You’ve likely seen similar time and pricing with other professionals in your life ie Therapist, RMT, Tattoo Artist etc. It’s because what all of us professionals have in common is that our rates pay Rent or Commission / Healthcare / Tools /Professional Fees / Ongoing Education etc and then our wage.

By switching to a clear simple model like a time minimum, that most professional appointment based careers use, I ensure that I am working and being paid sustainably, with enough time built in for each appointment to be conducted thoughtfully and thoroughly.

It’s also gender neutral, yay

Carving or sculpting hair is a technique where the cut is built from the inside out. This approach allows for minute structural choices that evolve softly as the hair grows out. Making each cut unique and experiential for the wearer. It’s favoured by stylists who specialize in tailored, low maintenance hair styles.

Carving is developed to be responsive, a perfectly-imperfect embracing of the unpredictable rather than an enforcing approach, releasing the natural shape and behavior of your hair.

(It can also really amp up a latent curl pattern)

Botany Studios is the name of my studio. It’s a single chair space in Downtown Vancouver. It’s easily accessible by bus or skytrain however there is No Parking.

Botany Studios is in an office building with limited accessibility for people with mobility challenges (small flight of stairs and a lack of automated doors), it has two gendered bathrooms and one private fully accessible one.

Most days I have my DOG Rupert with me. I keep allergy pills on hand.

My chairs have a commercial load capacity up to 250 pounds and comfortably accommodate up to a US size 20.

The studio is Air Conditioned and Filtered, I use naturally scented products, have flowering plants and use an oil diffuser.

I keep granola bars stocked as well as soda for blood sugar emergencies, please ask if you’re feeling faint.

Please be advised that I am not a nut or allergen free space.

Please be advised that I do not have a Narcan kit.

The studio policy as of December 1 2023 is Mask optional and full COVID cleaning protocols.

I will continue to deep clean, provide sanitizer/masks and wear a mask at each appointment.

Clients are expected to be fully vaccinated and to assess their own risk and plan accordingly.

I will be monitoring trends and will update the policy as I deem safe.

I don’t.

My body of work shows my range as a stylist. I work with a myriad of textures and my own style is apparent and consistently present.

Given the art like nature of my work I believe strongly that clients should trust their guts and book in based off of that. Happy gut- Come see me! Nervy gut- We’re likely not a match!

I don’t view aesthetics as hinging on technical rules of suitability, it’s art and expression. Everyone should play where it feels right for them, hence there’s nothing to talk about that my long appointment times don’t already give.

Why add another thing to charge you for?

Nope, it freaks me out.

This is a firm boundary and is not open to interpretation or negotiation.

If for some reason you MUST have someone present with you, I am not the stylist for you and wish you all the best in your search for the right fit.

The Silent Treatment is a free add-on service. It’s an easy, polite, certified-not-awkward-way to tell me that you’d rather relax than chat during your appointment.

The consultation and check in’s as the cut progresses will still happen and music will be playing in the background, just no small talk.

(I’m also open to popping on a podcast, lmk)

If at any point you change your mind and decide that you would prefer chatting, please let me know in a direct manner or I’ll continue to try and honour your original request.

***Game respects game, but having headphones in or reading won’t work as I need to be able to direct you if necessary and head position can alter a cut.

Short Answer- Lived in ‘dirty’ hair, is ideal!

Hair is a magical, ever changing and curious thing. The more varied states I can see it in, the better I can perdict it’s behavior. The better I can predict, the more seamless the cut will be in your day to day life.

Extra Credit Reading:

For a first appointment, I like to see your hair as natural as possible. But as I get to know your hair better, seeing it on it’s best and worst days can give me really useful insights!

However if you have a true coil, shrinkage or mixed textures, then my design will be more accurate if you can arrive with your hair fresh, untangled, styled however you generally wear it.

Overall, try not to stress about it. First appointments are kinda like a coffee date, it’s exploratory. If for future appointments it would be ideal for you to arrive a certain way, I’ll let you know.

I do not do any chemical services; including colour, straightening, perming, masks, or extensions.

All genders and expressions are welcome, available and celebrated.

However it is worth noting that my practice and space is oriented to priotize femme saftey and comfort. You do not need to identify as a Femme to see me, but it is valuable context for you to consider.

Also, if we’re talking assumed gender expressions, most ‘mens’ cuts don’t appeal to me. Additionally traditional barber cuts are a specialization and many of the styles require specific tools that I do not have. I would strongly encourage anyone looking for that service to check out No Dice.

Also while we’re here; if you’ve ever bought an NFT or told a friend to, sincerely believe that ‘Saturdays are for the Boys’, or that your local Barista has a crush on you, please read the room and see yourself out.

Nope.

If you do not see something on my booking menu, it is because I don’t do it.

Botany Studios is too small of a space to allow for students looking for work experience or mentorship.

I do not formally teach, but I am open to discussing 1 on 1 classes upon request. Rates to be discussed by email.

Botany is currently looking for a part-time chair renter, please reach out if interested!

My studio is small and runs on thin margins, I appreciate people treating it with the same respect you would being a Guest at someones house.

My policies, boundaries, prices, services offered and expectations are not flexible, as they are designed to help me perform my best.

If my policies etc do not align for you then we are not a good match and I say this with no ire- it benefits us both to gracefully move on. That is why my information is so clearly stated, so you can asses before you invest.

That being said, the Guest analogy does go both ways; please let me know if you require having a comfort or distraction object with you, need to arrive lightly high, or if there are certain triggers or topics to avoid. Disclosing this gives me the opportunity to be a good host, which I would very much like to be.

I believe that no matter what challenges our hair presents us the most important thing to do is simplify our routine.

If you have a 12 step system and something’s not working, introducing new and more product is only going to make it harder to find out why.

Where I ask people to start, is by pushing their cleansing days further apart and switching to a low impact cleanser.

I'm a fan of Hairstory New Wash I find that it supports a low maintenance routine, while lending suppleness and support to your hair and scalps health.

We can always add more products to your routine if needed, but let’s give it a chance to show us its real potential first.

Pinkocuts (Chris) is my apprentice and my spouse, they currently accept clients on Fridays while taking continuing education throughout the week. Please follow the link for more information.

If you like what I do and want to actively support my work, that’s amazing and I can’t tell you what it means to me!

The best way you can help me succeed in my industry is to engage with my social media! Likes, comments, saves, tags, repost and stories all help my visibility and the chances of other wonderful folx like you finding my work.

The next best thing to sending me selfies of your good hair days, is IRL referrals.

I like to say that if you can imagine having a drink with me and your friend, send them my way! It’s an easy guideline that never fails.

In the end, I’m all about growing intentionally with people who are excited to be on this journey.

As a Cis-queer white woman, spatial-visual neurospicey, I am aware of the privilege I hold as a settler and in my industry. I believe strongly in sustainability, curiosity informed intentional living.

I’m (She/Her) happily married to a Thembo (He/They), we have two cats and a dog. I’m also a big ol’ history geek, super into architecture and design (especially vernacular), labour rights and literature. Love a psychedelic or a great drink and a huge fan of taking the scenic route in conversations and in general tbh.

I’ve watched a truly chilling amount of TV, usually in the background, while tinkering with some new obsession or object.

TL:DR I’m your average millennial out here trying to not be a complete failure of a socialist-intersectional feminist-christian.

You?