She helps others look and feel good

Throughout March, which is Women’s History Month, the Times-Register is again publishing a series of articles highlighting local women. Whether it’s through their careers, hobbies, volunteer efforts or unique personalities, these women have inspired others.

By Audrey Posten | Times-Register

With a dad who worked for Miller Beauty Supply and a mom who had her own salon, it was no surprise that Kristin Morrissey gravitated to the beauty industry when she graduated from MFL MarMac in 1994. In May, she’ll celebrate 30 years in the business.

“It’s always been in the family, from products to cutting,” she said.

Kristin owns Aquarius Salon and Spa in Monona, where she offers a range of hair services, from cuts to colors, and also does nails. She has both male and female clients, and kids are some of her favorites to welcome into the chair.

“I raised three boys, so I have some patience. You can work up a sweat with them sometimes, but it’s fun,” she said, smiling.

Some clients have been coming to her for all 30 years. She cut their hair as children, and now they’re raising their own families.

“I’ve seen people go through marriages, divorces. I’ve been through that too,” she said. “I’ve created some really good relationships with clientele, and I love feeling like their family.”

Those relationships were vital last year, when Kristin battled health issues that made standing for long periods of time difficult.

“I would have to space time out between appointments and then sit and put an ice pack on. There were a lot of doctor’s appointments, or I’d just wake up and didn’t feel good and would have to cancel appointments,” she recalled. “I would feel guilty because I wanted to work, but my clients were really good. They understood and worked with me.”

“It took nine months to figure out what was going on, and finally now I’m feeling good and I can stand all day,” she continued. “People don’t realize this profession is really tough on your body, standing all day and hunching over, and your arms and shoulders.”

Kristin stresses the importance of self care—and not feeling guilty about it.

“A lot of us get busy with everyday things,” she said. “Get the haircuts, do your nails. Don’t forget about yourself.”

She strives to care for others too. If clients can’t make it through Kristin’s door, she goes to theirs, providing washes, sets, cuts and styles from the comfort of home.

“Those people can’t get out, so it’s always nice for them to see somebody and have a good conversation. I enjoy doing that,” she said.

Kristin also goes to Garden View Place in Monona weekly—a service she’s provided for six years. Nearly all the residents have their hair done by her, and it’s not uncommon for her to rack up 10,000 steps in a several-hour span to assure everyone is accommodated. 

She enjoys making the residents feel good.

“There will be days when I go in and someone is like, ‘I don’t really feel like it.’ I say, ‘let’s get your hair washed and see how you feel after.’ Then they’re happy and feel better,” Kristin shared. “Sometimes, I’m the only person, besides the workers, that they see. Some don’t have family who live around here. So it’s important to me to get out there.”

Forming those bonds can also be difficult when residents pass away.

“It’s hard because you get close to them,” she said. “One week I’m there doing their hair and the next week they’re gone.”

But Kristin is a believer that, even after you pass on, you deserve to look your best. Although less often now due to the rise in cremations, she was once at the funeral home at least twice per week to prepare a person for services. Sometimes the individual is a client and other times she doesn’t personally know them.

“The first time I ever did it, I had my mom go with me because I didn’t know what to do. I was very nervous,” Kristin recalled. “But you only do this much of their hair. Just what they see.”

She’s completed up-dos, cuts and even curls—with a curling iron, not rollers—over the years. 

Kristin acknowledged working on younger people is the most difficult. 

“One was a young woman that her daughter was in my son’s class. That was hard. I did her hair a few times over the years as well. There was another one who was a young mom too. She wasn’t from here, but it was just like, ‘Wow,’” she said. “I’ve also lost clients to car accidents and cancer.”

But for the most part, she enjoys providing comfort to the individual and their family.

“I like making them look good, whether they’re alive or passed on,” she stated.

While a lot has changed in the field in 30 years, that’s still what Kristin enjoys the most about cosmetology. She can’t imagine herself doing something else.

“This is my passion,” she said. “I like making people feel good. I like making people feel more confident.”