E Salon owner Susan Eyton’s positive outlook on life and more than three decades of experience in the beauty industry drew clients to her Lake Street location in Wayzata for over a decade. Today, E Salon has relocated into Salon Concepts on Wayzata Boulevard in Minnetonka, and the move has ushered in a new era for the business, and Eyton.
“Salon Concepts has given me the opportunity to really give one-on-one attention to my clients,” Eyton said of the new space, in which several salon owners operate under a single roof — each with their own suite to serve clients in an intimate setting. Eyton’s two-chair salon faces the building’s front, allowing plenty of natural light. “I was a salon owner with a large staff, and I did that for 11 years and it was great, but the transition has allowed me to focus on the individual. When I walk through that door it’s a fun atmosphere with great energy.”
In addition to providing the range of services E Salon customers have come to appreciate over the years, including cuts for both men and women, styles, blowouts, highlights and makeovers, Eyton is also the owner of the SuzECosmetics line. SuzECosmetics includes an SPF 15 tinted moisturizer in four shades, bronzers, mascaras, lip glosses, eyeliners, pencils, blushes and blush bouquets (three colors that can be blended to give blush a more natural look) and other natural products, as the line is paraben and sulfate free.
Eyton’s hair coloring products are developed in Parma, Italy, and are also all-natural, ammonia and gluten free and rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C. They contain quartz powder, which has more reflective quality than diamonds, and therefore gives hair a particular shine.
“Being in this industry so long, I feel like moving forward I’m going a little healthier, and I’m really paying attention to that, for myself and my clients,” said Eyton. “Everyone is watching what they put into and on their bodies, we’ve been moving that way and it’s going to continue.”
It was also important to Eyton that all products in the SuzECosmetics line be created without any cruelty to animals, and so products in the line are not animal-tested.
Eyton works with clients to develop fresh looks that will complement their lifestyles and personal taste, while particularly highlighting features like the eyes and lips. She also has a particular knack for working with Baby Boomers looking to update their usual makeup routine with something fresher and more youthful.
“My motto is ‘Makeup wakes up a woman’s face,’” said Eyton. “It doesn’t mean you have to look made up or artificial, and there are degrees — you don’t have to go out in full makeup every day. But I like to show people different styles that work depending on what they are doing that day or night, or what they are wearing. For most people it is a proven fact, in work, in life, that when you look good, you feel better.”
Lifelong passion
As a young girl, Eyton felt a particular calling toward the beauty industry. She began experimenting with haircut techniques on her Barbie dolls, eventually graduating to giving makeovers to family and friends. In high school, her guidance counselor quickly realized that their meeting to discuss her future would be short — she’d been planning to attend cosmetology school and work in her dream field for years. After completing her program at Scott Lewis School of Cosmetology, she had the opportunity to work under mentors established in the business before eventually becoming a salon owner herself.
In addition to ESalon and SuzECosmetic, Eyton also does complete makeovers and has guested on local television, on shows including “Twin Cities Live,” sometimes partnering with local designers who complement her hair and makeup choices with stylish wardrobe staples. And after more than thirty years working with countless clients and industry professionals, she remembers the advice of one particularly special person who always encouraged her to look, be and feel her best.
“My mom was always very busy taking care of our family, but she would say to me, ‘Honey, you have to care about yourself and take care of yourself, it starts with you,’” said Eyton. “Women are nurturers by nature and are so good at giving. Having worked with women for so many years, I just want them to make sure they take care of themselves, and feel good about doing it.”