Giving 'Grace': Local salon owner, stylist partner to provide makeovers

Stylist Shelby Allee wanted to make women feel beautiful, and since she started PLUSH Salon in downtown Cape Girardeau in 2016, she's been doing exactly that.

Now, by starting The Grace Movement with Heaven Kellum, they'll take that vision to the next step.

"I love to give back in all forms," Allee said.

She said her whole journey, from starting her salon to this project, has been very faith-driven.

"Each time, I've had a clear message from God that this is what I'm supposed to be doing," she said. "This is no different."

The makeover itself would include a haircut, hair color, waxing or any other service the recipient would want from the salon.

Makeup artists are also on board for the project, and a photographer will be on hand to document the day and finish off the session with "some fun headshots for them to take home," Allee said.

A goody bag from Brickwood Boutique and Qdoba also will go home with recipients, she said.

Nominations are handled through the salon's Facebook page.

The salon's Facebook profile picture will be changed to an image donated by Haily and Caleb Webb, owners of He Is Risen Apparel.

That image will signal a call for nominations.

Community members are encouraged to send a private message to the salon's Facebook page, giving a nominee's name, contact information and a little bit of background on why that person should receive a makeover, Allee said Friday in a Facebook Live video.

"I hate to just put names in a bucket and draw one. That didn't feel right to me. I really wanted to know their story," Allee said. "I want them to feel comfortable as well."

She said the aim is not to put recipients' life stories out there, but the salon will use some information to publicize the movement.

"That's what will help this grow and what will help other women take that step," Allee said.

Choosing nominees will be handled by the entire salon, Allee said.

"We want to choose people we feel would be comfortable to take on what we would be giving them," she said. "We'll ask what their stories are. God will present that person and make it clear [to us]."

Allee said she personally has struggled in the past with her own self-image and wondered how she could help other women step out of that boundary of self-doubt.

"Obviously I love sending women home feeling beautiful, but there has to be more that we can do," she said.

Out of that sentiment, The Grace Movement grew.

The movement is dedicated to the memory of Denise Merideth, whose mother and son gave their blessing to go ahead with Grace.

According to their Facebook Live video, Merideth, a friend of theirs, was "a shining light" and would have loved this project.

In the Facebook Live video, Allee said she understands this can be a sensitive subject for women.

"We want this to be professional and very memorable, something someone doesn't feel like we're putting their business out there," she said. "We want them to feel like they're coming because they deserve more, not because they aren't good enough, if that makes any sense."

She is deeply appreciative of all the people who already have come together to donate their time and talent to make this a success.

The owners of He Is Risen Apparel, she said, "pretty much donate their time to the Lord. Everything they do is with him."

Allee said she put out a note that she needed a photo for this project, and Haily Webb said she would love to donate an image -- which will be the face of the project.

The makeup artists, other stylists and photographers all either contacted her to be part of this or were friends of hers who she knew would want to be involved, Allee said.

"I love to surround myself with people like that. ... We probably have no idea what we're getting ourselves into," she said, laughing, "but we have faith. We're all ready for this, pumped and excited."

Allee and Kellum are taking nominations now at facebook.com/PlushsalonCG.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address: 437 Broadway St., Cape Girardeau