Katrina Shepelev and Valentina Mikhlin have been doing salon work in Roslyn for over a decade. Now, they have their own business, Skin by Valentina and Katrina.

"Our dream was to stay in Roslyn," said Ms. Shepelev, who along with Ms. Mikhlin is the salon's co-proprietor. "Business at our other locations was good, but we wanted more space for our own business."

The salon has been in operation on 1392 Old Northern Blvd. since August 2002.

Skin by Valentina and Katrina offers a "friendly, family-oriented atmosphere" for their clients. Mostly, they specialize in giving professional advice on all facets of clinical skin care. The salon, Ms. Shepelev said, offers a unique combination of old school and Eastern European skin care products and methods, including the latest, most advanced skin care technology.

The salon features top of the line professional skin care products from not only Eastern Europe, but from all over the world, including Japan, Israel and France. The salon's functions include offering organic lines, facials, makeup, body treatments, skin specialties, electrolysis, waxing, acupuncture, polarity therapy, plus custom-made masks for individualized skin care.

Polarity therapy, for instance, represents a unique blend of Eastern and Western healing practices, which focuses on the "whole person." Such therapy, according to Ms. Shepelev, attunes to the clients "energy field" and uses specific touching, rocking, stretching, and gentle holding techniques to help clients release tension and pain, while also promoting relaxation.

Another method the salon uses is a state-of-the-art Photo Rejuvenation skin care treatment. This cosmetic treatment utilizes the benefits of light therapy to both restore the skin's natural cellular activity and to promote its natural beauty.

In addition to its products and expert staff, Skin by Valentina and Katrina has its own parking lot behind the store to make a customer's stay easier. Ms. Shepelev claims the salon is more "down to earth" than other such establishments. The quaintness of the village contributes to that atmosphere and the proprietors hope to be part of downtown Roslyn's landscape for a long time to come.