Owner, Master Stylist, Instructor & Educator

Melissa relocated to Charleston from Chicago in 2000 and pursued her calling of becoming a successful hair stylist and image consultant. She has eleven years of salon experience. In 2009, Melissa combined her entrepreneurial spirit and passion to brand her unique sense of style by opening Velvet Salon. Due to high demand and a soaring number of referrals from delighted clients, she expanded her business by opening a larger Charleston location.

Here, she created a unique upmarket salon which offers state-of-the-art services. Inspired by the beauty and freshness of her new location, Tabula Rasa, or “clean slate” became the name for her new salon. Melissa is intensely dedicated to her artistic craft and is recognized for imaginative styles, which she often designs for fashion shows. She specializes in natural dimensional color, Paul Mitchell color, Redken color, hair extensions, and curly hair. She is certified in Hot Head extensions, to enhance your tresses.

Her flair for nuance and sophistication is showcased in the distinctive “perfect wedding day styles” she creates for brides. Other services such as elegant upstyles, natural makeup, airbrush makeup, and dress work styles to create “perfect image” for her clients. Her passion for art is showcased in Melissa’s hair design. She is very personable and listens closely to determine exactly what her clients are looking to achieve during their visit. For her, it is essential that every client leaves Tabula Rasa feeling great about his or her experience and appearance. At Tabula Rasa, Melissa Ward will help you realize that “you can design your clean slate.”