Salon Sans Egal aims to be a cut above

Oceanside is getting the full runway treatment from the recently opened Salon Sans Egal. Creative director Anthony Cole said he is looking to bring the looks seen on the runways of Milan and Paris to the suburbs while maintaining a laid-back atmosphere.
Sans Égal, as its French to English translation indicates, meaning “unprecedented” has the lofty goal to be incomparable in the hair care industry. The business, at 223 Merrick Road in Oceanside, opened on Jan. 6.
Cole, who grew up in Queens, has spent the past 27 years building his résumé through work for well-known magazines like Elle, Vogue, and W. The creative director of the salon, Cole has formal training from Sebastian, Vidal Sasoon, and Jingles International, though it was the Sebastian brand that would serve as Cole’s inspiration to become an educator. And education is one of the pillars of the newly opened Oceanside salon. Cole has been teaching via Zoom during the pandemic, giving his employees invaluable insider industry knowledge.
Cole likened hair care to skin care in that both are processes and require integrity below the surface.
“The integrity of your hair is everything,” he said. “It’s the same as with skin; look better, feel better.”

Cole added that he is hoping to share his and other industry professionals’ knowledge through opportunities for employees to work up to New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. Additionally, Cole said, he hopes to provide chances to work with fashion photographers and conduct mini hair fashion shows.
“Sebastian is always on the hunt for what’s next,” the hair and fashion brand’s website states. Like Sebastian, Cole is trying to push the standards of hair care forward. He and his staff strive to be on the cutting edge of the industry by acquiring the latest in hair care technology and products. Use of top-of-the-line products from GHD (Good Hair Day), AZ Haircare, and Oribe and Cole’s substantial professional experience combine to provide the “catwalk to sidewalk” look that he said he wants to bring to the salon. One of only 13 members of Sebastian’s International Artistic Team, Cole brings top tier unparalleled talent from around the globe.
The atmosphere is important to Cole. He is striving to pair his significant and luxurious experience with a boutique-like environment. Combining upscale talent and a more relaxed atmosphere, Cole said he is seeking an a low-stress atmosphere for guests, which might be perfect considering the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Social distancing regulations have not been a big hindrance to the salon. Cole said it allows employees to work slowly and steadily with fewer people in the building at any given time. Operating within New York state’s Covid guidelines, salons are required to have patrons wear face coverings. Right now, restrictions are based on cluster zones, which are organized by red, orange and yellow categories of descending alarm. As of Dec. 11, barber shop and salon employees are required to get tested weekly.
Cole said he is excited to bring his wide-ranging experience to Oceanside. The salon has opportunities to offer professional advice on hair care to its employees and patrons. Its goal and namesake are to be without equal, and with the talent behind it, there’s hope it can be, Cole said.
For more information, visit the salon's website at bestprosintown.com/ny/oceanside/salon-sans-gal-/