dsmWeekly - August 13, 2025

By Libby Nichols

Founded in 2016 by Jacob and Erin Poindexter, Neon Heart Salon + Spa in Johnston was born from a desire to create something more than just a salon — a place where beauty, confidence and wellness naturally intersect.

The "head spa" service, for example, is a luxurious, multi-step experience designed to cleanse, restore and relax, and it's inspired by scalp spas in Japan that have caught on with Western tourists. Whether you're dealing with buildup, dryness, thinning hair or simply seeking a moment of peace, the service promotes beauty and wellness in a single soothing session.

A traditional head spa journey begins with a scalp analysis. At Neon Heart, a specialist uses magnification tools to assess your scalp’s condition and identify specific issues to target, such as oil imbalance, clogged follicles or general irritation.

Next comes a deep cleanse that uses gentle, nourishing products to remove impurities and buildup. This is followed by a slow, rhythmic scalp massage that promotes blood circulation, relaxes facial muscles and stimulates hair follicles. Steam therapy and targeted serums are applied to hydrate and balance the scalp, leaving it refreshed and revitalized.

After the treatment, a second scalp analysis allows you to see the results, which can include cleaner pores, healthier skin and, often, a noticeable boost in hair texture and volume.

“It’s like a facial for your scalp, not only is it a relaxing, stress-releasing experience, it deep cleanses your scalp to help stimulate hair growth and slow down the aging process," said Jessika Mayberry, a head spa specialist and stylist at Neon Heart.

The service is popular among women, but more men are discovering the benefits of scalp care, especially when dealing with stress-related hair loss, dryness or buildup from styling products. A head spa treatment offers a low-maintenance, high-impact solution.

Neon Heart feels more like a wellness retreat than your typical hair studio, with lush greenery, cozy seating and a tranquil ambiance from the moment you walk in. Guests are even treated to lattes — a nice touch.

The salon and spa is located at 6110 N.W. 86th St., and you can book appointments online, whether you'd like to improve your health or simply enjoy a peaceful escape from your daily routine.

Contributing writer Libby Nichols is the creator and founder of Meet DSM, a digital brand that showcases Greater Des Moines.

Emily Saliers, left, and Amy Ray have been performing at the Indigo Girls for 40 years.

BEST BET

Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge return to town

The legendary lesbian trailblazers team up for a concert tour simply titled “Yes We Are.” The Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge plan to hit the stage at the Des Moines Civic Center next Wednesday, Aug. 20.

The Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray began their careers in 1985, starting out at bars and clubs in Georgia before signing a record deal three years later. Since then, the duo has recorded their signature harmonies and poetic lyrics on 16 studio albums. To date, they've sold more than 15 million records, from their first album, “Indigo Girls,” to their latest, “Look Long,” a heartfelt and eclectic collection of songs with their strongest backup band to date.

Melissa Etheridge broke into the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. Her fourth, “Yes I Am,” featured the massive hits, "I'm the Only One" and "Come to My Window," which won her a second Grammy Award.

Two dollars from each ticket sale will go to the nonprofit Etheridge Foundation and First Peoples Fund.

The Week Ahead

Pierre Bensusan, 7 p.m. Wednesday, xBk Annex. Recognized as one of the greatest guitar players of the 21st century, the French-Algerian musician visits Des Moines on his North American tour.

Sara Sato, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Polk County Heritage Gallery. The paintings in Sato's new show, "Notes From the Sea," tell stories about water and our relationship with nature. It runs through Sept. 24.

Taylor King, 6 p.m. Friday, Iowa Distilling Company. Enjoy live music from King, plus handcrafted cocktails, and sushi and eggrolls from Liza’s Sushi Food Truck.

Zellaphant Books Adoption, 11 a.m. Saturday, Zellaphant Books. Adopt a book, a record and/or a dog from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Only one of those things requires additional paperwork.

Books and Brew, 2 p.m. Sunday, Vibrant Coffeehouse + Kitchen. Wind down the summer with a book and a cup of coffee. Bring your read-in-progress and make a bookmark at this free event.

Art of dance: “En pointe en masse,” an installation by Ballet Des Moines creative director Jami Milne, debuted last week at Mainframe Studios’ First Friday. It features 84 pairs of pointe shoes in various stages of use — from a student’s shiny first pair to the worn, “dead” shoes of pro — to demonstrate the beauty and grit of a dancer’s journey. The shoes on display, through the end of August, were contributed by Ballet Des Moines, Des Moines DanzArts Studios, Elite Dance Outfitters and Robert Thomas Dancenter.

Inspiring women: For its annual Inspired event, the Chrysalis Foundation welcomes author, speaker and former CIA covert operations officer Valerie Plame for a keynote on Oct. 10 at the Sheraton West Des Moines. The luncheon includes a catered meal and photo opportunity with Plame, whose career and advocacy work offer insights on leadership and justice. Event proceeds support Chrysalis Foundation’s mission to advance opportunities for women and girls in Greater Des Moines.

When he returned home, he contacted James Albert (pictured), one of his former professors at Drake Law School. Albert, now 78, had “a big heart and some free time,” so Cooper persuaded him to travel to Belize, and the trip changed his life.

It inspired him to create the James Arthur Albert Foundation to raise money to send Belize kids to school. Since it started, in 2010, it’s raised $2 million and awarded more than 3,200 scholarships.

Albert said it’s been the most rewarding experience of his life. “There’s so much human suffering, but we found something we could do something about,” he said.

At first, Albert took school supplies to Belize but eventually decided to raise money for scholarships. In 2009, Drake's Theta Chi fraternity house pitched in to help and has led a fundraising campaign every year since. In 2023 and 2024, the members raised more than $51,000.

Books & Bricks for Belize

Theta Chi's annual campaign leads to an annual auction in August, which last year raised more than $500,000. At this year's “Books & Bricks for Belize” auction on Aug. 21 at the Tea Room, guests can bid on tickets to a Paul McCartney concert, a Bears vs. Vikings game and the Kentucky Derby, as well as vacation packages to Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, the Bahamas and more.

Albert takes a Theta Chi leader to Belize every year. This January, he took senior JJ Bauer, who said the cause became more personal for him after he met some of the kids and saw their struggles firsthand. “I’m never going to stop giving money to this,” he said. “I don’t think I ever could.”

Read the full story online at dsmmagazine.com.