Totally Teasin Hair Salon!

By Cindy Ladage

Totally Teasin is the brainchild of Carolyn Plunkett-Garner, and Judy Cray.  The shop was first located on Virden square, then two years ago they moved to the current location. The salon is located a bit off the beaten path, tucked away on 108 Bob-O-Link. Besides Carolyn and Judy, Becca Yenn is also a stylist that works part-time rounding out the three stylists offering just about any hair service you could want!

Hours are set by appointment, “Judy, Becca and I work from the first client and end with the last,” Carolyn said so hours really depend on when appointments are scheduled.

Call, and make an appointment with the selected stylist, and if slots are available, they will try to get you in within a day or so. While it is advisable to make appointments ahead, Carolyn said, “We do accept walk-ins, but we are not on the main road.”

At Totally Teasin they offer the full family hair care.

Full family hair care includes Kid’s cuts, men’s cuts, women’s cuts, color, highlights, and perms.  “We also offer manicures and pedicures,” Carolyn added pointing to the bright array of polish selections.

As for hair trends in Virden, and the surrounding areas, Carolyn said, “Everything comes back aground.  Now it’s layers like the shag, and Farrah Fawcett style.  THANKFULLY we are getting out of the mullet stage.”

When asked how she got into the styling business, Carolyn, who grew up in Virden, and graduated from Virden High said she had been working at Meijer grocery in Springfield fulltime and realized that she didn’t want to work in retail permanently, so she started thinking about exactly what she would like to do.  She had attended Lincoln Land after high school, and with a small son to take care of, and the after affects of 911, felt that wasn’t for her.  “I always wanted to be a teacher, or hair stylist,” she added.

When working at Meijer, that determination to follow her early dream of being a hair stylist prodded her to enroll in the University of Cosmetology in 2003.  “Now I’ve been doing this for 20 years.”

Carolyn’s favorite aspect of being a stylist is, “I love the people and learning about them.”

It is evident that she and her partners, Judy and Becca enjoy people and supporting the Virden Community through some of the programs they participate in, like the work experience opportunities they offer local students.  This happened after Carolyn expanded her education in an unexpected way.  “I’m a certified teacher’s aide and work at SASED when they have a student that needs to work, they can come here and work.”

This has been a win/win situation for both the students and the stylist who have a list of chores that the student can do.  This offers work experience for the student and frees up the stylist to continue with appointments and other tasks that require so much time during the business day. “This has worked out great, and we want to keep the program going,” Carolyn said.

Working in a small town has been a lot of fun for the women of Totally Teasin. While Carolyn and Becca are both from Virden, Judy grew up in Raymond.  “I love small towns,” Carolyn said.  “Everybody knows everybody, it is just nice.”

The stylists at Totally Teasin work with the local community.  “We donate to the Easter Egg hunt, help out with the Virden Queen pageant, post prom, and the soccer, and baseball association.  We try to be well rounded,” Carolyn said.  “Becca is also involved with the women’s auxiliary.”

Faith is also a part of her life and the other stylist’s life as well. This is clear through the signs in the shop.  “I am part of the Grace Southern Baptist Church, and work with the children’s ministry.”

Judy and Becca are both active in the local Catholic Church.

Although tucked away on Bob-O-Link, Totally Teasin is easy to get to, and with three stylists to choose from, finding an appointment is just a phone call away!

For more information about Totally Teasin, they have a Facebook presence Totally Teasin' | Virden IL | Facebook. You can call 217-965-5160 for questions or to make an appointment. The shop is closed on Sunday and Monday