our team
Sara Lina McCann
How long have you been doing hair, and what are a few things you have done to get here?
I’ve been doing hair for 13 years. I trained with a variety of salons and different product companies over the years. I opened up Salon Sara Lina in 2009 and slowly built up our dream team. I'm currently training with Kevin Murphy to be a Gold Key educator. Learning never stops and I take everything I can out of my education journey.
What do you love to do when not doing hair?
I love being outside with my dogs and spending time with family and friends. Traveling is huge for me, it opens up my mind in such a cool way. I’m very much into good food and wine, interior decorating, fashion and discovering new local places in our beautiful downtown community and surrounding areas in Niagara.
What influences you?
I am very influenced by the people that surround me in my life. I have been extremely fortunate to have been mentored by some very incredible people. I find that music, fashion and the arts influence me most. The hair world changes so quickly, it’s so exciting. I love nothing more than to research the latest and greatest and get inspired from fellow artists. I take it all in, and turn it into my own. That’s the great thing about doing hair, anyone can make up a technique, there are very few rules!
Jessica Kominetsky
How long have you been doing hair, and what are a few things you have done to get here?
I’ve been doing hair for 11 years. I received my red seal in Winnipeg Manitoba, and have always been updating my skills with color, styling, cutting, and product classes. I’m always keeping up with the latest for my clients!
What do you love to do when not doing hair?
Outside of work I love spending time with my family, finding new things to update my home, and of course having lazy Netflix days.
What influences you?
My biggest influences in life would have to be my family, including close friends that I’d call my family. The support I have always keeps me going, and I always know I have people to lean on when needed. I’m always wanting to push further to provide the best I can for my husband and kids, and they definitely keep me learning and growing as a person, wife, mother, and friend. When it comes to hair, I definitely love looking at Instagram to research the latest trends. When I really need opinions and extra ideas, my Salon SL team are the ones who influence me and reassure me when needed.
Madison Ramey
How long have you been doing hair, and what are a few things you have done to get here?
I’ve been doing hair since I was 15 years old. When I finished high school, I did the apprenticeship program for hairstyling at Niagara College. I got a job at Salon SL where I’ve been working now for 6 years. I started out assisting and with a lot of training from Sara I was on the floor in about a year and a half. I’ve now been licensed in the trade for three years.
What do you love to do when not doing hair?
I spend a bunch of my time at the gym. I still don’t have a six pack, but that’s probably because another thing I enjoy doing outside of work is eating! Scoping out cute and delicious places to eat is my favorite. I also try to get outside a bunch, hiking or looking for some cute waterfalls around the area, going to the beach. I also spend a fair amount of my time watching Netflix when I’m not outside!
What influences you?
One of my biggest influences have been my parents. They’ve taught me to work hard, be a positive person, and have always encouraged me to stick with things and see what happens; which is why I have my amazing job today! Another influence of mine is my employer, Sara. She has been a great teacher to me and has helped me to push past my fears when I first started out in hair. She helped to give me confidence in what I do and helping to further my education so I can give people exactly what they are looking for and take my career to new levels.
I also look to a lot of social media influencers in the hair world, Pretty Little Ombré and Nine Zero One have taught me a lot of techniques that I use every single day when I’m at the salon. Sometimes the things I learn aren’t even a big lesson, but if I can take away maybe a few tips to use to better myself that’s good enough for me. Researching the hair world on social media has definitely bettered me for the job that I do, and I feel like it’s helped me to take more risks and push past my comfort zone!
Taylor Ciamarra
How long have you been doing hair, and what are a few things you have done to get here?
I’ve been doing hair for about 6 years. I’ve trained through a variety of different platforms and take classes constantly with lines such as Kevin Murphy and within our awesome Salon SL!
What do you love to do when not doing hair?
I love to cook and bake! Food is a great passion of mine. I do lots of hiking with my dog, and anything that takes me outside. And of course, spending time with my family and friends.
What influences you?
In the hair world, I would say Kristin Ess, Dominick Serna and Anh Cotran. In other parts of my life it would be Lauren Conrad and Jillian Harris, both amazing boss ladies!
Chantel Tweedle
How long have you been doing hair, and what are a few things you have done to get here?
I’ve been doing hair for about four years now. I continue my training in any way possible, whether it's traveling, researching classes online, or learning from my team. I'm always looking for new ways to do hair and trying something new.
What do you love to do when not doing hair?
I'm a homebody, a mother of two, and girlfriend. I spend as much time as I can with my family.
What influences you?
I am always influenced by upbeat and positive people, people that work hard and train to be better. I have also always taken after my mother. She is one of the most hardworking people I have ever met and never gave up even on her worst days.
Seana Wismer
How long have you been doing hair, and what are a few things you have done to get here?
In high school I took a lot of cosmetology classes, then I went to Niagara College and took their hairstyling course. I have taken a few different extension classes and watch lots of hair videos trying to learn as much as I can and keep up with hair trends.
What do you love to do when not doing hair?
When I'm not doing hair I love spending time with my puppy, boyfriend and family. I also go on a lot of walks outside of work and I am always trying to find the nicest places to go explore. I have a bit of an obsession with shopping, shoes and Sephora, but when I am not outside doing stuff or finding my next adventure I'm being lazy and watching a lot of Netflix.
What influences you?
My biggest influence is my family. They are my biggest fans and support system and are always here to push me to be the best hairstylist and person I can possibly be. I get a lot of inspiration from different stylists on Instagram. And I know that I can always get help from the lovely ladies around me at SSL.
Taylor Fabian
How long have you been doing hair, and what are a few things you have done to get here?
From the time I can remember hair has always been part of my life. I am a fourth generation hairstylist. I grew up in my mom’s hair salon sweeping floors and handing perm rods since I could walk. In terms of becoming an official stylist the path was not as straight forward as it could have been. I took multiple different programs bouncing between universities and colleges before finally finding my passion for hair. I attended a private college in August 2019 and have been doing hair since then. I feel that it is important to stay current and educated within the hair industry because it is forever changing; so I am always taking online courses, watching styling videos and pushing myself out of my own comfort zone to improve my knowledge and skill set to keep myself current, and in the know.
What do you love to do when not doing hair?
When I'm not doing hair I'm hanging out with my two cats Perri and Blair, crafting, and spending time with family and friends. When I am not at home I am traveling around the city scoping out new coffee shops and online shopping. I love a good movie, binging a Netflix show with good snacks, taking pictures, reading a book, but most importantly taking long naps! I like keep my mind and soul happy, healthy and loved.
What influences you?
For me I find influences in many different things such as art, music, fashion, tattoos, interior decorating and of course my family. I have been so lucky to have great role models. My Papa has always been there to remind me to work hard, have fun, to be completely selfless, and always better myself through learning. He also always supports a rockin good plaid outfit. I am known by my friends to be attached to clean lines, rich colours and anything that sparkles. I am the mould that holds my people together. Social media impacts my inspiration and showing the world what influences me as well. I make a conscious effort to stay true to myself, but showing my weirdness when posting. Being my authentic self is something that I am persistent with and has been attached to my inspiration. My main influences in the hair world come from my Mom, the long line of stylists I come from, and of course my SSL family. Being guided and influenced by strong, resilient, determined, bold women will always keep pushing me to be my absolute best.
Michaela Cowdrey
How long have you been doing hair and what are a few things you have done to get here?
I’ve been doing hair for 6 years. I've trained with various product companies and salons over the years, and am starting to specialize in extensions.
What do you love to do when you're not at the salon?
I love spending time with my pup Dexter, going for hikes and lifting weights at the gym.
What influences you?
My coworkers influence me everyday. I also take influence from staying up to date with trends and social media influencers.
Kelsey Boal
How long have you been doing hair, and what are a few things you have done to get here?
I’ve been doing hair for 10 years. I graduated Niagara college in 2012 and since then have taken training courses through Reken, Goldwell, Kevin Murphy, as well as independent classes with Lina Phan and his partner Maggie, Josie Vilay. I also travelled to New York to learn from Farhana Premji.
What do you love to do when not doing hair?
When I’m not doing hair I enjoy spending time with my two sons Maverick and Finley who are both 5 years old- my fiancé Joshua and our pup Joey! I’m very family/friend oriented and like to keep busy and social!
What influences you?
The women I work with. I’m surrounded by such individual but likeminded women who give me such strength and inspiration everyday. I’m grateful for them and the environment I work in!
Emma Willms
How long have you been doing hair and what are a few things you have done to get here?
I have been doing hair for 7 years. Started in Winnipeg, where I worked alongside an educator when I finished school. Moved back to St. Catharines and started to build my clientele. I continue to take all the classes I can to be up to date on new techniques.
What do you love to do when you're not at the salon?
I recently started learning how to crochet. So far I can only make a scarf. I really enjoy being at home when I can. I love listening to music or finding a good movie to watch.
What influences you?
I am influenced by others, their creativity and how they portray themselves in their clothes and hair. I like to try to recreate someone's look but add personal touch. My friends especially influence me and my passion for what I do. They are huge supports in my life.
Alexa Dance
How long have you been doing hair, and what are a few things you have done to get here?
I have been doing hair for almost 4 years now, although I have been interested in hair since I can remember. I competed in skills competitions in high school and started my professional education in 2018. Since then, I have received education from various styling and colour companies! Education never stops in this industry as it’s always changing and I greatly value everything I have been taught!
What do you love to do when not doing hair?
When not doing hair, my first priority is being well rested before I dive into any social gatherings so I’m at my best. I love to spend time with my friends and family which almost always involves eating (I’m a big foodie) and thrifting! I cherish my free time and always try to do exciting activities! I love travelling as well!
What influences you?
I am very influenced by other hairstylists work that I see, wether in our salon or on social media, but I am most influenced by my coworkers! Being in a motivating and ambitious environment where everyone is encouraging makes such a difference in your own work. I have learned so much from my peers not only about technique and craft, but personal growth and confidence as well! I’m very grateful to be surrounded by the ladies I work with.
Maude & Marta
We're along for the ride, always eager to greet you, give you cuddles (if you please), and make you smile. We're hypoallergenic, too!
