Sisters cut the drama at Strandz Salon

With a bunch of bald Barbie dolls and some pet dogs with stylish haircuts, it was clear sisters Misti Redman and Holli Purkeypile would have a passion for cosmetology later in life.

The two work together at Strandz Salon in Holyoke, but for those who knew them as kids growing up in Holyoke, they would never expect them to be cutting hair side by side — and getting along for that matter!

“If someone told us this 20 years ago, we would have laughed hysterically,” said Redman, who is two and a half years older than her sister.

She obtained her Colorado cosmetology license in 1991 after training at Northeastern Junior College. Purkeypile studied at Lamar Community College and got her Colorado license in 2006 followed by a license in Nebraska in 2007 after time at McCook Community College.

Even though both were in the same profession, they were at different salons in different towns. That all changed when they both began working at the same shop in Holyoke.

After a year there, Redman said they decided to join forces. The sisters established Strandz Salon in 2012 in downtown Holyoke and have been there ever since.

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