OUR STORY

Located in the historic University District in Missoula, Montana

Welcome to Altruist Salon

Altruist Salon and Boutique, formerly Cowgirls Salon, was founded in Missoula, Montana, in 2009. About six months after it was formed, the business was purchased by Andi Hardy, who was looking for a place to spread her wings and create the salon of her dreams where her clients and her employees enjoyed a natural balance of happiness, fun and care for one another.

In 2015, the Cowgirls Salon company moved from its location on Southwest Higgins to its more central location in the University District. It serves clients in town and throughout the State. Andi and her team of stylists have developed a culture of education driven professionals who care about all others and support each other. The team believes in growing future leaders and cultivates successful individuals through training, supporting and believing in each other.

In 2018 Andi decided to update the salon's name to Altruist. Why? Because it "makes more sense". The lifeline of the company is truly the selfless support and altruism among the team.

Andi Hardy: Owner and Master Stylist

Andi Hardy has been a professional hairstylist for 22 years. She realized her dream of creating a salon where stylists support each other and have passion for the industry as well as their ongoing education. Andi bought Cowgirls Salon in 2009 on the south side of Missoula and now resides in her new location in the University neighborhood.

Andi grew up in Dixon, Montana, before she moved to Missoula to attend beauty college and the University of Montana. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, from watching her daughters play fast-pitch softball and compete in track and field, to camping, to watching a movie with a nice glass of red wine.

“My overall desire for my clients is to have easy, beautiful, healthy hair,” Andi says. “I believe in accentuating your features rather than changing them and helping you feel beautiful from the inside out. I deliver clear expectations and consistent results.”

Andi’s specialties:

  • Classic, technical haircutting (men and women)
  • Curly hair expert (DevaCurl)
  • Coloring (especially grey coverage and blonde)
Learn More About Our Stylists

Our Mission & Philosophy: We Rise By Lifting Others

At Altruist Salon, we deeply believe that nothing is more important than making our clients look and feel great. To achieve this goal, we are firmly focused on learning and teaching as a team: our more experienced stylists are paired with our new talent in a mentoring program, while all of our new stylists participate in our Associates Program to continue their education in the world of beauty and hair. We are also solidly focused on the client experience, from the moment they call to make an appointment to the moment they walk out the door with their new look.

When it comes to hair products and boutique gifts, we look for three attributes: great style, great quality, and companies with a conscious. We love green products–that are good for the planet and good for you.

Finally, we love to give back to our community–in fact, we care about just as much as we care about hair, beauty, and wellness.

Our Promises To Our Clients

  • You will be treated with care, before, during, and after your time in our chair.
  • We will never stop learning about better ways to make you look and feel great.
  • We understand that each of our clients have different, individualized wants and needs.
  • We will offer you high-quality, green products whenever possible.
  • You will love your new look, and if you don’t we’ll fix it.
  • Your visit is about more than your appearance–it’s also about your experience.