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More than a hair salon, Beyond Basic offers manicures, artificial nails, pedicures, and hair removal with wax. With three certified massage therapists on staff - Blonigen, Meredyth Ludwig, and Kelly Hanson - massages are also available. Massages range from facial massages to 90-minute body massages and hot stone massages.

The staff of Beyond Basics includes, from left, Jen Bergstrom, Carrie Rolfhus, Meredyth Ludwig, and owner Nicole Blonigen. Not pictured is Kelly Hanson.

Beyond Basic also offers ear candling.

Blonigen, who has been doing hair in Paynesville for several years, opened her salon after purchasing and remodeling the building with the help of family and friends. Her goal was to have a spa-like facility where clients could relax. Blonigen is thrilled that men are just as comfortable there as women, she said. About half of the salon's customers are men.

Blonigen knew that she would someday have her own salon, but she never dreamed it would be so big, she said. Beyond Basic has separate rooms for hair and for manicures and pedicures. In addition, each of the massage therapists has her own quiet room for massages.

Blonigen and her husband, Jesse, enjoy working together remodeling houses in their spare time. They also like to take motorcycle trips together, to hunt, to fish, and to hang out with friends.

The salon's hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.