To an extent this is true, but realistically this is not due to any concerted effort to exclude Bermudians that may want to be hair stylists or beauty therapists.

On the contrary, this is because most Bermudians do not apply for the jobs or show an interest in the business.

Mrs. Nearon says that she would love to give a Bermudian a chance. In fact, the one Bermudian hairstylist working at Eden is one of their top stylists! "Not many Bermudians that I know have an interest,'' she says. "Not many are interested in being a hairstylist or a beauty therapist, because I believe there's no real facility (for learning) here.

"Then again, sometimes what happens is that the girls start out as a shampoo assistant because they need a job. It's not what they're interested in pursuing. Therefore, a majority of the stylists are non-Bermudian. Because we don't have enough Bermudians to fill the positions, there's nothing that you can do. Also, you find that the Bermudians that go abroad and come back want to branch out on their own after they've been with you maybe one or two years.

In the past 12 months we have run four different ads for stylists and we have had one Bermudian response.'' "It's to a salon's advantage to have Bermudians working for them because it's very expensive having a non-Bermudian working for you,'' Mr. Nearon observed.

"We have to bring them here, we have to pay the Government for work permits, we have to make sure they have accommodation. So if we can find a good qualified Bermudian or someone who shows promise, then we want to give them an opportunity.

"We have one Bermudian who went to Canada, took some courses, and is now one of our top stylists.'' FOR A BETTER YOU -- Bermudian stylist Jennifer Doe offers her extensive skills in the styling salon. A self-described all-rounder, Jennifer is one of Eden's top stylists.