When a less-than-ideal experience left Lindsay Tice’s then 3-year-old son nervous to have his hair cut, Tice searched for years to find a salon that would make him feel comfortable.

The haircut in question — on his third birthday — was at a salon experienced with children. He was fine in the chair, Tice recalled, but the stylist rushed through the cut, startling him.

Tice tried new salons and stylists throughout southern Maine. He wouldn’t want to get in the salon chair and didn’t like the loud noises at the salon. 

She even tried cutting his hair herself. It didn’t go well, either. 

Then, after three long years, the Windham mom found Snips, Snails and Piggy Tails in Lewiston.

“He actually hopped into the firetruck chair and was ready to go. I was flabbergasted,” Tice said, referring to one of the themed chairs at the salon.

Snips, Snails and Piggy Tails is run by Corrina Tancrede, who has cut hair for 35 years, mostly in children’s salons. 

Originally from California, she married a man from Lewiston, an Air Force veteran, who, after living in California, brought their family to Germany and Hawaii before settling back in Lewiston in 2010. Together, they have two biological children, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, and five adopted children. Two of the adopted children have extensive sensory issues, one is cognitively delayed and one is on the autism spectrum.

She credits her own experience, namely with her family, as her inspiration for the salon.

“I learned about the nervous system and created a safe space for children to come in and feel comfortable and confident,” Tancrede said. 

A step inside the salon reveals bright blue walls, filled with birch trees that she hand painted along with fun salon chairs — like the firetruck — for children to sit in.

The salon has a fairy and woodland theme, equipped with fairy lights that are not too harsh for sensitive eyes. Children are offered fidget toys to help calm nerves and soothing music plays during the haircut.

Tancrede, an artist, designed the salon with her sensory-sensitive clients in mind, adding something unique to look at or interact with at every corner.

At the end of each haircut, children receive a token to redeem for a prize.

Tancrede can complete a haircut in about two minutes, she said, but wants her guests to schedule an appointment ahead of time so she can block out at least 30 minutes so children are not rushed through the process. She doesn’t use electric clippers or a hair dryer, and the child is the only client at the time of the appointment.

Eventually, Tancrede wants to expand her reach to adults once she adds a full-size salon seat, joking that adults may not fit in the firetruck salon seat.

She’s also putting together a training to teach other stylists how to take a sensory-focused approach in their haircutting.

“It’s about understanding (nervous system) regulation and keeping yourself calm. As soon as the nervous system is triggered and riled up, it’s felt by everyone in the room,” Tancrede said.

Clients drive up to three hours for Tancrede’s gentle services, she said.

It’s thought that Tancrede’s salon is the only, or one of a few, salons in the state that specifically serves children with sensory sensitivities.

Tice drives 40 minutes. She’s relieved to have found a place that her son loves.

He just had his second haircut there, Tice said.

“I like it because it has the firetruck and (VW) bus,” he told Tice.  

To visit Snips, Snails and Piggy Tails, Tancrede recommends booking an appointment at snipssnailsandpiggytails.com, or clients can call 207-319-9816. The salon is located at 675  Main St., Suite 9, in Lewiston.