If you’ve lived in Carson long enough, chances are you’ve heard the name Perry Nixdorf. This January, Perry hit an incredible milestone — his 50-year Hair-iversary!

That’s five decades behind the chair, creating styles, mentoring talent, and building friendships that have lasted generations. And while that’s worth celebrating all on its own, the event also marked 12 years of Paradise Salon Spa & Wellness, a business that’s become a true community hub for beauty and well-being.

A Lifetime of Hair and Heart

Perry’s story starts young — really young. “I joke that I came out of the womb with a comb and scissors,” he laughs. Perry’s love for hair runs deep in his family, as both his parents, grandparents, great-grandmother, and even an uncle were hairstylists. At the age of 17, he embarked on his journey in hair at Federico’s beauty school in Lake Tahoe, and has never looked back since.

Fast forward five decades, and the Hair-iversary bash this January was a joyful reunion. Longtime clients, friends, and stylists gathered to celebrate a man who’s not just done hair for 50 years — he’s built relationships that run just as long. “I’ve been doing many of my clients’ hair for a long time with the longest being 44 years,” Perry said with a grin. “They’re more like family now.”

From Hair to Whole-Body Wellness

Paradise Salon Spa & Wellness, which Perry owns with his wife Starr, is celebrating its 12th anniversary — and the name “Paradise” fits. The business has blossomed into much more than a salon. With five experienced stylists, a licensed massage therapist, a highly regarded piercing studio (Spear Me), and the only aquatic wellness pool in Carson, Paradise has truly become a one-stop destination for total rejuvenation.

Recently, Perry and the team expanded once more by adding a MedSpa, offering advanced diagnostic services and prescription solutions that go beyond typical med spa treatments. “We wanted to create a space where people could take care of themselves completely — inside and out,” Perry said.

Sharing Knowledge and Paying It Forward

During his five decades in the industry, Perry’s passion for education has never faded. Early in his career, he became an educator for brands like KMS and Joico, traveling to salons and hair shows mentoring young up-and-coming stylists. That teaching spirit carries on today in his salon, where collaboration and learning are encouraged every day.

Inspiration also strikes from another source — the clients themselves. Over the years, Perry began noticing a growing need for compassionate, knowledgeable help for women dealing with hair loss. It became a new calling for him, leading him to write a book on the subject, now available on the Paradise Salon Spa & Wellness website. “It’s something that hits close to home for so many women. Being able to help them feel beautiful and confident again — that’s the most rewarding part of what I do.”

More Than a Salon — A Community

What makes Paradise stand out isn’t just the range of services, it’s the sense of community. Perry and Starr have built a place where people come not just for haircuts or treatments, but for connection and care. Clients come for a cut and stay for the laughter, the conversations, the hugs, and — occasionally — the sound of splashing from the therapy pool in the back.

As Perry’s 50-year Hair-iversary showed, that community feels the same love right back. With photos from the celebration filling social media feeds, the party was less about milestones and more about gratitude — for a life spent making people look and feel their best.

“I’ve been really lucky,” Perry reflected. “To do something I love for this long, surrounded by people who’ve supported me every step of the way — that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

So here’s to 50 years of style, 12 years of Paradise, and countless more ahead.

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