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!
Meet our friendly team of professionals who can't wait to welcome you to our award-winning salon!
- #1 Salon 2025 Times Colonist Reader's Choice Awards, 5 years in a row
- Voted #1 Best salon in the City in 2025, 5 years in a row
- 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
- We are the only Advanced Level DevaCurl salon (a specialized cutting system from NYC) and offer curly hair extensions
- The only official Bellami Hair Extension certified salon on Vancouver Island
- Certified to offer Japanese Hair Straightening and Smoothing Treatments
- Evo, Maria Nila and L'Oreal- cruelty-free professional products are sold here, plus our bespoke retail selection of locally and Canadian made products
- Outstanding customer service — visit us and see for yourself!
Interested in joining our incredible team? Visit our Careers page.
Creative Director, Master Stylist and Co-Owner
Philip Ferreria - Creative Director, Co-Owner, Master Stylist Level 7
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
Emma Rae- Level 6
Instagram: @hairbyemmarae
With 20 years of experience, and ongoing training, Emma brings confidence, skill, and a passion for helping people to feel their best.
She believes a thorough consultation is the key to a great style. Taking the time to understand each client’s needs, wants, lifestyle, and vision, while offering kind honesty to create a look that will work for them, not only when they leave the salon, but at home as well.
Emma takes pride in building genuine connections and creating a welcoming, relaxed environment where clients feel heard and valued. Her approach is a balance of professionalism, humour and warmth while ensuring every detail is just right.
Outside the salon, she likes to recharge with nature walks, quiet moments alone, reading and quality time with family and friends. Emma tries to make every appointment an experience, not just a service!
Erin Mitchell - Level 6 (she/her)
Instagram: @erin_styles
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.
Silent Service Option- If you would like to enjoy your time with me in silence, please add it to your appointment notes or ask the front desk when you check in.
Maxine Montpetit - Level 5, Bellami Extensions, Curls and Blondes
Instagram- @m4xine
Maxine, with over 12 years of experience, graduated from the Paul Mitchell School in Tampa Florida and attended the Vidal Sassoon Academy in both Miami and Chicago. Maxine has also taken advanced education with world-renowned artists, such as Sam Villa and Martin Parsons. Born and raised in Alberta, she graduated from the U of A, and later moved to Tampa Bay, Florida. She's new to Victoria and is excited to be on the island. She specializes in precision cutting, colours, blonding, balayage and Bellami hair extensions. Come to her for updo and special event styling!
Silent Service Option- If you would like to enjoy your time with me in silence, please add it to your appointment notes or ask the front desk when you check in.
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.
Judy Johnston - Level 4, Red Seal Endorsement and certified 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.
Holly Murrison - Level 4
Holly has known since the early age of 7 that she wanted to be a hairstylist. A Victoria native, Holly has lived in Victoria for her whole life, except for two brief periods in Vancouver and Edmonton. Holly has always known she wanted to be a mom and is a proud supporter of her trans son. She is also a mom to her dog Avery, who she loves going on walks around town with. She dreams of one day driving across Canada in an RV and is working hard towards becoming a home owner. She is a creative person in many mediums, not only hair and also works with Acrylic and making miniatures and bjd dolls.
Holly started her stylist career in 2002 at the Advanced School of Hair Design graduating with 98%. Her career in the beauty industry started before that however, in 1996 when she worked in a salon as a receptionist and salon manager where she gained her desire to pursue becoming a stylist. Holly has been behind the chair for 14 years during which she honed her skills in creative perms, colour, and highlights and continues to pursue education to become the best at her craft. Holly is attentive to client needs and desires and creates a close connection with every service. Holly loves to create funky colour and is always excited to create mermaid hair, bold colour blocking and dimensional non-traditional colour. She knows the importance of an in-depth consultation is the key to achieving her clients dream hair!
Instagram: @hair.by.durga
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.
Gwen has an eye for style and attention to detail. She's an environmental enthusiast and as someone born and raised in Victoria, she loves being out in nature. She's always eager to work on varieties of hair lengths/textures and prides herself on her expertise with long length styles! She's working towards her Red Seal certification.
Silent Service Option- If you would like to enjoy your time with me in silence, please add it to your appointment notes or ask the front desk when you check in.
Zoe - Level 1
Instagram: @Zoe.does.hair
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.
Salon Coordinator
Jordyn- Salon Coordinator
Born in Victoria, Jordyn grew up in the lower mainland but found her way back to Victoria in 2015 and has never looked back. Soon after moving back she met her husband who she now shares two beautiful cats with, a senior tuxedo and a tabby kitten. Jordyn feels the happiest when surrounded by the ocean and the mountains and loves that Victoria offers so much of that. She finds joy in the small things like a good cup of coffee or matcha, curling up with a book, a night at the movie theatre or walks outside enjoying the fresh air. She’s a true introvert but loves that the salon life brings out her social side and enjoys talking and interacting with so many different people every day. With nearly a decade of retail management experience she takes pride in providing an excellent guest experience and knows the importance of making sure every client leaves happy and feeling confident.
Salon Management
Natalie Grunberg-Ferreira - GM and Co-owner
Instagram: @thenaturalhairsalon
A consummate entrepreneur who has created several successful businesses with a previous career in education. With her savvy business and management skills, Natalie brings in all the necessary talent and professionals to run the best salons in Victoria. Her goal is to be the best employer in BC and she's off to a great start with this team!
On Maternity Leave
Brooklyn Atkins - Level 3
Instagram: @hair.by_brooklynXO
Brooklyn has always known she was going to be a hair stylist. Born and raised right here in Victoria, where she lives with her soon to be spouse and their dog Milo and cat Zuri, all of whom she is crazy about. Her family is her whole world.
In her career, Brooklyn keeps up with her training and staying up to date with the latest trends. She believes that creating lasting relationships with her clients is key to delivering their desired hair goals, right from the first visit! Short haircuts are her jam, and as far as colour goes she is all about lived in blondes. From Balayage to highlights, she gets them. It's a colour area that she has had great successes in achieving hair dreams. Brooklyn loves a good blowout and does beautiful styling work.
Silent Service Option- If you would like to enjoy your time with me in silence, please add it to your appointment notes or ask the front desk when you check in.
