OUR TEAM - Cook Street Village
Meet our friendly team of professionals who can't wait to welcome you to our award-winning salon!
- #1 Salon in the 2023 Times Colonist Reader's Choice Awards
- Voted #1 Best salon in the City in 2022
- 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
- Neuma, Maria Nila and Yon-ka skincare- cruelty-free professional products are sold here, plus our bespoke retail selection of locally made products
- Outstanding customer service — visit us and see for yourself!
Interested in joining our incredible team? Visit our Careers page.
Master Stylist 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
Louisa Vukovic MA, Red Seal Endorsement - Level 5
Instagram: @element.amenities
Louisa was born in Europe and immigrated to Canada as a child. Supported by her strong European father and artistic mother, she began her hair career at 18 years old and has been working in the industry for over 30 years. Louisa has traveled extensively and acquired advanced Vidal Sassoon training in London, England and Vancouver, BC. She moved to Victoria to complete her masters degree. She brings that east coast vibe to shake things up a bit. Her favourite hair service is creating beautiful colours and loves getting to know the community in Cook Street Village. When she’s not creating fabulous hair, she’s playing with a sewing machine or spending time with her family.
Shayla Rees - Level 4
Shayla’s passion is to transform tired and over-processed hair back into a healthy and luxurious mane. It is a journey that she goes through with her clients focusing on patience, proper care and maintenance. With every visit to the salon, Shayla’s clients can always count on a great head massage! She truly believes it is the best part! Her favourite way to finish hair services is with a classic big round brush blowout… because let’s be honest… it is so satisfying! She loves creating naturally blended looks that allow for graceful grow outs, but is always up for any hair challenge. She is very skilled in all areas and has a passion for short cuts!
A few fun facts about Shayla are that she likes to collect different salt and pepper shakers, her favourite animal is the blue whale and tacos & sushi are the way to her heart!
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.
Erin Mitchell - Level 4 (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.
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, 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. In 1998 she moved back to the island from living in Toronto, where she had been rocking the hair scene for 15 years!
Since landing back in Victoria, Judy has been working at the Cook Street salon. After all those years it has become a second home. She loves doing perms, is a certified hair extensions specialist, straightening and smoothing plus 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, she is very motivated to never stop learning! Judy is certified by DevaCurl, so book in for a fabulous curly cut with her today!
Angel Godin - Level 3 (she/her)
Instagram: @hairwaaytoheaven_
Angel has a multitude of passions. As a true creative she enjoys many different outlets for her expression. First and foremost she loves growing her career as a hairstylist. She prides herself on being a good listener and a hard worker. Both of these attributes are important strengths to have in the hair industry. With these skills and her relaxed demeanour, she confidently communicates with clients and delivers dreamy hair results. When she is not behind the chair, Angel loves being an artist, photographer and a dog mom to her fur baby.
Marlee Beache - Level 3, balayage specialist
Instagram: @marmarthesuperstar
Marlee is orginally from Calgary and studied at Marvel Cosmetology school grad of 2015. While in school she was an apprentice and has over 7 years behind the chair. Marlee loves balayage, big colour changes and transformations. She’s a self taught pasta maker, so Sundays are Italian nights at her house. She’s an avid reader and traveller. She’s lived in Holland and got her love of biking from there. Marlee works at Cook Street during the week and is Downtown at View on Saturdays.
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.
Gabriela Dominguez - Level 2 and Beauty Technician
Originally from Colombia, I've called Canada home for almost all my life, and I feel like an island girl through and through. I graduated in 2015 from VIU hairdressing in Nanaimo; and after some time off to focus on music, I'm so excited to get back behind the chair!
Chiara started hairstyling in high-school when she was 14. A graduate of Fiorio hair Academy Toronto in 2015, she moved west 5 years ago with her twin sister and her brother. She’s both an artist behind the chair and in other arenas, such as: pottery, needle felting, painting and swing dancing. Her job and all her other passions bring her so much joy!
Madi Mouzakis - Level 2
Instagram: @hairby__madi
Madi is a grad from John Casablanca Institute in Vancouver and trained Bellami Hair extension tech. Prior to starting at The Natural Hair Salon, Madi has been advancing her skills in balayage and extensions in a salon on the mainland. She’s passionate about balayage, blondes and fashion colours. Madi takes pride in making her chair a safe and welcome space for all!
Erin Water-Chief - Level 1
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.
Beauty Technicians
Jen has been working at her career in esthetics for over 20 years. She jumped into the industry right out of high school, where she received her first training in Saskatoon. Over the years she has been lucky enough to have experienced a few different careers, one of which was becoming a journeyman welder! Through it all she never lost her passion for beauty, continuing as a nail tech over those 20 years and adding new skills along the way like eyelash extensions. Jen moved to Victoria in 2017 with her son, and has thrived. She loves hiking, paddle boarding, yoga and is always down for an island adventure. Jen is excited to expand her career even farther, and is looking forward to offering aesthetics full time.