Testimonials

Hair Amour
By
Lesley Barker

Do you love hair? Join the club! I have always been fascinated by the thousands of tiny strands, which emerge spontaneously from just about everyone’s noggin. There is a select breed of people like this, and they are usually called hairdressers. Some prefer “hairstylists” or perhaps even “hair heroes”, but the common factor is -- we all love hair. Let me tell you a bit about the fun I had becoming a hairdresser and what I did once I got there.

Because I always had such a curiosity about hair, I tried to get involved with as many hair-related venues as I could and just tried to soak-up everything like a dry little sponge. From a young age, I had a lot of fun volunteering for theatre productions and other venues doing the hair and wigs. I learned a lot from spending time at Yoka’s Stylists and a wig shop called About Hair. Competing in Vancouver Island University’s 2004 and 2005 Fantasy Hair Competitions were really exciting events --- especially when I took home a 2nd place prize!

At last! I was finally old enough to take the Hairdressing Program at Vancouver Island University. What a great facility, program, and faculty! My experience was great there, from my first snip to my last blow dry. The program is designed to give a budding hairdresser a thorough foundation, and promotes extra-curricular activities, which spawn new ideas that build on original teaching. One of these extra activities was the Allied Beauty Association’s annual hair show in Vancouver --- my first hair show!

At the tail-end of my hairdressing program I had the good fortune to attend another hair show. This time it was the spectacular Salon International in London, England! It was such a fantastic experience. The three-day hair show. and extra seminars just had so much to offer; I was hard at work, soaking-up all I could! I would highly recommend this experience to anyone with even a spark of “hair amour” --- you will be so inspired. A highlight of the trip was going as a hair-model to Vidal Sassoon’s Master Academy. The new cut was just in time for my hairdressing graduation the day after I returned home!

After graduating, and happily coming out with three awards, I promptly dove into the hairdressing workforce. I was fortunate to receive a job offer from the salon where I completed my practicum, and have been merrily working there ever since. Time sure flies when you’re having fun --- it’s already been a year and a half at Maffeo! I learned, and am still learning, a lot from working with other stylists with so much experience: my boss and other co-workers. After working there for several months, I was sent with another stylist to Los Angeles for advanced hair training at the Institute of Courage.  And then I had fun competing in that year’s ABA hair show. in Vancouver. Never stop learning!

Well, I’m doing my best to take my own advice there, and keep up my training wherever I can. With weekly “training night” at work and an advanced hairdressing course at VIU, I’m sure I will never get bored with hair. I still enjoy volunteering when I can for local theatre productions and such, which also keeps hairdressing fun and exciting. I still have trouble comprehending the fact that I actually get paid to do what I love to do! Well, it’s been fun to look back and remember all the great experiences that I encountered or stumbled-upon along the hairdressing path. Thanks for reliving my hair amour with me!

This is one of my mannequin heads from the L.A. course, cut with the “Sexy Hair” techniques I learned (mine was the only head our teacher took to show to all the other instructors --- I was pretty happy.

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The [VIU] hairdressing program is an excellent course. I found it to be a year full of challenges and learning experiences I will always remember. The instructors are excellent, they not only train and teach you the trade, they give you the recipe for success; patience, respect, integrity, dedication and ethics. They motivated us to stretch ourselves and to give our very best. We were taught people skills and team work. When we finished our year course I felt prepared and ready to enter the hairdressing profession. Each of the instructors, love and dedication to this program has helped myself and many other students to achieve their goals and dreams to become hairstylists. I graduated April, from 1999. Then I worked at Scizzorhandz till February 2000, then from there I went to Regis as the manager.

Barbara Plant
Manager of Regis salon in Nanaimo

Hello my name is Elton Joseph and I'm a hairstylist currently working at Roots Hair Salon. I am also a Team educator for Sebastion International Tag. This would have not been possible if not for the guidance and education through [VIU] Hairdressing program and its educators!! While in the fun and intense 12 month program I discovered that I learned so much about myself and what I wanted to do with my life. The program was able to teach me to how to express myself through my art. Which is hairdressing. The educators at [VIU] have a unique system and approach to hairdressing and people. As a future Hair Artist you can be set up for success only if you want to be successful. To perorate how I feel about the course - THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME I EVER LOOKED FORWARD TO SCHOOL.

Elton Joseph
Hairstylist

Vancouver Island University is recognized by the high reputation it attains in many programs, especially Hairdressing. The main reason why I chose to attend [VIU] is because of the instructors in charge of this program. Their skill and passion for this industry is why this program is so successful. They show that hairdressing is a never-ending learning experience by attending hair shows, seminars and always encouraging students to participate in competitions. Since many salons acknowledge the reputation at [VIU], most students are hired before graduation. I am so glad I graduated from [VIU] Hairdressing program, and I have been working since. Thanks to all the instructors that make this program a wonderful experience.

Fanny Wong
Stylist

I spent one year of my life in the Hairdressing program at Vancouver Island University, and had many wonderful experiences during that time. I had wanted to become a hairstylist for some time and checked out various schools in the area.

I made my decision to go to [VIU] based on the number of award winning stylists that came from that program. I knew from this that the instruction must be very good. I found the year at school to be very fulfilling. The course load wasn't too overbearing and the instructors were wonderful. Throughout the year we were encouraged to participate in events outside of the course, such as fundraisers and competitions. I have now been out of school for one and half years and I' m enjoying every minute of my new career.

Aimee Sharp
Stylist

I have been employing graduate students from [VIU] Hairdressing for over 25 years. I can always be sure that the graduates are extremely well trained and quickly feel confident working with clientele. The hairdressing program gets better and better, and I would never hesitate to hire a graduate from Vancouver Island University.

Jeff Wilkins
J.T. Flair Salon, Nanaimo

My name is Lorne Wallace and I' m a recent graduate of Vancouver Island University Hairdressing Program.

In addition to hands-on training with actual clientele, the Pivot Point based instruction is laid out in excellent texts and visual demonstration on DVD. Perhaps the most pertinent factor in this program is the dedication of the instructional staff. All go above and beyond the normal classroom day to ensure that students are prepared in the field of hairdressing at completion of the program. Their constant encouragement and positive attitudes give faltering egos the boost they need to enter the workforce as confident, well rounded professionals. I heartily endorse the program and the people who provide it.

Lorne Wallace
Stylist