DAPHNE, Ala. — The sweet smell of shampoo hits the nostrils and the eyes stand tantalized by turquoise walls, spacious layout and six stylists who set the creative tone with their tattoos, stilettos and individual sense of style.

Hair Do salon in Daphne drowns traditional boundaries with hair dye and cuts normalcy with scissors and razors. But when the stylists aren't shampooing, cutting and setting, they’re fundraising for Ronald McDonald House’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

Liz Calci, Ronald McDonald House assistant director, said that Hair Do has been donating time and talents since the fundraiser began five years ago. The event features shopping, catered goodies from Naman’s and Virginia College executive pastry students, margaritas and wine and a pampering array from hair styles to pedicures; proceeds help cover operating costs so that families of affected children have lodging during out of town hospital trips.

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” raised $25,000 during the Aug. 25 event.

“They have been here every single year since the beginning and they’re just super, super, super nice people constantly giving back, they're just givers,” she spoke with appreciation and enthusiasm.

Stylist Rachel McKay said she enjoys participating in the fundraiser for multiple reasons.

“It’s a lot of fun; we meet new people, do a lot of hair and it’s for a great cause,” she said with a hint of satisfaction.

But causes abound at Hair Do, as owner and stylist Michelle Beam divulged.

“This is our third year as a Daphne High School soccer sponsor, we sponsor little league - whatever our clients are into,” she said. “Our clients support us and keep our jobs going, so we support them back.”

“We focus on customer service, and goal-setting for the girls and really building up the stylists.”

Beam also serves on the board at Genesis Career College, and is planning monthly school walk-throughs to help instruct the beauticians.

The studio concentrates on supporting stylists.

“We try to help the girls grow where they want in the business, if they want education, studio, fashion show, we try to help them link up with that,” she explained, a caring expression on her face. “We are trying to open a second one (salon) because there are so many girls who want to work.”

She hopes to open a location in downtown Mobile next year.

Beam said the studio is different from others; she personally worked at eight salons during the early portion of her seven-year career.

“I had a hard time finding a salon that stayed open,” she said.

She explained that both owners, herself and David Beam of Bay Minette, don't take paychecks from the business.

“I get paid the same as the girls do - by what I do,” she explained, drive gleaming in her eyes. “We give back to the shop, buy the girls tools at Christmas; every time clients come in, there’s something new and different and we wouldn’t really be able to do that if we took a paycheck.”

For example, customers enter the shampoo area by passing an in-wall waterfall where water rushes down a clear pane and into a bed of rocks. The soothing sound is complemented by a ceiling display of trees and clouds, noticed as clients recline into the shampoo chair for a relaxing scalp massage and hot towel treatment.

But the unique experiences don’t stop there; many of the stylists have exotic-art tattoos, turquoise or purple streaked hair and a style as bold as their talents.

“The more different the girls look, the more creative they usually are,” Beam explained. “They’re more willing to try new things.”

And Beam is no different.

“I’ve always liked the artsy side of it, seeing how it changed people and how big an impact hair makes,” she spoke with an inspired tone.

Sarah Taylor has been a stylist for two years, and said that the profession gave her direction while also forming an outlet for her creative impulse.

“I never really knew what I wanted to do till I was like 21, then I got into hair,” she divulged. “I love working here because I learn so much more; I knew I wanted to do something creative and every time I come to work, I do something different.

“They (clients) get to see a transition and I get to see them smile when I'm done.”

McKay had a similar experience.

“Once I decided that college wasn’t for me, I decided to go to beauty school,” she said. “How great is it that I come to work and do something creative and it not feel like a job?”

Stylist Katie Flanagan has been a beautician for two years, after she got out of the fashion industry.

“The economy went down so people aren’t spending money on clothes,” she explained, “but I’m still making people look and feel better.”

For more on Ronald McDonald House fundraisers, call 251-694-6873, or for more on the salon, call 251-626-9225 or visit www.hair-docrew.com.