Saanich 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

TRESSA

She/Her

Elite Stylist/ Salon Owner

Tressa is born and raised in Victoria BC. She graduated from the Academy of Excellence in 2012, winning the highest achievement award in her class. She immediately joined Kharma out of school, when it was just 2 chairs in Kirstin’s basement suite. Since her career started, she has become one of Victoria’s most sought after stylists! 

She is recognized for her blondes, balayage, and braids, discovering a love for educating along the way. She frequently trains and educates new staff members at Kharma, and runs classes for other hairstylists on Vancouver Island and the mainland. She has become recognized for her raw talent by many reputable industry leaders, has become sponsored by several companies, and is now an ambassador for the foil line ‘Foil me Foils”. Tressa even made the cover of a styling book! She is constantly striving to learn new techniques through attending classes, and holds a very high standard for her craft!

Tressa also has a BSc in biology, so we do have a scientist on site just in case! She has shifted her career from behind the chair full time to ownership in Kharma's third location.

Follow her on Instagram - @tressesbytress

JEN

She/Her

Manager/ Senior Lash Technician

Jen is the manager of our Cloverdale location. Her calm demeanour, big smile and nurturing ways not only help our service providers navigate but also put our guests at ease. With a ton of salon management experience, this beauty's focus is to make sure your experience at our Cloverdale shop is as memorable as possible. We are so blessed to have her with us. Jen is also a very talented Lash Tech with years of experience. She is detail oriented and gentle and incredible at everything she does!

Follow her on Instagram - @lasheswithjen

NYKYTA

She/Her

Coordinator

She is the shining face when you come into the salon, and she is sure to brighten your day. Nykyta was born and raised in the Fernwood + Oak Bay area, and has a huge passion for the beauty industry.  After graduating from Oak Bay high school in 2020 Nykyta decided it was time to venture into the industry herself, and get as involved as possible. 

When Nykyta isn't in the salon, you can find her outdoors at the beach, going on hikes, or spending time with friends. She is obsessed with animals and will drop everything to give a doggo a pat. She is the oldest of 3 kids to her mom (Oak Bay Manager Santana)  and she loves to spend time with her little brother and sister. 

 

CHRISSY

She/Her

Elite Stylist

Chrissy is our “Curly Queen” with more than 13 years experience in the industry, the last decade focused mainly on curls, and their unique needs.

After graduating in 2007, Chrissy quickly discovered a passion for color, becoming one of the first Certified Redken Colorists in Canada. She was introduced to Deva Curl, and the ‘Curly-Girl’ method in 2009 and has never looked back, becoming one of the most sought after curl-specialists in Halifax.

Chrissy recently moved to the Island with her husband and teenage daughter, and has completely fallen in love with her new home. She is excited to bring a fresh perspective to Victoria’s curl-scene!

The truth is, the salon experience is far from relaxing for many curly-folks. After years of bad cuts, and brush-outs, your anxiety is understandable. Chrissy helps you feel at ease from the moment you sit in her chair, taking the time to understand your curls, your hair history, and your goals.

After your consultation, your curls are cut DRY, removing damage and reducing frizz while sculpting your curls into their optimal shape. Booked for color? After your cut, it is applied using techniques specifically designed for curls, ensuring your highlights never get ‘lost’ again!

Chrissy has a passion for ‘real-life’ hair advice and enjoys teaching her clients how to care for their curls at home, determining the products and style routines that fit best into their lifestyle.

 

Follow her Instagram - @chrissydugashair

FELICIA

She/Her

New Talent Stylist- Currently on Mat Leave

Felicia graduated hair school in May 2022 from Academy of Excellence. Felicia has dreamed of doing hair since she was a little girl. She always spoke of how she was going to become a hair stylist one day. Felicia decided to take the leap and go to hair school when she was pregnant with her little girl, who is now 2.
When Felicia is not at home you can find her spending her time with family and friends, either going out and enjoying some good food or the outdoors going for adventures! 
She is excited to meet new people and perfect her skills as a stylist. Felicia loves doing any kind of colour, styling and making her clients feel beautiful and confident when they are in her chair! 

 

Follow her Instagram - @hairbyfeliciaeileen

KRISTA

She/Her

Master Esthetician/ New Talent Brow Artist

Krista is a veteran makeup artist and esthetician with over 13 years of specializing in brow correction and Brazilians. A former waxing instructor, Krista understands the importance of a professional, pain free service with an emphasis on the skin. She enjoys forming a strong relationship with her guests and approaches her services with kindness, humour and education. Krista has also recently has taken training in Microblading with Kharma’s sister company On Point Brow Academy with Kharma’s founder Kirstin. When she's not in the Cloverdale shop, she enjoys whipping up plant based meals, traveling, boxing, girls nights out, lake days and time with her huge extended family.

Follow her Instagram - @krista__kharma

KYLA

She/Her

Elite Stylist

Kyla started her career as a make-up artist for M.A.C at their flagship store in Toronto. In 1993 she graduated from the Aveda institute in Victoria, and then returned to Toronto to complete a 2 year apprenticeship. She has always put a priority on continuing education and honing her craft. She began to share that with other stylists when she worked with Redken, as a colour educator on their Ontario team! In the next 8 years it brought opportunities to facilitate education across the country, working with some of the best in the industry. Kyla returned to Victoria in the early 2000’s, working and teaching at Arq salon for 10 years, earning their customer service excellence award 2 years running. She has a passion for education, and continues to travel for classes keeping up with all the latest trends!

Follow her on Instagram - @kylacolours

NEESA

She/Her

Senior Stylist

Neesa has been in the industry since 2014 and has a passion for all things beauty. She is Aveda trained and loves a good lived in balayage. After traveling for two years she has decided to dive full force intro her craft and resume her place behind the chair at our Saanich location.

Check out her work @life.infoils

SARAH (Sally) 
She/Her
Senior Stylist
Sarah was born and raised on Vancouver Island, and has been a stylist for eighteen years, starting her career as a student at Martier School of Hair Design. A naturally artistic child, Sarah took to hair design with ease. Highlights are a specialty for Sarah, along with haircuts, colours, balayage and blowouts. Sarah enjoys working in a one-on-one setting as it allows her to get to know her clients on a personal level and build lasting relationship with the people she works with. Sarah enjoys hiking the trails of Saanich, life by the ocean and adventures with her daughter. Music and movies are of particular interest in Sarah’s life and they create great opportunities for her to spend time with friends and family. She looks forward to seeing you in her chair.
See her work here @sarahsiaten
SHEVAUN
She/Her
Master Stylist

Shevaun has been a hairstylist for 16 years and cannot imagine working in any other industry, she recently joined the kharma team and feels very fortunate to be working with such a talented group of people. Working at kharma has given her a chance to renew the passion she feels for continued education and learning.  In her downtime you will usually find her spending time with family & friends, she has been married to her husband for 16 years and the have an amazing 12 year old daughter. Music is also a huge part of her life, she even sings in a show choir! She looks forward to seeing you in her chair at the Saanich location  

Follow her on Instagram  @shadesofshevaun

SURINE 
She/Her
Master Stylist- Currently on Mat Leave
Surine grew up in South Africa! She recently moved to Victoria from Saskatchewan to start her career in hair. She graduated from Academy of Excellence in March of 2019, but was working as a junior stylist in a salon before she even graduated. She loves haircutting, blondes, and extensions! Hairdressing combines her two favourite things; science and creativity! She recently became certified in Philocaly Hair Extensions, and can rock out some awesome Tape-in and Hand-Tied weft extensions. When she's not in the salon, you can find her playing the guitar or piano, or singing/writing her own music!

Follow her on Instagram - @money.piece 

TIA
She/Her
New Talent Stylist
Tia recently started her journey into the hair industry, after spending the last five years lashing up a storm! She is no stranger to the world of beauty. After mastering eyelashes she realized her new goal was to master hair. 
Tia has always had a passion for the beauty industry and is excited to now have the opportunity to perfect her skills as a hair stylist. 
She graduated November 2022 from the Academy of Excellence and came straight to Kharma to be apart of an amazing team, and have the opportunity to learn and grow. 
When Tia isn’t working you can find her with her daughter, baking, hiking or simply just enjoying the moments you can’t put into words. 
Follow her on Instagram @tiamaria_kharma

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