Business Spotlight: Hair for her and him

Whether you’re in a barber’s chair or a salon, where we go to have our hair cut are places that are at once communal and intimate. They are spaces where one can take a break out of their lives to chat it up while getting pampered and refreshed. It’s a profession that often goes overlooked and underrated, but just imagine life without your favorite scissor wizard.

Side by side on Baca Street, just to the south of John Brooks in Socorro, sits Hair It Iz & Nails, Too, and That Barber Shop—the perfect his and hers hair day destination.

Hair It Iz is run by mother-daughter duo Darlene and Shamry Wilkinson. Darlene, who has been a hairdresser since 1990, has called the current location home for over 20 years.

Darlene has been a stylist for 35 years, and her daughter is following in her footsteps after completing studies at Olympian Academy of Cosmetology. The salon not only provides the women a livelihood, it’s a family-friendly place where they can bring their children and grandchildren, and clients can bring their little ones, as well.

“It’s a kid-friendly place,” Shamry said. “We’re raising the next generation here.”

Now a certified nail technician, Shamry offers a full range of nail services: manicures, pedicures, gel polish, enhancements, and more. She also lends a modern edge to the salon, staying on top of nail trends and introducing trending styles to complement Darlene’s classic expertise, which includes perms and cutting and styling wigs for clients experiencing hair loss.

Darlene said she lost her hair due to PTSD three years ago—a deeply emotional journey that changed how she sees beauty, herself, and her clients.

“I didn’t have hair, eyebrows, eyelashes. I didn’t look like me. I stopped working because I couldn’t look in the mirror,” she said. “Now, I help others facing hair loss…We’re stylists, but we’re also a little bit like therapists, because it’s not just hair—it’s healing.”

The salon offers a full menu of services including haircuts, color, highlights, perms, updos, makeup, and house calls—especially for elderly clients who can no longer make the trip.

The Wilkinsons say their business wouldn’t be possible without the support of their community. “Our clients are not just customers,” Shamry said. “They’re family. They’ve kept us here all these years.”

The salon is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 5 pm, with some evening appointments available. To make an appointment call the Wilkinsons at 575-518-8611

While she’s getting her hair and nails done, he can pop in next door at That Barber Shop where owner Adam Paz has been making a name for himself since 2018. Paz, and fellow barber Anthony Lopez offer men’s haircuts and beard trims and have worked hard to create a loyal clientele.

After facing health challenges and stepping back from a demanding job at Ameritech, Paz found a slower-paced yet deeply personal path in barbering. With roots in hands-on work, he renovated the building himself, patching cracks and shaping the space into his own.

Paz adds his own style and some personal touches that recognize the history of barbers in the community of Socorro. Photos of past local barbers, including his wife’s grandfather, adorn the walls in a heartfelt tribute. That sense of history pairs with a modern touch, including a new vintage style chair that adds style and comfort to the area.