Flames in black, red and yellow adorn the upstairs windows of a brick hair salon. Inside, the walls of Sin City jump with unexpected black and red paint and are broken up with vibrant abstract art that demands attention. The chairs, hair dryers and shampoo stations are decorated with bumper stickers containing jokes, political satire and just plain funny quips. As clients of Sin City Hair begin to settle into the comfortable atmosphere, they are set on yet another adventure when they encounter the top-of-the-line tattoo area. Welcome to Ohio’s first hair, nail and tattoo parlor.

Sin City Hair, located on the corner of High Street and Chittenden Avenue, is anything but the conventional uppity hair and nail venue. Owners Nio and Sarah Slowek describe it as “a mix between American Chopper, Miami Ink and Vidal Sassoon.”

“We wanted to bring high-quality hair and nails to the campus area, for a reasonable price,” Nio Slowek said.

The young, tattoo-clad couple began this out-of-the-box business less than four months ago, after working in upscale salons in Las Vegas for years. Sarah Slowek laughed and joked with employee Whitney Mulbay as she explained that when they started Sin City Hair they wanted to give upscale service and high-quality product, but to a young, fresh and casual market.

“We want people to have as much fun being here as we do working here,” she said. “Our goal is to make everybody feel comfortable. There is no attitude, no matter what.

“We are always joking, laughing, having a good time. Don’t be surprise if you hear the f-bomb dropped in here – we don’t judge.”

Laid-back philosophy aside, Sin City Hair has many services students won’t find in salons near campus. With edgy color splicing, block color, hair extensions, pink and white acrylics and a licensed tattoo artist always on the clock, the possibilities for quality work are waiting.“We aren’t trying to impose our artistic values on anyone,” Nio Slowek said. “We are open with our customers and can do anything from mild to wild.”

Nio Slowek said he feels completely comfortable that stylists at Sin City Hair are the kings of hair color.

“When someone sits in my chair, I don’t ask ‘What do you want?’ because you’re not the hairstylist, that’s why you came here,” he said. “I ask ‘What can I not do?’ and then we discuss it – we’ll explain and demonstrate the things you do like. The sky is the limit.”

The salon caters to its location through many special services for students. Each time a member of a Greek organization comes into the shop, their sales are recorded. At the end of the month, the store cuts the respective organization a check for 10 percent of what that sorority or fraternity brought in during that period; ideally to be used for their philanthropic events.

Any student who pays with a Buck-ID receives 10 percent off and customers who are friends with the shop on myspace.com are open to good deals as well.

“We also have group discounts to 20 or more people and Ladies’ Nights – where a group can come in and we’ll shut the place down and have a fun time,” Nio Slowek said.

Just recently the shop brought in 50 members of the Delta Gamma sorority who received free make-up applications, hair extension demonstrations, tattooing, manicures and blow-outs. Other local businesses, including Lave, Pesto and the Y! Boutique, chipped in freebies and fun to get the word out about the new business.

Rene Holt, a nursing major, said almost jokingly,”I want something fun and new with my hair, and I’m really interested in this place – but I’m afraid they’ll ink me up and give me a mohawk.”

The artistic style and free-to-be-yourself atmosphere doesn’t mean every cut or color is crazy.

“We can color splice a girls hair with shades of auburn and brown, it can look natural and unique, but still professional and conservative,” Nio Slowek said. “We can also color splice your hair with blue, red and gold. It’s about what fits you.”

If tattooing isn’t for a certain customer, despite the professional tattooist, the sterile environment and disposable tubes and needles, there will be other services, like waxing and piercing in the near future.

“We’d like to franchise eventually and be all over the country, on every college campus. But we would definitely keep the same atmosphere as we have here,” Sarah Slowek said between clever back-and-forth with her husband and Mulbay.

Sarah Slowek said the beauty of it all is that it doesn’t matter how many tattoos people have or don’t have, it’s about making them feel comfortable and finding common ground. They’re going to give you top-of-line, high quality, service, but they’re also going to become your friend.

“We appeal to every type of personality – from kids who like punk rock to classical music majors,” Nio Slowek said. “There is something here for everyone.”