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Blake retires after 47 years as stylist

Dec. 31 was a special day for Julia Blake as she retired that day after 47 years as a stylist.

Blake had worked for the past 12 years at Headz Up, a salon at White Marsh Shopping Center where she was a part owner. Previously, she worked at three other Gloucester salons.

Her career began rather by accident, as a friend asked her to fix her hair after gym class and Blake found she enjoyed working with hair.

Blake said she started at a salon before curling irons or blow dryers were popular. She said back then many women asked for “a shampoo and set,” with rollers being used for the set.

Through the years, Blake has continued to offer shampoo and set, along with perms, cuts and hair color. She said there are more choices of hair color products and accessories now than when she began working in the field, after graduating from Charles Beauty School in Newport News in 1968.

Her clientele has changed through the years, as Blake had many male clients in more recent years along...

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