Once upon a time, there was a diverse stylist who wanted nothing more than to do something different within the industry she has been a part of for over a decade. With bravery induced by a few glasses of wine, Staysea decided to make her vision of a mid-century inspired salon come true, and so Hairpins Boutique was born.

We are incredibly proud of our diverse team of stylists who greet each client with a smile. We prioritize inclusivity, community, and sustainability, and make sure that everyone who walks through our door feels welcome.


staysea ~ owner & STYLIST

(She/Her)

Instagram: @stayseabrown

Start Date at Hairpins: October 2011

Hourly Rate: $75 (+ plus product fee)

Staysea is the owner of Hairpins and also works behind the chair. “20 years behind the chair, wow. That makes me feel old!” Staysea’s favourite services for are creating lived in colours and picking the right root smudge, classic foiling in a modern way, and she loves cutting a bob. She says she’s excited to see what style of bob is popular, and thinks that 2023 is the year of the French bob!

Being creative behind the chair isn’t the only area in her life that Staysea likes to get creative. Gardening and cooking are two things that fill her cup. A new recipe or growing something she’s never grown before excite her. Staysea absolutely loves flowers and having a massive cutting garden would be a complete dream! Right now, Staysea and her partner are renovating a bus into a tiny house. He’s a very talented carpenter so that helps when she get crazy ideas she saw on Pinterest! Camping, pottery, roads trips, wine tasting, and her cats are among some of her other favourite things in life. Staysea loves coming to work because no two days are the same. She couldn’t imagine doing the same job everyday. Hairpins family is a close one, the support and love that comes from within those four walls is like nothing she’s ever seen before in her 20 years behind the chair.

“Words can’t even explain the gratitude I have for my little shop and Hairpins Family.”


sheilagh ~ stylist

(She/Her)

Instagram: @shaybayloveshair

Start Date at Hairpins: September 2015

Hourly Rate: $75 (+ plus product fee)

Three of Sheilagh’s favourite services to do right now are highlights in all facets: baby lights, balayage, hand painting, with an affinity for all shades of blonde. She enjoys creative cuts, bob’s, textured shags, disconnected layers, and pixies. In addition, Sheilagh loves colour corrections and all the challenges that come with correcting a colour while keeping the integrity of the hair. She finished hair school in 1999, putting her in the industry for 24 years now! Sheilagh has ventured off a couple of times in her career to try something different but always found her way back to her passion for the hair business.

Interests as of late are always keeping her hands messy with some sort of creative project. Be it painting a mural on her walls at home, refurbishing old furniture, or tackling a home renovation vision. She’s been getting into Bouldering with her children at the rock climbing gym. It’s totally piqued her interest and has quickly become a love in her life, as well as the fact it’s a fun activity for her and the kids to do together. Sheilagh also has a passion for fashion; she’s a sucker for a thrilling thrift shopping session in search of anything vintage…especially dresses!

Her favourite part about coming to work is the amazing people she gets to spend her days with, both clients and co-workers. Not to mention the fact she gets to flex her creative muscles everyday is a dream come true.


AYAKO ~ stylist

(She/Her)

Instagram: @ayakoko_

Start Date at Hairpins: May 2021

Hourly Rate: $75 (+ plus product fee)

Ayako was delighted to be brought into the Hairpins team when she and her husband moved to the Comox Valley in 2021. Hailing from Japan, she brings with her a love of fashion, style, and things unique. She has been a stylist since 2016 and has attended Vidal Sassoon classes in London, England.

Ayako has a passion for perms, textured shags, bobs, pixies, and creative cuts. She loves creative colouring such as peekaboo, balayage, and money pieces. Being well experienced in working with Asian hair textures as well, Ayako realizes the different needs of various cultures' hair qualities.

On a personal note, Ayako is the doting mother of her little girl Islabee, loving wife to her husband Christopher, and has a penchant for kitesurfing, camping, hiking, snowboarding, and all that the wild outdoors of the Comox Valley has to offer.

 

Nicole ~ stylist

(She/Her)

Instagram: @sunkissed.blonde.hair

Start Date at Hairpins: May 2021

Hourly Rate: $75 (+ plus product fee)

Nicole may be new to Hairpins but she's been working her magic behind the chair for the past 17 years. Working on blondes has always been Nicole’s favourite in the past but she is loving how much colour is evolving. Creating lived-in colours by combining classic foiling, baby lights and foilyage are among some of Nicole's favourite techniques right now. Picking the perfect toner or adding a little root smudge has been her winning combo. Nicole is accepting new clients and would love to create that perfect lived-in blonde, sun-kissed highlights, or rich dark colour melt for you.

Outside of the salon, Nicole loves to stay active mountain biking, practicing yoga and gardening. Her favourite thing about coming to work is the creative team environment. She also loves transforming her clients and giving them the perfect look!

 

WILLOW ~ STYLIST

(She/Her)

Instagram: @willowshull

Start Date at Hairpins: October 2021

Hourly Rate: $75 (+ plus product fee)

Willow has been behind the chair for 10 years and her favourite services are all of the blondes, creating the perfect lived-in colour, and fun textured haircuts. She is loving the curtain fringe trend!

If you’ve been to the salon while Willow is working, you may have met her littlest love Jimmy or heard of her first love Rosie. Willow’s dogs are her number one favourite thing outside of work. She loves spending time outside hiking, snowshoeing, and sitting on the beach.

Willow loves coming to work as she is a people person and loves spending her day with her co-workers and clients. She loves that Hairpins radiates positive energy and always brings a smile to everyone’s face!

 

Amber ~ stylist

(She/Her)

Instagram: @amber.jensen.smythe

Start Date at Hairpins: December 2021

Hourly Rate: $65 (+ plus product fee)

Amber is new to the Hairpins team since 2021, but her knowledge shows from 9 years in the hair industry. Her favourite services for 2022 are short textured cuts, multidimensional hair coulours, and blonde highlights.

Some things she likes doing outside of work are road trips, spending time with friends and family, and a bubble bath, wine and a good book in her down time.

 

Kris ~ stylist

(He/Him)

Instagram: @kristraverhair

Start Date at Hairpins: December 2021

Hourly Rate: $65 (+ plus product fee)

Kris is the newest member of the Hairpins family, but has 6 years of experience in the hair industry. His favourite services right now are wolf cuts, shags, & mullets. He also likes doing vivid colours and curly hair cuts.

Some things Kris loves doing outside of work is amateur birdwatching, playing video games, print making, hanging out with his cat, and crocheting.

His favourite thing about coming to work is spending time with amazing people and letting his creativity flow.

 

KEISJA ~ stylIst

(She/Her)

Instagram: @keisjarayhair

Start Date at Hairpins: September 2022

Hourly Rate: $65 (+ plus product fee)

Keisja is Comox Valley born and raised and has been working behind the chair for 7 years. Specializing in balayage & blondes, she loves creating beautiful, lived-in colours that are created uniquely for each of her clients. Keisja says that colouring hair is not the only area of styling she likes. She loves cutting the modern shags, mullets, and textured hair that we’ve been seeing.

When Keisja isn’t getting creative behind the chair, you can find her in the gym, practicing yoga, or spending time out on the golf course. Keisja is also extremely family-orientated and has a great group of friends that she loves spending time with. Being a very social person, her family and friends are the most important aspects of her life including her Hairpins Fam!

 

angela ~ stylist

(She/Her)

Instagram: @angi_la_mak

Start Date at Hairpins: February 2023

Hourly Rate: $75 (+ plus product fee)

Raised in Chemainus, Angela knew from a very young age she wanted to be a Hair Stylist. In 2003 she started her career. Shortly after that she moved to the North Island with her husband and welcomed their beautiful sweet daughter, Riylah.

After 17 years of North Island living, Angela is moving to the Valley in hopes of living closer to family and bigger opportunities for career growth.

Angela has had a variety of advanced training throughout her career, witnessing new techniques and trends while being mentored by some of the most influential people in the industry. Angela is passionate about so many aspects of hairstyling; specializing in custom blonde precision cutting, perming/texture, special occasion styling, and hair extensions.

She cares deeply about her clients and their experience while in her chair and will always go the extra mile to make sure you feel safe, comfortable and above all, unbelievably excited about your new look.

Work life balance is important to Angela. If she’s not behind her chair you will often find her out riding her horse Sloan, kayaking, enjoying time with friends, camping, and all things outdoors.


shawnee ~ Salon Coordinator/Apprentice

(She/Her)

Instagram: @shawneemariehair

Start Date at Hairpins:

Hourly Rate:


EMILY ~ Salon Coordinator/Apprentice

(She/Her)

Instagram: @emilynovakhair

Start Date at Hairpins:

Hourly Rate:


Jimmy ~ salon dog

(He/Him)

Instagram: @little_jimbo_pom

Start Date at Hairpins: October 2021

 

YOUR NAME HERE ~ FUTURE STYLIST

That's right, we're ALWAYS looking for the right fit!