The  kids’ hair care experts here at Pigtails & Crewcuts aren’t the only ones who love Original Sprout. The product line was recently selected by Soleil Moon Frye (aka Punky Brewster) to feature on the Today Show as part of the “Great New Inventions from Moms and Dads Next Door” segment. It’s also been highlighted in dozens of renowned magazines and websites, and it’s deserving of the attention.

Original Sprout was started by a mom. After many fruitless searches for natural, healthy hair products for her little ones, she did what all mom-preneurs do: she created the hair products herself. All of the hair and skin care items in the line are biodegradable, 100 percent vegan and free of all of the things we at Pigtails & Crewcuts work to avoid in our hair regimen (namely phytoestrogens, soy, gluten, parabens, dixoanes from sulfates, phthalates and formaldehyde.)

Pigtails & Crewcuts stylists love the shampoo and conditioner because it leaves the hair feeling light, clean, healthy and moisturized. We also love the line because we’re always happy to support a small business, and because we think the world of the products. Find out why at either of our Chicagoland salons.

Fun trivia note: Original Sprout products are famous! They’ve been used on the movie sets of True Blood, Water for Elephants, Secretariat, The Descendants, Dolphin Tale 3D and the list goes on.

Since 2008, our locally owned, kid-centric Glenview salon has been providing a fun, stress-free haircut experience for kids and their parents. At Pigtails & Crewcuts, kids love sitting in our chairs, which are shaped like cars and planes, and parents enjoy relaxing with a magazine or getting a haircut of their own. Whether you’re interested in a heart-shaped braid, a classic updo, timeless bob or a simple buzz cut, our professional stylists are here for you.

We understand that kids react differently to the hair-cutting experience, and our trained stylists work with your child accordingly. Our salon doubles as a playroom—it’s fully stocked with toys, books, movies and video games. Throughout the visit, kids are encouraged to be themselves. And before they leave, we make sure that they pay a visit to our exciting treasure chest.

At Pigtails & Crewcuts, our job is to make all kids smile, whether they’re enjoying a haircut or celebrating in our spacious birthday party room. Stop by and see why Pigtails & Crewcuts has been named a top franchise for five consecutive years by Entrepreneur Magazine, and why Parents Magazine named Pigtails & Crewcuts one of the Top 10 Chains for Kid Birthday Parties.

With the beautiful days of summer just weeks away, we’re all ready for a little fun in the sun. As pools across town beckon to you and your brood, remember that chlorine can have a profound effect on hair. Don’t let your hair care take a summer vacation.

Chlorine can dry hair out, leaving it straw-like and green in color. Unless those chemicals are washed out with a good shampoo, the hair will continue smelling like your local swimming pool. The hair care experts at Pigtails & Crewcuts recommend following a swim with Pigtails & Crewcuts Summertime Scrub. This gentle shampoo gets the chlorine out, leaving hair soft and shiny (returning it to its natural color). Next, work in any of our Pigtails & Crewcuts or Circle of Friends conditioners, which come in delicious smells, such as pineapple, melon, grape and more, and you and your family can worry less about the practical distractions of summer, and more about the important things, like lemonade stands and mud pies.

April is ending, and with it, National Autism Awareness month. Before we get swept away in May observances (May happens to observe a wide range of awareness, including National Stroke Awareness Month, National Better Sleep Month, National Women’s Health Month, National Old Age Month and National High Blood Pressure Awareness Month), we wanted to take a moment to say that Pigtails & Crewcuts in Glenview welcomes kids of all shapes, sizes, dispositions and needs.

Our staff is hand-selected for their empathy and compassion, and we have experience with children of all demeanors and decibel levels. We work with each child to give him or her the best salon treatment possible. With some children, that means allowing them to select the fire truck or taxi chair they’d like to sit in, along with their favorite book or movie. Other kids would prefer to play with our wooden train table and avoid the chairs altogether. In those cases, we’re happy to follow him or her around and trim hair as the child plays. We also want our customers to know that if your child thrives in a quiet environment, talk with us about it. We can work with your schedule and arrange an appointment during our more quiet hours during the week, or schedule you in before we open, if that works best.

Manager Theresa Lamb says that she and the staff strive to fit into each kid’s world, rather than the other way around. “We treat any child according to their needs. There are kids that have issues with haircuts, and we understand that. We have a train table for them to play with, movies for them to watch, lollipops to enjoy—whatever it takes. We just try to work with every child in the way that best suits him or her.”

 In other news: Pigtails & Crewcuts Owner Bob Farster launched a new column on Glenview Patch. In his most recent entry he speaks with the father of an autistic child and asks him, point blank, what he wants the public to know about autism.

Lights, camera … diva action!

Did you know that our salon has a party room? Your daughter will be the belle of the ball at a Pigtails & Crewcuts dress-up party. In a room just for her, she and her friends can choose from an elaborate wardrobe of gowns, enjoy tasteful make-up application and non-toxic manicures. Our professional party host will play entertainment DJ, leading the girls through Freeze Dance and Wii Karaoke, along with classics like limbo, Simon Says and telephone games.

Each party is as creative as the kids are. Past themes have included Justin Bieber (complete with a full-size Justin Bieber poster, matching cups and themed goody bags), Fancy Nancy, glamor parties, princess parties, luaus, pirate parties and more. Plus, moms love the fact that the kids have all the fun, and then we do all the clean up. Book your party today and find out why Parents.com named Pigtails & Crewcuts one of the Top 10 Chains for Kid Birthday Parties.

Psst! Pass it on. The newest Pigtails & Crewcuts is opening Tuesday, March 6 in Mount Prospect’s Randhurst Village! We’re thrilled to show off our new digs, so check out our latest blog to see the schedule and stop in and say “hi.”

Did you read about the local mom who makes the kids’ bows, clips and headbands for our Glenview salon?

Are you ready for a new spring hairstyle?

Are you up to date on the latest happenings with our new children’s salon opening at Randhurst Village in Mount Prospect?

Do you know how to receive a $2 discount off your next hair cut?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then we have a surprise for you: Our latest newsletter.

Happy reading! We hope to see you soon.