. "2014-04-03T00:00:00"^^ . "0"^^ . "5"^^ . "1"^^ . . "1"^^ . . "I cannot say enough good things about Rain. The titular Melodi has been doing amazing things with my hair for almost 10 years now, but this is the first time she's owned her own salon. And it is beautiful. She really put her heart and soul into the place and it shows. From the warm, soothing d\u00E9cor to the quiet relaxed feel... it's just a fantastic place to be for the few hours it takes to do my cut and color. \n\nUpon arrival, there's always a smiling face at the front to greet me. I sink into the stylish, comfy sofa by the door until it's my appointment time (I have a habit of always being early to things). I remember to turn my cell phone to silent so it doesn't disturb the other clients. (How embarrassing if my phone were to ring and the Doctor Who theme song was suddenly blaring at full blast throughout the salon.) Melodi is always prompt and greets me as a friend. We chat and catch up and decide if this is going to be one of THOSE appointments where I've randomly decided to do something new and drastic... or if it's a maintenance appointment. (Most often it's the latter. I'm not that interesting.)\n\nWe chat some more as Melodi artfully applies the highlights to my hair. I'm every time amazed at the precision involved in doing this. I enjoy the quiet time to read (or sometimes play Bejeweled, I'm not gonna lie) and sip on a glass of crisp white wine while my hair processes. The processing area has beautiful leather chairs and a flat panel TV that is usually on mute. I feel like this is one of those rare quiet times in my life and I always savor it. It's such a relaxing environment and never disappoints. \n\nAs blissful as this time is for me, though, it doesn't hold a candle to shampoo time. A little background on me and shampoo bowls: I hate them. I hate them SO much. I must be a weird height or something, but I've always been super uncomfortable whilst getting shampooed. At one salon previously I even had a designated \"booster pillow\". That helped, but it still wasn't just right. The first time I got my hair done at Rain, Melodi knew exactly how much I was going to freak out over the shampoo experience. I sit down in a strange looking brown chair and prop my feet on an ottoman that is exactly where my feet need to be. I lean back and my head lands on a soft, raised block in the middle of the sink. It cradles my neck and lets me experience a truly relaxing and comfortable shampoo for probably the first time ever. It's GLORIOUS. Now I can finally enjoy this part of the experience, because once the awkward neck and back angles are gone, having my hair shampooed just feels really nice!\n\nBack to the chair and the chitchat. Melodi and I know each other well enough after so many years that it's always comfortable and fun. There's a low, unintrusive murmur of chatter from the other clients and stylists that itself is almost comforting. The haircut seems effortless and quick, but always looks divine when it's done. I wish I could blow dry my hair as well as she does it. I can't seem to ever recreate the glossy smoothness that I walk out of there with every time. \n\nWhen we're finished, Melodi walks me up front to pay and make my next appointment. We say our goodbyes til next time. The front desk is always a pleasure to deal with and gets me sorted out every time. I leave with a spring in my step and a bounce in my hair, feeling good about myself and about the day ahead of me. \n\nShould you go to Rain by Melodi? Of course you should. The level of expertise that goes into my hair cannot be measured. The relaxation I experience at Rain is unrivaled anywhere else. The service-with-a-smile attitude complements the hip, chic flavor of the salon perfectly. \n\nNow I just need to remember to schedule a manicure during my next appointment."^^ .