Maria's Ultimate Look thriving despite pandemic

Maria's Ultimate Look, 822 5th St., is tucked back from the sidewalk and if it wasn't for the sign in the front, you would think the small cottage was someone's home.

Maria Sanchez has been in the beauty business for 30 years and has owned her own salon for the past 18 years in several different locations in Wasco.

The salon offers the cuts, perms, colors and also airbrush tanning. There is a tanning bed upstairs for those who want that summer glow all year round. You must be at least 18 years old to use it.

The shop is set up with two hair stations, a shampoo and dryer area as well as lots of cupboard space.

Sanchez sits in a small room off the main beauticians' area where she does manicures and pedicures. In the back of the salon is a pedicure chair where clients have the choice to have their pedicures done in the chair or in Sanchez's room.

Sanchez said that she loves working on pageant candidates.

A graduate of the now defunct Federico's Beauty School in Bakersfield, in 1999 she was certified to do permanent (tattooed) makeup.

Her shop also offers powder and microblading eyebrows, but she cautions those who easily scar not to try micro blading.

"The powder brow seems to last longer than the microblading does," Sanchez said. "There are some wonderful microblading artists out there though."

Sanchez is certified and able to apply permanent lip liner, eyebrows and eyeliner.

"When you are getting your makeup permanently applied, you must do your research," Sanchez said. "Not everyone is certified to do the procedures and the damage can be irreparable."

She also added that everything she uses is pre-sterilized and pre-wrapped in separate packets, so none of the tools used is ever reused on someone else.

"The application of permanent makeup is regulated by the Health Department," Sanchez said.

Sanchez also mentioned that the State of California mandates that anyone who does permanent makeup must take a blood borne class and be recertified each year.

Belinda Wedel has been a manicurist since 1990 and has worked in the shop for seven years.

Another beauticians working in the shop is Peggy Sisemore who has been a beautician for 47 years and does color, perms and waxing. She has been in the shop for seven years.

The other beautician in the shop is Shirley Evans, who has been a beautician for 60 years, and she has been with Sanchez for 15 years.

"Everyone in the shop takes continuing education classes," Sanchez said.

When the lockdown began in March, the shop added some new policies and procedures everyone must adhere to before they began booking appointments.

Sanchez asked that everyone follow the guidelines such as do not schedule an appointment if you have covid-19 symptoms such as fever, frequent coughing, chills, difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle pain, recent loss of taste or smell, or if the client or someone they live with has been diagnosed.

Prior to coming to Maria's Ultimate Look, check your temperature to ensure you do not have a fever, wash or sanitize hands as soon as you enter the salon, maintain physical distancing and face masks are required for all clients to wear during their appointment. Staff wear masks as well.

Sanchez also said the staff is disinfecting by wiping down common areas and high-touch surfaces. They also emptied the salon of all magazines and ask that everyone arrive at their appointment on time without bringing anyone else to the appointment.

The salon is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. To make an appointment, call the salon at 661-758-2108.