Oak Bay Staff
 KIRSTIN
She/Her Elite Stylist & Brow Artist Kirstin is the owner and founder of Kharma Salons. She became an Aveda stylist in 2005 when she moved to Vancouver Island from the mainland-where she helped run salons and spas for almost 15 years. Soon after graduating from the Aveda institute, Kirstin began training to specialize in waxing. She has also been trained in treatments with state of the art equipment that range from laser hair removal, laser face resurfacing and non-surgical face lifts. Kirstin specializes in Brazilian bikini waxing and has a deep passion for diverse color, balayage, color corrections and razor cutting. She loves getting certified in new and in demand services to add to her long list of specialties to not only keep up with clients needs, but to also challenge herself and stay current in our exciting and ever changing industry. She loves educating our new talent stylists, assisting the whole team and will make sure your experiences at Kharma are always enjoyable. Eyebrow Microblading/feathering is one of her newest passions and her schedule is very full performing these services. Check out her before and afters and portfolio on her instagram as well as our facebook page. Kirstin divides her time between our locations to look after all of her clients and support all of her staff! Follow her on Instagram - @kharma_kirstin |
 SANTANA She/Her Manager She is the face of the shop, and the voice on the phone when you call in. As a young girl she knew the beauty industry is where she wanted to be. Becoming a nail technician in her younger days was the introduction to the beauty industry that she was looking for. The industry is fast paced, exciting, and constantly evolving. How could anyone not enjoy that! Running the Oak Bay location has given Santana the opportunity to spread her wings as a true leader. She loves the salon, her team, and each client that comes through the door. She is deeply passionate about creating and setting an environment that feels safe and is comfortable and welcoming for all people. She is very knowledgeable about sustainable and purposeful haircare products. If you have any questions, she is happy to have a haircare consultation with you and find the products that best suit your needs. Santana is a very creative woman that designs graphics for the company, creates our newsletters, and helps with design in the shops. When she isn't in the salon she is soaking up time with her lovely children, working on nails, shopping, or spending time with her sister and friends. |
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 ALIAH
She/Her Master Stylist Aliah was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta. She moved to BC after high school, where she took her hair program in Penticton. She has always had an eye for natural beauty whether it’s outdoors, within a person, or in her surroundings. At a very young age she has loved the industry because it allows her to channel into her artistic self with each person in her chair. Aliah is most enthusiastic about customized balayage with lived in colour that enhances ones natural beauty. Free hand colour is her jam! She has been thriving in the industry for nearly 5 years now and is loving every minute of it. Since moving to the island she has enjoyed hiking and exploring everything this beautiful island has to offer! Aliah enjoys long walks on the beach and sunsets.. literally. Follow her on Instagram - @what_the_fringe |
CJ
He/Him
Elite Stylist
CJ is an award-winning stylist originating from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
With close to 30 years experience behind the chair, on stage, and behind the scenes, as well as educating for multiple companies.
He has cultivated a multi-disciplined approach to the hair arts, as well as barbering.
Through a thorough consultation, making sure to take the time to listen, and really hear what you as a client want and need, taking into consideration your abilities, time for home routine and your desired final looks!
As an energy worker and high-level empath, CJ uses some of his gifts throughout your appointment, especially during his scalp massage to help with moving through blocks, and helping you to allow yourself to trust, release and relax during and after your time with him is over.
Having spent many years working up in the restaurant industry as a Sous Chef, CJ enjoys his time away from the salon, creating dishes with, and for his partner, Amanda.
Being blessed to be on a property outside of the city on acreage, they love to spend as much time outside as possible on the property, hiking trails, even going to the ocean with their two fur babies Khoa and Areya.
Find CJ in our Oak Bay and Downtown Locations.
Follow his work on Instagram @cjbraunstylist
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 ESTHER She/Her Master Lash Tech/ Senior Brow Artist Esther was introduced to the beauty industry when she was working as a retail advisor for Aveda. Realizing just how much she enjoyed it, she found her passion for esthetics through distributing companies she connected with. She wouldn't have been able to pursue her dream job as a beauty service provider without Kharma! She is now certified in both Volume & Mega Volume lashes, provides waxing, tinting, brow henna and lash lifts as well! Esther started out as a Kharma client, and knew she wanted to join the team at both of our locations! She has been an absolute sweetheart since day one, and is quickly becoming one of our top estheticians. She loves being able to work together with amazing coworkers, and making her clients feel great about themselves. When she's not at Kharma you can find her at home cooking, baking, and eating delicios food. We know you will love her and are excited about what the future holds at Kharma for Esther! Follow her on Instagram - @lashes_byesther |
 HELEN
She/Her Elite Stylist/ Master Esthetician & Laser Technician Helen trained in the UK for hairdressing, esthetics, advanced electrolysis, hair removal, and owned her own spa for over 10 years. Helen has over 25 years of experience, and has taught esthetics in two different continents! She is an expert in all things spa/salon related. Helen moved to Canada 8 years ago with her family, and absolutely loves working in Oak Bay. Helen has been a part of the Kharma family since 2013. She thrives off making people feel special and confident about themselves. Lately she has become most passionate about skin care and facials, and taken a step back from hair. She has also been trained to operate our laser and IPL machines, and is very excited to look after all of our guests permanent hair removal and anti-aging needs! At home you will find her gardening, or spending her free time outdoors! |
 KIRA
She/Her New Talent Stylist Kira has been working as an apprentice in the hair industry since 2019, pursuing her passion to become a stylist. Kira has been in love with all things hair for as long as she can remember, and what really pushed her to have an eye for the trade was through her high school cosmetology class. Originally from Airdrie Alberta, she always had her heart set on moving to Victoria. Her favorite part of being at Kharma is the amount of education the team brings to her daily, she is very fortunate for the people she gets to meet and form relationships with in the salon. Her ambition is to specialize in blondes and global colors. Outside of work, she loves spending time with family & friends, traveling, camping, and patio drinks!
Follow her Instagram @colourbykira |
 KRISTEN
She/Her Senior Stylist Kristen was raised in Parksville BC! She Graduated from Vancouver Island University hairdressing program in 2020. She has been growing both her knowledge and skills as a Hair Stylist. Her passion, drive, and motivation has thrust her into an exciting and promising career at Kharma. She always knew she wanted a career in modern beauty and design with a flare of edge. Kristen's other passions are seeing as many rock and metal concerts as possible. as well as winding down with a good Stephen king book or horror movie. You can spot this gem buzzing around the Oak Bay shop full time, so catch her while you can! Follow her Instagram @kristen.g_hair |
 MADDIE
She/Her
Senior Lash Tech/ New Talent Brow Artist
Maddie was born in Pennsylvania USA and soon after, moved to Vancouver Island where she was raised. Maddie has been in the industry since 2019 where she became certified as a eyelash technician. She quickly realized that this was her passion and it brought her to do lashes part time out of her home salon while in her grade 12 year of high school. Fast forward three years later she is thriving here at her new home, Kharma. Maddie is professional, kind, and loves to build relationships with her valued clients. She is driven to work hard each day by uplifting everyone she meets. Maddie is so excited to learn and grow with Kharma by earning new certifications and expanding on her skills as an esthetician. When she is not at Kharma, you can find her breaking a sweat at the gym, going on outdoor adventures and spending time with her friends and family. Maddie divides her time between Oak Bay, Downtown and Langford.
Follow her on Instagram @_madi_esthetics |
 PETRA She/Her Elite Stylist/ Colour Specialist Petra graduated from Barrie College of hair and Esthetics in 2006. From a very young age, she was totally obsessed with styling hair. So when the time came, naturally she followed that path. Petra has competed several times, placing second in ABA Toronto and Hairapalooza. She is always up to date with classes and has trained in Goodwell, L’Oreal, Labiosthetique, Aveda, and Keune. Petra loves to work with her clients to ensure they are always satisfied with their hair. She loves doing colour, highlights, funky colours, balayage, and cutting. When she isn’t making Victoria beautiful, Petra is riding motorcycles, horse backriding, and enjoys all outdoor activities. . You will find this talented lady working full time at our Oak Bay shop.
Follow her on Instagram - @paintinghair_petra |
 TISHA
She/Her
Elite Stylist/ Master Brow Artist
Tisha was born and raised in Victoria She graduated from the Victoria Film School in 2011 and the Aveda Institute in Victoria in 2016. She also worked as an education lead at Sephora for 3 years. If you have been to our Oak Bay shop we are sure you have had the pleasure of meeting Tisha. Her nature and character shine both through her unbelievable personality and incredibly fun style. Since joining us out of school, we have had the pleasure of watching her grow in the industry and are so proud of what she has accomplished. Although she has a natural talent and flare for hair, she is shifting her focus to Microblading and Machine work with brows and most recently lash extensions. Her attention to detail, natural talent for color and symmetry as well as ability to put anyone at ease make her an ongoing favorite within Kharma. She also helps teach Permanent Make up courses through Kharma’s sister business On Point Brow Academy. In 2019, Tisha became a proud mother of a beautiful boy named Yates, and most recently her youngest boy Yaza is now a year old! Tisha spends most of her time with family otherwise she is always creating something and is an avid crafter. We are beyond excited to watch her continue to grow with us and look forward to seeing what her very bright future holds at Kharma. Check out her work @tisha.on.beauty |
 WILLOW He/Him New Talent Stylist Willow’s hair journey started at eleven years old with a box of pink Splat hair dye and a friend who wanted to have some fun. Over the next couple years, he became his friends go to when it came to bright, out-of-the-box colours that aren’t seen often in salons. At first it was just for fun, but soon enough Willow realized that this was a career that would fulfill him.
Enrolling in VIU’s hair program, Willow was quickly enraptured by all aspects of the industry. From the science behind hair, the art and creativity and the incredibly unique interpersonal connections that come along with it. Willow’s goal has always been to help others feel good about themselves and he quickly learned that being a stylist is an amazing way to do so.
Willow had worked as a junior stylist before finishing hair school and for six months prior to being with Kharma, but found the confidence, education and support needed to grow and challenge himself in a way that he hadn't previously experienced.
Willow is proudly queer and trans, with a goal to make the industry accessible to all. To be a safe person and provide a safe space where clients feel seen, heard and validated. He's a strong advocate for better education in working with BIPOC clients, gender neutral services and other accommodations to make a visit to the salon possible for anyone.
When he isn't behind the chair, you’re likely to find Willow watching hockey, painting, reading, hand-forging copper, silver and brass jewelry, playing guitar and bass, or at second hand shops searching for antique books-- 16th-19th century literature!
Play a song, hum a tune or recite a lyric, he can probably guess it! Willow is incredibly passionate about music of all genres— jazz, country, blues, rock, punk and metal to name a few.
Check out his work @visionaryvivids |
 YANA
She/Her
Senior Stylist
Yana has 25+ years of experience in the beauty industry. She graduated from the Academy of Film and Television in MakeUp and in FX Special Effects in the EU as a stage make up artist and Wig maker. She also graduated with an Aesthetic diploma.
Yana had recently added hairstyling to her skill set. She is talented in a variety of capacities from theater to movies and television. She is very excited to be embarking into this journey as a hairstylist. Her passion for color and style is what she does best.
Yana has lived in 4 different countries and is fluent in several Slavic languages as well as Italian. Her family has a background in the fashion industry where she learned her great sense of style. She has owned a successful style consulting business and helped many women and men create their personal style and look their best. Her ambition has always been to become a complete stylist combining all of her skills in Fashion, Hair and Makeup.
Yana’s goal in the future is to sharpen her hairstyling skills in order to become a hairstylist educator. She is professional and organized with a positive outlook on life with a great sense of humor. Yana is thrilled to be working with Kharma Salons as it embodies the values of high quality service and professionalism which she admires and wants to be associated with.
In her free time she loves being with her two boys, playing tennis, dancing, swimming and traveling to hot places. She loves music, art , vintage finds, Netflix binges and enjoying life to the fullest!
Check out her work @hairbyyanavilimon |