Yellowknife (Feb 26/03) - You don't know what you have until it's gone -- just ask any woman in need of a little beauty treatment.

Hairstylists Leanne Hjorleifson, left, and Darlene Saric had all the business they could handle when they set up shop in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Rankin Inlet has been without a full-time hairdresser since George (Scottie) Strong left town last summer.

That void was partially filled when Thompson hairdressers Leanne Hjorleifson and Darlene Saric spent this past week in the hamlet.

Hjorleifson operates a hair salon in Thompson, where Saric has worked for the past three months.

She says Lorainne Gordon informed her of the sad state of hair affairs in her home town while in Thompson recently.

"I couldn't believe there would be a place on this Earth where a woman couldn't get a haircut," says Hjorleifson.

"I can't imagine how any woman could live without a haircut."

Hjorleifson says although Gordon assured her the community would welcome the two with open arms, she was still a bit leery about the idea.

Once Saric agreed to go with her, however, she decided to give it a try.

"Lorraine (Gordon) actually did all the work in arranging the hair salon at the hotel, letting the hamlet know we'd be coming and spreading the news of our visit around.

"We contacted Skyward and the manager was able to help us with a bit of a reduced fare, so off we went."

Hjorleifson says she was more than a little worried by the mounting costs of the trip.

The two spent about $3,400 before cutting a single hair.

"That was kind of a turnoff, but, once we got there, the community supported us 110 per cent, to the point where we're going to return for another visit in April."

Hjorleifson says she'd like to offer her services to Rankin every six weeks, that is, if it's economically feasible to do so.

She says a price break on their accommodations or flights would help greatly.

"I have a business to run in Thompson and those bills have to paid, even when I'm in Rankin Inlet.

"It's a business and, like any other business, it has to be worth your while."

Hjorleifson says the hairdressers hope to see a bit more of the community during their next trip.

"This trip we had jackets made for us and we bought some mitts.

"Everybody treated us very well and we really appreciated that."