendship, Thomas started managing a hair salon in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n Enchanted by the experience, he himself began to learn the trade alongside some of the top talents in the country.<\/p>\n He also spent several years as an artistic team trainer with L’Oreal<\/strong><\/a> and as a session stylist with Bumble & bumble<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n For Thomas, it was a long journey made possible through the help, expertise, and encouragement of many others.<\/p>\n Now, he has reached the point where he is ready to share his knowledge while still continuing to learn himself.<\/p>\n “You have to be willing to receive to give,” explains Thomas.<\/p>\n Describing the salon as a “labor of love”, he says that Glenn-Briggs is, “a collaboration of many people, many ideas, many feelings.”<\/p>\n His intention is not only to provide the services of a hair salon, but above all to create an experience.<\/p>\n “It’s a common place for people to come together to have an experience; not just a place to have your hair done,” says Thomas effusively.<\/p>\n “It’s a place that incorporates smell, sight, touch, taste, sound. The five senses. And then we create a sixth sense, which a feeling or an emotion.”<\/p>\n It should come as no surprise that the Glenn-Briggs Salon uses only top-of-the-line products.<\/p>\n In addition, the use of chemicals is limited as much as possible, both to protect the hair as well as the environment.<\/p>\n While working for L’Oreal, Thomas became a specialist in balayage<\/strong><\/a>, which is an increasingly popular application technique born in France and now spreading like wildfire throughout the world of hair styling.<\/p>\n “It’s a technique that’s very important because it’s the future,” says Thomas.<\/p>\n “It lasts longer, it’s more natural, and it’s better for dark hair because there is less of a grow-out line.”<\/p>\n In addition expertise in balayage, the Glenn-Briggs offers a series of other services that you would expect from any full-service salon.<\/p>\n Surprisingly, in spite of the salon’s quality and privileged location just one block from the beach, prices are very affordable.<\/p>\n Glenn-Briggs Salon is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the exception of Sundays, when they close at 4:00 p.m. (Thomas calls it his rest day). In addition, the friendly crew is also available upon request for appointments outside of the normal operating hours.<\/p>\n![\"Alberto](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/glenn-briggs-salon-4-of-41.jpg\")
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\nhor ‘d oeuvres, and lots of well-wishing.<\/p>\nThe Concept Behind the Glenn-Briggs Salon<\/h2>\n
![\"Art](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/glenn-briggs-salon-6-of-41.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Glenn-Briggs](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/glenn-briggs-salon-28-of-41.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGlenn-Briggs Salon Services<\/h2>\n
![\"Olaplex](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/glenn-briggs-olaplex.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGlenn-Briggs Salon Address & Opening Hours<\/h2>\n
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