When Brittany Walano heard Mario Tricoci would be cutting hair at his Orland Park salon, she did what any normal 20-year-old would do.
“Oh, I bought a new outfit,” she said. “He’s my idol. I want to be just like him.”
Walano is a style assistant at Mario Tricoci’s Hair Salon and Day Spa in Orland Park. While washing a client’s hair, she kept her eyes glued to the famed beautician as he cut, blow-dried and styled other clients.
Tricoci stopped by the salon to cut hair to raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake. Since Feb. 10, he’s made visits to four of his salons to raise funds.
The $200 cut includes a shampoo, conditioner and a blow-dry style. The proceeds will go to Julie’s Holy Family Village in Thomazeau and Julie’s Holy Family Fishing Village in Mouillage Fouquet, Haiti. Tricoci said it costs about $2,800 to build one home, and he hopes to raise about $50,000, to build 19 homes.
“I wanted to do something that would be tangible,” Tricoci said.
He credits his wife, Cheryl, for coming up with the idea.
“My wife said, ‘Do what you do best, ‘ ” he said. “I did something similar to this for (the victims of) Hurricane Katrina. It’s something we’re doing to give back.”
While the minimum donation is $200, Tricoci said one client donated $1,000.
As Tricoci worked diligently, his focus merited an audience among the other employees.
“It’s very inspiring,” hair stylist Sarah Koseck said. “You want to see what he does and see if you can pick up anything.”
Frankfort resident Donna Jasutis frequents the salon and decided to book an appointment for her 17-year-old daughter Jessica. Jasutis said Jessica had five different hair colors in the past two years and every salon she took her to wasn’t helpful.
“I figured if anyone could help her, Mr. Tricoci could,” she said. “I mean, it’s a lot of money, but since 100 percent of the proceeds are going to Haiti, I like that.”
Tricoci said the cut he gave Jessica was the “new shag.” In the 1970s, women had shaggy hair cuts that were a little messy. Now, its still shaggy but more organized.
Although Tricoci loves to cut and style hair, he only does it sparingly, he said.
Working mother of two, Madonna Golden, 42, said she felt “wonderful” once Tricoci was finished cutting her hair.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been to Mario’s,” she said. “I’ve got two kids. I needed to do something for myself.”
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services