OUR TEAM - Cook Street Village
Not Sure Who to Book With? Find Your Perfect Match!
Our talented team of artists bring a wide range of skills, specialties, and passions to The Natural. Discover the right fit for your beauty goals, style, preferences and personality by taking our quick matchmaking survey!
Philip Ferreria - Level 7, Creative Director + Co-Owner
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.
Erin Mitchell - Level 6 (she/her)
Erin is a born and raised Islander. Although she loves our island, she has had a life long passion for travel. Guatemala is like a second home to her, which has fuelled her love for tacos and margaritas! In her free time, she loves practicing yoga and soaks up as much time in nature as possible!
Erin loves all things creative. For her passion, drawing and tattooing are her go to outlets. With an eye for design, she finds herself drawn to edgy short textured hairstyles. It's a way she can help her clients express their own personal style.
In hair colouring she loves the natural beauty of softly blended highlights, while on the other hand comes in hot with creating bold bright reds.
Judy Johnston - Level 5, Red Seal Endorsement + Extensions Specialist
Judy has worked in the hair industry over 25 years. She finds inspiration in the fact that it is forever growing and changing. Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec and raised on Vancouver Island, Judy has had the opportunity to live, travel and work in many different places. After spending 15 years in Toronto she moved back to the island.
Since then, Judy has been working at the Cook Street salon. She loves doing colour corrections, is a certified hair extensions specialist, excels at straightening and smoothing services and enjoys a beachy balayage and traditional highlights. Judy is passionate about continuing hair education. Previously trained in Tony & Guy cutting and colouring classes, she loves gaining new skills and tools to expand her craft. Judy has a love of hair and life and is very motivated to never stop learning! Judy is certified by DevaCurl, so book in for a fabulous curly cut with her today!
Maxine Montpetit - Level 5, Extensions + Blonde Specialist
Elly Bakhshandeh - Level 5
A highly skilled professional hairdresser with 17 years of experience working in salons with international clientele. Extensive knowledge of globally recognized hair brands and expertise in modern highlighting techniques, hair coloring, balayage, and the latest hair trends and methods.
Passionate about precision haircuts, professional styling, and flawless blow-drying, always ensuring an attractive and long-lasting finish. Known for being a patient and attentive listener, taking the time to fully understand each client’s needs in order to deliver results that exceed expectations and leave every client with a confident smile.
Elly believes that every client has the potential to reveal even greater beauty through the right haircut or color. Her calm personality and broad experience have also made her highly trusted in eyebrow shaping and facial waxing, consistently providing comfortable and satisfying results.
Arcelie (Anne) Lim - Level 4, Invisible Bead Extensions Senior Installer
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.
Erin Water-Chief - Level 2
Erin was born and raised on her traditional ancestral territory, the Blackfoot Nation, in southern Alberta. Since moving to the island, she has gained valuable experience in various fields including Indigenous studies as well as community support, where she spent 3 years as a support worker for adults with disabilities. As a recent graduate of the John Casablanca Institute, in Vancouver, Erin uses her knowledge to create an inclusive and safe space. She does this by placing an importance on making every person feel cared for.
Erin was born and raised on her traditional ancestral territory, the Blackfoot Nation, in southern Alberta. Since moving to the island, she has gained valuable experience in various fields including Indigenous studies as well as community support, where she spent 3 years as a support worker for adults with disabilities. As a recent graduate of the John Casablanca Institute, in Vancouver, Erin uses her knowledge to create an inclusive and safe space. She does this by placing an importance on making every person feel cared for.
She holds a deep love and appreciation for Mother Nature, which has greatly influenced her decision to work at the Natural, specifically regarding all their green initiatives. In the salon she enjoys styling and cutting but especially doing bright vivid colours.
Karley Constance- Level 2
A naturally creative human who enjoys art of all mediums, specifically painting, photography, and of course HAIR! With a focus on low-maintenance, natural texture-enhancing razor cuts, think 60’s inspired shags, mullets and soft petally French bobs. I like to give people a haircut that feels like them and embracing what they’ve got!
Zoe Richmond - Level 1
Zoe grew up in the mountains of Vernon before trading alpine views for costal vibes last year. She has almost a year of experience as a recent graduate of cosmetology school. Her love of reading had her devouring novels at the speed of light when not perusing local art shows or thrifting for her new favourite sweater.
Angela De Weerdt - Level 1
Latham Karlsson - Associate
Asia Lively - Salon Leader
Jordyn Cowan - Admin Lead
Natalie Grunberg-Ferreira - Academy Director + Co-Owner