A BEAUTY salon is opening its doors one evening a month so members of the transgender community can relax, get their hair and make-up done and feel “comfortable in their own skin”.

Beyond the Mirror Hair and Beauty opened two weeks ago on Musselburgh High Street.

Co-owners Joleen Clark, from near Pencaitland, and Amy Mason, of Midlothian, were inspired to set up the evenings by the salon’s make-up artist Jamie Scott, 20, a transgender woman.

Joleen and Amy hope that men and women who are transitioning or have transitioned will attend the evenings as they aim to create a friendly environment for people going through similar experiences.

Jamie, of Musselburgh, hopes to one day open her own salon specifically tailored to the trans community.

She told her bosses about her experiences while transitioning two years ago and her goal to help others doing the same.

Joleen stressed that trans people were welcome in the salon at all times – not just at these evenings – as is anybody else.

She said: “After speaking to Jamie about her experiences, Amy and I had a chat and we decided that what we wanted to do was offer a safe environment for people to come and have their hair and make-up done, somewhere they won’t be scared of being judged.”

The monthly event was advertised by the salon on Facebook, saying: “As ladies we understand how hard it can be to be comfortable in your own skin and not feel judged on your looks and body, so how much harder must this be for ladies who were born in the wrong body?”

The post was met with a host of positive responses online.

However, the Courier was contacted by an anonymous transgender person who believed the event was discriminating against transgender people by offering them services outwith normal hours.

But in response, Joleen said: “Any person is welcome in our salon any day and time of the week.

“It is just that in Jamie’s experience, people often feel like they might be judged in these environments.

“We want everybody to be able to relax and just enjoy themselves.

“If anybody just wants to come in and have a cup of tea and talk to people who are going through similar experiences that’s great – they don’t need to get anything done.”

The monthly event takes place every third Wednesday of the month in the salon, 5-9pm, and all members of the trans and wider community are welcome.

The first event is today (Wednesday).