Two winners of the Chatters Dare to Hair competition share how being vulnerable and resilient has helped them regain their confi dence both in the salon and on set.
For Chatters’ annual photo-based competition, Dare to Hair, two of the winners received an opportunity to travel to Montreal to participate in an exclusive photo shoot.
Salon chatted with the winners, Sonal Dodiya of Chatters Empress in Winnipeg, Man., and Jasmin Hebert of Chatters Timberlands in Red Deer, Alta., to learn more about their hairstyling journeys and how competing has helped them grow.
SONAL DODIYA
Starting her career more than 20 years ago in India, where she was born and raised, Sonal Dodiya was encouraged by one of her best friends and her teachers to explore hair as a career path.
“Back then, I didn’t have any interest in the hair industry,” she says. “One of my best friends was taking a course and she wanted me to take it, too. I started it and was able to do everything they were teaching me. One of my teachers told me how good I was and offered me an opportunity to help with doing hair for weddings. Everybody loved my work, and I really started to like doing hair.”
Dodiya worked in London, U.K. for two years before moving to Canada. Based in Winnipeg, Man., she began working at Chatters Empress Street five years ago.
Since entering and winning her first Dare to Hair competition in 2023, Dodiya has been no stranger to the world of competitions. She has also placed in the semi-finals and finals at the Contessa Awards.
She credits the support she’s received from both Chatters and Redken in helping her in her competition journey.
“Chatters and Redken both support me a lot,” she says. “Especially [Redken’s education director], Katrina Smiley. I’m a balayage specialist and a blonde specialist, so I went to Los Angeles for training and Katrina arranged everything for me. Whatever I need, she’s there to help.”
While Dodiya is known for hair colour in the salon, she also has a passion for avant-garde hair. Competitions like Dare to Hair have provided her a creative outlet to express herself and earned her a win last year for Avant-Garde Style.
“I’m an avant-garde lover, but it’s not the kind of look you can create in the salon,” she says. “I love hair colour, but avant-garde is my main passion because I like to use my imagination to create.”
For her winning look, Dodiya says she found her inspiration in an unconventional way.
“I see hair everywhere,” she says. “I went to Home Depot and they had a really big ring. I thought I could create something with it. I bought it and painted it black and gold, which is the theme I wanted for my winning look. I made the pieces and used gel and a flat iron. It took me three days to create the look.”
She prepped the hair with hairspray and used a hard gel to create the shape, using a flat iron and crimper to enhance the style.
When it comes to competing, Dodiya says it’s important to stay the course.
“Don’t be afraid,” she says. “I always say to just believe in yourself and try. If you don’t try, you will never know.”
“If you don’t win, it’s okay,” she adds. “At least you tried and had the courage to do it. Everybody’s point of view is different. You never know, when you create something, some people will love it and you’ll win.”
Since working with Chatters and Redken, Dodiya says she has become a more confident hairstylist.
“When I came to Canada, I worked in two different salons and never got these kinds of opportunities,” she says. “In five years, I’ve seen such a high level of growth in myself. It has helped me in my journey and improved my confidence. Now, I feel like I can go anywhere to learn and compete
“In five years with Chatters and Redken, I’ve been able to do things that I didn’t even think I would get to do in 20 years. It’s really amazing.”
Product Picks
Redken Max Hold Hairspray
To prep and finish the hair, Dodiya used this high-hold hairspray.
Redken Shine Flash
For an extra glossy result, this shine spray was applied to the hair.
Redken Max Sculpting Gel
This high-strength styling gel was used to help add shape and texture.
Redken Full Volume Mousse
To lift the roots and add bounce to the ends, this volumizing mousse was applied before blow-drying.
JASMIN HEBERT
Finding a passion for beauty in high school, Jasmin Hebert was encouraged by one of her teachers to pursue hairdressing as a career.
“I was excelling at it and my teacher noticed how passionate I was,” says Hebert. “When you’re in high school, you don’t really know what you want to do. I thought I would stick with what I’m confident in, and it just worked out in my favour.”
Hebert first joined Chatters almost 20 years ago, shortly after graduating hair school. She first entered the Dare to Hair competition in 2012.
While she didn’t win that year, the experience helped her learn a lot about herself.
“It was my first competition, so I was definitely overconfident,” she says. “[The experience] really helped me because it was a growth opportunity. I look back now and there was so much to learn.”
After exploring the independent route and being self-employed for 12 years, Hebert returned to Chatters in 2023, working at the Timberlands location in Red Deer, Alta. She decided to start competing again in Dare to Hair last year, when she earned the win for Editorial Total Look.
“I have a really good manager who encourages me to enter,” she says. “When you hear it from others, it just puts the icing on the cake.”
For her winning entry, she decided to showcase bridal hair—something she’s become known for throughout her career.
“I love doing bridesmaids’ hair,” she says. “My theme is usually bohemian wedding creations. I love pulled-apart braids and big, dramatic braiding techniques with curls that are undone.”
“I did a lot of crimping techniques and curling the hair to prep it for the braids,” she adds. “Braiding can be something that can get quite stressful when you overthink it, so I always go back to the basics. You can make a basic braid look dramatic and beautiful. I always use very loose hands and not a lot of tension on the braids, which seems to help me out a lot.”
Hebert credits the Dare to Hair competition with helping her regain her confidence.
“I’m not the type of person who really steps out of her comfort zone,” she says. “I promised myself that I would do something different. I’m quite introverted and I don’t really like to put myself on display, so this is really something I’m not used to. I’m very proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone.”
“I feel like there’s been a lot of growth,” she adds. “I’ve had a lot of anxiety that I don’t worry about so much anymore.”
For stylists who are new to the industry or new to competing, Hebert says it’s something worth trying.
“Just do it,” she says. “If you’re proud of your work, there are others that are going to be as well. It’s beautiful to just to get out of that comfortable space that you’re living in and just enter. You really have to let it all go and believe in yourself.”
“I always have such great support from the community. I am proud to be back with Chatters and am excited to grow.”
Product Picks
Redken Thermal Spray 22 High Hold
This heat-protection styling spray was applied before curling the hair.
Redken Spray Wax
For additional texture, spray wax was used to help coat the hair before braiding.
Redken Max Hold Hairspray
Since her winning entry was shot outside, Hebert used this extra-hold hairspray to lock the style in place.
Redken Shine Flash
For an extra boost of shine, shine spray was the finishing touch to help dramatize the colour and help hair look shiny and healthy.
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