News Channel 3

(August 24, 2004) - Have you ever wanted to try a new hairstyle or hair color, but were scared it just wouldn't look good? Well now a Wilmington salon let's you see how a new hairstyle will look on you before your hair is ever cut or colored.

HairColorExperts at Mayfaire uses a different type of technology when it comes to creating a style for your hair. When you walk into the salon, before you sit down, you'll want to stand here and experience Cyberimaging. Says co-owner Ralph Tello, "Dealing with women for over 25 years in this industry, it's good to show them what they're getting into before they really leap into it." We practiced on me, to show you how it works. A computer uses a camera to snap my picture with my current haircut. Then, another picture is taken with my hair pulled back. That's when the fun begins. Blond, black, short or long, it shows me in styles I've never imagined. "We can get specific highlights in where want to put it, address a haircut and change it with a mouse, almost like you're cutting the hair and we do it within a computer." added Tello. You can pick out 3 styles that you like and then compare it with your before picture and if you're happy with it, they'll print it out for you. You can take the picture home with you and debate whether or not to get the cut. If you come back within five days, the $20 charge goes toward the cost of your new hairstyle. So toss the scissors, it's a computer and a camera now used to take the guess work out of a good cut.

Not surprisingly, about 99% of the people who use Cyberimaging are women. But men can use it as well.