Meet our friendly team of professionals who can't wait to welcome you to our award-winning salon! 

• #1 Salon in the 2020 Times Colonist Reader's Choice Awards
• Voted the Best Salon in BC in 2020 and Best Hair Stylist 2019: Philip Ferreira 
• Award-winning master stylists with over 30 years' of experience
• The only official Bellami Hair Extension certified salon on Vancouver Island
• Certified to offer Japanese hair straightening and Cezanne smoothing
• We are the only Advanced Level DevaCurl salon (a specialized cutting system from NYC) and offer curly hair extensions
• Neuma and Maria Nila cruelty-free professional products are sold here, plus our bespoke retail selection of natural and locally made products
• Outstanding customer service — visit us and see for yourself!

Interested in joining our incredible team? Visit our Careers page.

Master Stylist, Advanced DevaCurl Trainer and Salon Co-Owner

Philip Ferreria - Level 5 
Instagram: @hairphilosophy
(Call to book, new clients welcome)

Philip was born and raised in Montreal by Portuguese immigrant parents. His father was a tailor and his mother worked by his side making leather goods. While the family struggled to make a living, Philip remembers always having beautiful leather jackets and being well supported and loved. Philip dreamt of being an architect but when the family relocated to Victoria in Grade 12, he didn’t speak enough English to attend college. With language as a barrier to education, he worked construction until he found a mentor who introduced him to the world of hair. He worked the night shift at Denny’s, travelled to Nanaimo for his BC hair license, all the while being a young father. Philip is the only Canadian to have won International Trend Vision, Sassoon trained, he’s travelled the world educating and he’s an inspiring artist and cutter. The best thing about Philip, besides his obvious talent, is he’s the kindest man you’ll ever meet. Find out more about educational opportunities to learn from Philip.

Stylists

Sarah Stratton - Level 4
Instagram: @basicunicornlooks

Sarah grew up in Nanaimo, BC and her childhood was an exception, as she was the tenth born child of twelve. Yes, you read that right! Her parents had twelve children and actually decided that together when they got engaged. Growing up in such a large family meant many joyful times, closeness and acquiring lots of “keeping the peace” skills. Sarah still has family in the centre of her life, but she’s also an ambitious career woman. As a teenager she loved playing with hair, decided what she wanted to be a stylist. She loved every second of hair school and of course she also excelled at it. She won all the awards and took the best job of all the graduates. She’s been cutting for about 15 years, with a few years off being a full-time mom. She now complements her hairstyling with makeup and leads our makeup and bridal program at the salon. 

Shaylyn Easton - Level 3
Instagram: @stylesbyshay.yyj

Shaylyn grew up in Victoria but has travelled as far as Brazil. On her journey to South America via Hawaii she was on a mission with her church to share her way of life. Her faith in Christianity and the culture of charity behind her religion is what motivates her to help others and heal the world. Hairdressing is about the art for her but also about building relationships and sharing herself. She’s an amazing listener and loves helping people feel good. Her parents own a small business where she continues to work once a week. She loves local entrepreneurs and puts her heart and soul into our team. She’s also amazing at balayage! 

Heidi Ellis - Level 4
Instagram: @heididoesthehair

Heidi was born and raised in Port Alberni. She moved off island to Vancouver, where she met her husband, formerly a member of a special forces unit (he’s now a Navy man). She missed home and moved back to Victoria with her hubby and two young boys. She went to school at Ray’s Beauty School in Vancouver and graduated in 2006. A talented stylist of over 16 years, she’s experienced in hair extensions and loves her blondes and balayage. When she’s not energetically cutting and styling hair, she loves to bake and change her own look (which she does monthly). 

Graciela Hinz - Level 3
Instagram: @graciela_colorist_yyj

Our dedicated colourist Graciela comes from the big city of Chicago but prefers the small town quiet of Sidney, where she has settled down. She worked for 10 years at Mario Tricoci, one of Chicago’s most prestigious downtown salons. She studied at Pivot Point International in Chicago and specialized in colour in order to rise to the top of her field. We are one of the only salons on Vancouver Island to have a colourist of Graciela’s stature. Note: Are you wanting a vivid? Please book in with Debbie, Genni or Emylia for those beautiful bright colours like pink, blue and purple. 

Ashley Connell - Level 3
Instagram: @my_blondeobsession

Ashley travelled from her hometown of Victoria to study and work in Vancouver. She’s been doing hair for over 8 years and loves highlights, balayage and extensions. This millennial is beyond hardworking, she comes to work with us every 5 weeks from Vancouver. When she’s not hard at work at the salon, she loves the outdoors, especially in the summertime. 

 

Emylia Biegun - Level 1 Stylist
Instagram: @emylia.thenatural

Emylia grew up in Nanaimo and moved to Victoria in Grade 4. From the age of seven, she attended musical jams and revelled in community, singing and piano. She’s now a vocalist in her own band, plays the piano and tours the country. While in elementary school, she would watch videos about hair and makeup, then experiment on her own hair. When she got to high school she was introduced to the Vic High hair program and said to herself, “Yes!” She started with the intro class and it felt right. She loves the hands-on art form and she’s passionately working as a stylist at our salon. 

Lauren Hawley  - Level 1 Stylist

Instagram: @naturally.laurentess

Lauren is a graduate from Vancouver Island University and has completed level 2, on her way to receiving her Red Seal. She's goal-driven and ready for the many opportunities the hair industry has to offer. Lauren was born in the UK and moved to Canada at a young age. Growing up in the small town of Qualicum Beach, she has always appreciated spending time in nature. Lauren loves to hike and camp, while exploring Vancouver Island. She has a passion for travelling, seeing the world, and experiencing and celebrating different cultures. In her free time, you can find her sewing, refurbishing and reupholstering furniture, focusing on reusing and repurposing materials to create something new and beautiful. With and eye for design, it's no wonder she has pursued a career as a hairstylist! 

Jessica Shearer - Level 1 Stylist
Instagram: @beachdaybeauty

A grad from the Vancouver hairdressing academy (and loved it), Jessica also went to Sheridan College for makeup techniques and management.A native of Toronto, she’s a traveller and has lived in Tofino, Maui, Salt Spring Island, and now calls Victoria home! With no shortage of talents and interests, Jessica has also trained in traditional makeup as well as special FX (which comes in really handy around Halloween!). Jessica is a trained massage therapist and yoga teacher too. Her talents go on and on: she’s a painter and a photographer — this girl has got it going on! A self-professed nerd, Jessica is obsessed with learning new things. Her hair specialty is working with colour, balayage/teasy-lights and lived-in, low-maintenance blondes ... think "beachy" hair. She's a wash-and-go kinda girl and likes to make that possible for other Island girls who like to play outside.

Anne Lim - Level 3 Stylist

Instagram:  @hairbyannelim

This feisty Taurus is passionate about all things hair. An avid gardener, seamstress, reader and gym rat, Anne also speaks fluent Tagalog. Her first hair gig was at the age of 12, her favourite colour is rainbow and her work ethic is hardcore. She’s a master at men’s cuts, loves hair extensions and vivids.

 

Lydda Holt - Level 2 Stylist 

Instagram: @ apurepassionforhair

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Lydda completed a 4-year apprenticeship with Toni&Guy and then worked there as a senior stylist. Her adventurous spirit led her to wander and adventure the globe. We are lucky that she now calls Canada home! This talented and well-trained stylist loves the outdoors, music and poetry. She’s very chill, devoting herself completely to the tasks at hand. She stays inspired in the hair world with structure, passion & kindness ... she gravitates towards doers. Those are my kind of people! She sure joined the right team at The Natural.

Reegyan Leepcha - Level 4 Stylist
Instagram: @hairregain

This talented and worldly stylist of over 17 years was born in Northeastern India and brought up in Bhutan (ranked one of the happiest countries in the world!). As a young man, Reegyan had to move to southern India to take care of his family. He found his passion for hairdressing unexpectedly after an aunt gifted him a small amount of money to take his first hair course. Within just a year, he won a L’Oreal New Generation Young Colourist Award, which propelled him to a new level and new life in London, Hong Kong and Singapore, which is where he received his advanced training. A Tony and Guy trained stylist, Reegyan specializes in precision cuts and has experience working with diverse clientele with a variety of hair textures. On a personal note, Reegyan gains energy from working with a team in a creative atmosphere and is passionate about health & fitness and travelling to new places. We are happy he chose Victoria to set down roots. 

Jag Moussa, Level 4

Instagram: @jaghedrtw

Born into the industry with parents who are both stylists, Jag Moussa has loved all things hair since he picked up a comb in his teens. Boasting many awards for cut and colour performance, Jag has a strong eye for designing hair looks for both blonde and trend colour clients. Jag understands that each individual client requires an in-depth consultation allowing him to customize current trends to fit each client's ‘hairstory’ and technical needs. Jag recently lived and worked in London and has 17 years in the biz. While he’s an international traveller and has won numerous accolades, he’s looking forward to developing long-term relationships with clients here. We are lucky to have this big talent at the salon.

Olivia Lucas - Apprentice

 

Currently studying at Vancouver Island University, Olivia will complete her program this December 2021. She's a hard-working young lady, talented and driven. Creative and introspective, Olivia loves to read, thrift and walk her French bulldog, Ru. Her obsession is with curly hair and she chose our salon specifically because of our advanced training in DevaCurl. Olivia is at the salon 1-2 times a week for now, but come the new year she'll hit the floor as a Level 1 stylist. 

 

Salon Management

Angela Funk-Theriault - Manager
Instagram: @angelafunkphotographer

With over twenty years in the beauty industry and ten years as an Advanced Nail Technician and Esthetician, Angela grounds our salon in experience and knowledge. As our salon manager, she not only takes care of the clients to her utmost, but she also cares for the staff. As if that isn’t enough, Angela is a talented photographer in her own right (she took the headshots that grace this team page). Offering elevated service, warmth and a seamless salon experience is made all the more possible with Angela running the show.

 

 

Mariah Johal - Social Media & Merchandising
Instagram: @zakandriah 

Have you ever seen the movie ‘I Don’t Know How She Does It‘ – that is essentially what Mariah embodies. From her handwritten to do lists to her ideas journal, she is as type A as they come but mixed with the perfect amount of sarcasm and sass. She has honed many crafts from makeup and hair styling to marketing and branding. An ideas person, her creative wheels are always turning which has led her to being our social media and merchandising mastermind. Hard working, dedicated and meticulous, Mariah makes everything she touches beautiful. She has a young daughter and she’s a devoted mom and business woman. She is a true island girl and lives and breathes all things natural. 

 

 

Emily Reese - Salon Coordinator

Emily was born far north in Fort McMurray and now calls Victoria home. Her end game is being an Early Childhood Educator but we're lucky to have her part-time on our desk until then. A lover of organization, Emily is a whiz at her job. Her passions are painting and crafting; Emily is also a talented self-taught make-up artist. Did I mention her sense of humour? Book in for makeup with Emily, she's amazing! She even does special effects makeup, so plan ahead for Halloween.

 

 

Natalie Grunberg-Ferreira - Co-owner
Instagram: @thenaturalhairsalon

A consummate entrepreneur who has created several successful businesses and had a previous career in education. With her savvy business and management skills, she brought in all the necessary talent and professionals to run the best salon in Victoria. Her goal is to be the best employer in BC and she's off to a great start with this team!

 

On Leave

 

Ashley Johnstone - Level 3
Instagram: @ashleyjhair

A mother of two girls, Abbie & Charlie, Ashley graduated from Martier School of Hair Design in 2008 at the top of her class. She was a born stylist — she used to practice hair on her Barbie dolls. In the rare moment when Ashley has some free time, she loves baking, crafting and reading. When she’s hard at work at the salon, her passion is cutting and she’s a talented colourist.  Book with Ashley for your dream balayage. She’s passionate about longer hair styles, so please choose another stylist for short hair looks.

 

Rachael Green - Level 3
Currently on maternity leave, returning in 2021

Rachael graduated from the Aveda Institute, which she chose because of its focus on using natural products. She’s been cutting hair since 2005 and has a dedicated following of clients who love her like family. Our Colour Director, she’s also a trainer and educator. She’s for sure an amazing stylist in her own right, but if she had to choose a passion, it would be for the blonde colour spectrum, weddings and undone styles. Rachael is a sensitive soul that cares about more than just their client’s hair. She wears her heart on her sleeve and everyone loves her for it. She’s bubbly (likes wine too), caring, fun and has a contagious laugh. 

 

Team photos by Angela Funk-Theriault.