My name is Maryna Fontenoy, and my hairdressing business in Caumont sur Durance is Balayalchemy. I am American, born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina. 
I have lived and worked in Atlanta, Georgia and Los Angeles, California, before spending 12 years living in London UK and finally coming to know Provence. I am an avid animal lover and regularly find myself on rescue missions for anything from wild animals to dogs, cats, goats and horses. I am also a writer-sometimes by assignment or private creations.
I moved to Provence in 2011.
Like many people, I fell in love with the region during my short vacation. Seeking respite from the weather and grime of busy London, I determined that in Provence, I might find slower living, more light and a better quality of life. My husband and daughter have French genes, so I also wanted to expose my daughter to the French language by immersion. At first, we were here for an experimental year, but we did not return to London, and this is now our permanent home.
What does your business do?
I am an all-around hairdresser specializing in colour, corrective colour, grey adaptation, craft cutting, and styling. I have also owned The Beaucatcher Salon in London for the last 21 years, where I still work with my lovely clients for about a week each month. In Caumont sur Durance, I work from a studio in my home by appointment and see most clients here privately, one-on-one. I love connecting with my clients of all genders and ages because this helps me understand what I can do to help them look and feel their best, get the most out of their hair, and have some time just to themselves. We hear a lot about self-care, and hairdressing has always been one of the best ways to unwind and let oneself be cared for. 
Having a chemistry background helps me formulate colour solutions for most hair issues. I practice keeping up with advances in hairdressing because, ultimately, the most beautiful and easygoing hair is healthy. I am also a trained make-up artist for weddings and photography and can assist in this area for my client’s special occasions. I enjoy working on collaborative projects which benefit other local businesses.
I love connecting with people, so networking is a great pleasure. After all my years of working with humans, I feel one of the most important things we can do is help people connect to like-minded others to enhance our businesses and lives.
