April Payne Sunlights Artisan Educator

My gratitude for change, change is good, real good.

Goodness, how I have changed this year and I’m so thankful for it! As I scrolled through my camera roll to find hair images to post, I had to dig deep through the past year just to find these in this carousel! Truth is, I haven’t taken many hair images at all! But what I did find on my camera roll instead? TONS of photos and videos of my family, my salon team, my Sunlights family, my travel adventures and my friends. Evidence of a life being well lived! I’m deeply reminded that BECAUSE of this amazing business I have, and each of you reading this post, my life is FULL of blessings, grand babies, and amazing favor from the Lord! I thank God for each and every one of these moments. From each precious memory captured in my camera roll and all of my guest who simply sat in my chair and allowed me to be their hairdresser (without a photo session😅), I thank you all for being so loving and loyal, truly a rare gift in today’s culture. I hold you all deeply in my heart! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 🤍

✨ We’re still pinching ourselves! ✨

Cypress & Myrtle has been named a 2025 Salons of the Year Finalist by Salon Today.

What started as a dream in Dothan has grown into a space filled with artistry, heart, and the most incredible guests + team. We are so honored to be recognized among the best.

To our guests who trust us, our family and friends who cheer us on, and our team who pours their talent and soul into every detail — this is for you. 💛🌿

Here’s to creating beauty, building community, and living out the Cypress & Myrtle story together.

Today, I remember my WHY!

Because, all my life HE has been faithful. 🤍

What is YOUR WHY?

Join award-winning educator Candy Shaw and the Sunlights® team for three days of transformative education at Premiere Orlando! Master the art of highlighting, balayage, and French Cutting techniques that will revolutionize your salon offerings and boost your business. Reserve your spot today for these career-changing workshops!

Opening Cypress and Myrtle feels like an absolute dream—not just in the sense of a long-awaited vision coming to life, but in the deeper way that promises are fulfilled through people, through community, and more importantly, through the LORD!

Madeline and I are overwhelmed with deep gratitude. This journey has not been easy, but I truly believe the “good” comes through the “hard”. We initially opened our salon during Covid in March of 2020. I was grieving, hard and deep. It was a season where I sowed so many tears, trusting that something beautiful would grow. God gave me Cypress & Myrtle from thorns and nettle ( Isaiah 55, a promise of God’s mercy). And now, opening our doors to our community tomorrow, I can see how every challenge, every prayer, and every step of faith has led to this place of shouts of JOY.

Cypress and Myrtle is more than a salon—it’s a place where beauty, connection, and transformation happen daily, not just on the outside, but in the hearts of everyone who walks through our doors.

To our family, friends, team, and incredible guests—THANK YOU! Your support, encouragement, and belief in this space mean everything. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to continue building something special together.

May this place always reflect the joy, restoration, and hope that Isaiah 55 & Psalm 126 speaks of—because truly, what was sown in tears is now being reaped with shouts of joy! Gratitude fills my heart!

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream… Those who sow with tears will reap with shouts of joy.” – Psalm 126:1,5

See y’all tomorrow in the NEW Cypress & Myrtle Co. Salon + Spa
105 Pariton Ave.
Dothan, AL 36303

You are looking at a group of eight talented women who spent an inspiring three days in Atlanta with for an exclusive French cutting Masterclass, honing our skills and elevating our craft at the chair. With newfound techniques and a fresh perspective, we are ready to make waves in our careers and bring a new level of artistry to their clients. Watch out, world—these women are unstoppable! 💙

French cutting SUCCESS!

Y’all, meet Mrs Barbara. She was my first guest this morning at the chair after returning from French Cut Camp and I was so excited to implement my ear to ear guide French Bob! We both LOVED the results! French cutting is efficient and effective and delivers consistent results EVERYTIME! 🤍 Thank you, Mrs.Barbara for always supporting me and always a complement to my craft!

It was a balay-good-full-day at the salon! I had so many favorites from today, this being just one of them. 🤍

Did you know that I LOVE teaching! Today, I had the opportunity to teach the basic fundamentals of French Haircutting to these amazing hairstylist in Warner Robins, GA!

Ladies, I hope I left you hungry for MORE! 🤍

Are you ready to LEVEL UP at the chair? DM the word “CHANGE” for an opportunity to do just that! Learn the power of the paintbrush and how it can CHANGE your life! Love & belonging! 🫶

Faithful. Favorite. Friend. Confidant. Treasure. Rockstar.

There’s no one else on earth like her. She’s a fierce woman who is always on the side of JUSTICE and I’m so thankful to have her ALWAYS on my side! I love you, ! 🤍

And to boot, she has amazing hair! 🤩