Downtown Victoria Staff
![]() KIRSTIN She/Her 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 |
![]() JANELLE She/Her Originally an Alberta girl, Janelle spent her teenage years in the sunny Okanagan where she started her career in Food & Beverage. After moving to Victoria, she finally made the jump to the beauty industry in 2015 and became the Aveda rep for Vancouver Island and Northern BC. After travelling and meeting amazing people, (and after some encouragement), she decided to join the Kharma family. With an eye for detail, incredible sense of humour, heart filled laugh and big smile there is no way to not be uplifted by her contagious energy! Janelle also has two beautiful and intelligent girls that are her everything. We are thrilled that she chose Kharma to focus her vast experience on. Rest assured, she will go out of her way to ensure your visits are memorable. |
![]() LAUREN She/Her Lauren was born and raised in Victoria and graduated from Spectrum in 2018. She worked in the retail industry after high school and found that she enjoyed making people feel good about themselves, which transitioned well into the salon. Lauren loves the fast pace and constant growth in the industry. She loves working at Kharma as it felt like a family from the moment she stepped through the door. When not at the salon she can usually be seen exploring in her jeep or at the water somewhere just hanging out with friends or watching the sunset. She loves getting cuddles from her fur baby Melo. |
![]() BECCA She/Her Becca moved to Victoria in 2014 from a little town called Golden BC. Growing up she always had the urge to create! It wasn’t until May 2017 that she decided to follow her passion and enroll at the Academy of Excellence. Since graduating she has had the honor of full-time assisting, shadowing and learning from some amazing stylists and is now a well earned senior stylist at Kharma Westshore. Becca feels very fortunate to have acquired the most lovely clientele and being able to work around people that inspire her everyday! She loves having a career that is always changing and growing and never stops learning! Becca is passionate about making people feel beautiful and confident! When she is not at work, you can find her playing with her puppy Cali and taking advantage of this beautiful island she now calls home! Becca is thankful for Kharma Salons and how much it’s helped her learn and grow as a stylist!
Follow her on Instagram - @balayagebybecc |
![]() CJ
He/Him
CJ is an award-winning Master/Elite 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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![]() DANNIELLE She/Her Dannielle’s passion is hair! With seven years of experience and hundreds of satisfied clients she has a solid foundation of returning customers. Her focus is on sun kissed blondes, brunettes, balayage and curtain bangs. When she's not in the salon busting out amazing hair, she is at home watching and creating videos to keep up on her skills and pump out some wicked education content! She also teaches hair education for new and seasoned stylists, and during the summer months she is one of the main stylists with the Bridal Services team, ensuring excellence in what they offer. Outside of the salon you’ll find her hanging by the beach or adventuring in the mountains. Follow her on Instagram - @brunettesbydee |
![]() KARISSA She/Her Karissa joined Kharma from the Academy of Excellence, where she graduated in 2018. She was in love with the beauty industry from a young age, and looked up to two of her aunts that were hairstylists and etheticians. She always knew she needed a career that would allow her creativity to flow and challenge her every day! She hasn't been in the industry long, but her portfolio is quite impressive already. She is a sweet and gentle stylist, who always goes out of her way to make sure her clients know they are her priority while in her chair. Karissa loves that each day is different when it comes to being a hairstylist, and she gets to meet some amazing people that make her love her job even more. You will find Karissa at our Oak Bay and Downtown locations for all your hair needs. Follow her on Instagram - @hairbykarissaanne |
![]() She/Her
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 |
![]() TAYLOR
She/Her
Hi I'm Taylor
I'm a stylist at Kharma salons! I am currently working full time at Downtown Location.
I have been doing hair for 5 years and am passionate about my craft. I enjoy a good challenge whether it's a great haircut or a fabulous color transformation!
This is an industry that is always evolving, changing and growing. I get inspired when I am attending an educational class or event, learning about new products or techniques. Being able to create art and use my creativity to help someone else express themselves is one of the best parts of my job. I am committed to making every client leave feeling more confident and beautiful than when they walked in.
I Cannot wait to have you in my chair!
Check out my Instagram @hairslaybytayy
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![]() WILLOW He/Him 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 |