“How long have you been in the industry?”
It’s been a while. 7 years in the industry, 6 with Plan B. Along with Casey and Tim, I am one of the original Plan B crew. I really love it there. It has such a great vibe.
“Why did you choose to become a stylist?”
That’s a good question. If becoming a hairstylist was a calling for me, it certainly was a very quiet call, because I didn’t really think about it much! Everyone else thought I would become a stylist. I was always doing my girlfriends hair in high school, I used to buy cheap tinfoil and do at home highlights for them (*laughs). But if I kind of stumbled into becoming a stylist, I absolutely loved it when I got there. I attended Marvel College in 2008, a couple of years after high school, and became a part of the Plan B crew almost immediately after graduating.
“What techniques do you specialize in?”
Even though I do a ton of women’s cuts, men’s cuts are probably my favourite. I really love the detailing in them. Men’s cuts are anything but simple, and there’s so much variety and cool things to do these days. Whether it’s a fade, slick back, comb over, you name it, I focus on making the cut original to the person I’m working on. I love doing fading and super-detailed look on the sides. As far as colouring goes I really enjoy creating natural looks – blended, soft, beachy, and sun-kissed.
“Describe your personal style.”
I don’t think I even had a style until a couple of years ago. I grew up in Invermere, a town of 3000 people. My style was sneakers and hoodies. I didn’t own a pair of high heels until I was 19. Other people would say my style is Country, but I’m not sure I agree with that. I like wearing denim, sometimes denim on denim. I get that from my Dad who can still rock a jean vest. I guess my style is casual and comfortable – the t-shirt, jeans and sneakers combo.
“Tell us about your worst personal haircut/hair day.”
This is a good story! At Marvel one of my favourite teachers was a super funky chick who liked to do really crazy cuts, like she would take a razor and go straight at your head with a new cutting technique. I was one of the few students who had survived until the end of school with my hair still relatively intact. But I really wanted to get a new, dramatic haircut from this teacher. She agreed to cut my hair in front of her Cycle 1 class (the first class students take at Marvel). She said she’d give me a mid-length cut but what I ended up with was like a reverse mullet! I didn’t have a mirror so I couldn’t see what she was doing; I just remember seeing my hair fall and despairing. My hair ended up long at the back with short bangs and sides. I quickly had the back cut off and my hair took two years to grow out. To this day I still get flack at work for that haircut. I also think it contributed to the end of my relationship with my boyfriend at the time…
“If you could be any Hollywood movie character, who would it be and why?”
I rarely watch movies or TV, so let me think…Um, actually, there’s no one who really springs to mind. I would want to be someone f***ing hilarious though!
“If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and could only take 3 albums with you, what would they be?”
James Bay. Some classic rock and roll to remind me of my Dad and my childhood – Motley Crue, ACDC. And Tupac, one of his first albums.
“If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and could only take 3 movies with you, what would they be?”
Forget movies. I don’t really watch them. I would build a bar and make margaritas. So my 3 things would be – sun tan oil, a bottle of tequila, and a straw with an umbrella.
“What’s your most embarrassing moment?”
I don’t embarrass easily. Like, at all. But if I had to pick something it would be my driving. I’m an awful driver and get into car accidents all the time. I’ve had my licence for 10 years and probably get in an accident every 2 years.
“We’re not trying to pick you up…but what’s your astrology sign?”
Aries. And I’m like super-true Aries. And my Chinese zodiac animal is the dragon.
“Do you have any nicknames?”
Chelso. I have other nicknames too, but they’re not really appropriate for a public interview (*laughs).
“What’s one product you simply cannot live without?”
Definitely Olaplex! It helps to strengthen the amino bonds in your hair and can be added to lightener to diminish the damage. You can take it home and use it once a week to strengthen your hair between colour services. Without this product I would have no hair left! All the leading hairstylists, likes Tracy Cunningham, swear by it. And so do I.