Cosmetologist Annette Cortezzo, who has worked and studied both in Los Angeles and San Francisco, is bringing her chic, urban styling sensibilities to downtown Reno. Cortezzo opened up Metro Salon on West First Street last month—a prime piece of real estate poised to become a styling hotspot. Black and white tile flooring and red accents give Metro a hip, retro look, while bamboo touches and an awesome river view provide Metro with an open, airy feel. The full-service salon and cosmetic boutique offers a variety of skin, nail and hair care services from Redkin Master Specialist Cortezzo and esthetician Tricia Jacobs. In addition to in-salon styling, Metro also does styling for commercials, photo shoots and weddings. A San Francisco native, Cortezzo and her husband, Rich, have lived in Reno for the past year and a half.
This is a great space. How’d you end up downtown?
I was going to open up at McCarran and Lakeside, at Magnolia Village. But since I’m from San Francisco, I like the downtown feel of this area. I didn’t want to do something huge, and I didn’t want a cookie-cutter thing. I wanted it quaint. I just kinda like how this is older. It’s retro.
How did you get into hair design?
I’ve always been into high fashion and stuff. I used to want to be a fashion designer. Now I do all my design with hair and makeup. It’s like an art to me. I’ve been doing hair since I was 15. I was doing everybody’s hair—my parents, my friends, me. I say, unless you experiment on yourself, then how can you really know what works? I mean, I’ve done everything to my hair.
What are some of your most memorable hairstyles?
God, I’ve had every color. That’s a good question, because nothing is really outrageous to me. I’ve done, like, leopard spots on other people’s hair. For me, I’ve done every color. Nothing’s too outrageous. Last month I had red streaks.
What made you move to Reno from San Francisco?
[My husband and I] bought a house here. Just cost of living. And I love it here, but I am trying to bring a more urban feel here.
Does Metro’s location attract passers-by?
Yeah, we get a lot of people stopping in. We’d like to get more.
Do you have other big interests or passions?
No, this is like, my life. I’m really into cars. And I’m into arts stuff, abstract art. But really, it’s pathetic—this is my life.
Do you have a philosophy on styling?
I say, how can you feel good if you don’t look good? I definitely like to make people look better. I never let anybody walk out of here if they don’t look good. I’m really anal about that. … Atmosphere is really important, too. We’re trying to make [downtown] more cultured.
What makes you stand out in the salon market?
Knowledge, training … I think you get what you pay for. I think that your work should be worth what it is.