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 17 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 going through teachers college to become a Hairstyling and Aesthetics teacher in high school! I am passionate about education and have big plans for the future of Salon SL and inspiring hairstyling candidates in what is possible for them. 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 my inspiration into something of my own. That’s the great thing about doing hair, anyone can create their own a technique!
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.
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.
Emma
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.
Mariana
I have been in the hair industry since 2020. Hair to me feels like a big part of someone's self expression, and a main goal of mine is to constantly further my education to help bring your vision to life while giggling along all day long!
I love to do anything fun, creative and colourful! My favourite thing to do is make whoever sits in my chair feel like a gazillion bucks at the end of our appointment. Some huge inspirations of mine are Kelly O'Leary, Paige McNeil and many more!
Michelle
Michelle graduated from Cappa Cosmetology School at the end of 2022 and specializes in everything curly/textured hair and lived-in colour! She is so passionate about curly hair education and is an expert in clean curly hair care. When not behind the chair, Michelle loves going on a nice hike to explore the Niagara Region.
What is your biggest influence in life?
"My biggest influences in life are probably my older sisters. I am also lucky to be surrounded by amazing and very talented women at work. Every day I see things I would love to recreate myself and am reminded of the kind person I want to be."
Asta
I am the Salon Coordinator and have been helping out with reception and the day to day maintenance of SSL since it opened. I'm responsible for coordinating wedding hair and makeup services so I wear many hats around here. I also happen to be Sara's little sister! I graduated with my MA in Art History and since then have worked in curation and event coordinating. I'm excited to bridge my creative interests with the salon and bring more local art, culture and events to the space!
When I'm not at the salon I'm a proud dog mom to Bruce, doing yoga or at the gym.
Iris
Iris graduated from Laluma Academy in 2023 and is currently working through Salon SL's apprentice program. She absolutely loves doing blowouts and has perfected the process! Not only that but Iris loves doing short and long layered haircuts. She is currently accepting clients are our apprentice rate.
When Iris isn't doing hair, you can find her listening to Tyler the Creator and enjoying a hike. She also has a big interest in special effects makeup and plans on adding to her skills in the future!
Liv
Liv graduated hair school at Niagara College in 2023 and is currently working through Salon SL's apprentice program. Liv loves styling and blonding hair! She was always obsessed with hair ever since elementary schoo, so much so that her parents got her a mannequin head for Christmas in fourth grade! She loves everything about the beauty industry and to make people feel beautiful!
Taylor Fabian (currently on maternity leave)
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.