The time has come to announce the 35th annual Canadian Hairstylist of the Year (Contessa Awards) semi-finalists, who are all one step closer to being named a winner at the highly anticipated gala.
Thank you to everyone who participated this year! The continuous support of the Contessa Awards year after year means the world to us and you never fail to amaze us with your creativity and talent.
This year’s awards ceremony and gala will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.
Early bird tickets go on sale starting September 27th. We have some exciting things in store as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Contessa Awards, and you won’t want to miss out! Don’t forget: All finalists will each receive one complimentary, non-transferable ticket.
Plus, get ready to have your say in this year’s Contessa Freestyle finalists (and winner!). From October 2nd to 16th, you can vote on our website for your favourite entry and be entered for a chance to win a pair of Contessa gala tickets!
The Contessa Awards finalists will be announced on October 10th via Instagram Live (@salonmagazine). Freestyle finalists will be announced in our newsletter on October 22nd.
Congratulations and best of luck to all semi-finalists!
Canadian Hairstylist
James Abu-Ulba, Method Education, Langley, B.C.
Donna Dolphy, Donna Dolphy Hair, Toronto, Ont.
Melissa Duguay, The Savvy Shop, Dieppe, N.B.
Jenna Engel, Plush Salon & Spa, Medicine Hat, Alta.
Erin Fernandes, Bonbon Salon, London, Ont.
Lauren Green, LG Hairstyles, Aylmer, Ont.
Daniel Grieco, Salon Gaboa, Woodbridge, Ont.
Jagoda Hall, Salon Cyan, London, Ont.
Anica Iordache, Modmop Hairdressing, Ottawa, Ont.
Suzanne Maurice, Changing of the Garnet, Orillia, Ont.
Michelle Oliver, Freelance, Edmonton, Alta.
Michelle Pargee, Independent, Sechelt, B.C.
Nicole Pede, InStyle Salon & Spa, Aylmer, Ont.
Tony Ricci, Ricci Hair Co., Edmonton, Alta.
Mandy Rogers, Hunt & Gather Hair Company, Victoria, B.C.
Derrick Rutherford, Valentini Hair Design, Guelph, Ont.
Lina Shamoun, Artline Salon, Kitchener, Ont.
Kathy Simon, Mekka, Montreal, Que.
Josie Vilay, Hairology Studio, Winnipeg, Man.
Julie Vriesinga, Salon Entrenous, London, Ont.
Canadian Colourist
Emily Baker, Fabstyle Hair Design, Orillia, Ont.
Véronique Beaupré, local B, Montreal, Que.
Karine Bélanger, Karine Styliste Salon, Montreal, Que.
Lisa Crawford, Crawford Master Stylists Ltd., Sherwood Park, Alta.
Quinn Enright, Freelance, Edmonton, Alta.
Erin Fernandes, Bonbon Salon, London, Ont.
Daniel Grieco, Salon Gaboa, Woodbridge, Ont.
Ann-Marie Goupil, Salon Espace C, Brossard, Que.
Amanda Hodgson, Spirit Spa, Halifax, N.S.
Rachel Kilgour, Verde Salon, Winnipeg, Man.
Victoria MacInnis, Valentino’s Grande Salon, Whitby, Ont.
Jessica McColm, Freelance – Jessica McColm, Edson, Alta.
Karyne McKean, Karyne McKean Hair Co., Whitby, Ont.
Michelle Pargee, Independent, Sechelt, B.C.
Nicole Pede, InStyle Salon & Spa, Aylmer, Ont.
Julio Rodriguez, Valentini Hair Design, Guelph, Ont.
Chelsea Sutherland, Chelsea Laine Salon and Colour Bar, New Glasgow, NS.
Julie Vriesinga, Salon Entrenous, London, Ont.
Regan Wasson, Glow Hair Studio, Ottawa, Ont.
Jerica Wentzell, Gingersnap Salon, Sudbury, Ont.
Canadian Salon Team
Alchemy on Lorne Inc., Sudbury, Ont.
Chelsea Laine Salon and Colour Bar, New Glasgow, NS.
Industry Hair and Esthetics, St. Catharines, Ont.
Lisa Dinh Hair Studio, Toronto, Ont.
Moods Hair Salon, Vancouver, B.C
Mousy Browns, Edmonton, Alta.
Plush Salon & Spa, Medicine Hat, Alta.
Ricci Hair Co., Edmonton, Alta.
Salon Cyan, London, Ont.
Salon Deauville, Montreal, Que.
Salon Maxime, Quebec, Que.
Salon Pure, Montreal, Que.
Salon Sans Bon Sens, Montreal, Que.
SK Infinite Hair Design, Calgary, Alta.
Space Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
Tinted Love Hair Studio, Barrie, Ont.
Valentini Hair Design, Guelph, Ont.
Vanity House, London, Ont.
Verde Salon Group, Winnipeg, Man.
Zinc Hair, Vancouver, B.C.
Elite Master Hairstylist
Corey Bakon, The Cut Coach, Surrey, B.C.
Melanie Bolton, Flow Hair Care, Toronto, Ont.
Cindy Duplantis, Chatters Hair Salon, Mississauga, Ont.
Jenna Engel, Plush Salon & Spa, Medicine Hat, Alta.
Janet Jackson, JouJou Hair Studio, Etobicoke, Ont.
Robin LaChance, Tinted Love Hair Studio, Barrie, Ont.
Michelle Pargee, Independent, Sechelt, B.C.
Tony Ricci, Ricci Hair Co., Edmonton, Alta.
Lisa Schoor, Instages Salon, Winnipeg, Man.
Master Colourist
Tina Casciato, Renaissance Salon & Estetica, St. Catharines, Ont.
Melissa Duguay, The Savvy Shop, Dieppe, N.B.
Quinn Enright, Freelance, Edmonton, Alta.
Kyle Gould, Suki’s, Vancouver, B.C.
Heidi Kenney, Heidi Kenney Hair Studio, Yarmouth, N.S.
Victoria MacInnis, Valentino’s Grande Salon, Whitby, Ont.
Denise Meikle, Salon Origins, Vancouver, B.C.
Devon Plamondon, Suki’s, Vancouver, Ont.
Chelsea Sutherland, Chelsea Laine Salon and Colour Bar, New Glasgow, NS.
David Vendittelli, Industry Hair and Esthetics, St. Catharines, Ont.
Avant Garde Hairstylist
Michael Dubuc, Salon Style M, Saint-Charles-de-Drummond, Que.
Tara-Lynn Fournier, Workshop Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
Stephanie Goguen, Maison de la Couleur Oligo, Montreal, Que.
Yves Houde, Atelier Méga Coiffure, Quebec, Que.
Kathleen Kelso, L’étrange, Beaupré, Que.
Martin Menard, Salon La Loge, Quebec, Que.
Lukas Press, Lukas Press Hair Studio, Toronto, Ont.
Kye Pyeon, Suki’s, Vancouver, B.C.
Mamak Tabatabaei, Red Carpet Hair Salon, Toronto, Ont.
Antoine Vadacchino, Salon Deauville, Montreal, Que.
Collaboration
Natalia Farahmand & Christina Sgro
Angie Hunt, Abigail Arenas, Sonal Dodiya & Jonah Espiritu
Patrick Hupe & Karyne McKean
Heidi Kenney, Francis Bouchard & Derrick Rutherford
Vanessa Leone, Jerry Rosa & Syria Tortora
Denise Meikle & Joan Novak
Michelle Pargee & Joan Novak
Julio Rodriguez & Michael Dubuc
Henrique Santos & Noure Manchakian
Antoine Vadacchino, Keven Chi, Marie-France Lessard & Vanessa Secondino
Emerging Colourist
Michael Boudreault, Kevins Kyle Le Studio, Mirabel, Que.
Chelsea Dogan, Salon Cyan, London, Ont.
Sayyeda Mulla, Xtophers Salons, Vancouver, B.C.
Emerging Hairstylist
Michael Boudreault, Kevins Kyle Le Studio, Mirabel, Que.
Alicia Cooper, Scissors Hair Studio Kanata, Ottawa, Ont.
Emma Cox, Salon De Lavender Hair, Vancouver, B.C.
Hagar Ennin – Delmar College, Calgary, Alta.
Shohreh Kavari Boushehri, Moods Hair Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
Noure Manchakian, Au Premier Coiffure Spa, Montreal, Que.
Melfinna Tjugito, Beau Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
Kareena Virdi, Tommie Salon, Edmonton, Alta.
Sharday Walker, Hairology Studio, Winnipeg, Man.
International Hairstylist
David Barron, Barron’s London Salon, Atlanta, GA
Stephanie Bellairs, Cabello by Stephanie Bellairs, Mandurah, Australia
Arjan Bevers, Avanti, Helmond, Netherlands
Stevie English, Stevie English Hair, Sydney, Australia
Danilo Giangreco, Danilo Hair Boutique, London, U.K.
Danny Pato, D&M Hair Design, Auckland, N.Z.
Allen Ruiz, Ruiz Salon, Austin, TX
Emma Simmons, Salon 54, Thrisk, United Kingdom
Stacey Smoker, Stacey Smoker Hair & Co, New York, NY
Mark Van Westerop, Pro-Solo, Alkmaar, Netherlands
Men’s Hairstylist
Ben Barkworth, JustB Salon, Toronto, Ont.
Éric Charpentier, Coiffure Blunt, Montreal, Que.
Sara Chauvin Rajotte, Salon Cyan, London, Ont.
Gregory Dennis, Black Comb Barbershop and Shave Parlours, Blenheim, Ont.
Michael Dubuc, Salon Style M, Saint-Charles-de-Drummond, Que.
Pete Goupil, Salon Espace C, Brossard, Que.
Andrew Hewlett, Studio Fontana – Hewlett Hair, Toronto, Ont.
Karly Menzies, Karly the Stylist, Nanaimo, B.C.
Mandy Rogers, Hunt & Gather Hair Company, Victoria, B.C.
Marilyn Vendittelli, Industry Hair and Esthetics, St. Catharines, Ont.
Multicultural Hairstylist
Karine Bélanger, Karine Styliste Salon, Montreal, Que.
Lisa Crawford, Crawford Master Stylists Ltd., Sherwood Park, Alta.
Cindy Duplantis, Chatters Hair Salon, Mississauga, Ont.
Osaka Jagoda, Chatters Hair Salon, Calgary, Alta.
Shohreh Kavari Boushehri, Moods Hair Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
Suzanne Maurice, Changing of the Garnet, Orillia, Ont.
Martin Menard, Salon La Loge, Quebec, Que.
Lukas Press, Lukas Press Hair Studio, Toronto, Ont.
Jessica Purmal, Moods Hair Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
Ashley Ruecker, Salon Haze, Regina, Sask.
Session Hairstylist
Ben Barkworth, JustB Salon, Toronto, Ont.
Gregory Dennis, Black Comb Barbershop and Shave Parlours, Blenheim, Ont.
Erin Fernandes, Bonbon Salon, London, Ont.
Anica Iordache, Modmop Hairdressing, Ottawa, Ont.
Janet Jackson, JouJou Hair Studio, Etobicoke, Ont.
Noure Manchakian, Au Premier Coiffure Spa, Montreal, Que.
Suzanne Maurice, Changing of the Garnet, Orillia, Ont.
Jessica McColm, Freelance – Jessica McColm, Edson, Alta.
Mandy Rogers, Hunt & Gather Hair Company, Victoria, B.C.
Stef Toews, Space Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
Texture Hairstylist
Annie Boucher, Kapillar Studio, Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, Que.
Sandy Clark, Salon Espace C, Brossard, Que.
Donna Dolphy, Donna Dolphy Hair, Toronto, Ont.
Osaka Jagoda, Chatters Hair Salon, Calgary, Alta.
Shohreh Kavari Boushehri, Moods Hair Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
Vanessa Leone, Versai Salon, Woodbridge, Ont.
Suzanne Maurice, Changing of the Garnet, Orillia, Ont.
Karly Menzies, Karly the Stylist, Nanaimo, B.C.
Lukas Press, Lukas Press Hair Studio, Toronto, Ont.
Jessica Purmal, Moods Hair Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
British Columbia Hairstylist
James Abu-Ulba, Method Education, Langley
Nazir Maherali, Proper Hair Lounge, Vancouver
Karly Menzies, Karly the Stylist, Nanaimo
Jag Moussa, JagHed Couture, Victoria
Sayyeda Mulla, Xtophers Salons, Vancouver
Michelle Pargee, Independent, Sechelt
Jessica Purmal, Moods Hair Salon, Vancouver
Mandy Rogers, Hunt & Gather Hair Company, Victoria
Stef Toews, Space Salon, Vancouver
Alix Taylor, In.Blume Salon, North Vancouver
Alberta Hairstylist
Danielle Barbey, Ricci Hair Co., Edmonton
Courtney Chung, Ricci Hair Co., Edmonton
Lisa Crawford, Crawford Master Stylists Ltd., Sherwood Park
Jenna Engel, Plush Salon & Spa, Medicine Hat
Jelena Frolov, Chatters Hair Salon, Edmonton
Breanne Gershon, Glam Breanne, Calgary
Shayne Harrison, SK Infinite Hair Design, Calgary
Osaka Jagoda, Chatters Hair Salon, Calgary
Jessica McColm, Freelance – Jessica McColm, Edson
Brittany Newby, Frenchie’s Hair, Edmonton
Saskatchewan/Manitoba Hairstylist
Cherish Erhardt, Hairink, Oakbank, Man.
Angie Hunt, Chatters Hair Salon, Winnipeg, Man.
Rachel Kilgour, Verde Salon, Winnipeg, Man.
Ashley Ruecker, Salon Haze, Regina, Sask.
Lisa Schoor, Instages Salon, Winnipeg, Man.
Tanja Unrau, Hairology Studio, Winnipeg, Man.
Josie Vilay, Hairology Studio, Winnipeg, Man.
Ontario Hairstylist
Ben Barkworth, JustB Salon, Toronto
Jenny Bell, Headlines Salon, Stouffville
Erin Fernandes, Bonbon Salon, London
Lauren Green, LG Hairstyles, Aylmer
Daniel Grieco, Salon Gaboa, Woodbridge
Jagoda Hall, Salon Cyan, London
Ashley Lindsay, Valentino’s Grande Salon, Whitby
Suzanne Maurice, Changing of the Garnet, Orillia
Lina Shamoun, Artline Salon, Kitchener
Zhanna Sokolyk, Zhanna’s Hair, Mississauga
Quebec Hairstylist
Karine Bélanger, Karine Styliste Salon, Montreal
Francis Bouchard, Sans Bon Sens, Montreal
Annie Boucher, Kapillar Studio, Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil
Michael Dubuc, Salon Style M, Saint-Charles-de-Drummond
Stephanie Goguen, Maison de la Couleur Oligo, Montreal
Kelly Héroux, Salon Espace C, Brossard
Kathleen Kelso, L’étrange, Beaupré
Martin Menard, Salon La Loge, Quebec
Kasey St-Hilaire, Salon Maxime, Quebec
Antoine Vadacchino, Salon Deauville, Montreal
Atlantic Hairstylist
Zack Clarke, Entity Salon Inc., Conception Bay, N.L
Alma Head, Alma’s Family Hair Salon, Sydney, N.S.
Amanda Hodgson, Spirit Spa, Halifax, N.S.
Alicia Langille, Alicia Langille Hair Art, Halifax, N.S.
Sharon LeClair, Shades of Pink Hair Studio, Bedford, N.S.
Anita MacIver, Alma’s Family Hair Salon, Sydney, N.S.
Chelsea Sutherland, Chelsea Laine Salon and Colour Bar, New Glasgow, N.S.
Canadian Nail Artist
Angelica Francia, NAIL FIX in THE 6IX, Toronto, Ont.
Olga Khazova, Educational Beauty Center by Olga Khazova, Medicine Hat, Alta.
Nirali Patel, NAIL FIX in THE 6IX, Toronto, Ont.
Amy Suri, Nailvenom, Brampton, Ont.
Cathy Torres, Amici’s, Kelowna, B.C.
Makeup Artist
Angela Balbon, Mz B Artistry, Vancouver, B.C.
Josianne Bourque Veilleux, Salon La Loge, Quebec, Que.
Rosa Cerminara, PoshedbyRoro, Woodbridge, Ont.
Samina Chaudhry, Samina Hair and Makeup Studio, Kitchener, Ont.
Marika D’Auteuil, Marika D’Auteuil, Montreal, Que.
Natalia Farahmand, Desiderio Beauty, Penetanguishene, Ont.
Breanne Gershon, Glam Breanne, Calgary, Alta.
Lauren Snow, Blush Makeup + Beauty NL, Paradise, N.L.
Cathy Torres, Amicis, Kelowna, B.C.
Ekaterina Ulyanoff, Freelance, Montreal, Que.
Salon Interior Design
AM Hair and Beauty, Cambridge, Ont.
ATELIER 731, Montreal, Que.
DBK Salon, North York, Ont.
Frenchie’s Hair, Edmonton, Alta.
Kevins Kyle Le Studio, Mirabel, Que.
Kroma Salon, Nobleton, Ont.
Salon Le Host, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Que.
Salon Olivine, Lethbridge, Alta.
Space Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
The Pink Label, Qualicum Beach, B.C.
The John Steinberg Award for Community Service
Aveda Institute Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Man.
Craft Academy Salon, Vancouver, B.C.
Crawford Master Stylists Ltd., Sherwood Park, Alta.
Salon Maxime, Quebec, Que.
Freestyle
Emily Burnham, Salon Cyan, London, Ont.
Tina Casciato, Renaissance Salon Estetica, St. Catharines, Ont.
Zachary Ferguson, Wella Studio TO, Toronto, Ont.
Daniel Grieco, Salon Gaboa, Woodbridge, Ont.
Hannah Hewitt, Hair by Hannah, Vancouver, B.C.
Suzanne Maurice, Changing of the Garnet, Orillia, Ont.
Nicole Pede, InStyle Salon & Spa, Aylmer, Ont.
Alley Ross, Chelsea Laine Salon and Colour Bar, New Glasgow, N.S.
Lina Shamoun, Artline Salon, Kitchener, Ont.
Julie Vriesinga, Salon Entrenous, London, Ont.
Photo: Hair: Contessa 2024 semi-finalist, Canadian Colourist, Nicole Pede, InStyle Salon & Spa, Aylmer, Ont., Makeup & Nails: Jessica Benner, Wardrobe Styling: Nicole Pede, Photo: Paula Tizzard
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