3M Hair Studio: Same great style at a new location

Manda Nevarez learned a lot about styling and about how (and how not) to run a business while working for a large styling-salon chain in Las Cruces for nearly 10 years.

The Mayfield High School graduate decided to open her own business, 3M Hair Studio, in 2015. Initially, it was a one-stylist shop, but then her husband, David, suggested she put in stations for other stylists.

“I’m really glad he did,” Nevarez said.

Today, at a brand-new location, Nevarez works with three other stylists who are independent contractors: Brittney Amador, Laura Lackey and Desiree Mack. Collectively, they have more than 50 years in the styling business.

Tiara De Leon has just started at 3M as a licensed nail technician.

“I have these lovely women,” Nevarez said.

3M has been located at 2841 N. Telshor Blvd. since March 1. The six-chair salon is on the corner of Telshor and Del Rey Boulevard, with parking in front and an incredible view of the Organ Mountains through the front windows. The building was built by Nevarez’s husband’s company, Crosstown Construction & Trucking, LLC of Las Cruces.

3M is open by appointment only, with normal hours being 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“We cover each other,” Nevarez said. “We have each other’s back.”

That means that new and longtime customers are always taken care of, and that Nevarez, Amador, Lackey and Mack can schedule styling appointments around their family and volunteer activities outside of work – and they have plenty of those.

Nevarez, for example, has two daughters, ages 9 and 14, one who plays softball -- Nevarez is the coach — and one who is in cheer.

Lackey, a native of Reno, Nevada, has been a stylist for almost 20 years, including eight years in Las Cruces and the last three with 3M. Lackey has dual master’s degrees from New Mexico State University in public health and social work. She has two children and coaches a soccer team for 4-year-old girls.

Mack has been a stylist for nearly 17 years, including the last two with 3M. A Las Cruces native and Las Cruces High School graduate, Mack has a daughter who attends rival Mayfield High and needs rides from her mom to participate in a variety of sports.

Amador has been a stylist for eight years, including the last five with Nevarez. She graduated from Vista College of Las Cruces as part of its third graduating class in 2008. Amador has three sons, two at Organ Mountain (formerly Oñate) High School and one at Camino Real Middle School. She coaches the freshmen boys’ basketball team at OMHS.

Del Leon is a native of Las Cruces and an OMHS graduate. She wants to continue her education and pursue a second career in social work. Del Leon’s son, Nathan, is “trying to run the world at 9 (years old),” she said.

Each of the stylists has her own special skills, including cutting, styling and coloring/highlighting hair – for both men and women – facial waxing, scalp massage, manicures and pedicures, making 3M a full-service salon.  It features Aveda products.

Nevarez, Amador, Lackey and Mack also work to keep up with the latest styles, including rainbow-colored hair, the newly popular wolf haircut for both men and women and the mullet cut, which Nevarez said is making a comeback.

“We welcome everybody, anybody who comes through my door,” Nevarez said.

Call 575-449-4772. Visit https://3mhairstudiolascruces.com/.